1. Mai 2002

Free Tibet Campaign
1 Rosoman Place, London EC1R OJY, Tel. 020 7833 9958, Fax 020 7833 3838, www.freetibet.org, e-mail: mail@freetibet.org

Abbruch von historischen Gebäuden in der Altstadt von Lhasa

Augenzeugen berichteten, daß mit dem Abbruch eines in der Nähe des Jokhang Tempels in der Altstadt von Lhasa gelegenen Gebäudes begonnen wurde. Der Gebäudekomplex befindet sich innerhalb der Barkhor Gegend, die von der UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) zur Schutzzone erklärt wurde und enthält ein dreistöckiges, jahrhundertealtes Stadthaus, das wahrscheinlich auch dem Abbruch preisgegeben ist.

Bitte schreiben Sie schnellstens Briefe, Faxe, e-mails mit der Forderung, die Abbruchaktion einzustellen:
1)
Zhang Bai
The State Bureau of Cultural Relics
29 Wusi Street
Beijing 100 009
PR China
Fax 00 86 10 6401 3101
Zhang Bai ist der Vertreter des International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in China
2)
Ma Zhengang
HE The Ambassador
Chinese Embassy
49-51 Portland Place
London W1N 3AH
England
3)

Richten Sie weitere Bitten um Hilfe in dieser Sache an:

Mr. K. Matsuura
Director-General
UNESCO Beijing Office
Jianguomenwai
Waijiao Gongyu 5-15-3
Beijing 100 600/PR China
Fax 00 86 10 6532 4854
beijing@unesco.org/unesco@public.bta.net.cn
4)
Mr. Miloon Kothari
UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva
Switzerland
e-mail: rhada.hchr@unog.ch
5)
ICOMOS (UK)
10 Barley Mow Passage
London W4 4PH/England
Fax 020 8747 8464
e-mail: icomos-uk@icomos.org
6)
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
S.E. Botschafter
Ma Canrong
Märkisches Ufer 54
10179 Berlin

Briefvorschlag

Dear Sir (Your Excellency,)

We are gravely concerned about recent reports of the demolition of historical buildings surrounding the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. These buildings are situated within the Barkhor area, which has been designated by UNESCO as a protected zone.

A three-storey century-old townhouse within the historic centre of the city, which is also under the protection of the municipal authorities in Lhasa seems as well destined for demolition. The traditionally built complex is on the corner of Beijing Dong Lu and the street where Snowlands Hotel is located, an area that falls within the Lingkhor, the traditional pilgrimage circuit around the Tibetan capital. Tenants of this townhouse are reported to have been evicted without consultation. If the old buildings are in dilapidated condition, wouldn't it be better if they were renovated rather than being demolished?

The People's Republic of China has also ratified the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage which binds states to "the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage, situated on its territory".

The PRC therefore is bound to respect its commitments. To destroy these ancient buildings and evict the tenants without community consultations would be a serious violation by China of its duty to protect cultural heritage.

We therefore appeal to you to take immediate action to stop the ongoing and planned demolition of precious, historic buildings in Lhasa, as they are not only of importance to the Tibetans but also to the world at large.

Yours faithfully,