Amnesty International Urged China to Stop Using Excessive Force in Tibet in Official Statement

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Tibet.net

DHARAMSHALA--  Amnesty International issued a strong statement yesterday, urging China to stop using excessive force in response to protests and allow independent monitors into areas of protests in Tibetan regions.

The statement comes after Chinese security forces in Sichuan Province reportedly fired on Tibetan protesters killing five and injuring more than 30 people in a renewed unrest in Serthar county and Drakgo township.

“The Chinese authorities are responding only with repression and a security crackdown to an already volatile situation, instead of addressing long-standing human rights grievances on the part of Tibetans,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director.

“The situation has not improved in Tibetan areas since 2008 when tensions exploded into violence. Grievances regarding restrictions on religious and cultural freedoms have gotten worse, not better.”

Amnesty International also stated that the Chinese government should allow access to foreign media to investigate in the sensitive areas and that China should ensure that the investigations are independent, impartial and effective.