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FRIENDS FOR TIBET (Circle of) PHILIPPINES
Press Release
Candles for Tibet August 7, 2008
Spearheaded by: Candle4Tibet.org
Friends for Tibet - Cebu will be joining this project with a plea to all other Tibet Support Groups and Indiviudals in the Philippines and elsewhere to do the same.
Take part in the Olympic Games. Light a candle for Tibet.
One candle, in a hundred million of windows all over the world, is symbolizing the right of all human beings to self determination, freedom of speech, thought, conscience and religious belief.
Our opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will start at sunset on Thursday 7/8/08, the night before the official ceremony in Beijing.
Please follow link listed above for more info.
Solidarity March 15, 2008
Circle of Friends
Cebu City, Philippines
Sources: NYTimes, MsNBC and Reuters News
The Circle of Friends for Tibet – Philippines, a Tibet support group based in Cebu City would like to express its solidarity with the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet. Mass actions by Tibetans against the illegal occupation by China since 1949 have come to its peak this March 10, 2008 (celebrated as Tibet’s National Uprising Day). It was on this day in 1959 that Tibetans rose up against the Chinese after HH the Dalai Lama fled to India.
This year is more important to the Tibetans due to China’s hosting the summer Olympics. The Tibet issue has largely been unknown due to China’s mass censorship on news inside this occupied country. Global supporters are currently using this issue to gain worldwide awareness on the Tibetans struggle for self determination, respect for their culture and to practice their religion without any restrictions.
China was expecting global actions from Tibetans and their world supporters but was caught by surprise when mass actions inside Tibet were stage in various places. As usual, the Chinese have been very quick and brutal in their response to these mass actions inside Tibet. Even after 30 days from March the 10th, sporadic protest was still going on in Tibet in various forms. China had officially acknowledged 22 civilians dead but press watchers are putting out a higher figure and estimates after China ordered a ban on all foreign reporters. The Tibetan Gov't-in-exile had come up with 200 casualties since the trouble began last March.
One protester was trying to relay a message to the outside world and to their fellow Tibetans in exile saying this will prove that all Tibetans are discontented and are against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet, and are requesting all exiled Tibetans to continue with their struggle till Tibet is free.
Since China’s invasion, a million Tibetans have (allegedly) been killed and more than 5 thousand monasteries have been destroyed by the Chinese officials. This also drove their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in exile and currently stays in India.
We, the Circle of Friends of Tibet are requesting the Chinese government through its consular office in Cebu and its embassy in Manila to stop this inhuman treatment being done on the Tibetans. Stop the torture, mass arrest and killings of the peaceful protesters. We join the worldwide condemnation of China’s actions which is in contrast to the harmony and peace, the Olympics games is representing.
We are also requesting the Philippines National Government not to attend the opening ceremonies to this coming summer Olympic Games and to appeal with the delegates for their support on this issue. Human right is a worldwide issue in this age and China still has to show that it abides with these basic international tenets on human rights. All civilize nations should say no to the summer Olympics as long as China fails to response to these issues. Worldwide protest will continue until Chinese officials will stop its brutal repression and aggression on the Tibetan people and its other minorities.
An informal group formed to help stop Human Rights and Environmental violations in Tibet
and to assist its people's demand for self determination. It aims to inform and update
the Filipino people on these issues and to join the global call for a Free Tibet!
Our Goal and Purpose:
To support the Tibetan people's endeavor for self-determination. To acknowledge and give respect to their temporal and spiritual leader, HH the 14th Dalai Lama. And to join the worldwide support and campaign to spread awareness on China's illegal occupation of Tibet.
We are a Tibetan support group based in Cebu City.
If you share the same sentiment and you live in the Province of Cebu or the Visayas Region of the Philippines, we would like to invite you to join us in our future activities and programs.
Please help save Tibet, preserve their culture, to let the Tibetans practice their religion and to decide their future, be it real autonomy or total independence from the illegal Chinese domination.
Contact Info or Inquiries:
We welcome any comments, questions and concerns.
Also follow related links below for more info.
Daghang Salamat, Mabuhay ang Tibet!
Jacinto Vidal, Coordinator
serkol.friends@yahoo.com
Tel No. 0921-761-6447
Circle of Friends for Tibet
Southroad, Cebu, Philippines 6000
Why Tibet? (4D)
Tibet Info (CTA)
Tibet News (ICT)
Tibet Sites & Updates
CoF Support Site
Green Point
Send E-Mail to: serkol.friends@hotmail.com
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