Peoples Republic of South Devon

Torch of repression

April 7th, 2008

posted by Cptn

At the risk of having our t-shirts confiscated, we got in touch with Ek Bowley and Eunice Calvert, potters on Preston Street, Exeter, who sponsor a Tibetan refugee in Nepal.

“What’s surprising about the current events in Tibet is that they’re so widespread,” said Ek.

A Tibetan flag flies outside the pottery and shop, which is next to The Spacex, and inside there are Tibetan and Nepalese objects and jewellery between the pots, mugs and bowls.

The 1989 uprisings focused on Lhasa.

“They probably have more access to short wave radio now,” said Ek, who visits Nepal, but has found it increasingly difficult to get into Tibet. “At least with the radios they will be able to hear the response of the rest of the world.”

“From the Tibetans point of view, the Olympic torch is the torch of repression,” said Ek. But activists and the Dalai Lama are quick to point out that they’re not calling for a boycott of the Olympics, rather political pressure to end human rights abuses in the country.

“Tibet is so isolated and completely cut off that I doubt if the Olympics had an bearing,” he said. “The Dalai Lama is the people’s spiritual leader, but I doubt he has a huge influence on the day-to-day. Those in exile are far keener for peaceful action, but those still in Tibet face daily infringements on their life. They are harder, heavier people who face reprisals, humiliation and torture.”

• Artist Anne Radu is offering a piece of work for auction to support the Free Tibet Campaign
Read her thoughts on being Buddhist in Devon

picture by Jenny Steer

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Entry Filed under: Society