100 gather at anti-China protest outside EU office

2 April 2008

BRUSSELS – About 100 people, shouting “Wake up! Wake up!”, protested outside the EU head office on Wednesday to urge European governments to take action against China for human rights abuses in Tibet.

Youtsa Tamdin, a protest organiser, said there has been “no good news from Europe” since the Chinese crackdown began in his native Tibet in March.

Tamdin said it was crucial for the international community to pressure China into letting journalists into Tibet.

The turmoil in Tibet is casting a shadow over preparations of the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Bma Delma, a student who moved to Belgium recently, wondered how “China, without human rights, can host the Olympics?”

Peaceful demonstrations in Tibet marking the March 10 anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule erupted into violence four days later. Chinese officials have put the death toll at 22, while Tibetan exiles say nearly 140 people were killed.