Free Tibet campaigners send China a message as Olympics begin

Free Tibet campaigners raise the flag for Tibet.

At precisely 1:08pm in London today Lama Lobsang, a Tibetan monk, raised the Tibetan flag opposite the Chinese embassy and Tibetans and their supports sang the Tibetan national anthem. Timed to coincide with the start of the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, the flag raising and demonstration by hundreds of people sent a message to the Chinese government that Tibet will not be forgotten during the Games.

Asked by journalists to explain the symbolism of raising the Tibetan flag, Anne Holmes of Free Tibet Campaign said: “We are here today raising the Tibetan flag because raising their own flag is Tibet is illegal. Even possessing a Tibetan national flag in Tibet is an offence punishable with imprisonment.”

The protest led by Free Tibet campaigners, was joined by Burmese, Sudanese and Zimbabwean activists to highlight the role of China in supporting repressive regimes.

Thanking the many individuals who attended the event, Holmes said: “In order to win the 2008 Olympics, China promised its human rights record would improve. Instead, its appalling record has worsened as the Games approached. The human rights violations perpetuated by the Chinese government against Tibetans and against the Chinese people are tragic enough. Sadly, China’s disregard for human rights spans the planet.”

For more information contact Anne Holmes on 020 7324 4605 or e-mail anne@freetibet.org.