Tibetan Headlines
May 12: Sikyong Completes Tour
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay has completed a successful visit to Washington DC. This was his third official visit to the American capital since assuming the Tibetan political leadership. Sikyong met two prominent senators and 35 members of the congressional staff from the House of Representatives, including Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Jim Mcgovern and John Mccain to discuss a range of issues related to Tibet.
May 11: Woeser on Lhasa
Woeser, the Beijing-based Tibetan writer, has made a desperate appeal to save the ancient Tibetan capital city Lhasa from what she calls 'frightful modernisation', constituting an' unpardonable and incalculable crime against the ancient city of Lhasa’s landscape, human culture, and environment'. Woeser appealed to UNESCO for help, with a petition signed by 1000 people demanding that Lhasa is saved from 'willful destruction by the Chinese'.
May 9: Last Words
More than two months after Tibetan self-immolator Phagmo Dhondup set himself on fire, details of a message he left with a friend have been released : “Till now, over a hundred Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire for freedom. They are the true martyrs of Tibet. If Tibet does not get its freedom and independence, China will annihilate Tibetan culture and tradition”, and he expressed sadness over Chinese authorities’ restrictions on studying Tibetan language in his region.
May 9: Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche
The Central Tibetan Administration congratulated former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on being appointed Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies based in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. A highest recognition of Tibetan scholars in general and the remarkable and invaluable Tibetan Buddhist tradition in particular,” the Kashag wrote in its congratulatory message.
May 9: Tibetan Monk Released
Sonam Yingyen, 44, a Tibetan monk from the Nyatso Zilkar Monastery in Tridu, eastern Tibet, was recently released by the Chinese authorities before the expiration of his prison term due to “medical emergency.” Sonam Yingyen was among five monks who were arrested on September 1, 2012 in a surprise police raid on the monastery.
May 8: David Cameron
David Cameron has warned China not to use economic might to dictate which leaders and countries Britain can deal with. The Prime Minister plans to visit China before the end of this year, despite a growing diplomatic row over his talks with the Dalai Lama last year. Downing Street sought to play down fears the dispute with Beijing could cost Britain billions in lost investment.
May 8: Us Accuses China
In a report published by the Pentagon to the US congress, the US has, for the first time, directly accused the China military of cyber espionage. The Pentagon described China’s primary goal as stealing industrial technology,and obtaining insights into American policy makers’ thinking.
May 7: Tibetan Writer Released
Tibetan writer and activist Jigme Gyatso 28 was released by the Chinese authorities on April 27,on completion of his three year prison term. Jigme is reportedly in a serious health condition, with injuries to his spine and kidneys. He was arrested in 2010 in connection with the popular students’ protest in Rebkong, eastern Tibet.
May 6: Press Freedom Predators
China’s new president, Xi Jinping has been named as a “predator of freedom of information” by the global press freedom group, Reporters without Borders. The group has released its updated list of 39 Predators of Freedom of Information: various world leaders and criminal organisations that censor, imprison, kidnap, torture and kill journalists and other news providers.
May 4: HH the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been named by the prestigious Foreign Policy magazine in its list of the 500 most powerful people on the planet. The Dalai Lama’s name features alongside some of the most powerful and richest people in the world including US President Barack Obama, China’s new leaders, Xi Jinping and Li Keiqiang, Indian PM Manmohan Singh, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon among others.
May 4: Another Prisoner Released
Lodoe Gyatso, 52, a Tibetan prisoner who is reported to be in poor health was released at the completion of his 21-year prison term. The Chinese authorities arrested and imprisoned him in 1991 on murder charges. He was formerly a dance artist and a weight lifting champion from Sog region of Nagchu.
May 3: Taiwanese Parliament
Speaker of the Taiwanese parliament, the Legislative Yuan, said he will welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Taiwan for the spiritual benefit of the Taiwanese people.Tibetan parliament Speaker Penpa Tsering and DIIR Secretary Tashi Phuntsok , who are currently on an official tour of Taiwan, earlier participated in an international conference on China’s leadership transition and democracy was also present at the Parliament.
May 2: Prisoner released
Lobsang Tenzin, one of Tibet’s longest serving political prisoners has been recently released on medical parole. Lobsang was arrested in 1988, Lhasa during the student protest against the Chinese government declaration of Martial Law in Tibet. Currently undergoing treatment at home for severe injuries sustained for the last 25 years.
May 1: Religious Freedom
A new report has placed China among the “most egregious violators” of religious freedom in the world and has found that religious freedom conditions in Tibet are “worse now than at any time over the past decade.” The US Commission on International Religious Freedom in its 2013 Annual Report said the Chinese government’s actions in Tibet have “nurtured deep resentments among Tibetans.” It also stated: “Chinese authorities have not acknowledged that their policies of repression have contributed to the self-immolations, instead calling them “terrorist acts” that are orchestrated with the “instigation and support” of the Dalai Lama.
May 1: French President
The Tibetan Parliament has thanked French President Francois Hollande for raising the issue of Tibet during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week. Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel expressed “deep appreciation” to President Hollande on behalf of the Tibetan people.