Some 50 people protested in front of the Chinese Embassy on Údolná Street in Bratislava on March 18 against China’s military action against demonstrators in Tibet, the TASR newswire wrote.
"It is appropriate to gather and think about those who are in a situation (under communism) in which we, older people, lived for the most of our lives, and which the younger have fortunately not experienced," said one of the organisers, vice-chairman of Civic Conservative Party (OKS) Peter Osuský.
He emphasised that the democratic world conveniently ignores anti-democratic events in China simply because of its trade interests. Osuský expressed a reservation about International Olympics Committee Chairman Jacques Rogge.
"Phrases explaining that such an event (as the August 2008 Olympics) will help democracy in China are being fulfilled in practice today on the streets of Lhasa," he said sarcastically.
At the end of the gathering, the participants paid respect to the victims of the oppression with a minute of silence and lit candles in front of the embassy. According to the Tibetan government-in-exile, the clashes between Chinese units and demonstrators in Lhasa has claimed at least 80 lives, whereas China has officially recognised 13 victims.
The protest in Bratislava was organised by the Civic Conservative Party (OKS), the Society of the Friends of Tibet, Citizens Against Totalitarianism organisation, Civic-Democratic Youth, Conservative Institute of M.R. Śtefánik, People in Peril civic association, Pontis Foundation and Amnesty International Slovensko.
Tibet has been occupied by China for more than 55 years, but outbursts designed to win back independence for this Himalayan nation arise periodically. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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