Tibetan Headlines
Dec 19: Death in Custody
Ngawang Jamyang, a 45 year-old senior Buddhist master from Driru County, Tibet died while being detained by police, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said in a report. “It was clear that he was beaten to death,” said TCHRD’s source. He was detained with two other monks from Tarmoe Monastery on 23 November whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Dec 18: French Support
French lawmakers Deputy Jean-Pactrick Gille from the Socialist Party and Deputy Neol Mamere from the Greens Party presented a Tibet resolution in the French Parliament appealing to “restart dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the representatives of the Tibetan government in exile”. The resolution also called upon France and the European Union to appoint a Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs.
Dec 17: Arrests Continue in Golok
Police in Pema County in Golok have arrested Dhelo Kyab and Choepa Kyab, both monks from Jonong Akyong Monastery, on December 9. Yangtso, a teacher in Chokri village, was fired from her job after authorities found pictures of self-immolator Tsering Gyal and texts requesting for prayers in her WeChat App. She is undergoing treatment in hospital for injuries she sustained at the hands of the police.
Dec 17: Free Jailed Singers
Free Tibet, a London-based advocacy group, has launched a campaign urging China to free eight Tibetan singers. It is calling for the release of Lolo, Kalsang Yarphel, Pema Tinley, Chakdor, Shawo Tashi, Ugyen Tenzin, Achol Phulshung and Choksal, all taken in custody over the last two years. Trinley Tsekar and Gonpo Tenzin, arrested last month, will be included in the campaign if they are not released shortly.
Dec 16: Bus Accident
Two Tibetan students from Sarah College, Pelkong Dawa (male, 31) and Dawa Dolma (female, 24) were injured along with 26 other passengers when a private bus fell into a 150 foot gorge near Dharamshala. Two passengers were killed. Four seriously injured people were taken to Tanda hospital while the rest are undergoing treatment at the Zonal hospital. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has ordered an inquiry.
Dec 15: New ICT President
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), the world’s largest advocacy organisation for the Tibetan people, has appointed Mr Matteo Mecacci as the new President. Mr Mecacci is a leading human rights advocate and former member of the Italian Parliament. “[He] will lead implementation of a five-year strategic plan that will help ICT build on its successes”, the ICT said in its statement.
Dec 14: Students’ Protest March
Around 250 students of Sherab Gatsel Lobling, the Tibetan transit school, staged a mute protest march in solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet. Covering around 8 kilometres, the students, all recently arrived from Tibet, dedicated poems to self-immolators at the Martyrs’ memorial near Tsuglakhang, Dharamshala. They demanded the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet and reunion of all Tibetans in a free Tibet.
Dec 13: China Targets Abbots
Two abbots from Nangchen County in Tibet’s Kham region: Shabgon Monastery’s Khenpo Kartse and Tana Monastery’s Khenpo Gyurmey Tsultrim, were released after thousands of Tibetans appealed to the authorities. The two abbots were arrested on December 6 and November 29 respectively. Khenpo Tsultrim was arrested for speaking about the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism and culture and was condemned to attend “thought education” sessions.
Dec 12: “Re-education” Campaign
Tibetans in Driru County are being forced to undergo a mass “mental re-education” campaign that the Chinese authorities are carrying out in the restive area. Sources told the Voice of America that Chinese authorities have targeted three monasteries, locked them down and detained at least 11 monks. Local Tibetans who are studying outside of the Tibetan Autonomous Region were told to return.
Dec 11: Nobel Prize Celebration
Thousands of Tibetans gathered at Tsuklagkhang to celebrate the 24th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In his address Sikyong Lobsang Sangay reassured China that Tibetans neither seek separation nor a high degree of autonomy, but genuine autonomy for all Tibetan people. To Tibetans inside Tibet, Sikyong said that though their suffering is “unbearable”, change is certain.
Dec 10: Youth Protest
Around ten Tibetans studying in Delhi colleges carried out a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy on the eve of International Human Rights Day. They demanded that the Chinese government surrender Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and others for whom arrest warrants have been issued for human rights abuses to the Spanish Court, to end the repressive occupation of Tibet and to stop its repression in Driru. Police arrested the students temporarily.
Dec 9: Tense Situation, Meruma
The situation in Meruma town in Tibet’s Ngaba region remains tense after the self-immolation of Kunchok Tseten. Armed security forces are strictly monitoring communication lines and the movements of local Tibetans. The whereabouts of the Tibetans arrested after Kunchok’s self-immolation remain unknown. Police confisticated several Tibetans’ motorbikes and a few were also beaten up for refusing to hand over their bikes.
Dec 8: In Delhi
HH the Dalai Lama talked about the importance of inner peace, non violence and compassion at the Vasant Valley School in Delhi. Attending the 16th Hepatitis Day at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, he said, “In 1966 I too had hepatitis and my body turned completely yellow with jaundice… I’d like to express my deep appreciation of behalf of the many patients.”
Dec 7: Prayers for Mandela
Tibetans offered prayers for Nelson Mandela at a special prayer service held in Tsuglakhang, Dharamshala. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay said, “It is sad to see him pass away, but it gives us courage that his legacy of equality and justice that prevailed over unjust governments is inspiration for Tibetans”. Tibetans also offered prayers for those who have self-immolated.
Dec 6: Singers Arrested
Two young singers have been arrested by Chinese authorities for releasing music albums that called for unity of Tibetans and preservation of the Tibetan language. According to sources, Gonpo Tenzin, 25, was arrested from Lhasa on November 30 while Trinley Tsekar, 22, was arrested from Nagchu around November 20. Both are from Driru County, Tibet.