Tibetan Headlines
Apr 8: Tackling Diabetes
Over 300 people in Dharamshala took advantage of free diabetes checkups offered by Delek Hospital, in collaboration with the Kunphen Centre and the Tibetan Women’s Association, on World Health Day which has beating diabetes as this year’s theme. Dr Tenzin Tsundue from Delek Hospital said that diabetes is increasing in the Tibetan community, adding that lack of physical exercise and consumption of junk foods are common causes.
Apr 7: Monk Released
Aku Tenzin Gyatso, a monk at Gansu province's Labrang monastery, has been freed from jail. His supporters and family members, who have had no access to Gyatso during his five-year detention and no information of his whereabouts, have been told not to photograph him. He was jailed for greeting popular Tibetan singer Tashi Dondrub when he was himself released from prison.
Apr 7: Traders Unite
The All India Tibetan Refugee Trader’s Association (TRTA) is meeting in Dharamshala to discuss ways of improving the workings and guidelines of the association. The two-day conference will be looking at such issues as tax, transportation and improvement of market place etc; TRTA represents 3,300 families in 146 member regions, it was formed in 2006 following a suggestion by HH the Dalai Lama.
Apr 7: Resignation
Dongchung Ngodup, the Minister for Security in the Tibetan Government-in-Exile has resigned. He told reporters that he took his decision following the remarks made by HH the Dalai Lama during the centenary celebration of Men-Tsee-Khang, and the reprimand from the state oracles, which he felt laid doubts over his capability. He said his resignation was not due to any differences or disappointment with the present Kashag .
Apr 6: Beaten and Arrested
Ten Tibetan men were arrested and three women injured in a protest over a forced land grab in Kanlho, Thewo county in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on April 1. The local Chinese authorities had forcefully confiscated the land of ten Tibetan families. The Tibetans pleaded for the return of their land for farming, hundreds of police responded with severe beatings and manhandling. The three injured women are in hospital.
Apr 5: Writer’s Appeal
Shokjang, also known as Druklo, who is in prison for his writing, has appealed for a reduction in his prison term saying the Chinese constitution protects the right to express views in writing. He was detained in March 2015 for writing about the crackdown on Tibetans in Rebkong. In his appeal, he apologised if he unknowingly violated any protocols in his writing.
Apr 5: Protestors on Trial
Jigje Kyab, Rinchen Dorje, Phurko and Kurde Yeshe from Thangkor town in Dzoege county in Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture were put on trial on March 31. They were detained last year for reclaiming their land which had been seized by local authorities. They were put on trial in Dzoege People’s court and their verdict could be expected in a week’s time.
Apr 5: Yeshi Choedon
Yeshi Choedon, 54, who is serving a 15 years sentence, is said to be seriously ill following torture in prison and a lack of healthcare. She is receiving emergency treatment in hospital in Lhasa. She is reported as unable to stand and dependent on a wheelchair. Yeshi was sentenced in 2008 for her involvement in the March 2008 Tibetan uprising, and for leaking information to the exile Tibetan government.
Apr 4: Nepal Cooperates with China
Nepalese Army Chief Rajendra Chhettri has met General Xu Qiliang of China’s Central Military Commission, when he visited Nepal, and assured him that he will not allow any anti-China activities by Tibetans in Nepal. Phayul has reported that People’s Liberation Army chief, General Fang Fengui has asked Chhettri to stop “Free Tibet” activities in Nepal and proposed military cooperation between the two nations and subsidies for the Nepal Army.
Apr 3: Amnesty Appeal
Amnesty International has launched an appeal for people to write to the Chinese authorities about Dolma Tso, 30. Dolma was imprisoned in 2014 for “intentional homicide”: she helped move the body of Kunchok Tsetenm, who had self-immolated, to get him to hospital. Her family’s consent for an operation has been sought despite Dolma stating she has no health problems. She has been denied access to her family and lawyer.
Apr 2: Protests in Washington
Both pro-Tibetan and pro-Chinese people are demonstrating at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC in the United States, which is being attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Radio Free Asia reports that one of their journalists was mobbed by pro-Chinese demonstrators.
Apr 2: Police Fire on Tibetans
Police fired on Tibetan villagers after they confronted a group of Chinese Muslims who they accused of stealing livestock to take to a slaughterhouse. Two are feared dead and many injured. Farmers in Horshul village in Serthar county in Kardze looking for between 10 and 30 missing yaks found them loaded onto trucks to be taken to a slaughterhouse. Police intervened in the dispute and fired on the Tibetans.
Apr 2: Suicide in Jail
Tashi, aged in his 30s, has committed suicide in prison to put an end to the torture inflicted on him by his jailors, reports Radio Free Asia. He was detained on unknown charges after Uprising Day in March and died in the Tsangshul detention centre in Markham county in the Chamdo prefecture. Local people protested outside the detention centre following Tashi’s death; they have all been detained.
Apr 1: Three Tibetans Arrested
Samdup, 40, Ronghsar, 29, and Lhamo were arrested on March 30 in Matoe country in Amdo, Golog, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in connection with the recent exile Tibetan election. Sources say that they are being held at the county detention centre. It is reported that they discussed the exile election on Wechat, a micro messaging app which is believed to be monitored by the Chinese authorities.
Apr 1: Released in Poor Health
Khedrup Gyatso, 33, a monk from Tsang monastery in Gepasumdo county in Tsolho, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was released from prison in deteriorating health on March 8. Khedrup was sentenced to ten years, charged with being a ‘key player’ in the protests which swept across Tibetan regions in 2008. His brother said that Khedrup wanted to return to his monastery but he is forbidden to do so by the authorities.