Ottawa, February 4, 2022: As China began the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing today, a coalition of organizations supporting the human rights of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Mongolians, Falun Gongs, and Chinese marked the alternative opening of Genocide Games in Ottawa and Toronto.
Tibetan activist from Toronto Tsewang Dhondup, who participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic protest in Tibet, was one of the speakers at the Ottawa event. Tsewang spoke on how the growing repression caused the nationwide protest in Tibet in 2008 and how Chinese armed forces started shooting at the peaceful demonstrators. On March 24, 2008, Tsewang and five other Tibetans who shouted slogans against the Chinese occupation of Tibet were shot. As a result, a 16-year old monk Kunga died from a gunshot injury, and Tsewang suffered permanent damage to his left arm.
“China is a threat not only to Tibetans and Uyghurs but also to anyone who believes in human rights and democratic freedom,” said CTC executive director Sherap Therchin, “A global alliance of democratic forces and individuals believing in the power of democracy must stand united and speak out against the threat that Chinese government poses to the world.”
As part of the event today, the representatives of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, and Chinese supporting the democracy in China presented a medal to Chinese President Xi Jinping for stifling human rights and fundamental freedom under his governance.
By Sherap Therchin, Executive Director