Tibetan Headlines
Feb 13: Welcome Back!
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived home to his residence in Dharamshala this morning after attending events in Delhi, Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Tibetans, devotees and locals welcomed him with traditional Tibetan scarves. His Holiness will give short teachings next month from 12th - 14th at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala.
Feb 12: Pilgrims Stopped
Tibetans traveling by car to attend a large religious gathering at Kirti Monastry in Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture are being stopped at the border between Gansu and Sichuan. Radio Free Asia reported that no reasons were given but pilgrims were told that no cars were allowed over the border and they should abandon their cars and proceed on foot.
Feb 10: His Holiness Donates
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has donated nearly INR 17 lakh (US$ 25,000, £20,000) to an American homeless initiative and a children’s hospital, as well as to the Utah Tibet Foundation, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. This fund represents the proceeds from His Holiness’s visit last year to the University of Utah's Huntsman Centre. The report says he always ensures that “nobody should profit from his visits”.
Feb 10: Conference in EP
The Office of Tibet Brussels held a conference in the European Parliament (EP), Reincarnation of Dalai Lama: Why it Matters to China. The 60 participants included MEPs and politicians and was co-hosted by the major political groups in the European Parliament, the European Peoples Party, Socialists and Democrats, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and the Greens/European Free Alliance.
Feb 9: Fire Put Out
“Uncounted numbers” of wildlife and livestock were lost in a forest fire that escalated out of control in Ngaba prefecture. Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers battled to minimise the damage in the protected area of Dzoge county. No human casualties have been reported and the fire burnt itself out after 3 days. The cause of the fire is unknown. The forest is administered by the local forestry department.
Feb 8: University Row
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), the Washington based Tibet support group, has objected to China's interference with academic freedom in the United States. This follows a protest by Chinese students at UC San Diego over the university's invitation to HH the Dalai Lama to speak there. The ICT accuses the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of “serving the shortsighted political agenda of the current Chinese leadership”.
Feb 7: Flags Banned
Hun Sen the Cambodian Prime Minister, has banned Tibetan and Taiwanese national flags in Cambodia to demonstrate its allegiance to China. "We shall not do anything that harms the sovereignty and independence of China because of Taiwan", said Hun Sen. China is a major trader with, and investor in, Cambodia.
Feb 6: Prof Elliot Sperling
Tributes are pouring in for the noted American Tibetologist and human-rights activist Elliot Sperling, 66, who died recently in New York. The renowned Tibetan activist and writer, Beijing based Tsering Woeser, said that his demise is a huge loss. A memorial was held at Norbu House in McLeod Ganj jointly organised by Amnye Machen, Tibetan Youth Congress, TibetWrites, Gu Chu Sum and Students For a Free Tibet.
Feb 4: Cycling for Tibet
A group of nearly 30 cyclists made a tour of Taipei to raise awareness of the Tibetan issue ahead of Tibetan National Uprising Day next month. They shouted slogans for a Free Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. They will cycle every Wednesday until March 10. The rally was organised jointly by Tibet support groups in Taiwan.
Feb 4: Tibetan Councillor
Dawa Rinchen, the current Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer, has been nominated as a Dharamshala Municipal Corporation Councillor, the first Tibetan councillor ever. Dawa is a member of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society and has good personal relations with the local Indian community; he has played a vital role in maintaining harmony between the two communities. A local government spokesperson said his inclusion will, “help the community”.
Feb 3: Women’s Empowerment
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile has announced the Kashag (Cabinet)’s revised womens empowerment policy. Its stated objective is to make Tibetan women equal partners in all aspects of Tibetan society and includes human rights, education, health, economy, governance and leadership, social, and sexual and gender-based Violence. The original Women's Empowerment Policy was launched ten years ago.
Feb 3: Monk Freed
Yonten, a Tibetan monk from from Thangkor Soktsang monastery aged around 37 who was jailed in 2013 because he was linked to the self-immolation protest by another monk from Thangkor Soktsang, Konchok Sonam, 18, has been released. He had served his full term of three and a half years. He is resting with his family before returning to his monastery.
Feb 3: Singer Freed
Amchok Phuljung, a popular singer jailed for four years for writing songs praising the Dalai Lama and highlighting the hardships of life under Beijing’s rule, has been released in the Sichuan province after serving his full term. Although his family was ordered not to come to prison to welcome him, there was a warm reception for him in his home town in Marthang county.
Feb 3: Support from US
The new Secretary of State in the United States, Rex Tillerson has indicated that the new administration will continue its support for Tibet including issues of Human Rights, cases of political prisoners, religious freedom, including that of Tibetan Buddhists, and encourging dialogue between Beijing and representatives of the exile Tibetan administration and the Dalai Lama. In addition, he committed to receiving and meeting HH the Dalai Lama.
Feb 2: Limited Freedom
Freedom House, the United States-based human rights advocacy organisation, has released its annual report Freedom in the world in which it says Tibet is second only to Syria as the least “free” region in the world with regard to political rights and civil liberties. Tibet shows “no improvement” over last year. The report says that 2016 was the 11th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.