Tibetan Headlines
Jul 25: US Committee debates Persecution
The United States Congressional Executive Committee on China held a hearing Religion with “Chinese Characteristics”: Persecution and Control in Xi Jinping’s China, to look at the deteriorating state of religious freedom in China and Tibetan regions. Witnesses included Voice of America 's Tibetan Service Chief Losang Gyatso, Rebiya Kadeer, President of the World Uyghur Congress and Bob Fu, President and Founder of ChinaAid.
Jul 24: Another Death in Custody
Lobsang Yeshi, 64, a Tibetan political prisoner, has died in hospital in Lhasa. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment two months ago. The Chinese authorities have refused to hand over his body to his family. Lobsang was arrested last year after taking part in peaceful demonstrations. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has demanded an inquiry into his death in custody.
Jul 23: Embassy Stormed
The Communist China flag outside the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, Australia was torn down and ripped to pieces by Tibetan activists, and the Embassy was shut down. The activists were calling for justice for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in a Chinese prison last week. Eight people have been arrested. China has demanded severe punishment for the activists responsible for the storming of the Embassy.
Jul 23: Free to go Home
Wangmo, 20, the Tibetan girl arrested last week for carrying out a solitary protest in Meruma town, Ngaba County, has been freed. She was given a hero's welcome in Meruma, which had been a hotbed for anti-government protests, including self-immolations. Wangmo carried a portrait of HH the Dalai Lama and shouted slogans calling for his return to Tibet, and for freedom for Tibetans.
Jul 22: Monk Freed
Thupten Tsundue, a Tibetan monk from Amdo, Tso Ngon or the Qinghai province, was released on July 17 after serving three years in a Chinese prison. People in his town welcomed and greeted him with auspicious Tibetan scarves. In 2013 he was arrested without his family or a lawyer’s presence. Chinese officials accused him of organising prayers and showing support for Wangchen Norbu, who self-immolated on November 19, 2012.
Jul 21: Long-Life Offering
Eleven organisations made a Ten-shug or Long-Life Offering to HH the Dalai Lama in Tsug-la-Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala: the Gelug Association of Nepal, the Tibetan Youth Congress, people of U-Tsang province, Shang Gaden Chökhor Ling, the Taglung Kagyu Tradition, the Tibetan Women’s Association, the Guchusum Movement, the Ngari Chithun Association, the Lodrik Association of Pokhara, Nepal, the Middle Way People’s Association and the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Society.
Jul 20: Rinpoche: More News
News is emerging that Rinpoche’s ashes were forcibly taken by the Chinese authorities from the four people who were carrying the remains to his home county, Nyagchuka, on July 16. It is not known where the ashes are, or whether the officials threw them in the river as threatened. Rinpoche’s sister Dolkar Lhamo and her daughter Nyima Lhamo have been detained and there is no news of their whereabouts.
Jul 19: Protest March
A march took place in Dharamshala to protest over China’s actions around the death in custody of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Students for a Free Tibet India, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement and the National Democratic Party of Tibet led the march, demanding that “the Chinese government provide a clear answer regarding the murder of Rinpoche.” Around 1,000 Tibetans and supporters took part.
Jul 18: Beaten and Arrested
Namgyal Kyab and Bende Khar, two Tibetans from the Nyinpa division of Chayphu nomadic village in Chone County, were severely beaten and then arrested. They were questioning the authorities’ decision to block a public road used by Tibetan nomads in the area. Their whereabouts are not known. Chone County is where 36 year old Sangay Tso died in May as a result of her self-immolation protest.
Jul 17: Activists Arrested
Ten Tibetan activists were arrested in Delhi after protesting outside the Chinese Embassy there. They were demanding justice after the death of the revered Tibetan spiritual leader and social worker Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in a Chinese jail in Tibet. They were representing Gu Chu Sum, Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibetan Youth Congress, Delhi.
Jul 17: Demonstrations Worldwide
Tibetans and Tibet supporters from Toronto, New York City, Zurich, Paris, and other major cities have staged protests against the Chinese government for the sudden death of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Scores of Tibet activists and supporters staged protests in front of their respective Chinese embassies and consulates, demanding an immediate and transparent investigation into his sudden death. Many western politicians have made statements condemning China's actions.
Jul 16: Family Detained
The family of the Sonam Topgyal, the Tibetan monk who died last week after setting himself on fire in Kyegudo, has been detained. It has been confirmed that Topgyal died after his protest. His parents and five of his siblings went to retrieve his body but the police refused and then detained them all. His father is a known supporter of Tibetan language and culture.
Jul 16: Kalachakra Registration
Registration has opened online for attendance of the 34th Kalachakra Initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya from January 14 – 25 next year. The Kalachakra is organised by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. People can register in advance online at www.kalachakra2016.net until December 31, or at Bodh Gaya during the Kalachakra.
Jul 15: Woman Arrested
Wangmo, a Tibetan girl from Meruma in the Ngawa district of Tibet has been arrested after staging a solitary protest in the street. She walked along the street calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and for freedom for Tibet. A video of her protest is posted on social network sites.
Jul 15: Protestors Shut Consulate
Tibetan activists succeeded in blocking the pathway outside the New York Chinese Consulate and forcing its shutdown. They were protesting about the death in custody in China of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and demanding that his body be released to his family. The protest was organised by the Tibetan National Congress and Students for a Free Tibet and is one of a series of protests worldwide.