Tibetan Headlines
Jul 6: Happy Birthday!
The Contact Magazine team would like to wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama a very happy birthday, continued good health and a long life. News of good wishes and celebrations is reaching the media as people around the world celebrate His Holiness's birthday. Happy birthday, your Holiness!
Jul 5: Heroes’ Pensions
Around 6,000 Tibetan soldiers who saw active service in the Special Frontier Force, an Indian paramilitary group which fought for the Indian army from 1963, will get their pension from the Indian government. This welcome new ruling follows lengthy campaigns and negotiations. Veterans who have waited for years are hoping that their pensions will now be paid and alleviate the poverty which has afflicted many Tibetan ex servicemen.
Jul 4: First Batch of Graduates
The first batch of students have graduated from the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) and celebrated their graduation day with recognition from the University of Mysore. The 77 students graduated from five degree courses. The day will be “remembered for the pride and honour that entire institute felt on having successfully produced its first batch of graduates” said the official report.
Jul 3: Taiwan Celebrations
Tibetans and friends of Tibet in Taiwan officially marked the 81st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with prayers, music concerts, photo exhibitions and film screenings attended by around 600 people. The Office of Tibet in Taiwan also announced the 2016 Blessing Concert for His Holiness the Dalai Lama organised by the Gaden Shartse Center in Taipei, to be held on July 6.
Jul 2: Rangzen Conference
The second Tibetan International Rangzen Conference is underway in New York. The three day conference is being attended by prominent Rangzen advocates including Gu Chu Sum Director, Lukar Jam Atsok; Scholar-activist, Jamyang Norbu; Tibetan parliamentarian, Tenpa Yarphel and other Rangzen advocates from the United States, Europe and Canada and aims to enhance and strengthen the Tibetan independence movement.
Jul 1: Tragic Accident
Gurgon Kyab, 45, a Tibetan actor and activist, has died in a road accident in Labrang in eastern Tibet while visiting his family there. Kyab, who acted in films Himalaya and Le voyage aux Prenees, moved to Paris in 1998. He is also known for raising the Tibetan flag at the Chinese embassy in France in March 2008 to protest against China’s invasion of Tibet.
Jul 1: Back to India
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has arrived back in India after his trip to the United States. His Holiness arrived at Doeguling Tibetan settlement in Mungod in Karnataka state for a week-long stay during which he will be bestowing ordination for 81 monks. His Holiness’ stay at Mungod coincides with celebration of his 81st birthday on July 6.
Jul 1: Missing Nun Dead
Yeshi Lhadron, a nun from Dragkar nunnery in Kardze county in Kham province was arrested in 2008 during a peaceful protest against China’s rule. She has been missing since then, her unable to find her. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has now reported that Lhadron’s family has concluded that she died in police custody, as word of her death has been leaked by her nurses.
Jun 30: Tortured to Death
Yudruk Nyima, a Tibetan man in his 40s, was reportedly beaten to death while in Chinese police custody. He was arrested in Rokhog village on June 20 while returning home from collecting Yartsa Gunbu (caterpillar fungus). Police accused him of being in possession of a gun and claimed he died on his way to hospital. Nyima is from the Zamkha division of Zakhog village in Derge county, Kham Kardze.
Jun 29: Film Maker Arrested
Pema Tseden, 47, a leading Tibetan filmmaker, was arrested at Qinghai airport on charges of disturbing public order. He was taken to a detention centre in Xining city and assaulted and interrogated before being taken to a hospital in Xining city for emergency treatment. Tseden rose to fame with his films Old Dog and Tharlo. Tibetans across the world are voicing their concerns on social media platforms. The Film Directors Guild of China has demanded information about his arrest and treatment.
Jun 28: China Condemned
The United Kingdom government's Human Rights Commission has released a report, The Darkest Moment, which gives evidence of human rights abuses in China since 2013. Tibet is referenced throughout the report which details the suspicious deaths of political prisoners, gradual elimination of the Tibetan language and culture and environmental damage. The report draws attention to the influence the Chinese government has on Westminster and the international community.
Jun 28: Support for Torture Victims
The Central Tibetan Administration and former political prisoners’ movement, Gu-Chu-Sum organised several events to commemorate the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. At the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, a play depicting the suffering of the Tibetan prisoners was performed. Gu-Chu-Sum held a photo exhibition depicting Tibetan protests, and torture equipment and blood stained clothes were also displayed. That evening a candlelight vigil was followed by a poetry recital.
Jun 28: Five Detained
Five Tibetans have been detained by Chinese police following the assault on Tibetans who were protesting against the demolition of houses and shops near Qinghai Lake. The detained Tibetans were given no explanation or documents concerning their arrest. Four of the detainees were Lhachen Kyab, Jigje Delek Gyatso, Rinchen Bum, and Tashi Dolma. “It was a sheer display of force and intimidation,” said Radio Free Asia’s source.
Jun 27: Released After Five Years
Tsering, also known as Tsering Yoyoling and a former monk from Kirti monastery has been released after serving his five year sentence at Sichuan’s Deyang prison. He was taken home to Ngaba; his family had not been told to expect him but local sources report no restrictions on visits to his home from family and friends. He was detained for taking part in protests outside the Ngaba county office during the wider regional uprising in 2008 but he managed to evade capture until 2011 by living as a fugitive
Jun 25: Pawo Awarded
The Tibetan film Pawo [“martyr” in Tibetan] has won awards in three categories at the Spring 2016 International Independent Film Awards. The film was based on the life of Jamphel Yeshi, a young Tibetan man who self-immolated on March 26, 2012 in Delhi, protesting against China’s continued rule over Tibet. Pawo was made by a Tibet-German crew and features all Tibetan actors.