Beijing court says environmentalist Tibetan monk to die

[dArKeR]

The Chinese government has sentenced a highly-respected and prominent Tibetan lama to death in a closed trial on charges he was involved in a bombing in a public park, a leading human rights group reported.

In a 108-page report released Sunday, Human Rights Watch said allegations that the monk, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 53, financed an April 3, 2002 blast in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province that injured three people, were notproven and called for his release.

"In spite of China's rhetoric about legal reform, Tenzin Delek's case shows that when it comes to Tibet, the Chinese government still does not tolerate uncontrolled political or religious activity," said Mickey Spiegel, of Human Rights Watch's Asian division.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/02/10/2003098163

[Pale_Rider]

1. What Republicans yearn for ...

... controlled political and religious activity. I find it far-fetched that a Ripoche would even advocate harming other creatures. The Ripoche's true crime is ...

.... for being an outspoken advocate for the protection of the environment and for improved social, religious and health conditions in Tibetan areas of Sichuan Province.

The same fate would await the Dalai if he should ever return to his Tibetan homeland.

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. For all that you say

It sure seems like China has its defenders here as well.

[cprise]

3. Sure seems like it doesn't

Unless I missed something.

[Muddleoftheroad]

4. Check some Taiwan threads

I wish it weren't true.

[cprise]

5. If this is used to justify Taiwanese seperatism

...then I can understand your difference of opinion. But I wouldn't necessarily agree with you.

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. What separatism

They are two separate nations.

[noonwitch]

7. That's not what the Chinese government believes

The chinese want Taiwain back under their control. They have for some time now. I don't know if they'd go to war to make it so, but this is a country that opened up fire on their own young people on live international television not so very long ago.

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. Taiwan was never really under their control

They just don't like have a free people sitting next door thumbing their noses at China.

If they go to war to subjugate Taiwan, it is my fervent hope that we stop them.

[saigon68]

15. Defenders? Walmart is Red China's retail outlet in AmeriKa

It is Red China-- Not for its so called Kommunism-- but because it is an Autocratic Dictatorship!!!!

[Coventina]

9. OPPRESIVE TOTALITARIAN STATE! INVADE IMMEDIATELY!

I expect King George to be announcing that shortly......

[Bridget Burke]

10. At least economic & travel bans!

After all, we're prevented from visiting the Evil Island of Cuba. Things are worse in China, but there's money to be made...

[Just Me]

11. Is there no legal way of protecting this man?

Can't someone grant him some form of amnesty or find him a place to be exciled (hell, they did it for someone like Taylor)? Aren't there any international laws which can be successfully invoked? This story is very distressing and demonstrates how we really need to start "thinking" about all the various ways in which these types of cases/problems can be successfully addressed.

[LeftHander]

12. Why should be outraged...?

The US puts children, the mentally ill and disabled to death.

[Muddleoftheroad]

13. Political prisoners fall into none of those categories

[Gingersnapsback]

14. Richard Gere

is the best person to help. I protested with him at the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. in 2000. It is probably too late to start diplomacy now though. They beat, murder and torture Tibetans every day.