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Ken condemned for torch involvement
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| Protest for change: Enfield and Haringey's London Assembly Lib Dem candidate Monica Whyte (right) demonstrates against China's crackdown in Tibet |
Haringey's Liberal Democrats have criticised London Mayor
Ken Livingstone for attending Sunday's Olympic Games torch
procession.
Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone and Enfield and Haringey's London Assembly candidate Monica Whyte, joined hundreds of protesters at the torch relay in central London.
Campaigners are demanding an end to Chinese repression and are calling for action to improve the rights of people in Tibet, ahead of the games, which start in Beijing on August 8.
Ms Whyte said: "With both Ken Livingstone and Prime Minister Gordon Brown taking an enthusiastic part in the Olympic relay, the Labour Party has missed an opportunity.
"Londoners need a Mayor and Assembly that will press for human rights - not give dictatorships a legitimacy that they do not deserve."
The two politicians believe Londoners should hold China to its promise that it would improve human rights in the region before the Olympics.
Ms Featherstone added: "With China not keeping to these promises, the Olympics provide an opportunity to put pressure on the Chinese regime to improve their record."
The Olympic flame came to London at the weekend as part of a global relay in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The torch travelled across ten London boroughs, from Wembley to Greenwich, and was carried by 80 torchbearers.
Thirty-seven people were arrested in London for breaching the peace or other public disorder offences.
Demonstrations have been held in several countries against China's security crackdown in Tibet following a series of protests against Chinese rule last month.
8:30am Sunday 13th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mashfiqul Alam, Bounds Green on 7:02am Mon 14 Apr 08
Dear Editor,
I read your report about Cllr Monica Whyte and Haringey Liberal Democrats concerning China’s human rights record and the just cause of Tibet and feel you did not do the story justice.
For the record, I have heard from a Haringey Liberal Democrat speak out against China’s human rights abuses. Nor have they been keen on the just cause of Tibet. Further, I am surprised that Cllr Monica Whyte did not focus on calling for an end to the detention of Tibet’s second highest positioned Lama, the 11th Panchen Lama, the child who was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as one of Tibet's most important religious leaders. He is known as the Panchen Lama and is one of the young victims of China's brutal repression of the Tibetan people.
Where exactly were the Haringey Liberal Democrats, particularly Cllr Monica Whyte, Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly, who I had written to requesting she support the flying of the Tibetan flag above Haringey Civic Centre on Tibetan Uprising Day. Not only did Cllr Whyte decline to respond, she failed to support the initiative. This brings into question whether her campaigning for Tibet now is political opportunism or simply to win a seat on the London Assembly.
The Haringey Conservative Party has consistently supported the Tibetan people, by continuously holding the Mayor of London and the Prime Minister to account in improving China’s human rights record and ensuring a final settlement to the Tibetan issue. Moreover, I would further note that Cllr Whyte has never campaigned since being elected into office for the release of Gedhun Cheokyi Nyima, Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama. The case has been at the centre of the United Nation’s effort to bring about his release. The Panchen Lama is only second to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
I therefore hope that the Haringey Liberal Democrats take a principled stand in future in accordance with the norms of natural justice and international law. Not only speak when they require a few votes here and there.
Thank you
Mr Mashfiqul Alam
Bounds Green Resident
Dear Editor,
I read your report about Cllr Monica Whyte and Haringey Liberal Democrats concerning China’s human rights record and the just cause of Tibet and feel you did not do the story justice.
For the record, I have heard from a Haringey Liberal Democrat speak out against China’s human rights abuses. Nor have they been keen on the just cause of Tibet. Further, I am surprised that Cllr Monica Whyte did not focus on calling for an end to the detention of Tibet’s second highest positioned Lama, the 11th Panchen Lama, the child who was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as one of Tibet's most important religious leaders. He is known as the Panchen Lama and is one of the young victims of China's brutal repression of the Tibetan people.
Where exactly were the Haringey Liberal Democrats, particularly Cllr Monica Whyte, Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly, who I had written to requesting she support the flying of the Tibetan flag above Haringey Civic Centre on Tibetan Uprising Day. Not only did Cllr Whyte decline to respond, she failed to support the initiative. This brings into question whether her campaigning for Tibet now is political opportunism or simply to win a seat on the London Assembly.
The Haringey Conservative Party has consistently supported the Tibetan people, by continuously holding the Mayor of London and the Prime Minister to account in improving China’s human rights record and ensuring a final settlement to the Tibetan issue. Moreover, I would further note that Cllr Whyte has never campaigned since being elected into office for the release of Gedhun Cheokyi Nyima, Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama. The case has been at the centre of the United Nation’s effort to bring about his release. The Panchen Lama is only second to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
I therefore hope that the Haringey Liberal Democrats take a principled stand in future in accordance with the norms of natural justice and international law. Not only speak when they require a few votes here and there.
Thank you
Mr Mashfiqul Alam
Bounds Green Resident
Posted by: Mashfiqul Alam, Bounds Green on 7:05am Mon 14 Apr 08
Slight mistake up there- In the first second paragraph, I was meant to say "never heard them speak up" about China's human rights. Rectified for the record
Slight mistake up there- In the first second paragraph, I was meant to say "never heard them speak up" about China's human rights. Rectified for the record
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