International PEN statement on crackdown in Tibet Autonomous Region

April 2008

International PEN, the world association of writers representing members in 104 countries, expresses deep and growing concern about the crackdown on anti-government protestors in the Tibet Autonomous Region and neighbouring provinces which has been underway since 10 March 2008. It is alarmed at reports of arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force in breaking up the protests, in which a number of protestors are believed to have been killed. Lack of media access to the troubled areas has hampered attempts to verify details of these events.

International PEN supports the Dalai Lama's condemnation of the violence and calls for restraint on both sides. It reminds the Chinese authorities of their commitments to uphold freedom of expression under Article 35 of the Chinese constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
 

For further information please contact

Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee
Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER

Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339
Email: cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk