Tibetan Headlines
Aug 1: “No Dalai Photos”
A Tibetan man traveling in Dingri, Shigatse region of central Tibet, last month, was detained after a search by security forces revealed photos of the Dalai Lama and an introductory book on Buddhism in his belongings. The man was detained for 10 days and underwent intense interrogation before being escorted out of Tibet through Nepal.
Jul 31: Boudha Surveillance Heightened
Nepalese police have installed more stringent forms of surveillance around Boudha, Kathmandu in response to Pro-Tibetan activity. These include up to 35 newly equipped CCTV cameras, designed to keep the predominately Tibetan community under close watch.
Jul 30: “No Tibetans Hired”
China Labor Watch, a New York based NGO (non government organisation), has issued a report claiming that Pegatron, a key Apple supplier, is discriminating against Tibetans in its recruitment policy for its Chinese factories. China Labor Watch accused Pegatron of “discriminatory hiring practices”. A Pegatron recruitment poster says “Hui, Sala, Yi, Tibetan, Uighur etc. who have unique lifestyles and customs, will not be accepted.”
Jul 30: Dalai Lama in Ladakh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has arrived in Ladakh after concluding a nearly month-long visit and teachings in the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. His Holiness will undertake a three-week meditational retreat at Shiwatsel Phodrang, Choglamsar, Leh in Ladakh. Top dignitaries and thousands of local people welcomed him with khataks (Tibetan scarves) in their hands.
Jul 29: Tibetan Petitioners Arrested
Four Tibetan petitioners, who travelled to Beijing on July 9 to demand the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek, a high rank Lama, have been arrested. Chinese authorities from Nyagchu region of eastern Tibet detained the four in Gara, a place near Nyagchu. The petition has more than 30,000 signatories, and categorically denies all the charges that have Tulku Tenzin Delek placed on a life sentence.
Jul 28: “Autonomy for Tibet”
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said that autonomy for Tibet is a way to bring an end to the ongoing wave of self-immolations. Addressing the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Carr also expressed his hope that China will allow him and the Australian ambassador to visit Tibet. China had refused the Australian government's request last year to visit Tibet.
Jul 27: Independence Leaflets Scattered
Leaflets calling for Tibet’s independence and long life for His Holiness the Dalai Lama were found scattered on a mountain top in the Kardze region of eastern Tibet. The leaflets were found on July 21 when local Tibetans gathered to offer prayers on the day that corresponds the 15th day of the six month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, sources said, adding that police are searching for the person who scattered the leaflets.
Jul 26: Arrests After Immolation
Chinese authorities are making random arrests in Dzoege County, in Ngaba Prefecture in eastern Tibet, following the self-immolation death in the area of a young monk, Kunchok Sonam, on July 20. Around 14 Tibetans, both monks of Tashi Thekchokling Monastery and local residents, have been arbitrarily arrested. At this time, there is no confirmed information about their names, or other details.
Jul 25: “Remain Alert”
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay appealed to the Tibetan community to remain vigilant after India’s National Investigation Agency alerted the Himachal Pradesh police of possible terror attacks. Sikyong said the Kashag has requested the Indian government to strengthen security around His Holiness the Dalai Lama. People visiting Tsuglagkhang, the main temple, are barred from carrying cell phones, lighters and electronic gadgets since the Bodh Gaya bomb blasts earlier this month.
Jul 24: Taipei Tibet Exhibition
A week-long exhibition on Tibet was held in Taipei. Jointly organised by the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Association in Taipei, it displayed photos of Tibetans who have self-immolated and gave the reason behind such drastic action. "It was aimed to draw a strong attention of Chinese brothers and sisters from China to know about the truth of Tibet and the current urgent situation in Tibet”, an organiser said.
Jul 24: Appeal to UN
The Central Tibetan Administration held a prayer service at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Dharamsala, over the continuing tragic self-immolations by Tibetans. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile urged the United Nations and governments to hold an urgent meeting on the crisis in Tibet. In a statement, the parliament condemned the Chinese government for giving harsh sentences on false charges to Tibetans in self-immolation cases.
Jul 23: Terror Strikes Alerts
The National Investigation Agency, India’s central counter terrorism unit has reportedly alerted the Indian police of Himachal Pradesh about possible terror strikes across the state by Islamic militant group Indian Mujahideen. The plans to attack the monasteries are believed to have been revealed by an operative of the Indian Mujahideen in Hubli. Himachal Pradesh is the exile home of thousands of Tibetans including HH the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.
Jul 23: Biggest Tibetology Conference
The 13th seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies is being held in Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, the biggest ever conference of Tibetology. The organizers said there were 730 applications and 640 presentations for the seven-day conference. “Mongolia and Tibet have a history of political and religious interaction that goes back at least to the 13th century”, said Charles Rambles, the outgoing president of the association, in his address.
Jul 22: Tibetan Villagers Attacked
Several Tibetans were seriously wounded in a major attack by Chinese at Arik Dragkar village, where minor conflict has regularly occurred over land dispute, in Amdo region in Gansu on July 17. Around 33 Tibetan residents of Arik Dragkar, who were at the local security post at the border between Dragkar and Tsomen, were attacked by around a hundred Chinese goons hired by Tsomen Chinese residents, sources said.
Jul 22: More Tibetans Sentenced
A Chinese court in Silling, eastern Tibet has sentenced three Tibetans for up to ten years in prison for trying to rescue a Tibetan self-immolator from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities. Doptrug, 51, was sentenced to ten years, Ugyen Dorjee, 40, to 21 months and Choekyab to 18 months for taking part in a protest demanding the body of Tibetan self-immolator Lobsang Gedun in December 2012.