Tibetan Headlines
Aug 11: Tenzin Wangdak
Tenzin Wangdak, former Kashag Secretary and the official medium for Gadhong, the state oracle of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has died at the age of 78 after an illness. The CTA held a prayer service and closed all offices. Tenzin Wangdak was a civil servant in Tibet before coming into exile in 1957. After studying in India he served in the CTA until his death two days ago.
Aug 10: UK Campaign
The British Tibetan support group Free Tibet is campaigning to pressurise UK Prime Minister David Cameron to meet the Dalai Lama when he visits Britain later this year. They say that if Britain allows itself to be bullied by Beijing, it is allowing an undemocratic regime which routinely abuses human rights to dictate policy to them, and additionally, not recognising the Dalai Lama's standing as a representative of peace.
Aug 9: “Talent Show”
Tibetans living in Nagshoe Township in Driru County have been threatened with a five-year ban on the harvest of Yartsa Gunbo (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) which is a major source of their income. They have been told they must hold a talent show with performers wearing animal fur costumes. The Dalai Lama has appealed to people to stop wearing animal products. Refusal to participate or attend the show will incur the ban.
Aug 7: Protester Rearrested
Passang Wangchuk, 37, a father of three, was arrested last month for marking Dalai's Lama's 80th birthday despite the ban, reports Radio Free Asia. The news of his detention has reached outside only now due to restrictions on communication channels. He was detained in October 2014 for carrying out a solo protest in the market area of Kardze town, calling for Tibetan freedom and return of Dalai Lama.
Aug 6: Ban the Balloon
The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom has called for a ban on the largest balloon bearing the Tibetan flag. The balloon is due to take part in the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The Embassy emailed the festival organisers saying that supporting Tibet might affect Sino-British relations but the organisers have ignored the threat. Chinese officials have repeatedly tried to ground the balloon since it was launched last month.
Aug 5: Tibetan Dogs
The Chinese Kennel Union have successfully lobbied the World Canine Organisation to change the official country of origin from Tibet to China for five breeds of Tibetan dog: Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Lhasa Apso and Shih-Tzu. However, the United Kingdom based Kennel Club and Shih Tzu Club have disagreed, stressing the importance of factual credibility and reclassifying these breeds as originating in “Tibet (China)".
Aug 4: Geneva Rally
Around 200 Tibetans from Switzerland and Liechtenstein gathered in front of the United Nations building in Geneva to honour Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died recently in a Chinese prison. The rally was organised by the Local Tibetan Assembly, Tibetan Women’s Association, Tibetan Youth Association of Europe, Swiss Tibet Friendship Association and the Office of Tibet. There was also a prayer service at Rikon Choekhorling Monastery
Aug 3: Prayer Service
A prayer service was held in the Jouenji Temple at Shinjuku city in Tokyo, Japan, orgainsed by Tibet House Japan. Many Tibetans and Tibetan supporters gathered to mourn the death of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and to honour others who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom inside Tibet. At the service, the maker of the Japanese documentary film – LUNGTA – spoke about making the film.
Aug 2: Rinpoche’s Family Released
Dolkar Lhamo, the sister of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, the revered monk who died in Chinese custody last month, and her daughter Nyimo Lhamo have been released by the Chinese authorities after 14 days in detention. Following Rinpoche's death they were detained, sparking a worldwide campaign for their release. Students for a Free Tibet report that they were released on July 30.
Jul 31: Return of a Hero
Rungye Adak, a political prisoner and nomad hailed as a hero by Tibetans, has reportedly been released after serving an eight-year prison term. He was detained in 2007 after addressing a crowd of thousands at the Horse Festival in Lithang County, speaking passionately about the anguish endured by Tibetans under China and calling for the return of HH the Dalai. The Chinese called his act a "major political incident”.
Jul 31: Night of Poets
The Night of Poets was celebrated as 76 poets gathered in Dzoge and Machuin in Amdo in north-eastern Tibet on July 26 to honour both contemporary and classic poets. Tibetan communities in India and western countries also celebrated the evening, many in remote areas contributing via WeChat. News of the Tibetan celebration has only just emerged; the night is seen as a success in the face of China's attempts to stamp out Tibetan culture and art.
Jul 30: His Holiness in Leh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in Ladakh where he visited the Jokhang Temple in Leh. Together with Ganden Tri Rinpoche and other distinguished lamas he recited Tsongkhapa’s In Praise of Dependent Arising and the Praise to the Seventeen Masters of Nalanda. He went on to the Jamyang School, meeting thousands of students and lay people, and later inaugurated a new hostel.
Jul 28: More Detentions
Chokye, 38, a monk from Phugu monastery was detained on June 19 in Nyitoe town, Serthar county in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. His sister Kyizom and her son Drakpa were also detained the following day and released 15 days later after being severely beaten. Chokye was arrested for celebrating HH the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday. His whereabouts are not known. This news has only just emerged because of the crackdown on communications.
Jul 27: Consulate Shutdown
About one hundred Tibetans from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Chicago protested at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago in the United States and succeeded in shutting it down. They were demanding justice for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in a Chinese prison last month, and the release of his sisters who have been detained without charge.
Jul 26: TYC Gathering
The Tibetan Youth Congress is holding its 46th Working Committee Meeting in Delhi, attended by 130 executive members from 35 regional chapters around the world. Tempa Tsering, the Dalai Lama’s Representative in Delhi, said “As a democratic society we must respect difference of opinion”. TYC President Tenzin Jigme said “we must all respect the uncompromising goal of Independence for Tibet”. The TYC is the largest pro-independence group in the Tibetan diaspora.