Tibetan Headlines
May 29: Rinpoche in Russia
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche is in Ulan-Ude in Russia for the international conference of the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, in the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Rinpoche's talk, “Challenges Faced by Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Community in the Modern World”, was attended by prominent people including Kalmykia’s Lama Telo Rinpoche and Professor Robert Thurman, Columbia University.
May 29: “Unbroken”
Golug Jigme Gyatso, 44, the monk who has arrived in Dharamshala after being on the run from the Chinese authorities in Tibet, has described his torture in prison. He was hung from the celing and beaten, repeatedly, and suffers subsequent long-term damage to his health, but said at a press conference that his "spirit is unbroken". Jigme was arrested for his part in making the film "Leaving Fear Behind".
May 28: Leadership Training
54 students are attending a training workshop “Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader” in McLeod Ganj. The 10-day workshp has been organised by the Tibetan Parliamentery and Policy Research Centre based in Delhi. The Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay has addressed the workshop and shared his visions about Tibet, his administration's policies, and hopes for the youth of Tibet.
May 27: Early Release
Younten, a political prisoner in Tibet, has been released three years before the completion of his nine-year sentence. He was arrested for his participation in the 2008 nationwide protests in Tibet, the reason for his early release, and his current health are not known. He has returned home to a warm welcome from his family and fellow villagers.
May 26: Popular Singer Arrested
Chinese authorities have arrested Gaybay, a popular Tibetan singer from the restive Ngaba region. Gaybay had taken part in a talent show on May 24 along with several other popular Tibetan artists. He was taken by Barkham county police to an unknown location after the show at around 9pm. Gaybay has released songs about the situation in Tibet and the Tibetan language.
May 25: Public Audience
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will hold a public audience for Indians and foreigners at the main Tibetan Temple courtyard this coming Wednesday, May 28. All individuals are required bring their passports and register in person at the Branch Security Office in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala by May 27, 5pm. “Please come empty-handed” to the Temple reads an announcement made by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
May 24: Year of the Dalai Lama
According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), 2014 will be observed as the “Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama" in order to to express gratitude to His Holiness for his advocacy of the Tibetan cause and his promotion of the ideals of non-violence and human values. The CTA announced that “25 events will be organised in Tibetan across the world to celebrate...from June to December”.
May 23: Nomad School Closure
A school which teaches Tibetan nomad children has been issued with a "second warning" to close. The authorities say the school's operation interferes with government plans to move nomads off their pastoral lands and into townships. The school is in Tsokyareng town in Golog in the Qinghai province, it opened in 1970, and 50 children are taught there.
May 22: Classes Discouraged
Community gatherings and classes which are held to study the Tibetan language and religion are being "discouraged" in the Tibetan-populated county of China’s Sichuan province. Authorities fear the popular classes, which are taught by monks and nuns, may fuel opposition to Chinese rule, but although they plan to impose restrictions, so far no move has been made to forcibly close the classes.
May 21: Arrested in Nepal
Ngodup Tsering, an American citizen of Tibetan origin, and his Canadian friend were arrested in Nepal in March for wearing a jacket with the words “Team Tibet” on the back. They were stopped by 15 Nepalese armed police while visiting the Swayambhunath temple. The officer said “these words are illegal in Nepal” and that they “have direct and clear orders from China”. They were released after intervention from the US embassy.
May 21: Loyalty Pledge
Monks and residents in Qinghai province are to be required to pledge loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, and are having further controls imposed on them, including restrictions on the exchange of information. The campaign particularly targets monasteries located in Pema county in Golog prefecture. Severe punishments have been threatened for people failing to comply.
May 21: Trouble Over Mine
Jampa Choephel, the uncle of Phakpa Gyaltsen (pictured) who jumped to his death earlier this month to oppose Chinese gold mining operations, has been arrested. He was looking after Phakpa Gyaltsen’s children. The authorities have given no reason for his detention. Protestors have been gathering to demand a halt to Chinese plans to build the mine and the situation remains tense.
May 20: Meeting with Ministers
The Kalon for the Home Department, Dolma Gyari, has met Ministers in Shimla to discuss the issues relating to Tibetan roadside vendors at Mcleod Ganj and the eviction of 210 families residing at TIPA road and Bhagsu road, also in Mcleod Ganj, as well as the rehabilitation of 125 Tibetan refugee families in Shimla. She is currently travelling to Shimla, Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
May 19: Golog Jigme in Dhasa
Jigme Gyatso, the Tibetan monk from Amdo Golog region, who was jailed for assisting filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen in the making of his documentary “Leaving Fear Behind”, has reached Dharamshala, India. Jigme Gyatso (popularly known as Golog Jigme) reached the Tibetan Reception Centre in Dharamshala on May 18. Golog Jigme disappeared after he was arrested and detained in 2008. Recently, he was among the 100 Information Heroes nominated by Reporters Without Borders on World Press Freedom Day.
May 19: Sikyong in Europe
The Tibetan Prime Minister in Exile, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, is on a visit to Denmark and Norway. He will visit government officials, members of Parliament, think-tanks, and members of the Tibetan community. He is in Copenhagen from May 18-20, and will visit Norway from May 22-3, returning to Delhi on May 24 and Dharamshala on May 27.