Tibetan Headlines
May 26: dalailamahindi.com
A Hindi language version of the official website of His Holiness the Dalai has been launched and will complement the widely followed English, Tibetan, Russian, and Mongolian versions of the website which is managed by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tenzin Taklha, joint secretary at the Private Office said "His Holiness often describes himself as 'son of India' and it's only natural that his website is made available in Hindi too".
May 25: Amnesty Annual Report
Amnesty International’s Annual Report 2013 has revealed that Chinese authorities in Tibet continue to repress the fundamental rights of Tibetan people, saying the authorities maintained a “stranglehold on political activists, human rights defenders and online activists, subjecting many to harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance”, and that “numerous people allegedly involved in anti-government protests were beaten, detained, subjected to enforced disappearance or sentenced following unfair trials.”
May 24: Writer Imprisoned
The Chinese government have sentenced Gartse Jigme, a well known Tibetan writer and respected monk from Gartse monastery in Amdo to five years in prison for writing a book on Tibet and the wave of self immolations. The book was seized by police from the publishers’ before it could be printed. Gartse Jigme has repeatedly urged the Chinese government to end their accusations leveled against Tibetan religion and practitioners. He was also briefly detained in April 2011.
May 24: Chinese Espionage Exposed
The Department of Security of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has exposed a terror plot by Chinese Security Agencies to poison two Tibetan youths in a bid to spread chaos and terror in the Tibetan community. Tashi Gyaltsen@Tashi Dhondup and Karma Yeshi@Tashi were the youths targeted. Penpa Tsering, 33, a former member of the People's Liberation Army is accused by the CTA of hatching a “terror plot” and in “spreading chaos and terror in the Tibetan community.”
May 23: Sikyong On Self-Immolation
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has said that the exile Tibetan administration discourages self-immolations, calling the act "going against our philosophy.” Sikyong Sangay was speaking to an Indian daily, DNA , and said that China’s claims that the Central Tibetan Administration is provoking the wave of self-immolations in Tibe, are “baseless” allegations.
May 22: First Geshema Debate
The first ever Geshema dialetic debate is currently underway at Jamyang Choeling nunnery, located about 10 kms from Dharamshala. 27 nuns from various nunneries across India are participating in the debate which will be held from 20 May – 3 June. The debates are monitored and controlled by the Nun Examination Board, comprising of members from 4 nunneries and the Tibetan Nun’s project and the Department of Religion.
May 21: 5,000 US Visas
A Senate committee of the United States has approved a provision granting 5,000 visas to Tibetan refugees to enter the US over a three-year period. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today hailed this provision as “a great boost” and “timely moral support” to Tibetans.
May 20: Students Detained
Three Tibetans were detained for staging a protest against Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Delhi where Li is presently staying. They were members and staff of the Students for a Free Tibet. One protestor, Tashi, unfurled a 20-foot-long banner reading, “CHINA OUT OF TIBET, CHINA OUT OF INDIA, LI KEQIANG: TIBET WILL BE FREE!” and raised slogans calling for “Free Tibet’ and “Tibet’s Independence, India’s Security.”
May 18: Tibetan Writer Sentenced
Gartse Jigme, 36, a monk, and a well-known Tibetan writer, was secretly sentenced to five years in prison for expressing his viewpoints on issues considered politically sensitive by the Chinese authorities. Jigme has published a book, ‘Tsenpoi Nyingtob’ (The Warrior’s Courage) which focuses on the current issues of self immolations in Tibet and the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government-in-exile and the rights of the minority in China. His current condition and whereabouts remain unknown.
May 17: More Prisoners Released
A senior Tibetan Lama Adril Lobsang Tsultrim of Wonpo Gaden Shedup Dhargyeling Monastery and two other Tibetan political prisoners were released after serving full five years of their prison terms on May 15. They were arrested on charges of sharing information with outsiders. The other two monks Lobsang Tenpa and Lobsang Choeden, were released on May 12.
May 17: International Solidarity Day
The Central Tibetan Administration will observe International Solidarity Day today on 17 May. The Day is being organised to symbolise international community’s solidarity with the aspirations of the Tibetan people inside Tibet who yearn for freedom and continue to stand strong in the face of great adversity. A day long exhibition and the prayers will be held at the Tsuglagkhang for the Self Immolators.
May 16: His Holiness Visits Wisconsin
His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, and other state officials, in a brief speech in the Assembly Chamber in Madison. In his address, the Dalai Lama stressed the oneness of humanity and said that the key to happiness is recognising the humanity of those we disagree with.
May 14: Monastic Education Conference
A four-day conference on ‘Development of Monastic Education’ for the four major Tibetan Buddhist schools and Bon tradition began at the Gyutoe Monastery in lower Dharamshala. The conference is organised by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration and will focus on introducing science into monastic education,and holding non-sectarian Monlam (prayer festivals) and non-sectarian Buddhist debates.
May 14: Chinese Kill Tibetan Monk
Chinese police have beaten a monk to death for possessing recordings of speeches by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and for his stance on Tibet’s independence. The deceased monk was Kaldo, a monk at the Chamdo Monastery, Tibet. Kaldo was beaten to death on 28 April. According to reports, he refused to sign a letter as ordered by the Chinese, writing instead: ‘Tibet is independent’on the paper.
May 13: International Youth Resolution
The World Council of the International Union of Socialist Youth was held in Dortmund, Germany from May 8-9. Youth leaders blamed China for the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet and called on Beijing to allow international fact-finding delegations to visit Tibetan areas. Around 130 delegates, representing over 60 countries passed a hard-hitting resolution on Tibet.