Tibetan Headlines
Nov 19: Sikyong’s US Visit
Over a thousand Tibetans living in New York and New Jersey gathered at the Phuntskok Deshi Tibetan-American Cultural Hall to hear Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay on the last day of his official visit to the US. Sikyong met Senator John McCain and Congressman Sensenbrenner to discuss the latest situation in Tibet and immigration support for Tibetans.
Nov 18: Fire Damages Monastery
The main prayer hall of the 433-year-old Gaden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery in Lithang County in Kardze, Tibet caught fire and has been badly damaged. The cause of the fire is not yet confirmed. Local people tried to put out the fire but were not successful. A source said that two monks had suffered injuries in the blaze.
Nov 17: “Spoiling Tibet”
Gabriel Lafitte, an Australian researcher, has launched his latest book: Spoiling Tibet: China and Resource Nationalism on the Roof of the World in Mcloed Ganj. He gave a presentation on mining and commercial tourism in Tibet during the book launch which was organised by Students for Free Tibet. The book is about intensive and potentially devastating mining projects in Tibet.
Nov 17: In Japan
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in Japan for nearly a fortnight, during which time he will give public talks in Shizouka and Kyoto. In an interview for News Zero on NTV after his arrival in Narita, His Holiness said, “Chinese authorities should investigate what gives rise to [the self-immolations] and address the causes”.
Nov 16: Students Help
An unattended burning stove in a senior citizen’s home at the Swiss Camp, Upper TCV School, caused a massive fire. Two gas cylinders exploded destroying two houses, but no casualties were reported. School children from the boys' hostel rushed to the scene with water buckets and sand and extinguished the fire. Local firefighters later arrived and praised the job done by the students.
Nov 15: Activist Breaks Fast
A lone Tibetan activist who had been on an indefinite hunger strike has broken his fast after 22 days. Sherab Tsedor started his campaign in protest against human rights violations in Tibet. He ended the fast after Home Kalon (minister) Gyari Dolma, Dr NK Trikha, chief convener of the Indian Tibet Support Groups and various other Tibet support groups made a strong appeal in the light of his deteriorating health.
Nov 15: Detentions, Disappearances Continue
Reports from Tibet say that three Tibetans were detained in the restive Driru County, Nagchu prefecture after putting up posters in the area calling for Tibetan freedom. Sonam Dhondup, 19, Tsering Tashi, 18, and Choksar were arrested on October 12. Thupten Gyaltsen, 27, from Sog County in Nagchu has disappeared after he was detained by the local police on the night of November 11.
Nov 14: Appeal for Relief
Tibetan farmers in Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement in Odisha, India devastated by cyclone Phailin last month plead for help in an appeal video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1_owPE7sy8). An assessment survey conducted at the affected settlement says over 90% of the standing crops of 1240 acres have been damaged. The estimated loss caused by the calamity is 20 million Indian rupees. The Central Tibetan Relief Committee, the Central Tibetan Administration, appeals for relief and support.
Nov 13: China-UN Seat
China has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council for 2014-2016 despite strong criticism for human rights abuses in Tibet and China. Thousands of Tibetans and supporters around the world have campaigned against the move. The Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India urged the UN member states to “hold China’s human rights record to the highest level of scrutiny”.
Nov 12: Special Report on Tibet
Rajya Sabha TV, the official television channel of Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Indian Parliament, will broadcast a special report on Tibet titled Tibet Ke Mehmaan from 11 – 12 November at 5:30 pm, 4 pm and 12 noon respectively. The broadcast is also available on rstv.nic.in.
Nov 10: Khoryug Conference
The fifth Khoryug, a conference on environmental protection for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in the Himalaya, is being held in Delhi. The five-day conference on conservation of fresh water and water security was inaugurated by Gyalwang Karmapa. Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Rural Development, told the participants, “You are poised to play a very important role in disseminating knowledge of the environmental threats.”
Nov 9: 17 More Arrests
Seventeen Tibetans, including three women, have reportedly been arrested in Tenkhar village, Shamchu town in Driru County, Kham. According to reports received, Chinese officials arrived in Tengkhar to conduct thought re-education on the Tibetans but local Tibetans questioned them about the arrests of two Tibetans last month, leading to a heated argument. The situation in Driru has been tense since the Tibetans refused to fly the Chinese flag from their rooftops last month.
Nov 8: New Book on Tibet
His Holiness the Karmapa has published a book entitled Tibet: Perspectives and Prospects, published by Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi. Introducing the book, Ambassador Prabhat P Shukla said, "The book is compiled with keeping two main factors in mind. First being the status of Tibet which plays an important factor in India's security, and secondly as widely recognised, Tibet is the water tower of Asia.”
Nov 8: “Occupation is No Vacation”
Tibetans and supporters in more than 15 countries, including India and Canada, staged demonstrations against the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) demanding the company withdraw its plan to open a luxury hotel in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa. Campaigning under the slogan, “Occupation is No Vacation”, protesters complained that IHG failed to consult any Tibet groups before signing the deal, and that Tibet is no paradise but an occupied and oppressed nation.
Nov 7: Save Tibet March
Thousands of Tibetans and supporters took part in a protest march to highlight the tragic situation in Tibet, particularly the recent crackdown on Tibetans in Driru County. The demonstration in Delhi, organised by the National Democratic Party of Tibet, demanded that China stop firing on peaceful protesters, and stop exploiting Tibet’s environment and destroying its culture and tradition.