[ATC] Panchen Lama Rally & Prayers This Sunday

Sunday 17 May

Anniversary of the Abduction of the Panchen Lama

Noon till 2pm

Circular Quay (Opposite the Museum of Contemporary Art)

Join members of Sydney's Tibetan community in offering prayers for the Panchen Lama and raising awareness of the plight of Tibet's political prisoners.

There will be an information stand on the Panchen Lama and the Tibetan situation and members of the public will be invited to show their support by adding their handprint to a giant banner calling for the release of Tibet's political prisoners.

Speakers

Tenpa Dugdak, Voice of Tibet

Simon Bradshaw, Australia Tibet Council

Dorjee Rinchen, Sydney Tibetan Youth

On 17 May 1995, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, then 6 years old, was abducted by Chinese authorities less than a month after he had been recognized by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama.

The whereabouts of Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama and the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, remain unknown.

The Panchen Lama is among hundreds of Tibetan political prisoners. Over 6,000 Tibetans have been arbitrarily arrested and detained since March 2008. Of those released, many experienced torture and other brutal ill-treatment in detention. Over 1,000 remain unaccounted for.

On April 8, two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, were sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in protests in Lhasa on 14 March last year. Three other Tibetans have been given suspended death sentences and many others given long prison sentences.

Trials of Tibetans for their alleged roles in last year's protests have been conducted in secrecy and in the absence of even the most basic level of legal oversight and due process.

6,000 arrested

1,000 unaccounted for

5 sentenced to death

0 given fair trials

Australia must speak out for the voiceless in Tibet and do more to promote the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Tibetan people.

For futher information: Tenzin Gaden 0413 542 320

Kind regards,

Simon

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Simon Bradshaw

Campaign Coordinator

Australia Tibet Council

Be a Voice for Tibet - www.atc.org.au/voice