Tibetan Headlines
Oct 30: Intelligence Agents
Himachal Pradesh police will recruit three agents fluent in Tibetan and Chinese to counter the threat of Chinese intelligence agents operating in the region. The decision comes in the wake of the Rs 1000 crores hawala racket being run by a Chinese spy and uncovered in August. Sanjay Kundu of HP police said that the police needed to be “more equipped” to deal with similar cases in future.
Oct 30: Forced Study
Tibet Watch has revealed that monks are being forced to take legal training and examinations as part of the CCP’s demands that any religion practice in its territory has “Chinese characteristics.” The training is part of Xi Jinping’s 5-year plan for Tibet laid out at the Seventh Central Tibet Work Forum in August. Monks across Tibet have since been ordered to study the documents from the forum.
Oct 29: Nuclear Weapons Ban
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that “a Nuclear-free world is in everyone’s interest” after Honduras became the 50th country to ratify the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The action by Honduras activated the treaty, which will now come into force in January. The Dalai Lama called the treaty a “first positive step” and that the world now needed to move towards complete “demilitarization.”
Oct 22: Classes to Resume
The Tibetan Children’s Village and Sambhota schools, two of the largest Tibetan schools in exile, will resume classes for 10th and 12th grades from November 2. Students will be required to return between October 26 and 31 and will then undergo a 14-day quarantine period in an attempt to contain the still rampant Covid-19 outbreak. Weekend classes will take place to help students catch up.
Oct 20: Not Optimistic for Dialogue
Robert A Destro, the US Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that trying to restart dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama’s representatives, stalled since 2009, was a major challenge. “I am not optimistic that the dialogue will start anytime soon,” Mr Destro said citing the Chinese insistence on selecting the next Dalai Lama as a major stumbling block.
Oct 19: Political Prisoner Dies at 91
Takna Jigme Sangpo, who served over 30 years in prison in Chinese controlled Tibet, has died in Switzerland at the age of 91. Tagna was a school teacher in Lhasa in 1960 when he was first arrested for “corrupting the minds of children with reactionary ideas.” He was later convicted for propaganda offences and sent to a work camp in 1979. In 2002 he was released into exile in Switzerland.
Oct 19: Position without Power
International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has released a new report which illustrates that most positions of political power in Tibet are not held by ethnic Tibetans. The report, “Position without Power-Tibetan Representation in the Chinese Administrative System”, shows that no Tibetan has ever served as party secretary in the TAR, only two of seven prefecture level cities are overseen by Tibetans and that Tibetan representation is lacking in areas outside of the TAR.
Oct 18: Sikyong at the State Department
Lobsang Sangay became the first Sikyong (Presiden) to formally enter the US State Department on October . He met there with the new US Special Coordinator on Tibet Issues, Robert A Destro. Sangay and Destro discussed various issues pertaining to the situation in Tibet and the Sino-India border conflict. Sangay also invited Destro to visit the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala and welcomed him to the Tibetan freedom struggle.
Oct 15: Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
Robert A Destro has been appointed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the 6th Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Destro will lead efforts to promote dialogue between the People Republic of China and the Dalai Lama’s representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural and linguistic heritage of the Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected. The position had been vacant through the duration of the Trump Administration.
Oct 13: Jailed Blogger in Critical Condition
Tsegon Gyal, a blogger who was arrested in 2016 after publishing an article critical of China’s “restrictive policy of ethnic unity” in Tibetan areas, is in critical condition in a Qinghai hospital. Gyal was released from prison in December 2019 but then landed in hospital the following month requiring surgery. His condition today is considered “even more critical.” Tibetan prison inmates are frequently subjected to brutal treatment in Chinese jails.
Oct 13: Nobel Prize
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated the World Food Programme (WFP) after the UN affiliated organisation won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. His Holiness said that the WFP played a “vital role in reducing hunger in the world.” He also said that the problem of world hunger could only be solved “on the basis of international cooperation.” The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize himself in 1989.
Oct 10: Mental Health
In a video statement to recognise World Mental Health Day Sikyong Lobsang Sangay spoke of the importance of a holistic approach to mental health. Sikyong said it was important to incorporate methods from Buddhist teachings, Tibetan traditions, and Western science when it came to tackling mental health issues. He also expressed hope that a mental health facility in conjunction with Men-Tsee-Khang could be opened in the community.
Oct 9: Tibetan Vlogger Murdered
Lhamo, A famous Tibetan vlogger in Eastern Tibet’s Ngaba region, has been brutally murdered by her ex-husband. Lhamo regularly posted videos of her life foraging in the mountains, cooking, and lip-syncing to songs whilst dressed in Tibetan traditional clothing. Her husband, Tang, is alleged to have doused her body in petrol and set her on fire. The incident has raised a debate about domestic violence in Tibet and in exile.
Oct 9: Peace March
Three Tibetans marching 530km for peace from Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Majnu-Ka-Tilla in New Delhi completed their journey on October 9. They concluded by delivering an appeal to the Chinese embassy calling for dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials along the lines of the Middle Way Approach. Tsering Dhondup, 47, Tsering Wangdue, 45, and Chungdak, 65, were lauded by Tibetans around the world for their initiative.
Oct 8: Global Vision Summit
From October 22-27, followers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will lead the “Global Vision Summit.” The online event will include 22 experts and teachers inspired by His Holiness. Attendees will be able to take a deep dive into His Holiness’ teachings under the guidance of luminaries including Deepak Chopra, Thupten Chodron and Richard Gere. It is free to sign up for the event.