Tibetan Headlines
Jun 7: His Holiness’s Teaching
A three-day introductory Buddhist teaching by HH the Dalai Lama for young Tibetans is underway in Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala. The 10,000 attendees are mostly students at Tibetan schools and colleges. HH is teaching from Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life [chodjug], a Mahāyāna Buddhist text written c. 700 AD and dedicated to the development of Bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment).
Jun 6: Student Detained
Student and writer Pema Gyatso, also known as Sota, 35, who had been taken into custody on unspecified charges on May 25, has been released. He runs a Tibetan literary forum on the social medial platform WeChat and has been warned in the past that some of his writings were politically sensitive. Gyatso is a student at the Northwest University for Nationalities in the Gansu capital Lanzhoue.
Jun 6: Tiananmen Remembered
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) marked the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre on this day in 1989 which left 10,000 Chinese people dead, by unveiling an artistic rendition of the Chinese national flag – with the yellow stars replaced by the iconic tank man resisting approaching tanks. The event took place in the main square in McLeod Ganj and SFT members distributed pamphlets to raise awareness.
Jun 5: Crackdown in Shigatse
Fourteen people are reported as having been detained in Nyamo Township in Shigatse last month when a peaceful mass appeal by Tibetans against the local County administration sparked a crackdown. The appeal was regarding the decision to review an investigation into the murder of a Tibetan elderly man in 2016. Five of the detained Tibetans were released two weeks later, the others remain in detention. The crackdown continues.
Jun 5: Footballers Out
The Tibetan National Football Team is out of the CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Tournament) World Cup in London, United Kingdom, after losing all three matches in the initial group stage . They lost to Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus and Karpatalya. Although disappointed, the team management and players said they experienced immense love and support shown by Tibetans and fans across the world.
Jun 4: Prayers for Tashi
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) held a prayer service in Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, to express solidarity with the sufferings of the Tibetan self-immolators and with jailed Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk. Tahsi Wangchuk recently received a five year prison sentence in Tibet despite having committed no crime. The service also marked the second anniversary of the 15th Kashag [Cabinet] of the CTA.
Jun 2: Tibetan, Please!
Students living in the Qinghai province have written to the local authorities asking for teaching to be in Tibetan as well as Mandarin, saying that none of the recently appointed 359 teachers can teach in Tibetan. They ask that Tibetan-speaking teachers are recruited for the future. There were protests in 2010 when the authorities adopted a policy of teaching in Mandarin only and its implementation was postponed.
Jun 1: Denial of Freedom
The US state department’s International Religious Freedom Report 2017 highlights China’s continued denial of religious freedom in Tibet and growing interference in the running of Buddhist institutions. It notes forced disappearances, physical abuse, prolonged detention without trial and arrests of individuals on religious grounds as well as increased repression around politically sensitive events and religious anniversaries. The report looks at the status of religious freedom in countries around the world.
May 31: “Re-education” Centres Exposed
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has published a report giving a former detainee’s first hand account of conditions for people undergoing “legal education” in Tibet. He spent about four months in a re-education - or “transformation through education” - centre in the Nagchu Prefecture. The account validates anecdotal evidence collected TCHRD about re-education centres, which are effectively prisons for people who have not broken the law.
May 31: Tibetan Radio Australia!
SBS, the top Australian radio service, has launched a weekly Tibetan language programme, along with four other languages, in their new radio app. The programme will share stories and celebrate the Tibetan culture and people and will include community updates and a settlement guide with expert advice and tips. The service will be produced by Pema Dolkar.
May 28: Middle Way Approach
The first International conference on the Middle Way Approach (MWA) is underway at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamshala with over 500 participants. MWA is the official policy adopted by the Tibetan government-in-exile which seek genuine autonomy within China. Pema Jungney, the former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament attended the inaugural function as the Chief Guest. The five day conference will conclude on May 31.
May 26: Sherab Gatsel Lobling
Sherab Gatsel Lobling, a school for new arrivals from Tibet, especially youths aged between 18 and 30, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Dr Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) presented certificates to the graduating students at the celebration. The school was founded in 1993 under the administration of the Tibetan Reception Centre. Currently, it is under CTA’s Education Department.
May 25: Tibetan Business Community
Dr Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) addressing the inaugural session of the 13th Annual General Meeting of Tibetan Chamber of Commerce stressed the moral responsibility of the Tibetan business community towards social welfare and, most importantly, towards the Tibetan cause.
May 24: Rangzen Conference
The fifth International Rangzen [Independence for Tibet] Conference is underway in Dharamshala, the opening ceremony was held on the anniversary of the day that China forced the Tibetan delegation to sign the “Seventeen-Point Agreement”’ on May 23, 1951, in Beijing. Around 160 Rangzen advocates from around the world are attending. Discussions will include independence for Tibet and how to strengthen and enhance the Tibetan independence movement.
May 23: Livelihood Fund
The second Tibetan Refugee Livelihood Support Programme has been launched by the Central Tibetan Administration. INR 21 Crore (US $ 3 Million / £ 2 Million) is earmarked to provide loans to the most needy members of the Tibetan community at a minimal 4% interest rate. The pilot programme last year supported nearly 900 Tibetan sweater sellers who repaid in full earlier this year, earning the admiration of USAID, the funding agency.