Tibetan Headlines
Oct 18: Four-Year Sentence
Lobsang Lhundup, a Tibetan writer whose pen name is Dhi Lhaden, has been sentenced to four years in prison following a secret trial, on a charge of “creating disorder among the public”, for writing a book criticizing Chinese rule in Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia. He has been in custody for two years and his family has not been allowed to visit or to bring him food or clothes.
Oct 17: Olympic Protest
Tibetan and Hong Kong activists staged a protest at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, where the Olympic Torch will shortly be handed over to the Beijing 2022 Committee. The activists were joined by people from Uyghur, Chinese, Taiwanese and Mongolian human rights groups to demand the International Olympic Committee reverse its award of hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 2022 to Beijing, despite appeals from around the world.
Oct 15: Death Penalty
Tang Lu, a Chinese man convicted of murdering his Tibetan ex-wife, has been given the death penalty reports the Tibetan Journal. Lhamo, his ex-wife and a mother of two, was a well-known vlogger. Tang regularly beat his wife, they divorced last year. Three months later Tang visited her home on the Tibetan plateau. He doused her with gasoline and set her on fire while she was live-streaming.
Oct 14: Snakes Found in Tibet
Two new species of viper have been discovered on the Tibetan Plateau, the Nujiang pit viper in Zayu in Tibet and the Glacier pit viper found west of the Nujiang River and Heishui in Kham [Ch: Sichuan], reports the Tibetan Journal. The Glacial pit viper is living at 4,800 metres above sea level: 2,000 metres higher than its normal habitat.
Oct 14: Gold Cup Winners!
Shimla United Football Club are the winners of this year’s Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup, beating TCB Bir United three goals to two - a first-time win for Shimla. The final match was held at the Tibetan Nehru Memorial Foundation School ground. Ten teams from Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal took part in the twelve-day tournament. The winners received a 1.5 lakh prize (UD$ 2,000 / £1,500).
Oct 13: Focus on Education
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (CTA), has started his drive to develop the education system for Tibetan schools with a special meeting of the heads of the various Tibetan schools, together with officers from the CTA’s education department. Plans for the future were discussed, with Sikyong saying that some “serious decisions” are needed in order to benefit the education of Tibetan students in the future.
Oct 12: Congratulations
The Office of Tibet in Japan has sent congratulations to the newly-elected Prime Minister Kishida Fumio with a message from Sikyong Pempa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile saying, “We admire Japan for its efforts [...] in the universal values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law”. Sikyong thanked the Japanese government and people for hosting the largest parliamentarians’ support group for Tibet.
Oct 11: Closer Ties?
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, speaking to Taiwan’s national news agency CNA (Central New Agency), has said he wants to strengthen Taiwan-Tibet ties. “There are many aspects in which we can work together”said Sikyong, adding that he hopes that the Taiwanese government could provide scholarships to Tibetan students in order to foster more exchanges between Taiwanese and Tibetans.
Oct 8: Speakers Elected
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has appointed its Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was elected Speaker with 23 votes against Dolma Tsering who secured 22 votes, while Dolma Tsering was elected Deputy Speaker with 23 votes against Namgyal Dolker who gained 18 votes.Youdon Aukatsang secured two votes and two votes were deemed disqualified.
Oct 8: 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group is celebrating its golden jubilee with a five day meeting in Dharamshala to “discuss and deliberate on important TYC issues”. They plan to strengthen their four core objectives by introducing new strategies. TYC was set up in 1970, it now oversees 88 regional chapters across the world with over 35,000 members.
Oct 8: Detentions Confirmed
The Chinese government has responded to international calls for information about Rinchen Tsultrim and Go Sherab Gyatso who had disappeared in detention. China confirmed that Rinchen Tsultrim has been given a sentence of four years and six months for “inciting secession” and Go Sherab was arrested on the charge of “suspicion of inciting secession”, reports Tibet Watch, the UK-based Tibet research and advocacy group.
Oct 8: Birthday Greetings
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has sent a video message expressing birthday greetings to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who turned 90 yesterday saying, “My elder spiritual brother, please live long. We need you to set a good example”. His Holiness said that they are both trying their “best to bring about peace in the world” He finished by saying, “I will offer special prayers and greetings.”
Oct 7: Parliamentary Impasse to End
The four-month stalemate of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) over the issue of oath-administration is slated to end following an advisory from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Dolma Tsering, representing the members of the 17th TPiE read out the advisory letter. They also read out the press release of the parliamentarians declaring their decision to abide by the advice of His Holiness and take oath as per the Tibetan charter.
Oct 6: Meeting with Taiwan
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, and His Excellency Baushuan Gerhe, the Taiwanese Ambassador to India, met in Delhi to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. Sikyong has met diplomats from other countries during his three-day visit to Delhi this week.
Oct 5: Religion Ban
Members of the Communist Party of China living in Amdo [Ch: Qinghai] have been banned from any religious activity, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Homes are being searched and an army of informers has been deployed. Party members are expected to educate their families to adhere to the Party’s founding principles and mission. TCHRD says this violates people’s rights to freedom of thought, religion and privacy.