Tibetan Headlines
Oct 12: Racist Storm
A Chinese woman posted anti-Tibetan racist comments in a social media post saying “All the Tibetans in Lhasa should be wiped out! All Tibetans should be wiped out — leaving us Han Chinese to occupy this place!", reports the International Campaign for Tibet. Following a storm of protest from Tibetans the woman, named Liu, was arrested and later apologised to “the government and the general public” - but not directly to Tibetans.
Oct 12: Tibetan-Chinese Meeting
A meeting between United States based Chinese researchers and the Chinese Liaison Office of Washington’s Office of Tibet was held to discuss strengthening collaborations and plan future activities. Tibetan Representative Namgyal appealed for support from Citizen Power Initiatives for China, who were present at the meeting, in building communication between the Chinese and Tibetans.
Oct 11: Sikyong in Germany
The Central Tibetan Administration’s Sikyong (President) Penpa Tsering has arrived in Germany on an official visit, accompanied by a delegation of Tibetan Members of Parliament. They were welcomed by Representative Thinlay Chukki of Geneva’s Office of Tibet and members of Germany's Tibetan community, and met members of Germany’s largest liberal youth organisation, the Young Liberals, and the youth wing of the nation’s Free Democratic Party.
Oct 10: Campaign of Repression
Uzra Zeya, the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, said that Tibet now faces a “critical moment” for the survival of its distinct heritage as China’s policies in the region threaten Tibet’s national identity, and accused China of a “campaign of repression against the Tibetan community”. She was speaking at a side event at the United Nations Human Rights Council held this week in Geneva, Switzerland, reports Radio Free Asia.
Oct 10: TYC Celebrates
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) celebrated its 52nd anniversary by hosting the finale of the 20th Martyrs Memorial Basketball Tournament in Dharamshala. The tournament is held to express solidarity with Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives in protest against Chinese rule in their country, and to promote the importance of good health in the exile་Tibetan community. The TYC is the largest Tibetan non-government organisation supporting complete independence for Tibet.
Oct 10: Tibet at UK Party Conference
Tibet was discussed at the United Kingdom Parliamentary Conservative Party conference, currently underway in Birmingham, the first time ever that a talk on Tibet has been included in a UK political party conference. A fringe event Why Tibet Matters – An Unresolved Conflict was held; three speakers spoke on Tibet’s relevance to the government and people of the UK, to an audience of MPs, legislators, researchers and activists.
Oct 4: 50 Years in Service
Delek Hospital, the only Tibetan hospital based in Dharamshala, marks its 50th anniversary in an official function which was presided over by the Sikyong (President) Penpa Tsering and other officials of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. The anniversary honours Dr Tsetan Dorji, personal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Delek hospital’s chief medical officer for 40 years, along with four staff who have completed 20 years of service.
Oct 3: Protest Against China
People gathered across the world's cities to protest against China's ongoing persecution of ethnic minorities and dissidents as they celebrated their National Day on October 1. Hong Kongers, Tibetans and Uyghurs organised over 15 protests in UK cities to mark China's National Day, reports RFA. Demonstrators marched from Piccadilly Circus to the Chinese embassy carrying placards and chanting slogans such as "China lied! People died! Shame on the CCP!"
Sep 28: Arrest in Ngaba
Gontse, 40s, a Tibetan teacher from Chongchi County in Amdo, Ngaba, was arrested on August 14 after posting news of the Covid-19 lockdown in Lhasa on social media reports Tibet Watch. He shared photos and videos on WeChat and Weibo: his accounts have been locked since his detention and his whereabouts are unknown. There are reports of many other Tibetans also being arrested for sharing information related to Covid-19.
Sep 27: Call for Attention
The Tibetan community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein gathered for a peaceful protest in front of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to coincide with the ongoing 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council calling the newly appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk to “defend the rights of Tibetans in Tibet” and “heed the voices of Tibetan people”. The meeting was presided by CTA representatives and many Tibetan NGO leaders.
Sep 26: Tibet Lobby Day
Over 100 Tibetan Americans and supporters from 23 states attended Tibet Lobby Day in the United States Capitol to lobby senators, representatives and congressional staff, calling on them to “stand up for Tibet” and to support the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act or Resolve Tibet Act. The annual event is organised by the International Campaign for Tibet; this is the first event since the Covid pandemic.
Sep 24: Children’s Book Launch
Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister ) Samdhong Rinpoche launched Tibetan alphabet blocks and Tibetan children’s books published by Manjushri Educational Service (MES), a Dharamshala based Tibetan NGO working to promote early literacy development and early childhood care. Rinpoche appreciated the work they are doing and urged them to continue the great work. MES held a small exhibition of their latest works in their children’s library. MES was set up in 2016 by four Tibetan educationists.
Sep 24: Lone Protest in Lhasa
A Tibetan youth in Lhasa has jumped from a building in an apparent protest against China’s "draconian measures" to enforce their zero-covid policy, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a rights group based in Dharamshala. TCHRD said they are investigating the case and more information will follow. A video of the incident recorded by a fellow Tibetan is circulating on social media.
Sep 23: Award for His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been awarded the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance, an award given annually to honour inspirational individuals who can serve as a role model, for the University of California, Merced. The US$15,000 award was given to His Holiness for his life-long advocacy for peace, compassion and kindness.
Sep 22: Sikyong in Japan
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, president of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, is in Tokyo, Japan where he addressed the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet in the Japanese parliament. He appealed to the Japanese government to call on the United Nations Human Rights Committee to publish a report on Tibet similar to that produced for East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang]. He paid tribute to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who died recently.