http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/27/tibet.china

The film attached to this story almost made me cry. This is an astonishingly brave, dangerous thing to have done.

The Chinese have been extraordinarily successful in spreading their propaganda lies about Tibet, both past and present.

I with I had time for more, but I wanted to at least post this as I found it so very moving.

I had a similar thought on the bus this morning

Worrying isn't it, when you agree with Michael Portillo?!

I think it was incredibly brave of the monks to do that and not let China do their "nothing to see here" tour of Tibet.

I'm always amazed at the bravery of these guys.

Re: the Olympics. There are a lot of plans to try and do something around the Olympics highlight workers rights/sweatshops etc and obviously we'll be working closely with other groups such as the Tibetans etc

Isn't it?

I had no time for him during his political years and I don't reckon his dad was overly proud, considering his heritage but worringly he's making steps back to humanity, without divulging his iPod tune list, a'la Cameron

Anyhoo, the Beeb carried shots of a protester at a recent olympic ceremony being whacked out of the way by one of the athletes - didn't see who or pick up on their nationality - but it didn't look too promising, but it rarely does in sports events.

It was in Greece

Thanks for posting that, Maria. Does anybody know what's happened to those monks since that film?

I posted my comments over at the other thread.

Thanks for clearing that up (over at the thread), Barmy.

That was my first thought after watching that clip.

I'm sure we won't know for some time, if ever. However, monks and nuns have typically been treated with extreme severity by Chinese officials.

Here's just one article about Tibetan nuns:

http://www.savetibet.org/news/positionpape...persecution.php

It has been said that the Chinese are particularly concerned with (and afraid of) them as they don't have families to threaten to control them (at least not children), and their spiritual devotion to their faith--which teaches that all things are transient and suffering is the result of attachment--and the great comfort they get from their devotion to and thoughts of the Dalai Lama make them formidable opponents.

The Chinese are really stupid to be so anti-Dalai Lama. He's actually much more willing to compromise with them than most Tibetans, as he's willing to accept Chinese rule, but wants the Tibetans to have more autonomy and to have religious freedom. Most Tibetans, in spite of their reverance for him, feel this is wrong and want to be free of China.

I think it's inevitable that these monks will have been arrested, will face torture, and may die.

Incredible, almost unfathomable bravery to do what they did.





Also, I was very pleased with the Reporters Without Borders disruption of the torch lighting ceremony.

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=26351

Some of the NPR coverage of this referred to them as being accused of "indecent behaviour." Yes, extremely indecent. Much worse than torture, cultural destruction and genocide (both in Tibet and Darfur.)

Much as it surprises me to ever agree with him, Portillo's right. Too bad there won't be a Tibetan Jesse Owens at these Olympics.

I've been surprised by the number of sports fans who think we should be boycotting these Olympics.

Really? I'm surprised at the lack of people who think we should boycott them.

So far, the politicians are talking about boycotting the opening ceremonies. Which is something, I suppose.

As I've said elsewhere I think it's hypocracy of governments to expect athletes to boycott the Olympics whilst the country is still trading with China. Either we have a full trade & political embargo or let the athletes do their thing ... but of course it's an easy option top stop sports as Thatcher knew well in 1990 over Moscow.

I don't agree with that at all. It then becomes a case of "you're not doing what I think you should, so I won't either." Then everyone behaves badly and perpetuates bad behaviour.

An individual can make the choice not to boycott and it can be a powerful statement in this case. Why not do it?

(Incidentally, the Moscow olympics were in 1980, not 1990.)

I can just imagine similar dialog going on in 1936.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about how it "isn't becoming" for protesters to disrupt the torch lighting, to keep bringing up the subjects of Tibet and Darfur, etc. Because apparently genocide is so becoming.

This article from the New York Times is about a week old, but I just read it the other night, so thought I'd post it here. I thought it was particularly interesting, given that the military, police, and government presence in Tibet is so omnipresent and oppressive.

Sadly, I suspect they are only biding their time. At least there is a slightly higher profile at the moment than is usual for Tibetan affairs. That may help a little. (Though fat lot of good it did for those in Tienanmen Square, so I'm not holding my breath.)

