Tibetan Headlines
Oct 21: Rehabilitation Guidelines
The Government of India’s Ministry of Home has ratified the “Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014” which formalises policies for the major issues concerning the rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees and their welfare and rights in India. The policy is the result of comprehensive liaison between the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and representatives of the Indian Government. The CTA has welcomed the “clear and positive guidelines”.
Oct 21: SFT Campaign
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) have persuaded the Trustees of the Toronto District School Board to vote on cancelling their agreement with the Confucius Institute, with aim of shutting China's Confucius Institute out of Toronto's secondary schools in Canada. The Chinese government directly manages the Confucius Institute, which has branches worldwide, and is using it to influence school curricula.
Oct 21: Western Tour
The Dalai Lama departed on a journey to Japan, Canada, and the United States today, beginning with a brief visit to Narita, Japan. During the spiritual leader’s three-week trip, he will visit Vancouver, Birmingham, Boston, and New York City, where he will bestow spiritual empowerments, give teachings on the intersection of science and Buddhism, and participate in the International Symposium for Contemplative Studies.
Oct 20: Avalanche Victims
Heavy snow and avalanches that hit three of Nepal’s primarily Tibetan ethnic areas last have resulted in at least 32 deaths, including foreigners. Near Annapurna, 262 people have been rescued but dozens are still missing. The remnants of the Cyclone, Hudhud, triggered unseasonal rain and snow in the mountains at the height of the popular trekking season. The search and rescue efforts continue
Oct 20: Sikyong Visits Netherlands
Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay has received a warm welcome from the Dutch Tibetan community and its supporters upon his arrival in the Netherlands. During his visit, Sikyong has met Dutch Tibetans in order to exchange progress reports on the activities of each; Sikyong has also met Dutch officials to discuss the matter of political asylum for roughly sixty Tibetan refugees.
Oct 19: Art for Tibet
Panos Antonopoulos, a Greek artist exhibiting at the biggest art fair for individual artists in London, the Other Art Fair, brought awareness of the Tibet issue to the fair’s 15,000 visitors with his artwork “Namaste” depicting a peaceful demonstration for Tibet in front of the Chinese Parliament. The writing on the wall means “Free Tibet” in Chinese.
Oct 19: Abbott Receives Sentence
Khenpo Kartse, renowned Buddhist teacher and abbott of Japa Monastery, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Kartse, who was arrested in December 2013 and detained until now for allegedly harboring a fugitive monk, was sentenced in a secret trial Chamdo Prefecture. The abbott’s lawyer was permitted to meet with Kartse twice, and eventually retracted the case under pressure from the government.
Oct 18: Lone Protestor Detained
Another lone protester has been arrested by Chinese police. Dorjee Rinchen, popularly known as “Dori,” was taken into custody by Chinese security forces when he was found throwing lungta (windhorse flags) into the air in his village. Dori, a former monk at Nubsoor Monastery and a small business owner from Horshul Village, Serta County, is currently detained at an unknown location.
Oct 17: Visit to Tibet?
In the first press conference of his tenure, new human rights chief of the United Nations Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein expressed a wish to visit Tibet, and noted that talks with Chinese officials were underway in order to realize the trip. Though Zeid refrained from mentioning where specifically he might visit, he made clear his intention to visit for several days and with unrestricted movement.
Oct 16: Rinpoche’s Imprisonment Protested
Tibetans of Sichuan Province’s Litang County gathered this week in order to pray for imprisoned Buddhist teacher Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, and to protest his incarceration, making offerings, praying for Rinpoche’s release, and displaying large images of both Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama. Though speakers at the event openly criticized a number of Chinese officials’ roles in Rinpoche’s imprisonment, the gathering was left undisturbed by security forces.
Oct 15: Sikyong Commends Activists
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has commended 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winners Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi. In a congratulatory note, Sikyong praised the Nobel recipients for fighting against the suppression of children and promoting universal education, calling their efforts “heroic and iconic to the rest of the world…an inspiration to many.”
Oct 14: Report Reveals Violations
The Congressional Executive Commission on China’s annual report, published in the USA on Thursday, has confirmed China’s intimidation of the families of self-immolators, as well as the violation of Tibetans’ rights to free assembly and free speech. The report, which includes updates on the status of Tibetans’ human rights, also encourages China to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
Oct 13: New Restrictions Imposed
According to a recent document distributed by Chinese officials, new restrictions are being instituted in eastern Tibet. The restrictions focus on Driru County in Nagchu Prefecture – a county that has been labeled by authorities as “politically unstable” for its frequent resistance against Chinese governance. The restrictions call for the removal of recently built shrines and retreat centers, and the expulsion of monks under age twelve from local monasteries.
Oct 10: Book Launch
Lhasang Tsering. one of the most prominent supporters of Rangzen [complete independence for Tibet], has launched a new book “Random- Ideas and Opinions of a rebel”, published by Tibet Writes. Lhasang Tsering is a poet and writer known for his hardhitting articles and poems. “As the title suggest, these are random thoughts that have occurred to me during my long walks” he said.
Oct 10: Intimidation
Chinese authorities have built a large police station and detention centre near the centuries-old Muge monastery in Ngaba in an apparent bid to intimidate the monks there. Monks are required to report there to seek permission for all their activities, including personal travel. There is speculation that it may also be used for government workers sent to monitor the monks’ activities and give classes in Chinese law.