Tibetan Headlines
Aug 20: Two Released
Two Tibetans have been released from prison on completion of their sentences for "inciting separatism". Namkha Jam from Changya Village in Rebgong County in Qinghai Province was released on August 10 after his six-year term for sharing information and pictures of self-immolations and Gonpo Tseten, 40, was released one and half years early for good behaviour. He got 12 years for his part in the 2008 uprising.
Aug 19: Five-Fifty Forum
The Five-Fifty Youth Forum, organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is underway near Dharamshala. 100 young Tibetans from 15 countries gathered for the four-day conference to discuss the shape of Tibet’s political future and ways of strengthening the Tibetan freedom movement. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, said “Don’t criticise – give solutions” and advised the young people to “take ownership of the Tibetan freedom movement”.
Aug 17: Condolences
Tibetan leaders HH the Dalai Lama and the elected President Dr Lobsang Sangay offered condolences over the demise of India’s three-time Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee aged 93. “I feel privileged to have known him and am honoured to have counted him as a friend” wrote His Holiness. “He was one of the giants in Indian politics and also one of the strongest voices for Tibet,” said Sangay.
Aug 16: Benefits Refused
State benefits have been refused to a Tibetan couple, Tsering and Lhamo, who moved to Lithang county to find work, because they were found to be in possession of a photo of HH the Dalai Lama. Having been declared eligible for government subsidies in a poverty alleviation programme, they were disqualified following a surprise visit by Chinese officials who found the photo on display in their home.
Aug 15: Independence Day
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, raised the Indian flag at a ceremony to celebrate India’s 72nd Independence Day. “It is a day to remember what a great country India is,” said Dr Sangay, continuing, “This country has done more for Tibetans than any other country. Hence the generous and loving people of India deserves our congratulations and Happy Independence Day”.
Aug 15: Escapees Arrive Safely
Eight Tibetan refugees – mostly Bon monks and nuns – who were being held in Nepal while on their way to India have reached Dharamshala. Nepalese immigration cited “security concerns” as their reason for holding the group. Their exit from Nepal was negotiated by an informal agreement between Nepal, India and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. China is pressuring Nepal to prevent Tibetans from escaping via Nepal.
Aug 15: Prisoner Freed
Namkha Jam, 56, who has been in jail for six years, has been freed and has returned home to Jangkya village in the Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Rebgong county. He was convicted of “inciting separatism” for sending photographs of self-immolation protests out of Tibet. Prior to his arrest, Namkha Jam worked as a teacher for 30 years. He will now face three years deprivation of political rights.
Aug 14: Back to Dharamshala
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has returned to his residence in Dharamshala after a 45-day teaching tour of Ladakh, Delhi, Goa and Bangaluru. In Dharamshala, His Holiness is scheduled to give a four-day teaching on Buddhapalita's Commentary on the Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (drel-pa Buddhapalita) from September 4-7 at the request of a group of people from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Aug 14: Teaching Workshop
An intensive teaching workshop is underway for the teachers and senior artistes at the Tibetan Institute of Performing arts (TIPA), with 17 people taking part. It is the first intensive workshop that has been held for TIPA teachers and is being funded by USAID. TIPA’s Director Wangdue Tsering said the workshop is aimed at preserving Tibet’s heritage of dance, theatre and music.
Aug 13: Shoton Festival
The Shoton - or yoghurt - festival is underway at the Drepung and Sera monasteries in Lhasa, with thousands of Tibetans and tourists arriving to take part. The festival kicked off with the monks unfurling a giant 500 year old thangka displaying an image of the Buddha Shakyamuni. The Shoton festival originated in the 11th century, and is now a weeklong celebration of both secular and religious events.
Aug 13: Questioning China
A group of UN experts have questioned the Chinese government on its “two-track” passport issuing system, reports tibet.net, saying it discriminates and obstructs Tibetans from acquiring passports, restricts their freedom of movement and right to travel outside the region in the exercise of freedom of religion. The written intervention raised series of issues, including the recall of Tibetans who had travelled abroad to attend teachings by HH the Dalai Lama.
Aug 10: Ocean of Wisdom
A book entitled Ocean of Wisdom: Dialogue between the Dalai Lama and contemporary scientists has been published in Chinese. The book, co-authored by Ding Yifu and Lijiang Lin, who are both based in the United States, was published by Lin King Publishing house in Taiwan. The publication honours His Holiness for his contribution to the modern scientific world through 30 years worth of dialogue with contemporary scientists and thinkers.
Aug 9: 2008 Uprising Remembered
The Tibetan Women's Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet in Dharamshala commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Pan-Tibet 2008 uprising with a peaceful cycle rally from Mcleod Ganj to Norbulingka. 30 people, took part. The organisers said that they want to pay “respect and honour” to the Tibetans and families who died or suffered during the uprising.
Aug 8: Horse Race Reopens
A popular Tibetan horse racing festival in Lithang County in Kardze has reopened after a 10 year ban imposed following a protest calling for the return of HH the Dalai Lama to Tibet. The festival, which will run for three days instead of the traditional eight, has been organised by the Chinese authorities and there is speculation that their motive is political propaganda.
Aug 7: Businessman Detained
Tenzin Choephel, a Tibetan businessman, is still missing five months after he was arrested at Gongkar airport. His whereabouts are unknown. Police searched his house after his arrest and found some political literature and photos of HH the Dalai Lama. Tenzin is a native of Nagchu prefecture in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The exact reasons for his arrest are still unknown.