Press Releases
Tibetan Olympics Torch Relay, Tokyo Chapter
TOKYO, Japan, 16 March 2008 — As the world prepares for the 2008 August Beijing Olympics, Tibetans will be left out: Because their country has been occupied by China.
China has been awarded the honour of hosting the 2008 world Olympics, on the condition that China would improve the conduct of its regime, so as to live by the spirit of the Olympics.
The recent torture and killing by the Chinese security force of peaceful monks and laypeople demonstrating for their rightful homeland in Tibet shows that China's totalitarian regime is in no way ready to change its oppressive and brutal attitude towards those voicing their desire for human rights and justice in their own land.
The Tibetan demonstrations in Tibet, defying brutal crackdowns by the Chinese security forces, openly show that Tibetans are not happy under Chinese rule.
We are not against holding the Olympics in China. We also want peace and stability in China so that the 2008 Olympics would be a success. But we cannot let the Olympics happen in a place where the spirit of the Olympics is besmeared.
How can we achieve a peaceful world, when the roof of the world is bleeding? How can humanity move forward if the peace-loving Tibetans are left to live in terror and suffering just to please a brutal totalitarian regime?
Recently, in one of his speeches, Chinese President Hu Jintao said that stability in Tibet is linked with stability in the whole of China. If he really thinks so, he should adopt a realistic approach towards the Tibetan issue and enter into negotiations with the Tibetans.
The Dalai Lama has rightly said, "Peace cannot be imposed with a brutal force, it will not last long".
The Tibetan Olympics torch relay in Tokyo is a part of the Tibetan Olympics 2008, to be held in May in Dharamshala, India. It is initiated by Tibetans in exile to show their love and respect for the spirit of the international Olympics.
The torch, which is on an around-the-world tour, was lit in Delhi at the end of January, and has travelled to Sydney, Taiwan, McLeod Ganj (India). After Tokyo, it will go onwards to Maui (Hawaii), cities in the United States, and around the world, returning to Dharamshala in May.
As it moves around the world, it will highlight the paradox of the 2008 Beijing Olympics: The world's most respected and peaceful sporting event being held in one of the world's most repressive and brutal countries.
We therefore urge the Chinese leaders to look deeper into the Tibetan issue, and give to the Tibetan people their rightful freedom and peace. We request the world community to support the Dalai Lama and his people in their struggle for peace, justice, and freedom.
Contact: Kubo Takashi
Tel: 0081 90 3317 0011
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[an error occurred while processing this directive]More about the Tokyo leg
- The event
- Press release: Tokyo leg of Tibetan Olympics torch relay
- News: Tokyo Torch Relay in the media
- Gallery: Photos of the Tokyo Torch Relay
More about Tibetan Olympics
- The Event: Schedule, activities, participants
- Press: Tibetan Olympics press releases
- Torch Route Organisers: Contact info
- News: Tibetan Olympics in the media
- About the Tibetan Olympics
- Gallery: Tibetan Olympics photos
- Tibetan Olympics at Wikipedia
- Tibetan Olympics at Google
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