Tibetan Headlines
Jan 15: Uzra Zeya Speaks Out
The newly appointed United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues Uzra Zeya has spoken to Radio Free Asia about her role. She said that the US will “call upon the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) to engage in direct dialogue with HH the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions”. She expressed “deep concern” about the human rights abuses perpetrated by the PRC against the Tibetan people.
Jan 15: Prehistoric Remains
Evidence of prehistoric human activity in western Tibet dating back to 8 - 10,000 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists, reports China’s official news agency Xinhua. More than 5,000 relics at a site in Ngari Prefecture include stoneware, some animal bones, burnt stones, and fire and ash pits. In addition a 4,000 year old prehistoric settlement is reported to have been discovered in Shigatse.
Jan 14: Meeting for Tibet
In Switzerland, theTibet Bureau Geneva met representatives from the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association to discuss Tibetan advocacy plans. Former Parliamentarian and Mayor René Longet and Former Councilor of City of Geneva Marguerite Contat attended, along with with Chhimey Rigzen of the Tibet Bureau Geneva and Bureau staff members Tenzin Choesang and Kalden Tsomo.
Jan 13: Young Tibetan Arrested
Loten, 23, a college graduate, has been arrested after posting his views of Chinese language education policies in a WeChat group. Tibet Watch, the UK-based Tibetan advocacy group, reports that he said the Chinese policy aims to "cut off the link between the mother tongue (the Tibetan language) and Tibetan kids from a young age". He is undergoing “re-education training” in Xiling City, capital of Amdo [Ch: Qinghai].
Jan 13: Two Monks Remain Incommunicado
There is concern for the fate of two brothers, Tenzin Norbu and Wangchen Nyima, both Tibetan monks who were arrested five months ago in Kham [Ch: Sichuan], reports Radio Free Asia. No reason has been given for their arrests. Their uncle is Abbot of Nenang Monastery in nearby Drago where the situation is very tense following the demolition of Buddhist statues and multiple arrests.
Jan 12: Ten Arrested and Beaten
At least ten Tibetans were arrested in Drago County in Tibet in November last year, reports UK-based Tibet advocacy group Tibet Watch, saying that the news has only just emerged from Tibet. The ten were arrested on suspicion of sending information outside Tibet, and for objecting to the construction of a poultry and pig farming project in Yinya Township. They have been interrogated and severely beaten.
Jan 11: Interfaith Prayer Meeting
Tibetan Buddhism was represented at an Interfaith Prayer Meeting held in Limpopo, South Africa, held to mark the 110th anniversary of the day the African National Congress was founded. Geshe Lobsang Dhondup and Representative Ngodup Dorje participated, along with faith leaders from major world religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and traditional African religious beliefs; the event was attended by South African and ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Jan 9: Monks Arrested
Monks from Drago Monastery in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Region have been arrested and beaten by the authorities, suspected of sharing information about the statue of the Buddha which has recently been demolished there, under orders of the authorities. Eleven monks are known to have been arrested reports Radio Free Asia, whose local source said, “The monks were brutally beaten” and some were forced to stand outside in freezing conditions.
Jan 7: Nuclear Disarmament
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said he “warmly commends” the five recognised nuclear-weapon states who have issued a statement affirming that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. His Holiness said, “It is essential that all of us, including the UN and its member nations, make concerted efforts to end the threat of nuclear weapons and dedicate ourselves towards total nuclear disarmament.”
Jan 7: Another Statue Destroyed
A second giant statue of the Buddha has been demolished in Drago County reports Tibet Watch, saying that monks and civilians have been detained and tortured for objecting to the demolition. This second statue is a three-storey high Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future, which stands inside Drago Monastery. The Abbott, Treasurer and two monks, an artist and his son, all from Drago Monastery, were among those detained.
Jan 5: Call for Action
Tibetan activists and supporters joined a global day of action to mark the one month countdown to the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 4. There is a global for “a stand against one of the worst human rights crises of our times by boycotting the 2022 Beijing Winter Games” and that the International Olympic Committee “acknowledge these human rights violations by China”.
Jan 4: Justice Commissioner Sworn In
Tenzin Yonten, 31, has been appointed as the new local Justice Commissioner for Southern India on Monday. Yonten, a law graduate, was sworn in by the pro-tem Chief Justice Commissioner Karma Dadul. Speaking to Phayul, Yonten said “I saw the need to make my community legally aware of the rights and duties they are entitled to in a society like ours”.
Jan 3: China Claims Indian Territory
China has renamed more than 15 more places in Arunachal Pradesh, the northeastern Indian state on the border with Tibet, which China claims as its own territory. Arindam Bagchi, speaking for India’s External Affairs Ministry, said that Arunachal Pradesh has “always been” and will “always be” an integral part of India, and that “this is not the first time” that China has attempted to rename Indian territory.
Jan 3: Escort Dies
Naren Chandra Das, the last surviving member of the squad of Indian soldiers who escorted HH the Dalai Lama into India when he fled to India from Tibet in 1959, has died at the age of 85 at his home in Assam in northeastern India. He was 22 when he escorted His Holiness into Arunachal Pradesh. His Holiness and Das met again after nearly 60 years in 2017.
Jan 3: China Lobbying Indians
The Chinese Embassy in India has written to members of the Indian Parliament who attended a reception to celebrate the revival of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, hosted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. The letter suggests they refrain from “providing support to the ‘Tibetan independence’ forces” and from “interacting with members from ‘so-called Tibetan government-in-exile’.” One recipient said he would treat the letter with the “contempt it deserves”.