Speaker helps raise Tibetan awareness

In the spirit of human rights, more than 50 students came together last Wednesday to hear Bhuchung Tsering, director of International Campaign for Tibet, speak about the struggle for Tibetan freedom and cultural survival. The presentation was the featured event of Tibetan Awareness Day, presented by Penn Students For a Free Tibet and Amnesty International. College senior Matt Zerden, president of Students for a Free Tibet, introduced the speaker. Zerden and several other students started the group, which has grown to more than 100 members in just three years. In addition to showcasing movies on Tibet and holding cultural events, the group brings speakers like Tsering to Penn every year. Tsering spoke about the oppression in Tibet under Chinese occupation. "There has been a consistent pattern of human rights violation in Tibet," Tsering said. "There are over 600 political prisoners, and there is the constant denial of free speech and public assembly." He discussed one of Tibet's most pressing human rights issue, Tibet's stolen child -- the Panchen Lama. Twelve years ago, the Dali Lama identified Gedhun Choekyi Nama as the Panchen Lama, the religious figure responsible for passing on the spiritual legacy of Tibetan Buddhism. Chinese leadership kidnapped the Panchen Lama when he was one year old, and today, he is still missing. Tsering asked Penn students to join in the worldwide movement for freeing the Panchen Lama, urging them to write their congressmen for the immediate and unconditional release of the Panchen Lama. Many students who came to hear Tsering said they wanted to learn more about the international struggle for Tibetan freedom. "I came because Tibet is a topic I hear a lot about, but I wanted to learn more," said College senior Krista Sauders. "I thought his speech was very straightforward, informative and enlightening." Many students were shocked by the seriousness of the Tibetan issue -- the fact that over 1.2 million Tibetans have died under Chinese occupation. "I didn't realize the extent of the human rights violations," said Lindsay Kogan, a College sophomore. "Now, I am inspired to bring this message to others." Tsering noted that Penn students are part of the movement. "The most valuable part of this struggle is you -- Students For a Free Tibet," Tsering said. "You are not interested in Tibet because you were asked by the CIA, or because you yourself are Tibetan. You are interested because you heard about Tibet and you were inspired by our non-violent struggle. You are interested in Tibet because you think it is a just cause."