Tibetan Headlines
Dec 9: Monk Killed
Bachen Gyalwam, also known as Ngawang Monlam, a former monk from Gyashoe Pelkar monastery and a well-respected village leader has been killed by the Chinese authorities in Driru County. Gyalwam was arrested along with several other Tibetans including Peka, Neymey, Droril and Tashi. It is believed he was killed so he could be replaced with a Chinese leader. Local villagers were forced to sign and give thumb impressions on an agreement to remain silent about the killing.
Dec 9: Writer Released
Dokru Tsultrim, 33, a Tibetan writer and a monk from Ngaba Gomang Monastery, has been released from jail after completing his four years and six months prison sentence. Dokru Tsultrim was arrested twice for allegedly writing two articles criticising the Chinese government and supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and sentenced in May 2010. The publication of his private Tibetan language journal, Khawai Tsesok [Life of Snow], was banned.
Dec 8: Prisoner Dies
Tenzin Choedak, 33, also known as Tenchoe, has died two days after being released from prison in an extremely weak condition. He had served six years of his 15-year sentence, accused of leading protests in the 2008 uprising, and had been beaten and tortured in prison. "His death confirms…that torture and inhumane treatment is common in Chinese prisons in Tibet," commented the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
Dec 7: Local Election Clash
Tibetan Villagers have clashed with officials who insisted they must vote for a government-backed candidate for local office instead of the candidate of their choice at the local election. The incident occurred during an electoral meeting at Taktak township in Darlag county in Golog in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the officials reacting violently to the villagers demands. The Tibetans dispersed and went home.
Dec 5: Singing for Tibet
Popular exile Tibetan singer Tamding has launched his latest album “Open Road 2”. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, was at the launch, together with former political prisoner Golog Jigme, Lobsang Choedak, Vice-President of the PEN Tibetan Centre, and artistes from the Tibetan music world. Tamding said that Tibetans inside Tibet risk their lives making songs and films, and Tibetans in the free world should reinforce their efforts.
Dec 4: Student Released
Dorjee Rinchen, a student from Rebkong in eastern Tibet who was sentenced to two and half years in prison in February, 2013, has been released. The reasons for his early release, as well as information about his health condition, are not known yet. Dorjee Rinchen was among a large number of students from Rebkong who, in November 2012, protested against the repressive policies of the Chinese government .
Dec 3: “Coexisting and Flourishing”
Around 50 people, representatives of major Indian and Tibetan organisations in Dharamshala, gathered for a round table discussion on “Coexisting and Flourishing”. The discussion was organised by the Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution, an NGO based in Dharamshala. The discussion mainly focused on environmental concerns in the area, how to strengthen relations between the Indian and Tibetan communities, and discussing possible solutions to issues raised.
Dec 3: Sikyong in North America
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile has arrived in Burlington, Vermont where he was welcomed by more than 150 Tibetans dressed in traditional chubas and waving the Tibetan national flag. Sikyong praised the Tibetan Association for keeping the Tibetan culture intact, and, sharing his experiences of his visits to Tibetan communities around the world, he said the younger generation is the future of Tibet.
Dec 2: Teaching Begins
His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his teaching on Tsongkhapa’s Great Stages of the Path at Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. The teaching was requested by a group of Mongolians. His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment on the last day December 5. Live webcast can be viewed on http://dalailama.com/liveweb.
Dec 2: Singer/Producer Sentenced
A Tibetan singer in Tibet has been sentenced to over two years in jail and fined 50,000 yuan (US $8,130) by the Chengdu Chinese People’s Intermediate Court for producing “politically sensitive” DVDs. Pema Rinzin, 44, turned producer after a successful singing career. Among the songs he produced were “In Memory of Tibet” and “Tears,” which have been banned. Pema Rinzin disappeared after his arrest in May last year until his sentence this week.
Dec 1: 600th Anniversary
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave the keynote speech at a conference to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa’s giving the Fourfold Interwoven Commentary on Guhyasamaja Tantra at Sera Chöding, and entrusting his tantric teachings to the care of Jetsun Sherab Sengey. “Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings have lasted for about 2,600 years,” said His Holiness. “Tibetan Buddhism represents a complete teaching….the philosophy it expresses is profound.”
Nov 30: Sentence for Singer
Kalsang Yarphel, 39, a popular Tibetan singer arrested last year for singing political anti-Chinese songs, has been sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. His producer Pema Rinzin and two other associates were also sentenced. UK-based Free Tibet has launched a petition urging China to free all Tibetan performers in custody which has won support from musicians in the West.
Nov 27: Sentences in Drango
Paldor, Namgyal, Sonam Dhargay and Tashi Dhargay has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment; Nyima and Chubhey were sentenced to 12 years each. Kuntho and Ogyen Tsering each received 11 years; Sherab Sangpo and Thinlay Dhargay were sentenced to 10 years. All are currently held in Ranga prison. They were detained in January 2012 in Drango for taking part in anti-Chinese protests and boycotting Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese police fired on the protesters before detaining around 400 people.
Nov 27: Book Launch
“Self-Immolation”, a book launched today by Jamyang Soepa who is a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, provides a comprehensive analysis of cases of self-immolation in the world in general and Tibet in particular. The writer hopes it will help future study and spread awareness to the world about the situation inside Tibet. “Self-Immolation” was published by the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre.
Nov 27: Kathmandu Restrictions
The Nepalese government has ordered Tibetans not to visit Boudhanath stupa, the main religious site in Kathmandu, during the ongoing 18th SAARC Summit. There are reports of a heavy deployment of police around the stupa and speculation that the Nepali government fears that Tibetans will carry out a protest. The SAARC Summit is attended by leaders of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.