Protesters rallied outside the United Nations and the Chinese consulate in New York on Friday, demonstrating against Beijing's response to anti-Chinese protests in Tibet this week. Witnesses in the Tibetan capital say at least two people were killed when Chinese security forces opened fire on stone-throwing protesters who set fire to shops and vehicles. VOA's Margaret Besheer has more on the anti-Chinese protests in New York.

Tibetan protestors rally in New York City, 14 Mar 2008

Dozens of protesters from New York's Tibetan community took to the street outside the Chinese consulate in New York City and then marched to the United Nations, where they called on the world body to do something to stop the escalating violence in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa.

"We are asking for human rights in Lhasa; human rights in Tibet. They are killing right now, they are killing, they are killing hundreds of Tibetans and no one is saying anything!"

Protesters waved Tibetan flags and carried banners saying "Free Tibet Now" and "China Out of Tibet." New York police officials reported six of the protesters had been arrested for disorderly conduct.

At the United Nations, High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed concern about the escalating tensions between protesters and security forces in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding areas in China.

In a statement, she urged the Chinese government to allow demonstrators to exercise their right to freedom of expression and assembly, and to refrain from any excessive use of force. She also called for Chinese authorities not to mistreat arrested protesters and to accord them due process in accordance with international standards.

The largest anti-Chinese demonstrations in Tibet in 20 years began Monday, when monks tried to stage a march to mark the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.