I agree; the fact that the Chinese will use the Olympics to glorify their regime politicises it anyway.
And of course a sporting boycott should be alongside economic action, not an alternative to it.

I totally agree Maria - its as if the bloody Olympics is sacred but the lives of those in Tibet/Dafur etc aren't...

Not sure where or when we're going to be involved yet but I'll let you know what happens!

From RSF - Maria's link.

I 'get' the 5 years in prison, the Chinese don't appear to tolerate anyone who with contradictory views, what I don't understand is the extra 2 years 'without civic rights', what's the difference, other than to show how loudly China can stamp it's foot when it needs to?

RSF also mentions that the Chinese want to 'control and influence the international media’s coverage' of the Olympics, so I expect we'll be seeing lots of shots of the Bejing countryside and little 'trackside'?

I'd appreciate that, Sarah. Thank you.

Taa for picking up on the typo Maria (I actually checked the date ... then tryped the ******* wrong one )

I completely agree with your posts about people protesting. We should keep up the pressure on the Chinese government. I just think that boycotting sporting events alone is cowardly as it's just a way of a governemnt appearing to be taking action when it actually isn't.

The following link to an on line petition was posted on another forum. It seemed like the sort of thing people approve of on here ... & yes I already have signed.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/

I feel a little sorry for the athletes in truth. A few have spoken out but none (to my knowledge) have refused to take part. I guess they've got to weigh up a life time's training and dedication against their conscience, easy for us to say what they should choose but it can't be that easy.
Mind you, I feel more sorry for the women I saw on the news the other day protesting at the torch ceremony, especially when a load of male coppers were punching and kicking them. Nice people, how very civilised.

I agree - which is why government officials boycotting the opening ceremony, for example, speaks louder for me.

If you mean the atheletes compete, but no one attends from the government, I totally agree. The problem is the the UK are still on a 'charm offensive' to ensure the 2012 games go well ... & the FA are after England holding the World Cup in the near future (I refuse to call it the FIFA World Cup)

Yep, that'd do me.

Over here, after Reporters sans frontières, political leaders as well as athletes seem to get also involved...

French athletes hope 'for a better world' in Beijing: Uniform badge proposed as a compromise between boycott and inaction


France's human rights minister has set three conditions for President Nicolas Sarkozy's attendance of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

Thanks, Domino. Very interesting.

I am so proud of all the people who took part in the protests this weekend. Even Konnie Huq redeemed herself a bit in her comments:

I always said my taking part in the procession doesn't mean I condone China in any way," she added.

"I believe in the Olympic values, the Olympic ideals... it's just unfortunate that China has such a terrible track record when it comes to human rights and they are the host nation."

And again, I am sick and tired of the Chinese--officials and private citizens--all whining about how it's not the right platform, it's just not becoming, it's unfair, what about the deaths and injustices that Britain, the UK, France, etc, have been historically responsible for, etc."

As to the latter, if we play that game no one will ever have the "right" to call anyone else on bad behaviour ever. Very, very lame excuse.

To the former, again, how "fair" is it to be in the midst of genocide in Sudan, or the cultural genocide and destruction (not to mention deaths) of Tibet, or even the human rights abuses and torture that takes place within China.

The Chinese want it both ways. They want to parade their "wonderful" China in front of the world at these games, and yet don't want to have anyone speak about anything that isn't flattering about their country.

Well, if you don't want that, then stop doing such awful, ugly things. It sounds more and more like Hitler and the 1936 Olympics each day, although I don't recall the Nazis being so whiny about it.

Maybe there was less protest then. If so, at least we've made a tiny bit of progress.

I'm really proud (I'll say again) of all the actions that have been taken so far. Perhaps something good will come out of the China Olympics after all.

Nigel Lawson (on Andrew Marr's show) reckoned the Olympics should be banned, mentioning IOC corruption (they must be glad the attention's turned )

Pick it up here (hopefully!) from 14:34.

Kate Hoey links to Simon Jenkins' article in the Sunday Times which is a pretty good read.

I've been trying to remember the name of a very moving film I saw about Tibetan nuns several years ago.

It was this: Satya: A Prayer for The Enemy about the resistance of Tibetan Buddhist nuns.

It is only about half an hour, but it was an incredibly moving, well made film.