Since civil unrest began in Tibet a week ago, free Tibet supporters in various cities around the world have held rallies, vigils and peace walks in solidarity with the Tibetan people.
Despite the damp weather, a crowd of about 50 turned out for a candlelight vigil at the Legislature in Victoria Sunday evening, organized by the Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet.
Flanked by a huge Tibetan Flag and protest signs, TC Tethong, a former minister in the Tibetan government in exile in India, told the crowd that the situation in Tibet is very precarious, with the authorities currently carrying out house-to-house checks in order to root out protesters.
"House-to-house searches mean whether you're innocent or whether you're involved in this demonstration, they can just kick the door in and you can be arrested, locked up."
Tibetans' frustration over China's occupation has come to a head, said Tethong.
"Tibetans will not stop so easily this time because they've gone through this for years and they've reached a boiling point."
What began as a peaceful demonstration by monks on the anniversary of a failed uprising in 1949 has escalated into widespread demonstrations, with accounts emerging of security forces using live bullets, tear gas and other means to restore order.
While Lhasa is under martial law resulting in an uneasy quiet there, the protests have been spreading across the country as well as into Tibetan ethnic regions of China including Sechuan and Lanzhou.
Brandy Leitch, a board member of the Victoria Students for a Free Tibet Society, said at least 100 Tibetan protesters—and possibly many more—have been killed. China maintains that only 10 Chinese civilians are dead, implying, says Leitch, that they were shot by the protesters.
"They've opened fire into the crowds. We've been hearing reports of westerners calling embassies saying they've been hearing gunfire all across the country in terms of the Chinese government cracking down and basically opening fire on non-violent protesters."
According to a Reuters report, Wu Shuangzhan, commander of the People's Armed Police, said Sunday that "none of the means we have adopted have exceeded the constitutional rights of the armed forces or international law."
Judy Tethong of the Canada Tibet Committee said that with the approach to the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics the Chinese authorities have been orchestrating a "horrific" crackdown in Tibet precisely to prevent the kind of protests that are now taking place.
Tethong said that despite authorities' efforts to keep a lid on the flow of information, people are using cell phones and text messages to send hourly updates to friends in India who then disperse them to the world's media.
In Vancouver on Sunday, a group of people supporting a free Tibet gathered in front of the Chinese consulate where they chanted slogans and burned Chinese flags.
The group called on the International Olympic Committee to remove the Tibetan portion of the Olympic torch relay in reaction to China's heavy-handedness in quelling the protests.
Foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier issued a statement Sunday saying the government is "alarmed at the deteriorating situation, including increasing reports of violence" in Tibet.
"We urge restraint. I have called on the Government of China to respect the right of Tibetans to protest peacefully and to take steps to improve the human rights situation in Tibet."
A group of one hundred Tibetans who left India on March 10 to walk to Tibet were arrested by Indian authorities at the 25-kilometre mark a few days ago, said Leitch. However, another group has taken their place, planning to arrive in Tibet by the start of the Olympics in August.
The Olympics have become a catalyst for human rights groups to press for change in China, with some calling for a boycott of the Games. However, Tethong's not sure that's such a good idea.
"I'm not going to advocate for a boycott because the more they still want to have their party the more the world's going to be focused on their human rights, and thanks to Tibet that's happening right now—but at what cost to the Tibetan people?"
For China to be seen as a respected player on the world's stage, says Leitch, the human rights situation has to change. China itself linked the Games and human rights after they promised to improve rights when initially awarded the Olympics in 2001.
"I encourage people of global conscience to get on the streets and be a voice for Tibetans and to help promote human rights in China and Tibet in this most important time in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics when the whole world is watching China," said Leitch.
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