News 
Dharamshala: Ven. Ngawang Woebar, the director of the ex-political Tibetan prisoners organization, "Gu-Chu-Sum Movement" held a press conference today to observe the 'International Day in support of Victims of Torture.' The released statement said "International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on June 26 as on that day in 1987, the United Nation's Convention against Torture came into effect. It is on this day that we pay deep respect and tribute to all those around the world who have suffered and endured the worst torture." "Fifty long years have passed since China invaded Tibet. 1.2 million Tibetans were brutally killed. Tibetan people were and are still being subjected to different forms of torture. Tibetan women, children and elderly people who should be protected by the law are being discriminated against and tortured. For instance during the1980s' in Lhasa, there was a group called Taktuk ("Cub of Tiger") organization whose members were aged between 13 to 17 years old. Most of the young members were mercilessly killed by the Chinese army. Many were imprisoned and were subjected to such unimaginable sufferings that many chose death and committed suicide inside the Chinese prisons.
Electric shocks, kicking and beatings, striping naked, throwing boiling water on the face, standing bare foot on ice are commonly used by Chinese authorities on Tibetan political prisoners in a futile attempt to destroy the spirit and break their resolve.
Torture is the most profound abuse of human rights. Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet is actively initiating political campaigns to put a stop to the wanton torture perpetrated on Tibetan political prisoners.
On this day, we offer our fervent prayers and express solidarity with the Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom struggle, and to those who are still languishing in Chinese prisons. We are organizing photo exhibitions, essay writing, talks and a play depicting 'the plight of political prisoners' in Tibetan Communities and schools.
Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet appeals to all governments and international communities to take action to defeat tortures and torturers everywhere. From today, we are observing everyday as the day to stop torture till June 26, 2010 and will relentlessly campaign for the release of all Tibetan political prisoners."
On 16 June, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also issued a message for the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, to be observed tomorrow.
He said, "I urge all United Nations Member States that have not yet done so to ratify and implement in good faith the Convention against Torture and the provisions of its Optional Protocol. I also appeal for all Members States to invite the Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit places where persons are deprived of liberty in their country and to extend their cooperation to allow full and unhindered access."
