Tibetan Headlines
Apr 23: China Accuses Dalai Lama
China has urged the Dalai Lama, to “put aside his illusions” about talks on Tibet's future and accused him of insincerity and covertly pushing for independence, rather than autonomy, saying “The only sensible alternative is for the Dalai Lama and his supporters to accept that Tibet has been part of China since antiquity, to abandon their goals of dividing China and seeking independence for Tibet.
Apr 22: Road Protest
Tibetan villagers are protesting against a road extension which will run into nomadic grazing land. The villagers are blocking earth-moving equipment with their bodies and demanding that the work, which is taking place in the Gansu province in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, be stopped. No compensation has been offered, and protesters are also concerned about effects on a water source.
Apr 22: Panchen Lama Plea
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile (the CTA) is calling for renewed efforts to secure the release of the 11th Panchen Lama, kidnapped 20 years ago by the Chinese authorities at the age of six years. The CTA is focussing the campaign on International Solidarity Day with Tibet which will be on May 17, the anniversary of his abduction, and is calling for international support.
Apr 21: Federation Celebrates
The Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives in India Ltd has celebrated its tenth anniversary with an event presided over by the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay. The Federation has over Rs 700m in member deposits, and grants Rs 120m in loans to its members every year. It currently benefits Tibetan refugees in the fields of education, finance, employment and various rural development activities.
Apr 19: Desmond Tutu Arrives
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South Arfican Nobel Peace Laureate, has arrived in Dharamshala for a five day visit to collaborate with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on a book they are working on together about joy. His Holiness met Desmond Tutu at Kangra airport. Archbishop Tutu said he has come to sit together [with the Dalai Lama] and just enjoy the friendship and talk about “joy”.
Apr 18: Protester Safe
Jigje Kyab, 39, a Tibetan protester from Thangkor town in Dzoege county in Ngaba, has released a video to say that he is safe, but in hiding. He vanished earlier this month following a visit to his house by government officials, and was thought to have been detained for his role in challenging the seizure of community land by the authorities.
Apr 17: Kirti Monk Arrested
Lomig, also known as Jamyang, 27, a writer, who is a monk and a scholar from Kirti monastery in the Ngaba prefecture in the Sichuan province, has been arrested for reasons unknown. He was a monk who focussed on his studies. His current whereabouts are not known. Tibetan communities in Amdo Ngaba are under heavy surveillance by Chinese security forces who are quick to suppress and arrest people who participate in political protests.
Apr 17: The Karmapa Speaks Out
HH the 17th Karmapa, one of Tibet’s highest-ranking religious figures, has told Radio Free Asia that he has complete faith in the Dalai Lama as the only person who can decide the matter of his reincarnation. This statement counters China's insistence that the communist rulers of Beijing have the authority to select the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama speculated earlier this year that he might not reincarnate.
Apr 16: China Denounces Middle-Way
A new Chinese White Paper claims that China has transformed a poor and backwards Tibet into a society which is advanced in economy and culture. It does not report on its own violations of human rights currently taking place in Tibet. The White Paper denounces the official Tibetan exile Government's Middle-Way Approach, claiming that it seeks to create an independent state within China.
Apr 15: Missing!
Jigje Kyab, 39, aka Jigme and a resident of Thangkor town in Dzoege county in Ngaba, has been missing since April 13 following a visit to his house by “a team of county officials and employees”. It is thought that his detention was due to his being the custodian of documents supporting Tibetan claims to property seized five years ago in a land-grab by Chinese authorities.
Apr 14: Released on Bail
Jigme Gyatso Aka Jigme Gyaltsen, 39, a senior monk from Joney Dethang Khanpo Monastery in Joney County, Amdo in north-eastern Tibet has been released on "bail pending trial". The Tibet Post International reports that he was detained on suspicion of planning a demonstration against the government on the eve of Tibet Uprising Day this year, and of "activities to split the motherland."
Apr 11: No Violence
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, currently in Japan, has said that violence will only lead to more violence and that dialogue is the only solution to a lasting peace. Talking about terrorism, he said that it is very sad that terrorism has become linked to religious faith. “We need to redouble our efforts to reach out to the people involved", he said.
Apr 10: Chinese Flags
Chen Quanguo, China’s top official in Tibet, has ordered that Red Chinese National flags must be flown in Buddhist monasteries across Tibet, and Buddhist monks and nuns will be evaluated for their “patriotism” - a term often used to mean allegiance to political authorities. The Chinese state media has shown an image of the Chinese red flag flying from one of the most sacred Tibetan sites, the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.
Apr 9: Writer Arrested
Druklo (pen name: Shokjang), a prominent writer known for his fearless criticism of the Chinese government, was arrested last month for writing about restrictions and increased security in Rebkong County around the Tibetan Uprising Day anniversary on March 10. Duklo, who comes from Ghyengya village in Sangchu County, spent time in prison four years ago on similar charges.
Apr 8: Campaigning for Release
The campaign to release Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 65, has launched an appeal to the international community to secure his release on medical parole. He was jailed in 2002, accused of links to a bomb blast and is now in very poor health with a heart condition and high blood pressure. He is a well respected religious figure and philanthropist.