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UPDATE: China continues to disguise martial law situation in Tibet

Sunday, 16 March 2008, 2:10 p.m.
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Dharamshala: There are reports of Chinese military and police being deployed to all parts of Tibet. Various Chinese military units have been reorganized and are being deployed even to rural areas of Tibet.

Even Home Guards and Surveillance police has been called in by Chinese authorities to suppress the protests inside Tibet.

Schools, universities and shops remain closed.

Monasteries continue to be guarded with extremely strict surveillance and security. Lhasa remains completely sealed off. All exit and entry points to Lhasa have been blocked off.

As the Tibet uprising continues reliable sources have confirmed that at least 80 people were killed on 14th March 2008 in Lhasa.

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URGENT APPEAL

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Since 10th March 2008 there has been successive peaceful demonstrations in various parts of Tibet (inside and outside TAR), which were brutally suppressed.

The current situation in Tibet is extremely serious. The Chinese government's ultimatum is due to expire at mid-night today. Therefore, we are extremely concerned that there is every possibility of a huge massacre of Tibetans taking place after the ultimatum.

The Central Tibetan Administration urgently appeal to the international community including the United Nations, governments, parliaments, Human Rights groups and Tibet Support groups to effectively urge the Chinese leadership to immediately stop repression and to release all those who have been detained, and to provide immediate medical care to all those who have been injured.

We particularly urge the United Nations Human Rights Council to immediately send a fact-finding delegation to all the affected areas in Tibet to prevent further deteriorations of the critical situation.

KASHAG

17th March 2008

Dharamsala

Update on Tibet demonstration

Sunday, 16 March 2008, 4:57 p.m.

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16th March 2008: Reliable sources have confirmed that at least 80 people were killed on 14th March 2008 in Lhasa. One very reliable source has confirmed that many of the dead bodies have been stashed in front of a Public Security Department office in Lhasa.

16th March 2008: At 9:30am this morning at Kirti monastery (Amdo province) which has remain completely sealed off by Chinese military, over a thousand monks fled the tight security and were joined by another thousand layperson-protestors outside the Monastery compound. Tear gas was used on the demonstrators and gun shots were heard according to a reliable source. Unofficial reports have confirmed that at least one Tibetan has been shot and killed and a few others who were also shot remain in critical condition.

16th March 2008: Higher Chinese authorities have instructed Tibetan officials inside Tibet to not take part in any of the protests. Their movement has been restricted and they are required to sign in and out if they wish to leave outside their homes according to a reliable source.

15th March 2008: One reliable source has confirmed that a military truck full of dead bodies was seen being carried away towards Toelung county (under Lhasa municipality).

15th March 2008: In Lithang (in Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) during two minor protests, at least two of the protestors were arrested and taken into custody as confirmed by a source.

15th March 2008: In Amdo, Labrang, from 5000-6000 people took part in a major protest. Among many other things, they were demanding for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

15th March 2008: In Phenpo Lhundup Dzong (under Lhasa municipality) there was a protest by monks and laypeople.15th March 2008: Gaden Monastery (about 50 kms east of Lhasa) remains under extremely strict Chinese military presence. The number of military personnel is so high that they are running out of tent space for their personnel. 15th March 2008: There was shooting inside the compounds of Tashi Lhunpo monastery (Shigatse) and at least 40 laypeople protesting behind the Tashi Lhunpo monasteries have been arrested as confirmed by one source.

15th March 2008: Over 500 people have been arrested in Lhasa alone; however the numbers are expected to be astoundingly larger since all those arrested are being taken to prisons all over Tibet.

15th March 2008: All media personnel (including foreign media) inside Tibet are being questioned and there are reports that their recorded materials (video footage, pictures) have been destroyed or confiscated.

11th March 2008: In Dabpa (Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) we have confirmed reports that the three Tibetans shot by the Chinese Police were killed and at least ten people have been injured. Instructions were given to shoot at the protestors since they were believed by higher Chinese authorities to be engaging in "splittist activities."