Preparing Tibet for the Olympics

UK, 8/28/07 - (Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News) - With the Beijing Olympics less than a year away, Chinese investment is transforming traditional life in Tibet.

Full story: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/preparing+tibet+for+the+olympics/732247>

Free Tibet Banner on China`s Great Wall

Beijing, 7/8/07 - The Chinese authorities have detained six protesters for unveiling a banner on the Great Wall calling for a free Tibet. The banner, which read “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008" in English and Chinese, was hung off the side of the wall by two climbers a day before the countdown to the Beijing 2008 Games. See more articles and videos at: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=1114

China Accused of Continuing Abuses in Run-Up to 2008 Beijing Olympics

London, 7/8/07 - Amnesty International has released a report accusing the Chinese authorities of continuing human rights abuses as the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympics approaches. Amnesty's secretary-general, Irene Khan, said in a statement, "Unless the Chinese authorities take urgent measures to stop human rights violations over the coming year, they risk tarnishing the image of China and the legacy of the Beijing Olympics." The Beijing Olympics, which begin on 8th August 2008, are a huge source of pride for China. In bidding for the games back in 2001, Chinese leaders promised International Olympic Committee members that the Olympics would lead to an improved climate for human rights and media freedom. The fulfillment of this promise is yet to be seen.

Read the International Herald Tribune article at: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/07/sports/AS-SPT-OLY-Beijing-Human-Rights.php

India refuses permission to Tibetans protesting Beijing Olympics

Delhi, 2/8/07 - (AP) -- Tibetan exiles on Thursday accused the Indian government of caving in to pressure from China by refusing to allow them to use an official stadium to stage a symbolic protest against the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The activists have planned a series of protests against Chinese rule in Tibet and launched a campaign to have Tibetan representation at the Beijing Olympics despite China's insistence that Tibet is an integral part of China. The Tibetans had planned a soccer match at New Delhi's biggest stadium that they said would have attracted thousands of refugees and protesters.

Read the AP article at http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/02/asia/AS-GEN-India-Tibet-Protests.php

Read the Reuters article at http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6823176,00.html

Read the India Times article at http://sports.indiatimes.com/Team_Tibet_finds_itself_stranded/articleshow/2251689.cms

Tibetan Activist Travels to Beijing for Olympics Countdown

Beijing, 2/8/07 - (Students for a Free Tibet) - Wednesday, August 8th marks the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympics. With flashy celebrations, the Chinese government is using this moment to further promote China's image as a free and open society, ready to host the world in August 2008. On this day, Tibetans and their supporters will also take to the streets as part of the International Olympics Countdown Day of Action. One question will be at the forefront of many people's minds: how open and free will China really be? In the lead-up to the countdown, SFT's Executive Director Lhadon Tethong is on the ground in Beijing, attempting to answer these questions firsthand. She landed in Beijing less than 24 hours ago. During her travels, she'll be prying Beijing Wide Open and exposing the reality behind China's Olympic propaganda. Follow Lhadon's experience through her online travel blog: beijingwideopen.org