Tibetan Headlines
Jun 8: China Threatens Austria
China has reportedly threatened to take away all pandas loaned to a zoo in Vienna because of the “mistake” committed by Austrian leaders of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama more than a year ago. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymanne dismissed warnings from Beijing that its relations with Vienna could be threatened by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's visit to Austria.
Jun 7: Student Protest ‘Illegal’
China’s representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council session has termed a mass students’ protest an 'illegal' act requiring prior permission according to Chinese law. The protest took place in the Chabcha region of eastern Tibet last year, and many students were hospitalised. The UN session is being held from May 27 to June 14 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Jun 6: Education Advisory Committee
The first Education Advisory Committee Meeting of Tibetan schools, organised by Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, was held June 5-6. The meeting is to discuss the qualification and profile of teachers, quality of education, importance of language proficiency, school management, and higher education policy. Representatives and heads of various Tibetan schools are attending the meeting headed by the Sikyong and Education Kalon.
Jun 5: World Environment Day
Tibetan Women’s Association, the largest women’s group in Dharamsala observed World Environment Day on the theme “Think. Eat. Save.” This year’s theme is a global anti-food waste and food loss campaign, encouraging people to become more aware of the environment impact of their food choices and empower them to make informed food decisions.
Jun 4: Two Monks Sentenced
Two monks, Tsundue, 27 and Gedun Tsultrim, in his 30s, both from the Bido Monastery in Kangtsa region of Tsongon, eastern Tibet were sentenced to 3 year imprisonment on March 8 for offering prayers for Tibetan self-immolator Wangchen Norbu who passed away in his fiery protest last November. The monks were not represented by any lawyer and their family members were not informed of the court proceedings.
Jun 3: Hong Kong Invites Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama might be visiting Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region under the People’s Republic of China, this September. Philip Li Koi-hop, chairman of the Hong Kong Tibetan and Han-Chinese Friendship Association will be arranging the visit if the visit is allowed. Mr. Li is awaiting replies from the authorities in mainland China and President Xi Jinping.
Jun 2: Global Rights Group
The International Federation of Human Rights, one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, called upon China to take immediate steps to address the current emergency in Tibet and denounced the “intensification of the military build-up in Tibet.” IFHR adopted the resolution on the Human Rights situation in Tibet at its 38th Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. Representatives of 178 non-government organisations from 117 countries participated.
Jun 1: His Holiness Teaching
Starting from June 1- 4, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama will give four days teaching in Tsuklakhang main Temple, Dharamshala. The four days teaching will be on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life (Chodjug) at the request of a group of Indian Sanghas.
Jun 1: TYC New President
Tenzing Jigme from Minnesota, US, has been elected as the new president of Tibetan Youth Congress today on the final day of their 15th General Body Meeting. While Tamding Sichoe from Pokhara, Kathmandu is elected as the vice-president and Tashi Lamsang from Dharamshala has been elected the new general secretary, making up the three top posts in the ten-member executive committee.
May 31: CHOICE to Dissolve
The only Tibetan NGO in the exile community dedicated to AIDS awareness, and providing support to HIV patients, CHOICE-HIV/AIDS Initiative, has announced its dissolution at a press conference in Dharamshala . “The difficult decision was arrived in order to avoid duplication of work” Phuntsok Chomphel, Executive Secretary of CHOICE said. A report of their 6- year report (2007-2013) was released yesterday. The organisation will be dissolved on August 1.
May 30: Tibetans Mining Protest
Thousands of Tibetans took part in a major protest against Chinese mining activities last week in the Driru region of eastern Tibet. Over 4,500 Tibetans gathered near Naglha Zamba, a sacred hill rich in mineral resources, to protest against its exploitation by Chinese miners. Chinese authorities responded by deploying over 50 military convoys at the protest site. Three Tibetans were reportedly killed by a landslide on their way to the protest site.
May 29: Outstanding Results
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has lauded Tibetan students who have achieved outstanding results in this year’s All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, praising Ms Tenzin Chokyi of Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie for becoming the first Tibetan student to score 95.4% in the class XII board exam. Five Tibetan schools have secured 100% pass in the three different streams of study. The overall Tibetan schools pass rate is is 87.3%, higher than the all India aggregate of 82.10%.
May 28: Tibetan Youth Congress
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group in exile, met yesterday for its 15th General Body Meeting in the exile Tibetan headquarters of Dharamshala. 130 plus delegates representing more than 40 regional chapters from India, USA and Canada are taking part in the highest decision making body of the organisation, which meets every three years. Tsewang Rinzin, the current TYC president, apologised to His Holiness for any offence the organisation may have caused, and stated this was never intended.
May 27: House Arrest
Almost a month after his release , Lobsang Tenzin, who served 25 years in Chinese prisons as a political prisoner, remains under house arrest and constant police surveillance, meeting only family members, and only allowed to leave his house to go to hospital with a police escort. He suffers from health problems resulting from torture and mistreatment while in prison where, despite the torture, he continued his political activism.
May 26: Lhasa Luxury Hotel
Tibet campaigners armed with placards carrying graphic images of human rights abuses in Tibet disrupted InterContinental Hotels Group’s annual general meeting in London with a “die in” Friday. The demonstrators were demanding IGH to withdraw its plans to open a luxury hotel in Lhasa, Tibet’s ancient capital, citing the “severe human rights abuses in Tibet and intense, ongoing protests against Chinese rule.”