Tibetan Headlines
May 17: G7 Demand Visit
The G7, the Group of Seven’s foreign ministers, have issued a communiqué saying, “We remain deeply concerned by the human rights situation in China, particularly in Xinjiang and Tibet” and added, “we urge China to fully respect human rights” and demanded that China allows “immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang and Tibet for independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and her potential visit to China.”
May 17: The Panchen Lama
Today marks the anniversary of the abduction of six year old Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. The Chinese abducted him soon after his recognition by HH the Dalai Lama and he has not been seen since despite continued international calls for his release. China claims he is “living a normal life” and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
May 17: Border Tensions
China is building a bridge across Pangong Lake in Ladakh in north India on the border with Tibet. The 500 metre bridge is situated south of an area which, originally in Indian territory, has been occupied by the Chinese since the border war in 1962. The bridge will facilitate access for Chinese troops to the disputed area; India’s response is to boost its defence capabilities in the area.
May 17: Bike Rally
A bike rally from Mundgod Tibetan Settlement to Bangalore City is underway, organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress and the Tibetan Women’s Association, to raise awareness of the missing Panchen Lama, Gedyn Choekyi Nyima, missing since 1995 when he was abducted by the Chinese at the age of six following his recognition by HH the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama.
May 17: Germain Aid
A delegation from German Aid to Tibetans (GAT), one of the major relief support agencies, is in Dharamshala, led by their President Heide Meyer, to discuss their various projects in India. Ms Meyer gave assurance of GAT’s continued support. “Our main concern is the education of the children and the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion” she said, adding that they would not forget “the elderlies”.
May 16: His Holiness’s Vesak Message
In HH the Dalai Lama’s message for Vesak, the Buddhist celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, he reiterated that Buddha advised scholars and monks to thoroughly examine his teachings and not accept them merely out of respect. His Holiness said that he himself recites In Praise of Dependent Arising every morning and reflects on the interdependent nature of things and the altruistic spirit of enlightenment.
May 16: Fate of Ancient Kingdom
The collapse of the 700 year old Guge kingdom in western Tibet in the 1630s was caused by environmental factors reports the South China Morning Post. It was previously believed that the collapse followed a war with neighbouring Ladakh but a new study by scientists from China, the United States and the Netherlands found that a four degree Celsius temperature drop contributed to diminished crop production and the kingdom’s downfall.
May 16: Tightened Security
Security has been tightened in Lhasa ahead of HH the Dalai Lama’s birthday in two months to head off any expressions of allegiance by Tibetans to their spiritual leader. Security checkpoints have been set up on all street corners and Tibetans are subject to random searches and phone checks. Drones are being used to monitor Tibetans’ movements. Tibetans regularly defy the ban on observing significant cultural and historical days.
May 16: 170 Detained
More than 170 nomadic Tibetans were detained in Cheudru Village in Gade County on May 10 and then questioned individually concerning disagreements over the Chinese government’s orders that grazing lands be confiscated. Tibet Watch, the research and advocacy group, reports that their 50-year grassland use certificates were deemed to be out of date and their grasslands confiscated and placed under government control. The 170 had opposed this directive.
May 16: Students Barred
Tibetan students who support HH the Dalai Lama will not be admitted to Tibet University, the largest University in the Tibet Autonomous Region under the Tibet Autonomous Region’s 2022 Regular College Admissions Regulationsnew admission rules published in April this year by China’s Ministry of Education. Criteria for exclusion included candidates who have participated or supported in words or deeds, activities, or movements that “endanger the national unity”.
May 16: Bharat Ratna
Former Indian diplomat Shashi Tharoor has added his name to those public figures demanding that HH the Dalai Lama be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Dr Tharoor said in a video statement that he has known His Holiness for 40 years and is “fascinated” by his “extraordinary spiritual wisdom, compassion, and “rather jolly” sense of humour.
May 13: Musician Dies in Tibet
Following Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu’s self-immolation on February 25, Voice of America Tibetan reported that his father Choegyen committed suicide after continuous harassments and threats from the Chinese authorities. There are no details about the time and place of Choegyen's death, but VOA reports that Choegyen was a lyricist, composer and performer with Nagchu prefecture’s Performing Arts Association for many years, inspiring and teaching son Tsewang Norbu.
May 13: Lobbying for Tibet
Sonam Frasi, Representative of the Office of Tibet in London visited Dublin, the capital of Ireland where he met Senator Malcolm Byrne of the Seanad, the Upper House of the Irish Parliament, along with other Parliamentarians. Meanwhile in Canberra, Australia, Representative Karma Singey met Czech Republic Ambassador Tomas Dub. As well as briefing the parliamentarians, both representatives met members of the local Tibetan communities during their visits.
May 12: Education Rights in Tibet
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) and Asian Dignity Initiative (ADI) have released a joint report, Sucked Our Marrow: Tibetan Language and Education Rights under Xi Jinping, which demonstrates the devastating consequences for education and language rights experienced in Tibet. They accuse China of deliberately targeting children and young people in their drive to annihilate the Tibetan culture in breach of fundamental human rights and their own constitution.
May 11: Settlement Officer Election
The preliminary round of elections for the new Settlement Officer for Dharamsala have taken place with five candidates, including the present Settlement Officer Kunga Tsering. The four other candidates are Kunchok Migmar, Tashi Dorjee, Sonam Phuntsok and Thinlay Jampa, the final round will be on May 24. While SOs in Dharamshala are elected, most other SOs are directly appointed by the Central Tibetan Administration.