Tibetan Headlines
Oct 20: Student Under Arrest
Phuntsok, 18, a Tibetan student who was arrested last month by Kangra Police for failing to renew his Registration Certificate (RC) remains under arrest. The RC is issued to Tibetan refugees living in India and requires annual renewal. Bail has been denied and his school, Gopalpur TCV School, is very concerned that he is missing his studies and is working to secure his release.
Oct 18: Election!
The preliminary election for Sikyong, or Prime Minister, and members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, has taken place with thousands of Tibetans voting worldwide. Over 85,000 Tibetans in about a dozen countries had registered to vote, and a good turnout was reported everywhere. The results from this preliminary vote are expected in December and the final vote will take place on March 20 next year.
Oct 17: Tibetan Preliminary Election
The preliminary election for Sikyong and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPie) is scheduled for October 18. The Chief Election Commissioner called for Tibetans worldwide to exercise their democratic rights by participating in the election. A voter can vote for one candidate for Sikyong and 10 candidates for the member of TPie from their constituency. The preliminary election will determine the candidates for the final election.
Oct 16: Two Detained
Rinchen Dorje, 63, and Magyuk, 56, have been detained in western China’s Sichuan province in connection to the dispute over confiscated land. They were summoned for interrogation and then taken into custody. Radio Free Asia reports that they were among the people who presented the original appeal regarding the land dispute. Their families have been informed of their whereabouts.
Oct 15: More Repression in Driru
The Tibet Post, Phayul and the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy have reported an escalation in Chinese repression in Driru county in eastern Tibet, including demolition of homes, appropriation of land, banning of Buddhist studies and expulsion of nuns from the nunnery. Such repression is not new, but the reports show an escalation, and continuation of the communications restrictions in the area.
Oct 14: New Dam
The largest and highest altitude dam in Tibet, the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station on the Yarlung Zangbo, or Brahmaputra River, has commenced operation. The dam will harness the river’s water resources, raising concerns in India about potential disruption to water supplies there and in Bangladesh. There are also concerns that China could release water in times of conflict, posing a serious risk of flooding.
Oct 13: Re-arrested
Samdrub Gyatso, in his early 30s, who was released in May after completing a five-year prison sentence has once again been taken into custody. He is accused of violating the terms of his release from prison and carrying leaflets calling for the return of HH the Dalai Lama. Gyatso, who suffers from kidney disease and requires regular medication, is being held in Dashi county jail.
Oct 11: His Holiness at Petoen school
HH the Dalai Lama blessed the 10th founding anniversary of Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen, a model Tibetan school, Dharamshala. His Holiness thanked all the staff and teachers for their hard work and spoke of the importance of preserving the Tibetan language and the roles and responsibilities of youth for the betterment of the whole world. Professor Samdhong Rinpoche was the special guest at the event along with members of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile
Oct 11: Hunger Strike Victory
The Tibetan Youth Congress Indefinite Hunger Strike has been called off on Day 32. The United Nation has responded: Mr Yuri Afanasiev, the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to India, delivered a response on behalf of the United Nations to the TYC.
Oct 10: Good Behaviour Pledge
Nearly 5,000 Tibetan villagers in Thangkor town in Dzoege county in southwestern China’s Sichuan province gathered at Soktsang monastery to pledge “good behaviour” according to their Buddhist beliefs. Radio Free Asia reported that the event was led by senior religious leaders as well as local government and business figureheads. Such gatherings are increasingly taking place in the face of Beijing’s cultural and political domination.
Oct 9: Liberty Medal
The actor Richard Gere, together with Dr Thupten Jinpa, the principal English translator to the Dalai Lama, and Dr Richie Davidson, founder and chair of the Mind and Life Institute, will accept the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia on behalf of HH the Dalai Lama later this month as he is unable to attend the ceremony. The Liberty Medal honours people who strive to secure liberty for people around the globe.
Oct 8: Writer Released
Dolma Kyab, 39, has been released after serving after serving ten and a half years in prison on charges of "endangering state security." A history teacher and writer, he was arrested in March 2005 after writing extensively in Tibetan and Chinese about democracy, sovereignty of Tibet, Tibet under communism, colonialism, religion and belief. His geographical writing included military details. He was educated in Tibet, Beijing and India.
Oct 8: Five People Freed
Five people have been released after a month in detention in connection with a petition and protest over confiscated land. Tsering Kyab, Tsering Tashi, Patra, Dobe, and Tabe were freed on October 2. Jigje Kyab, Tsepak, Phurko, Sonam Gyatso, and Shetruk are still being held, they wrote the original appeal about the land and are deemed key leaders of the protest. The dispute over the land has not been resolved.
Oct 7: TYC Anniversary
The Tibetan Youth Congress celebrated their 46th anniversary with a basketball tournament in Dharamshala, jointly organised with the Women’s Empowerment Desk of the Department of Home. The gathering observed a minute’s silence to mourn the Tibetans martyrs, and cheered in support of the ongoing TYC “indefinite hunger strike” in Delhi. The “Martyr’s Cup” went to Drokpa club (men) and Mentsekhang (women).
Oct 7: Deadline Extended
The deadline for voters to register to vote in the forthcoming elections for the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has been extended from August 30 to 5pm on October 9 for people living in Dharamshala. “Dharamshala is a mobile community….we have come across many complaints of missed deadlines” said Sonam Dorjee who heads the Local Tibetan Election Commission of Dharamshala. The preliminary election is on October 18.