Tibetans Hunger Strike outside United Nations, New York

Tibetans spent Losar, or the Tibetan New Year day, in front of the United Nations building in New York City on Wednesday to honor those who've sacrificed their lives in protest against the Chinese regime’s oppressive rule.

The Tibetan Youth Congress, or TYC, launched "Indefinite Fast for Tibet" to remind the UN of its responsibility to help ease the suffering of Tibetans in China.

Buddhist monks, nuns, and ordinary Tibetans gathered to recite scriptures and honor the three Tibetans on “Indefinite Fast for Tibet.” The three Tibetans were the 11th Shingza Rinpoche and two former TYC officials.

Meanwhile the number of self-immolation cases in protest against the Chinese regime’s suppression is climbing steadily.

[Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress]:
"Since 2009, we’ve 23 self-immolations by Buddhist monks and nuns, and out of the 23, 15 of them have died so far."

TYC organizers said the rally has five requests for the United Nations.

[Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress]:
"We’re appealing to the United Nations to send a fact-finding delegation to Tibet, appealing to the United Nations to pressure China to stop the undeclared marshal law in Tibet, appealing to United Nations to stop the patriotic re-education campaign in Tibet, and appealing to United Nations to pressure China to release all political prisoners inside Tibet."

TYC hopes the United Nations will really play a more active role.

[Tashi Yangzom, Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress President]:
"Especially the UN is not taking a stand with our people and our cause."

A TYC public relations staff explains why the numbers of self-immolations in various Tibetan regions are increasing.

[Tenying Yangsel, Tibetan Youth Congress Public Relations]:
"They are doing that for their country, not only for themselves but they want people to know what is happening inside Tibet. That’s the strong message that they’re sending."

The Tibetan Youth Congress is appealing to global leaders and governments to intervene and engage directly with the Chinese regime to stop oppressing Tibet.

NTD, New York