27 June 2013
Dear Network Members,
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meeting has closed in Cambodia without Lhasa being discussed. A Sample Press Release with the movement's response is now available (pasted below or online at https://docs.google.com/
Despite the fact that Lhasa was not raised in the meeting, we have created significant awareness of the issue and built a grassroots support-base of 100,000 people. We'll be seeking a meeting with UNESCO in Paris to ask for an explanation for the failure to discuss Lhasa, and we recommend Tibet Groups do the same with World Heritage Committee delegates in their own countries, once they return from Cambodia. We'll circulate some Talking Points early next week. All other resources can be found at the end of this message.
Sample Press Release Text.
27 June 2013, For Immediate Release
Press Contacts:
Tenzin Jigme: International Tibet Network [US: English, Tibetan] +1 703 424 0015 OR YOUR Tibet Group person
Pema Yoko: Students for a Free Tibet [US: English, Tibetan] +1 646 266-0382
Global outcry mounts as UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee fail to raise concerns about China’s development work in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa
Demonstrations and delivery of 100,000 strong petition take place at UNESCO offices in New York and Paris
Tibetans and supporters gathered last night at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris and branch office in New York City [photos available, see 1] to highlight the failure of the the World Heritage Committee to address serious concerns that China’s rapid urban development is transforming the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, an inscribed World Heritage Site. Campaigners from Students for a Free Tibet hand-delivered petitions signed by 100,000 concerned citizens urging UNESCO to seek a mission to investigate the state of Lhasa, and to safeguard the historic city [2], but the 37th World Heritage Committee Meeting [3] has today closed in Cambodia without Lhasa being raised. Meanwhile, United States Ambassador Gary Locke is reported to be in Lhasa, in a visit prompted by concerns for the human rights situation in Tibet [4].
“Lhasa isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s a symbol of the Tibetan people’s resistance against tyranny,” said Ngawang Sangdrol, a former Tibetan political prisoner from Lhasa [5]. “Lhasa’s old city is where countless Tibetans, including myself, have protested for freedom. It is the most important landmark of the nation we are fighting to preserve. At a time when at least 120 Tibetans have self-immolated against Chinese rule, it is shocking that UNESCO appears to have turned a blind eye to Lhasa’s transformation and I appeal to US Ambassador Locke to fully investigate his concerns about Tibet during his visit to Lhasa.”
Tenzin Jigme of International Tibet Network [6] OR YOUR SPOKESPERSON added, “We have raised strong concerns about the situation in Lhasa, submitting evidence to delegates of the World Heritage Committee, to UNESCO and its advisory bodies, that demonstrates the need for urgent investigations in Lhasa. However, despite the fact that Lhasa has been the topic of resolutions and questions from World Heritage Committee in the past, the 37th Meeting appears to have been deafeningly silent on the issue. Our collective concerns have raised the alarm, with over 100,000 people signing the “Save Lhasa” petition, and we will continue to amplify the voices of these concerned citizens who deserve an explanation for UNESCO's silence."
In recent weeks, appeals from Tibetans inside Tibet – including a report by award-winning Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser [7] – have alerted the world to the Chinese government’s sweeping 'modernization' of the Old City of Lhasa. Woeser writes, “the goal of the renovation of the Barkhor quarter is to cleanse, disperse, transform and elevate…The heart of the Old City, the circumambulation path around the Jokhang is to be thoroughly cleared… All of the residents originally living along the street are to be moved” [8].
At the close of UNESCO’s 37th Annual World Heritage Committee Meeting, delegates at the meeting appear to have failed to discuss the situation in Lhasa during any formal part of the forum. Neither has UNESCO offered any evidence or explanation as to why it is not advocating further enquiries or action, including considering whether Lhasa needs to be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger [9].
In response to international criticism of Lhasa's transformation, including a TV report by France24 [10], a Chinese state-owned media outlet, China Tibet Online, wrote that 11 Chinese ‘experts’ traveled to Lhasa and established that “negative foreign reports” were ill founded. One expert concluded that the “ethnic flavor had been preserved” and that “the project was well-received among local residents” [11]. The ‘inspections’ took place ahead of a Chinese state-sponsored tour of Lhasa for selected foreign media, scheduled for 6 July.
“It’s ludicrous for the Chinese government to try and claim that Tibetans are happy about the destruction of our heritage, especially since Tibetans in Lhasa live under constant fear and surveillance.” said Pema Yoko of Students for a Free Tibet. “One word of protest against China could mean imprisonment, torture, or even death."
Notes:
1. Photos from New York & Paris protests outside UNESCO offices on 26 June 2013. All credits Students for a Free Tibet https://www.dropbox.com/sh/
2. 100,00 strong Change.org petition by Ngawang Sangdrol, see [4]: Help stop the destruction of my home, Lhasa, Tibet: http://www.change.org/
3. 37th World Heritage Committee Meeting: http://whc.unesco.org/en/
4. See Associated Press Report http://abcnews.go.com/
5. Ngawang Sangdrol, a former nun, was arrested in 1992 at the age of 13, and her initial sentence was extended several times to a total of 23 years due to her continued activism in prison. She was released in October 2002 after international attention on her case, after serving more than 11 years of her sentence. She now lives in the United States.
6. International Tibet Network is a global coalition of more than 180 Tibet Groups, dedicated to campaigning to end human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people, see www.tibetnetwork.org
7. “Our Lhasa is on the verge of Destruction! Please save Lhasa” by Tsering Woeser, who was recently placed under house arrest. Her post was translated for High Peaks Pure Earth: http://highpeakspureearth.com/
8. Ibid
9. World Heritage in Danger: http://whc.unesco.org/en/158/
10. France24 report “Seven Days in Tibet” http://www.france24.com/en/
11. “Lhasa old town renovation praised by evaluation team”, China Tibet Online: http://eng.tibet.cn/2012sy/xw/
Save Lhasa Resources:
– UNESCO Permanent Mission contacts: https://docs.google.com/
– Concerns and Questions about Developments in Lhasa: A full report of concerns & questions, relevant background information and photos, to share with UNESCO representatives and your Ministries – https://docs.google.com/
– Talking Points: Lhasa & UNESCO: https://docs.google.com/
– Copy of Joint Leter to UNESCO: Text can be copied for your own letters https://docs.google.com/
– Petition: Help Stop the Destruction of my Home, Lhasa: http://www.change.org/en-GB/
Best wishes,
Mandie
Resources & Messages available via Tibet Network's Website:
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Universal Periodic Review: Strategy & Resources: https://www.tibetnetwork.org/
UniversalPeriodicReviewresourc e -
Luxury Hotel in Lhasa: New Campaign Launch, 30 April: https://tibetnetwork.org/
Membersmessage30April2013hotel s -
Free Panchen Lama Resources: http:www.freepanchenlama.org
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Tibet Lobby Day Resources: https://www.tibetnetwork.org/
LobbyDayAsks -
Chinese Leadership Resources https://www.tibetnetwork.org/
chinaleadershiphandover2012 -
Stand Up for Tibet Campaign Resources: https://www.tibetnetwork.org/
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