Tibetan Headlines
Feb 19: Chotrul Duchen
HH the Dalai Lama gave a teaching on the Jataka Tales in Dharmashala, as is the tradition on Chotrul Duchen, one of the four major Buddhist holidays, observed on the 15th day of the first Tibetan month. The tradition began with Je Tsongkhapa who founded Monlam Chenmo or the Great Prayer Festival in 1409.
Feb 16: Increased Military
China is bolstering its military presence in Tibet, according to Swarajya, an Indian news portal, who says China is “upgrading a military camp in its western command and preparing the construction of several new airports in the region”. Swarajya speculates that China may have a “secret guided missile unit” very close to Arunachal Pradesh and “ long-range kill missiles”. There is a history of tension along the Tibet-India border.
Feb 16: Thank You America
An event to celebrate 60 years of American support for Tibetans took place in Washington, US, hosted by the Office of Tibet, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) and the Capital Area Tibetan Association. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, was present along with guests who included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of US Congress.
Feb 15: New Oppression Measures
New indicators of China’s strengthening of their repressive policies and institutionalisation of Tibet are emerging with reports of measures to achieve a complete “ideological shift”. A training camp under paramilitary supervision has opened near Shigatse in Tibet, providing ideological training to Party cadres deployed across Tibet while a large “Tibet Youth Palace” is to open shortly in Lhasa with the aim of strengthening “patriotic education” for young people.
Feb 15: Top Award
The film Jinpa by Pema Tseden has won the 25th Cyclo d’Or (Golden Rickshaw) - the top award at Fica, the Festival International des Cinémas d’Asie, as well as the Critics’ Award and the INALCO’s Special Award. Jinpa is Pema Tseden’s ninth film, he is gaining increasing recognition; he was the first Tibetan to pursue advanced studies at the prestigious Beijing Film Academy.
Feb 13: Student Winner
A young Tibetan woman, Chemi Lhamo, a fourth year Neuroscience and Psychology student has been elected President of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Student Union (SCSU). Congratulatory messages have been flooding in from Tibetans worldwide, however her appointment has sparked complaints from Chinese students who have started a petition against her appointment, saying her involvement with free Tibet campaigns is inappropriate.
Feb 12: Blizzard Hits Tibet
Heavy snow storms have left the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture under 45 centimetres of snow with roads blocked and thousands of livestock reported dead according to Chinese news media xinhuanet. The report says that a relief operation is in forcewith vets, medicine and fodder being sent to the region, despite continuing heavy winds. Wild animals in the region are also reported as suffering losses.
Feb 9: Democracy in Retreat
Freedom House has released its 2019 report which says that for the 13th consecutive year, there is a “consistent and ominous” decline in global freedom, and that democracy is in retreat. China remains a country “in the spotlight”. Tibet is rated “not free”. Freedom House is based in the United States and conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights.
Feb 8: Online Spying?
There are reports in the exile Tibetan media of an online malicious spy campaign targeted at the Central Tibetan Administration. Cisco Talos, the Security Intelligence and Research Group, says it has discovered that an email attachment has been used to spam one of the CTA’s email subcribers lists, saying it is likely to be used for spy purposes rather than financial gain.
Feb 7: Tibetan Singer Dies
Tawo, Lobsang Palden, 68, the Tibetan singer living in Germany who is known for his songs about Tibet, has died. He was born in Kham, Tibet but escaped with his parents and after living in India for a few years went to Germany at the age of 12 where he became a doctor.
Feb 5: Losar Tashi Delek!
The Contact Magazine team wishes you and your family a very HAPPY LOSAR! We hope and pray that this New Year celebration brings to you all the joy of health, love and prosperity. May you all be blessed in the year to come 2146, the Year of the Earth Pig. Tashi Delek!
Feb 4: Officials Expelled
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has expelled three officials from Tibet who, according to the Chinese state media the Global Times, were secretly maintaining religious faith and contact with HH the Dalai Lama. The Global Times quoted an “unnamed official from the regional commission for discipline inspection” as saying, “If any CPC member has the wrong attitude on this subject [the Dalai Lama], it would be a serious problem."
Feb 2: Art 4 Peace
The Art for Peace Awards 2019 has been presented to the Tibetan Community in exile, recognising it as an exemplary community of harmony, peace and happiness. Art 4 Peace is a non-government organisation which promotes “World Peace and Love” through arts and artists around the world. Kasur Ngodup Dongchung from the Bureau of HH the Dalai Lama received the award on behalf of the Tibetan people in exile.
Feb 1: International Support
A worldwide coalition of Tibet support groups have called on their governments to adopt a resolution addressing human rights in China, with particular focus on Tibet, Uyghur and other ethnic minority regions at the upcoming session of Human Rights Council. They refer to issues raised in China’s recent Universal Periodic Review and say the international community must demonstrate that it “will defend the universality of human rights”.
Jan 30: No Access to Tibet
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China has released their latest annual report on media freedoms in China Under Watch: Reporting in China’s Surveillance State. It documents the severe restrictions China places on members of the international media who attempt to cover Tibet and their occasional harassment, quoting one reporter from the United Kingdom as saying, “I was explicitly told reporting on Xinjiang or Tibet was off limits.”