This is a great chance to bring the issues facing the Tibetan people to the forefront. On Heidi’s site she lists off many issues that the ABC team should be investigating during their visit including human rights, mining, the disappearance of the Panchen Lama among others.

To read more about this, please visit this link to Heidi’s website where you can read up on the situation and find the link to submit your questions.

I think Diane should interview Heidi on all the work that she has done for the Tibetan cause. Now how do we make this happen?

Well this was a welcome sight in my inbox given all of the images that came out of running the torch outta town.

Steve Varon, who I blogged about earlier has just launched a website called Humanitarian Dream in which he shares his dream with the world.

“Imagine the Dalai Lama carrying the Olympic torch past the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet – or anywhere else along the torch relay route. That is my dream, my vision. A vision that represents the Olympic spirit of peace and will instill hope for all people around the world.”

When I first saw this video, I was taken with Steve’s wish and was struck by his desire to bring everyone together and unite rather than run down the path of hatred and animosity.

Rather than see this situation degrade further, I believe that more people should support Steve in his cause and lend their voices. Please spread the word on this and help Steve to see his dream realized, and in turn, help bring peace and rest to this issue which has troubled the Tibetans for so long.

Yes I know my dual mind is showing in that I have a ‘No Torch for Tibet’ banner right beside this one. I support any outcome in which the Tibetans are guaranteed human rights they rightfully deserve.

The Chinese armed forces opened fire on a group of about 70 Tibetans escaping to Nepal, killing a 17 year-old nun. A young boy of 12 or 13 was also shot, possibly to death. After firing for several minutes, the Chinese patrollers took into custody a group of 8 to 10 young children. However, some of the refugees managed to reach the Nepalese border, including a 7 or 8 year-old girl. It is feared that Chinese diplomats in Kathmandu are tracking down witnesses to silence them. The British newspaper, The Independent also documented testimonies of many Western climbers who helplessly witnessed the incident.

Each year, thousands of Tibetans flee across the mountains towards Nepal, in pursuit of a religious and cultural education that is denied to them in Tibet. Notwithstanding the risks and hardships endured by all those refugees, this event is particularly shocking and horrific.

The Canada Tibet Committee therefore urges the Canadian government to express its outrage to the Chinese government over the shootings and detention of survivors, and demands for a full accounting of the incident as well as the fate of the children and others in their custody.

You can take action :

1.Write to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Peter MacKay, to ask him that your government lodge an official diplomatic objection to China for its systematic violation of human rights that this incident highlights.

Address : House of Commons
Ottawa (Ontario)
K1A 0A6
Telephone : (613) 992-6022
Fax : (613) 992-2337
Email : Mackay.P@parl.gc.ca

2.Write to the Chinese ambassador in Canada, Mr. Lu Shumin, to express your concern at the continuing violations of human rights by the People’s Republic of China’s armed forces.

Address : 515 St.Patrick Street
Ottawa (Ontario)
KIN 5H3
Telephone : 1-613-7893434/7910511
Fax : 1-613-7891911/7891414