First photographs from Ngaba expose how situation far from “harmonious”

Today as China denies reports of tensions (1) and described the situation at Kirti monastery, Ngaba County (Ch: Aba) as “harmonious” (2) Free Tibet secured the first images from Tibet confirming eye witness accounts of plain-clothed police armed with wooden batons; the deployment of riot police onto the streets of Ngaba town and check points manned by the army.

Stephanie Brigden, Free Tibet’s Director said

The Chinese Foreign Spokesman, Hing Leo described how “...monks in the Kirti monastery enjoy a normal life and normal Buddhist activities ...” (2) On the one hand he is correct: ‘re-education’ campaigns intended to stamp out dissent and ensure loyalty to China have become the norm in Tibet. However these so-called patriotic re-education campaigns violate not only the right to freedom of religion but also the right to freedom of thought. The photograph of an army check-point outside Kirti monastery (7) testifies that ‘local social order’ is far from normal as Beijing would like the international community to believe. If ‘social order’ was normal it would not have been necessary for the shops, business including internet cafes to have had to close as was the case for 24 hours (8)”.

Notes to editor

(1) Tension has been growing in Ngaba Town in eastern Tibet. Following the self-immolation of a young Tibetan monk from Kirti Monastery on 16 March 2011 http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/monk-dies-after-self-immolation

For a summary of events see http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/tension-ngaba-county-escalates

(2) http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE73I1G020110419

(3 - 8) Photographs are available at: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/ngaba-photographs Please credit Free Tibet.

(9) Other photographic images available here: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/photographs-depicting-immediate-after...

(9) Free Tibet is an international campaigning organisation that stands for the right of Tibetans to determine their own future. We campaign for an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet and for the fundamental human rights of Tibetans to be respected.

For further information, more images (similar content, quality) and interviews please contact Free Tibet’s Director <a href="http://www.freetibet.org/contact-us">Stephanie Brigden</a>
Email: stephanie@freetibet.org
Mobile: +44 (0)7971 479515