Bjork’s Tibet cry angers fans in China
By Richard Spencer in Beijing
Last Updated: 2:40am GMT 05/03/2008

Bjork, the Icelandic singer, has caused controversy in China by seeming to end a concert in Shanghai with an appeal for Tibetan independence.
Bjork’s Tibet cry set off complaints online
The singer, who has a track record of supporting political causes, ended her concert by singing her song “Declare Independence” as an encore. Before its final rallying cry of “Raise your flag!” she intoned “Tibet, Tibet” repeatedly.

The song, originally includes lyrics such as: “Declare independence! Don’t let them do that to you!”

There seemed to be no reaction at the time but condemnation was swift on China’s hyperactive and often nationalistic internet bulletin boards and blogs.

Military oppression of the most peaceful people, it makes you sick to the stomach to see the images that are filling our media. It reminds us of Tiananmen Square.

China needs to held accountable for not only what they have done to Tibet and all Tibetans but to their own people.
One World One Dream FREE TIBET FREE TIBET

China is out of control and they are being fed by our western, consumerist lifestyle. The quick, though ill advised approach to this issue would be to throw rocks at the nearest consulate to you. The long term approach to this problem is to stop buying all the crap China produces. 90% of the world’s population gets by without all the crap we have and so can we. When we’re not distracted by all the things we have we will have to turn to each other for stimulation and learn what it’s like to be human again. I for one am working to build positive and favourable connections everywhere I go and work to reduce consumerism. Please conside doing the same.

GetUp and ATC start urgent petition to Rudd

You are probably reading in horror about the events in Tibet we feel we have no control over. But sometimes there is a window when we have real power to play an active role in stopping human rights abuses overseas.

As Australians, we are in a unique position right now to help stop the cultural genocide taking place in Tibet. That’s because Kevin Rudd is visiting Beijing to meet the Chinese President and Premier - the two men who are able to put an end to this crisis. With the impending Beijing Olympics, where the world’s eyes will focus on China, we have a once in a decade chance to make a real difference.

Sign this urgent petition to Mr Rudd to use his influence - and his Chinese language skills - to stand up for the human rights of Tibetans when he visits China in just a few weeks:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/StandUpForTibet
<http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/StandUpForTibet?dc=353,287093>

The world has been deaf dumb and blind about the brutality in Tibet for the past 49 years.  It is time we looked at the reason for our lack of action to protect a culture which is so revered in the West. We buy the books, we talk the talk, but we never walk the walk to protect it.  Do we support dialogue or violence to resolve conflict?  Do we act accordingly?  It is time to act accordingly.

It is going to take a combined effort from international powers to subdue the arrogance of the Chinese communist party sufficiently to promote review and discussion of their barbaric policies which have resulted in this situation.

Now is the time. Please AI- rise up in full force, lets end this in 2008. Put an end to this cultural genocide and murder. Tibetans and non-Tibetan’s around the world are out in full force in support of those brave people offering their lives in exchange for speaking out within Tibet. To be murdered by an occupying army for speaking simple truths is not acceptable. Living in Dharamsala, I am seeing the photos of murdered Tibetans posted on the walls daily. The numbers are immense and in stark contrast to that reported by the Chinese Government.

Please Amnesty International, speak out with your full voice, direct your strongest protests and resources towards this issue. This is a unique window of opportunity, prior and during the Beijing Olympics, to keep the world’s attention focused on such Human Rights atrocities and encourage the Chinese Government to address these issues.

Its time China was made accountable for their crimes against humanity and stop their propaganda and misinformation of the facts . I encourage all athletes at the Olympic games to boycott the opening ceremony. Maybe even wear a small Tibetan flag as a show of support for the Tibetan people and their right to the freedoms all people are entitled to in this day and age.

So where’s a direct action program?  The Amnesty China program seems timid compared to its calls for action in respect of the USA & Iraq.  Why isn’t the current Australian Government called upon to do more?

Nobody has the guts to stand up to China. Maybe Margret Thatcher was right, ‘we don’t have a society, we have an economy’.

The Chinese made a commitment to improve human rights when they were chosen to host the Olympics.  Their recent efforts in Tibet further highlight their failure to do so.  Anyone who must travel to China for the Olympics must also take a personal stand and not ignore the climate of abuse of Human Rights but use the chance to educate others.  This is a chance which is unique and mustn’t be wasted.

As a human being and right to be one, may I always be at peace within myself so I am able to always have peace around me. Let there be peace in the hearts of all humanity, help foster a peaceful world for all generations to experience and share amongst eachother as part of being a human being. Time to built bridges of peace so all can cross safely and peacefully.

The Chinese may deny breaching International Law but
the death toll tells another story, most of the Tibetan protesters were marching peacefully but in a country were your not aloud to display a Tibetan flag or a picture of the Dalai Lama this gross over reaction is unfortunately not surprising.
It would seem that the Chinese government has a lot to learn about International Law, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of expression, the fact that journalists are now having a hard time accessing the Tibetan people tells us that the Chinese government has a lot to hide.