Taiwanese Rock-star expresses "great sadness" over death of 4 Tibetans: Exclusive
Peter Terpstra
Exclusive
Friday, 20 November 2009 16:45 Keary Huan, Taipei Correspondent for The Tibet
Post
Taipei: Mr Freddy Lim is a Taiwanese rock star from Chthonic, a Taiwanese
black metal band that received the award for “Best International Artist” at
the Tibetan Music Awards on 10 October in Dharamshala, India. Chthonic
expressed their political views at the Free Tibet concert held in the
Taiwanese capital of Taipei on 11 July of this year, commemorating the 1959
uprising in Tibet. At this concert, Chthonic, along with several other well-
known performers and thousands of attendees, celebrated freedom, democracy and
human rights. Ms Keary Huan, Taipei correspondent for the Tibet Post
International, recently asked Mr. Lim to share his view on the current
situation in Tibet and his upcoming events for the Tibetan cause.
The Tibet Post International: What are your upcoming events in support of the
Tibet issue?
Freddy: The Tibet movement does not unfold event by event; it has been going
on for a long time. But everyone seems more aware of this year's concert. In
fact, we have been organizing seminars and have also held meetings on college
campuses. We play the film "Taipei- Tibet" at campuses, to start seminars—but
only students are aware of these activities. Our large-scale activities
receive more media attention, so we got more information out about the
concert.
Next year we will be touring schools with two films: Kadeer's "10 Conditions
of Love" and Dhondup Wangchen's "Beyond Fear", to start the campus seminars
again. Usually there are a lot of others who support us. For example, Tibetan
freedom concert singer, Dai-zhi, has continued to write Tibet-related songs,
publishing two such songs on his own website.
In Taiwan, not only Chthonic supports the Campaign for Tibet; the Tibetan
Music Awards should go out to the whole Taiwanese arts community and all
friends who support Tibet. Let the world know that Taiwan shares the power of
strong support for the Campaign for Tibet.
The head of Chthonic, Doris, was invited to appear on the Travel & Living
Channel’s “LA Tattoo” program early next year, which will be broadcast around
the world. Doris got a Tibetan text tattoo of the Dalai Lama’s saying, "Pray
that justice will be done." Of course, this will not be broadcast in China.
This movement to support Tibet is continuous for us; it is a way to let the
world know about the Tibetan issue. As for what can be done about the Tibetan
Freedom Concert, I hope that we can organize this as soon as possible.
TPI: Tibetans have fought for their nation and people for last 50 years, but
so far there has been no effective result. So, what is your advice to the
Tibetan people?
Freddy: 50 years have passed, but so far we have yet to see the Chinese
Communists make any concessions on this issue. The Tibet issue is now not just
in Tibet; the Tibetan movement has become a global concern, a human rights
movement.
As for results, just as the Jews struggled for a thousand years, and as we
have seen with the fall of the Berlin Wall, this effort and struggle will have
to continue over a long period before they will see the results. I cannot give
any recommendations for the Tibetan campaign, but I am inspired to continue to
support the Campaign for Tibet. I think that the Dalai Lama knew this when he
decided to choose exile. From the Dalai Lama’s position in exile, he brings
unlimited hope to both Tibetans and the global movement to support human
rights. No matter how hard the Chinese government tries to destroy the Tibetan
culture and religion, we know that somewhere on earth, His Holiness and a
group of people are preserving Tibetan culture and religion. I think this is
the most important aspect of Tibetans’ forced exile. Focus should not be on
the length of time until Tibetans achieve autonomy, but on the preservation of
the Tibetan culture and religion.
TPI: The Chinese executed four Tibetans in the capital of Lhasa recently. The
officials claimed that these men were involved in last year’s March protest in
Tibet. What do you have to say to their families and relatives?
Freddy: I pay my deepest respects to the people who have been persecuted by
the Chinese, and to their families. We can’t imagine or understand the deep
pain they have endured. I ask the relatives and friends of those persecuted,
and the whole world, to please identify with their sacrifice and dedication,
so that we will be able to appreciate the value of their sacrifice. Whether
they have left this world, or are still stuck in prison, the sacrifice and
dedication they have exhibited is not their personal possession, nor that of
their relatives and friends, but is shared by the Tibetan people as a whole.
TPI: H.H. the Dalai Lama has openly declared his request for genuine Tibetan
autonomy within China, but the Chinese officials continue to claim that His
Holiness is demanding Tibet’s separation from China. What is your opinion on
this?
Freddy: The fate of Tibet should be decided by the Tibetan people; the
decision should not lie in the hands of the Chinese communists. No matter how
they have framed the Tibetans’ attempt to pursue Tibet independence, China
really has no right to talk about Tibet’s fate. The Dalai Lama has decided to
seek a self-governing autonomous region within China—although many young
Tibetans are pro-independence—and the Tibetan government in exile has a clear
direction.
Edited by Amy Elmgren, The Tibet PostInternational
http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/inside/51-news-in-focus/489-taiwanese-rock-
star-expresses-qgreat-sadnessq-over-death-of-4-tibetans-exclusive
--
Amnesty International Report 2009 on China:
http://report2009.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/china
Peter Terpstra
abia...@my-deja.com
> http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/inside/51-news-in-focus/489-taiwanese-...
Anti-DabianchenVirus
Proof: http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.china/msg/995a71070728ba0c?hl=en
On Nov 21, 10:50 am, "abianc...@my-deja.com" <abianc...@my-deja.com>
wrote:
> > Amnesty International Report 2009 on China:http://report2009.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/china- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Peter Terpstra
a096-57b...@o10g2000yqa.googlegroups.com> :
> Freddy Lim is pro-Taiwan Independence.
So what???
P.
Peter Terpstra
>> Freddy Lim is pro-Taiwan Independence.
>
> So what???
Are you saying that his voice is of less value, because of his opinions?
His story is not true?
He has no right to say anything?
He does not love Tibet?
Peter
Anti-DabianchenVirus
report2009
did not say his viewpoint is invalid. I am sure I have right to
mention his political standpoint as he has right to express his
viewpoint on Tibet. Agree?