Tibetan Headlines
Mar 31: Parliament Session Observers
There were visitors to the the ongoing the budget session of the Tibetan Parliament session this week. The visitors included Mr Gurusharan Singh, the Dharamshala Liaison Officer, along with Dr Michel C Van Walt Praag and his wife who are on an official visit to Dharamshala. Dr Van Walt Praag is a Human Rights lawyer and a legal advisor to HH the Dalai Lama’s Office on international matters.
Mar 30: Self-Immolator Released
Samdup, a Tibetan monk who survived a self-immolation attempt in November 2012, was released from prison on March 7 after serving a three year and three month prison sentence. Samdup, who comes from Ngoshul Monastery in Gomang in Ngaba, was 16 when he self-immolated with two other teenagers Dorjee and Dorjee Kyab. Dorjee died during his protest; Samdup and Dorjee Kyab have remained in detention since, their whereabouts unknown.
Mar 29: Czech Protests
Pro-Tibetan demonstrators have been out to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping on his arrival in Prague. They erected a giant picture of HH the Dalai Lama with the late Czech president Vaclav Havel, a human rights activist. Pro-Tibetan activists scuffled with China supporters as they tried to hang Tibetan flags to replace Chinese flags, which had earlier been hung in anticipation of the visit and then defaced.
Mar 29: Country of Origin?
FCI, the World Canine Organisation, have responded to the Chinese Kennel Club’s contention last year that the origin of breeds of Tibetan dogs should be officially recognised as China and not Tibet. The following breeds are to have their country of origin changed from Tibet to China: Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Lhasa Apso and Shih-Tzu. The breed societies are petitioning the FCI not to make the change.
Mar 28: David Snellgrove
David Llewellyn Snellgrove, 95, the prominent English Tibetologist and author has died. He was Professor of Tibetan studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and instrumental in the development of Tibetan studies in Europe. He studied Sanskrit, Pali and Tibetan as well as Himalayan culture over many years. Tibetan writer Bhuchung Sonam described him as a "Pioneering scholar on Tibet".
Mar 25: Indian Delegation Visit
Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sri Prem Kumar Dhumal visited the Tibetan Parliament today to witness the ongoing budget session of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. The former Chief Minister was accompanied by a six-member delegation. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament along with the Home Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration met the delegation separately.
Mar 24: Monk Freed
Sonam Gonpo, 26, a monk at the Dza Wonpo monastery in Kardze, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture was released on March 12 after four years in prison. Radio Free Asia reported that Sonam was charged in 2012 with taking down a Chinese flag at a school and hoisting the Tibetan national flag in its place. His companion Sonam Choedar was detained at the same time but has not yet been released.
Mar 23: Gyaye Phuntsok
Gyaye Phuntsok, 85, a former political prisoner, has died at home in Serchen County in Tsolo Autonomous Prefecture in Tibet, the Tibet Times has reported, saying that he was a true patriot who dedicated his life for the Tibetan struggle. His death was due to injuries sustained while in prison. He was arrested in 1998 and spent two years in prison. He had been bed ridden since early 2012.
Mar 23: Released
Joleb Jigme, aged around 40, a former monk at Ngaba’s Kirti monastery, has been released from prison after serving his seven-year sentence in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. He returned home to Ngaba where he was greeted warmly by friends and supporters, reports RFA. Jigme was charged with revealing state secrets, an accusation frequently leveled against Tibetans seeking to spread news of political protests to areas outside Chinese control.
Mar 22: Budget Session
The budget session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile for the financial year 2016-2017 has begun and will go on till April 1. The session will discuss and approve the budget of the Central Tibetan Administration for the mentioned financial year. This is the final session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament. Speaker Penpa Tsering in his opening speech urged the cooperation of the members to run the session successfully.
Mar 21: Embracing Democracy
The International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet have issued a statement following yesterday’s election, saying that Tibetans have “strongly embraced democracy” and praised the Tibetan people for their “commitment and enthusiasm in participating both in the campaign and the voting process. They said that “no major irregularities of the election rules took place”. Their full report will follow the announcement of the final election results on April 27.
Mar 20: Voting!
Tibetans worldwide have been voting for the new Sikyong, or Prime Minister, and Members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. One voter, Nyima Lhama of McLeod Ganj, said "May the winners of the election fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people, especially of the Tibetans inside Tibet. I am proud to have voted today...our unique Tibetan democracy [is]sending a strong message to Communist China"
Mar 20: Released From Prison
Noega, 61, from Sershul County in Kardze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was released after eight years of imprisonment. He is now unable to walk owing to injuries he sustained during his detention, reports RFA. Noega was arrested on suspicion of leading local protests during the 2008 unrest in Tibetan regions; for his involvement in distributing photos of the Dalai Lama and for organising a long-life offering for HH the Dalai Lama.
Mar 18: Golog Jigme
Golog Jigme, human rights acitivist and former political prisoner, testified before the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights in Brussels. Jigme described his three arrests and subsequent torture by Chinese authorities for his part in making a documentary film Leaving Fear Behind and for his involvement in the 2008 protest in Labrang. He escaped to India in 2014 and was granted political asylum in Switzerland in 2015.
Mar 17: Election Admin
In the runup to Sunday’s election, The Election Commission has issued a circular to local election commissioners reminding them that campaigning activities by candidates must finish by tomorrow, posters, etc be removed and election discussion forums on social media shut down. It also reminds commissioners to visit polling stations and check ballot boxes.