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06/08/2008
British Protest Students Held In Beijing
Two British nationals have been detained in Beijing after a protest.
The Britons along with two Americans from the group, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), unfurled banners near the Olympic stadium.
The protest happened just before the Olympic torch arrived in Tiananmen Square.
The UK protestors are Iain Thom, 24, from Edinburgh and Lucy Fairbrother, 23, from Cambridge.
The American students have been named as Phil Bartell, 34, from New Jersey and Tirian Mink, 32, from Portland, Oregon.
The protestors scaled a 120ft lighting pole in the early morning and unfurled banners reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet" and "Tibet will be free".
Mr Thom told BBC News that he was "here today because I've been a long-term Tibet activist and I feel like now is a critical time for Tibet".
SFT said the signs were on display for about an hour, but police said it was only about 12 minutes.
A British Embassy spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of two British nationals being detained.
"We are in touch with the Chinese authorities and are requesting immediate consular access should this information be correct."
Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of SFT said that "at this very moment, Tibetans are facing the most severe and violent repression that have seen in decades a the hands of the Chinese government".
Deputy Director of SFT, Tenzin Dorjee, said: "We appeal to the world to remember that millions of Tibetans are crying out for human rights and freedom.
"As the Chinese leadership prepares its display of grandeur and power in Beijing, trying to convince the world of its new tolerance and openness, it is waging a ruthless campaign of repression inside Tibet."
Ms Tethong added that the protestors were "brave young activists".
SFT is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 700 chapters in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Dr Kerry Brown, an expert on Chinese issues with London-based think tank, Chatham House, said Chinese authorities would be "assessing the situation" following the protest.
The Olympic torch has travelled 87,000 miles through six continents since leaving Greece in March.
Tempers flared in Tibet during March, which have culminated in the worst unrest in Tibet for 20 years.
(DS)
The Britons along with two Americans from the group, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), unfurled banners near the Olympic stadium.
The protest happened just before the Olympic torch arrived in Tiananmen Square.
The UK protestors are Iain Thom, 24, from Edinburgh and Lucy Fairbrother, 23, from Cambridge.
The American students have been named as Phil Bartell, 34, from New Jersey and Tirian Mink, 32, from Portland, Oregon.
The protestors scaled a 120ft lighting pole in the early morning and unfurled banners reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet" and "Tibet will be free".
Mr Thom told BBC News that he was "here today because I've been a long-term Tibet activist and I feel like now is a critical time for Tibet".
SFT said the signs were on display for about an hour, but police said it was only about 12 minutes.
A British Embassy spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of two British nationals being detained.
"We are in touch with the Chinese authorities and are requesting immediate consular access should this information be correct."
Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of SFT said that "at this very moment, Tibetans are facing the most severe and violent repression that have seen in decades a the hands of the Chinese government".
Deputy Director of SFT, Tenzin Dorjee, said: "We appeal to the world to remember that millions of Tibetans are crying out for human rights and freedom.
"As the Chinese leadership prepares its display of grandeur and power in Beijing, trying to convince the world of its new tolerance and openness, it is waging a ruthless campaign of repression inside Tibet."
Ms Tethong added that the protestors were "brave young activists".
SFT is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 700 chapters in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Dr Kerry Brown, an expert on Chinese issues with London-based think tank, Chatham House, said Chinese authorities would be "assessing the situation" following the protest.
The Olympic torch has travelled 87,000 miles through six continents since leaving Greece in March.
Tempers flared in Tibet during March, which have culminated in the worst unrest in Tibet for 20 years.
(DS)
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