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Thirty dead in Tibet, Dharamsala says

Chinese riot police guard a bridge leading to the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe, Gansu Province, yesterday to block protesters from nearing the monastery after Friday's demonstrations. More clashes between monks and security forces were reported yesterday in Xiahe. PHOTO: AP

The Tibetan government-in-exile yesterday demanded the UN intervene to end rights violations in Tibet following deadly protests and said it had received confirmation that about 30 people had been killed in clashes.

Beijing said yesterday it would give rioters until midnight tomorrow to turn themselves in as protests continued in China both in and outside of Tibet.

"The Tibetan parliament urges the UN to send representatives immediately and intervene and investigate the current urgent human rights violations in Tibet," the administration said in a statement.

"We are confirming approximately 30 deaths and we are even hearing numbers of over 100 dead, but this number we are unable to confirm," Tenzin Taklha, a senior official said.

Tanks and armored vehicles were out in force in the Tibetan capital Lhasa yesterday, a day after the worst protests against China's rule in the vast, Himalayan region in nearly 20 years, witnesses said.

China has said that 10 people were burnt to death in the protests.

Tibetan protesters led by Buddhist monks shout slogans as they carry the Tibetan flag during a protest near the historic Labrang monastery, which is second only to Lhasa's Potala Palace in size, in the town of Xiahe, Gansu Province. PHOTO: AFP

In Gansu Province, several hundred monks marched out of historic Labrang monastery and into the town of Xiahe in the morning, gathering hundreds of other Tibetans with them as they went, the residents said.

The crowd attacked government buildings, smashing windows in the county police headquarters, before police fired tear gas to put an end to the protest, the local residents said.

The government-in-exile said it was "deeply concerned" by reports "emanating from all three regions of Tibet of random killings, injuries and arrest of thousands of Tibetans peacefully protesting against Chinese policy."

International pressure mounted on Beijing yesterday to show restraint towards the demonstrators, as protesters in Sydney removed the Chinese flag at China's consulate building and tried to raise a Tibetan flag.

Sydney police said around 70 people took part in the protest.

Australia, the US and Europe urged the Chinese authorities to deal with the situation in Tibet and elsewhere peacefully.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith called for China to allow "peaceful expression of dissent."

The security breach at the consulate was captured by local television, which showed about a half dozen protesters scaling a 4m wall, the Chinese flag being lowered and an unsuccessful bid to raise the multi-colored Tibetan flag.

Four people were arrested, police said.
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