On 8th April 2009, China sentenced two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, to death for their alleged involvement in last year's protests in Lhasa. They were charged with "setting fatal fires". Without a reprieve, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak could be executed any day now. Help save their lives by taking action now.

Three others, Tenzin Phuntsok, Kangtsuk and Penkyi have also been sentenced to death but with a two year suspension, and Penkyi of Nyinmo and Dawa Sangpo have been sentenced to life imprisonment. All the trials were conducted in secret and it is likely that all the accused were denied basic legal rights (as is routinely the case for Tibetans).

These harsh sentences signal an alarming escalation in the Chinese government's campaign to punish and intimidate Tibetans who dare to speak out against Chinese rule.

Please take action now by sending an email to the Chinese Minister of Justice demanding that the death sentences are quashed with immediate effect. To take the email action and read further details go to the following link:

TAKE ACTION NOW: http://tinyurl.com/action-23april09

You can also access the urgent action from the home page of the International Tibet Support Network's website at: http://www.tibetnetwork.org.

Thank you for your help.

 

The ITSN Secretariat

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Lhasa, Apr 12 (PTI) India may be far from Tibet but not Bollywood as its songs and stars are very popular among the youths of this remote Himalayan region who swear by the names of Shahrukh Khan and Ashwariya Rai.

The new generation Tibetan youth, who love to dress in jeans, drink coca cola or go to a disco, love to listen popular Hindi songs like "Pappu can't dance saala" (Jane Tu Ya Jaane Na) or "It's the time to disco.." (Kal Ho Na Ho) and wear kurta with capris.

"I love Hindi songs. I may not understand them but I like the beats and rhythm. They are real treat," said Sounag Gentsen, who works with the Tibet Autonomous Region administration.

The DVDs and CDs of Bollywood movies and songs are easily available in the music shops of Lhasa's busy streets like North Nyngthan or Barriku. Most of them are allegedly smuggled into China through either Nepal or Hong Kong and are available at a price between 10 to 20 Yuan (Rs 70 to Rs 140 range).

"The peppy Indian numbers just drive us crazy. They have a fresh effervescence," said Dechu Dekyi Chudrun, who is currently pursuing her engineering degree in Sichuan province, said. PTI