EU Delegation Visits Fasting Tibetans in New Delhi

Members of the Tibetan Youth Congress ended a hunger strike that went on for 25 days on Thursday.

Activists of the Tibetan Youth Congress, or TYC, were fasting in New Delhi, India, demanding withdrawal of Chinese troops currently occupying the Kirti monastery in Tibet.

[Tenzin Norsang, Tibetan Youth Congress Protestor]:
„We have urged the European delegation and all the international governments about the genuine cause of Tibet and who, at the same time, must talk to China about the real condition inside Tibet.”

The TYC activists, who had been living without food since April 11, were admitted to the hospital after ending their fast.

Tibetans around the globe participated in their own hunger strikes, demanding the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the Kirti monastery.

The monastery – a sanctuary for practice of Buddhism and teachings of peace – has been converted into a prison and garrison by Chinese authorities.

Reportedly, the Chinese authorities raided the monastery between March 16 and April 12, resulting in the death of at least two elderly people and the arrest of more than 300 monks.

Meanwhile, the EU delegation, along with prominent officials from different embassies and high commissions, visited the fasting protestors, urging them to end their fast.

[Anne Vaughier Chatterjee, Attaché of European Union Delegation to India]:
„We are here on humanitarian grounds to save the life of the three young men and I think this has been out across already, and we are asking them to break their fast. Their well-being is our concern and this is the message I want to send you.”

Tibet remains under Chinese occupation since the Chinese army invaded in 1950.

Foto: NTD