Tibetan Headlines
Jul 28: Permanent Strategy Committee
The Permanent Strategy Committee of the 16th Kashag (Cabinet of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile), has met to review and discuss strategy and progress. This is the committee's second meeting; it was convened following the dissolution of the Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations.
Jul 27: Returnees Questioned
Tibetans returning home from visits abroad are being questioned by the Chinese authorities, reports Radio Free Asia, who’s local sources are saying that the authorities are looking for signs of disloyalty or separatist sentiment. RFA’s source said they are asked about “possible involvement in political activities,” and have to attend frequent meetings where they are told how to “live ‘a decent life’ [...] and to stay away from sensitive political issues”.
Jul 27: Delegation to Brazil
A team from Men-Tsee-Khang visited Brazil from July 2 - 13, promoting Tibetan traditional medicine and Astro science knowledge. They were hosted by Tibet House in San Paulo, and the events were attended by health practitioners and professionals, laypeople and members of several Buddhist organisations in Brazil. They gave an intensive five-day programme at Tsarpa Sakya Monastery which was founded by Lama Rinchen, a Brazilian Tibetan Buddhist monk.
Jul 27: Tibetan Monks Banned
Tibetan Buddhist Monks have been banned from visiting Yunfu in the Guangdong province of China, reports bitterwinter.org, who say the authorities are citing their illegal “missionary activity”. Visiting Tibetan monks have been giving teachings, which are becoming more popular but, says bitterwinter.org, this is not tolerated by the Communist Party of China and a notice of boycott has been issued.
Jul 26: Majnu Ka Tilla
Majnu Ka Tilla, the Tibetan colony in Delhi known as “Little Tibet”, is to be developed as a food hub under Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s new project to maximise Delhi as the food capital of India, along with Chandni Chowk in the first phase, reports Times of India. Infrastructure requirements, including road, electricity, water, sanitation and food safety will be adhered to said Arvind Kejriwal.
Jul 26: Activist Under Investigation
Drew Pavlou, 23, an Australian anti-China activist currently in London, United Kingdom, is under investigation following his arrest there during a peaceful protest outside the Chinese embassy. He denies the allegation that he sent an email about a bomb threat to the Chinese embassy, reports the Guardian, who quotes Pavlou as saying that he was the victim of an “orchestrated campaign”. Pavlou has campaigned about the Chinese oppression of Tibetans and Uyghurs.
Jul 25: Euro-Tibet Cup
Tibet United FC Bern from Switzerland has won the 12th Euro-Tibet Cup football tournament after defeating team Yak Boyz from Paris. This year’s tournament, the biggest sporting event in the Tibetan community in Europe, took place in Deurne, in Antwerp, Belgium with 15 teams participating from Belgium, Switzerland and France. The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Belgium has been organising the Euro-Tibet Cup tournament since 2008.
Jul 25: Jigme Gyatso
Jigme Gyatso, the Tibetan monk, activist and former political prisoner, has died at his home in Gansu, reports Radio Free Asia. A monk from Labrang Monastery, Jigme Gyatso was subjected to severe beatings during his time in jail and had been in poor health since his release in 2016. RFA reports that he became an “instant hero” in 2009 after making a video describing his brutal treatment while in custody.
Jul 22: Two Activists Released
Tashi Tsering and Drukbum Tsering were released from prison on July 1. This follows the release of four others earlier this year, all were imprisoned on the same charges of land-rights activism in Amdo, Rebgong, reports Radio Free Asia. In 2019 they were all given prison sentences of three to seven years by the Rebgong county people’s court, accused of running an “illegal organisation” claiming land rights for Tibetans.
Jul 22: New Indian President-Elect
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Shrimati Droupadi Murmu congratulating her on her election as President of India, saying that Tibetans have received the “unparalleled support of the Government and people of India” in their endeavour to protect and preserve the Tibetan identity. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of India for the warm hospitality granted to Tibetans for more than six decades.
Jul 21: Promoting Understanding
A new programme to teach Indian army officers about Tibet has been launched at the Central Institute of Himalayan and Cultural Studies in Arunachal Pradesh, the north eastern Indian state that borders Tibet and where there are regular clashes with, and incursions across the border by, the Chinese army. The course is to promote understanding and includes Tibetan language, religion and culture, reports Radio Free Asia.
Jul 21: Student Sentenced
Nyima, a student from Shelian Township in Kardze who was arrested in January and charged with spying, has now been sentenced to three years in prison for contacting Tibetan exiles, reports Radio Free Asia. Nyima studied Tibetan culture and shared his knowledge with tourists visiting Tibet, he was seen regularly interacting with visitors and there is speculation that this is the reason for his arrest.
Jul 20: No Outside Contacts
Tibetans living in and around Lhasa have been ordered to stop contact with family and friends living abroad, non compliance risks loss of all government aid, among other severe consequences, reports Voice of America. The authorities are now visiting Tibetans' homes to check for photographs of HH the Dalai Lama and people are advised not to listen to groups living outside China, nor to do business with outsiders.
Jul 20: More Relocations
300 more residents have been relocated from Doima Township in Tsonyi county to their new homes 1,000 km to the south, in Singpori near Lhasa. The authorities cite protection of the environment, and the high altitude and harsh environment as the reason for the compulsory relocations, despite the fact that Tibetans have lived there happily and sustainably for generations. 130,000 people in total are to be relocated.
Jul 19: Ecological “Protection”?
Li Zhanshu,China's top legislator, on a tour of Tibet has spoken of a new law for the ecological protection of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, reports Chinese state media Xinhua. He said “ecological protection is the basic premise and the rigid constraint of the region's development” and called for “focus on safeguarding national unification and strengthening ethnic unity, and to ensure enduring social stability”.