Tibetan Headlines
Sep 11: 30th Anniversary
Over 100 people gathered to celebrate the Tibetan Women’s Association's (TWA) 30th anniversary in Dharamshala. As well as speeches and debate, the celebration included a traditional Tibetan circle dance or GorShey. TWA's origin was in Lhasa on March 12, 1959, when thousands of Tibetan women gathered to protest against the Chinese invasion and show their solidarity with the Tibetan National Uprising which had taken place two days previously.
Sep 10: TIPA Celebrates
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) has celebrated its 55th anniversary. Founded in 1959 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, TIPA is the premier institution for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan performing arts and culture, and tours to more than 36 countries around the world. TIPA plays a pivotal role in countering the destruction of Tibetan culture, language and religion that has resulted from Chinese rule in Tibet.
Sep 9: 5 Years
Jigme Gyatso, a Tibetan monk from Labrang monastery in Gansu province, has been jailed for five years, charged with being “guilty of actions to split the nation”. Hailed as a hero among Tibetans for his defiance of Chinese authorities, this is the fourth time he has been detained. It was not known where Gyatso is being held and there is concern for his health.
Sep 9: Succession?
There are reports that the Dalai Lama has told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that he could be the last Dalai Lama, saying "Tibetan Buddhism is not dependent on one individual. We have a very good organisational structure with highly trained monks and scholars." The reports have sparked a glut of internet speculation, including speculation about whether there has been verification of the interview’s accuracy.
Sep 8: “An Affront”
The Mayor of Cape Town has responded to the South African government’s refusal to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama because of "sensitivities related to the Chinese government”, preventing him from attending the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Cape Town next month. The Mayor said it is “an affront to...South Africa’s constitutional democracy and the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela".
Sep 6: Driru Crackdown
In an escalation of the crackdown in Tibet's restive Driru county, Chinese police have doubled the number of checkpoints on a road leading into the county, increasing the number to eight. A resident said "restrictions, blockades, and crackdowns continue in our area". Travelers failing to co-operate at the roadblocks are stopped, searched and sometimes beaten. Driru has been a centre of unrest for the past year.
Sep 5: Visa Refused
South Africa has refused to provide His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a visa to enable him to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Cape Town, the third time he has been refused a South African visa. The reason given is "that it would disturb relations between China and South Africa". The other Laureates are considering a boycott of the summit in protest.
Sep 4: NDPT Turns 20
The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) commemorated its 20th anniversary at an event attended by around 200 people. Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, former Kalon Tripa, spoke on democracy, and the NDPT President called for young people to take responsibilities in promoting constructive democracy. The NDPT was established as a political party by the Tibetan Youth Congress and currently has 5000 members.
Sep 3: Democracy Day
Tibetans in exile across the world have celebrated their 54th Democracy Day. Thousands gathered at Tsuklakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, for the celebration. The Tibetan leadership underlined the need to strengthen democratic institutions in exile and work to ensure that their compatriots in Tibet enjoy similar rights to live in freedom and with dignity, saying “we will never lose hope".
Sep 2: Two More Denma Arrests (UPDATED)
Two Tibetans, Tsekhok and Pagya, have been arrested in Denma in Sershul County. Denma is the township where Tibetan protesters were recently shot and wounded by Chinese security officials, and five of those arrested at the protest have since died in detention. Tsekhok and Pagya were taking photographs of the protest. It is not known where they are being held. Some of the people arrested earlier have been released.
Sep 1: No Talk
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the political head of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, has rejected a claim by Chinese authorities last week that the Dalai Lama is talking to Beijing through his envoys about the possibility of his return to Tibet. "As we have always been transparent, right now there isn’t any official contact or dialogue taking place [with the Chinese leadership]," Sikyong told Radio Free Asia.
Aug 30: Nun Arrested
Kunsang Lhamo, 30, a nun from Dokha nunnery in Gadey County, Amdo, has been arrested, accused of committing a serious but unspecified crime. The previous day she received a phone call telling her to report to the Gade county station. On arrival there she was detained. Her house has been searched and her mobile phone and other belongings confiscated.
Aug 30: Health Concerns
Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche (also known as Pangri-na Rinpoche), 53, a highly-revered Tibetan spiritual figure, has been found in a serious health condition at a Chinese prison near Chengdu city. A Tibetan visitor to the prison has reported that he looks "weak, almost emaciated". Rinpoche was arrested in 2008 with no specific charge, it is believed it is because of his unwavering faith in the Dalai Lama.
Aug 29: Writer Arrested
Dawa Tsomo, 20, a Tibetan female writer has been arrested by Chinese police in Dzatoe County in eastern Tibet on the allegation that she has violated China’s cyber laws by posting “politically sensitive” articles on the internet. Tsomo is known for her bold articles and blogs about the mistreatment of Tibetans by Chinese government officials, and which are critical of the Chinese government.
Aug 28: The Puppet Lama
Chinese authorities in Tibet have forced people to pay homage to the person China has appointed as the Panchen Lama – a figure widely despised by Tibetans as a puppet of Beijing. He visited monasteries in Namling in the Shigatse prefecture, accompanied by armed police and public security officers. 12 villages were each ordered to send 80 people to give him a traditional Tibetan welcome.