Tibetan Headlines
Oct 21: Lobbying Apple
Tibetan activists were joined by activists representing the people of East Turkistan (Xinjiang), China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, to protest alongside SumOfUs, the global corporate watchdog, in front of Apple’s Grand Central Station store in New York city. They were calling on Apple to stop collaborating with China’s censorship which restricts freedom of expression. Apple has removed the crowdsourced app HKmap.live in Hong Kong to keep track of the protests.
Oct 21: Basketball Protests!
Tibetan activists staged a protest during the basketball match between the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors in New York City, calling on the National Basketball Association (NBA) support the ongoing democracy protestors in Hong Kong. Tibetan and Hong Kong activists stood side by side in the stands with banners, and shouting slogans for human rights to be respected in Tibet, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), Hong Kong and China
Oct 18: Job Requirements
Graduates applying for jobs in public institutions in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) are required to “expose and criticise the Dalai Lama” and “have clear and firm political principles”; there are a number of conditions specifically related to Tibetan issues. In addition, candidates are subjected to a “qualification review” with a threat that if they fail “the political examination [...] their qualifications will be cancelled.”
Oct 17: Activists Released
The Tibetan activists jailed in advance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Chennai last week have been released on bail, with the exception of prominent writer and activist Tenzin Tsundue who remained in custody in Puzhal Central Jail in Chennai for 12 days and was released on October 17. Phayul has reported that those released have been forbidden from leaving Chennai city during the next 15 days and directed to make a daily appearance at the local police station.
Oct 17: Award for His Holiness?
Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, the former Tourism Minister for Himachal Pradesh, has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to confer this year’s Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, saying that it is befitting as this year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Prize is awarded annually as a tribute to the ideals espoused by the Mahatma.
Oct 16: Court Ruling
Penpa Tsering’s court case, known as Case no 20, has reached a verdict in Penpa Tsering’s favour. Penpa filed the case in May this year following the termination of his contract as Representative of the Office of Tibet, Washington DC. Chief Justice Commissioner Kargyu Dhondup ruled in his favour, acquitting him of the charges and awarding him compensation of INR 98,700 (US$1,400 / £1,000) to cover his lawyers fees.
Oct 16: Sworn In
Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo has been sworn in as Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission. His successor, Mr Kargyu Dhondup, who has retired, administered the oath of office to the new Chief Justice Commissioner. Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo has given 37 years of service to the exile Tibetan community in various roles and positions.
Oct 15: Winning Film
The 10th Tibet Film Festival, held at Blossoms Village resort near Dharamsala, drew crowds to see the latest Tibetan produced films; the Festival provides a platform for Tibetan filmmakers to showcase their work, particularly young Tibetan filmmakers. The winner was Tenzin Namdol with his short film Actor Tenzin. The festival was founded by a Swiss couple in 2011 and now shows simultaneously each year in both Switzerland and Dharamshala.
Oct 14: “Appalling” Behaviour
Chinese students interrupted a talk on Tibet by Representative Ngodup Tsering, Office of Tibet, Washington DC and Chinese Liaison Officer, Tsultrim Gyatso, at the University of Rochester’s College Republican organisation. A prominent lama was heckled at an event at the same University. Bobby Walker, Chairman of the New York Federation of College Republicans, has called for an investigation, saying that the Chinese students’ action was “appalling”.
Oct 11: One More Missing
Wangchuk, 45, a Tibetan man from Shigatse prefecture who was detained in March, has not been heard of since; there is no information on any charges made against him, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. His family have been subject to travel restrictions and loss of benefits. Wangchuk received books and other sensitive material from outside Tibet, and shared information on WeChat.
Oct 11: Still Missing
Wangchuk, 45, a Tibetan man from Shigatse prefecture who was detained in March, has not been heard of since; there is no information on any charges made against him, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. His family have been subject to travel restrictions and loss of benefits. Wangchuk received books and other sensitive material from outside Tibet, and shared information on WeChat.
Oct 11: School Celebration
The Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen (Model) School has celebrated 14 years since it started educating Tibetan children; its teaching policy is based on the Tibetan Basic Education Policy with its holistic approach to learning stemming from the teachings of HH the Dalai Lama on the Tibetan language, traditional wisdom, culture and Buddhist tradition. The school was set up in 2005 under the Central Tibetan Administration.
Oct 10: Body, Mind, Life
The tenth Body Mind and Life Conference is underway at Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamshala. The three day conference, organised by the Department of Body, Mind, and Life, this year will focus on Mental Health Care for the Elderly in recognition of the older generation’s tireless work “to provide a meaningful life for their children” despite the issues they have faced throughout their lives.
Oct 10: Tibetan Students Arrested
25 Tibetan students have been arrested in the lead up to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi’s summit in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, on Friday. Police stormed their rooms in Chennai and took them to the police station to sign promissory letters committing them to refrain from engaging in activities that breach public peace. Currently they are being held in Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai.
Oct 8: New Election Commissioner
Wangdu Tsering Pesur has been sworn in as the new Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of Public Service Commission. He was formerly the Secretary of the Department of Home. He has served in the Central Tibetan Administration for 34 years, starting in the Department of Finance in July 1984.