Bath & Dist. Tibet Support Group

China steps up security in Tibet following protests

2012-02-01T23:20:00.000Z

A senior Chinese official has ordered tighter security in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and on main roads following deadly protests in Sichuan province.

Lhasa Communist Party Secretary Qi Zhala also warned of a crackdown on those involved in "separatist, destructive and criminal" activities.

The move came after protesters clashed with security forces in parts of Sichuan province last week.

At least three people are reported to have died, with dozens more injured.

Sichuan province borders Tibet and several areas have large ethnic Tibetan communities.

'Strike hard'
Mr Qi called on police to step up security at monasteries to prevent further unrest.

"We must strike hard at all the separatist, destructive and criminal activities of the Dalai clique and make efforts to realise our goal of not letting any incident, big or small, occur," he said in a speech published on the Lhasa government website.

He was referring to Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The BBC's Martin Patience says these comments highlight Beijing's growing concern that the recent unrest could spread.

Observers say the recent violence is the most serious outbreak of anti-government protest among Tibetans in nearly four years.

Tibetan areas of Sichuan are said to remain extremely tense. Since March 2011, at least 16 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in apparent protest against Beijing's rule.

Last week three violent protests were reported in the province.

China said that one protester was killed on 23 January in a confrontation with security forces in Draggo county, known as Luhuo in Chinese.

China also confirmed that a Tibetan was shot dead by security forces in Seda county on 25 January, the second incident of unrest that week.

And just last week, a man in Aba prefecture was also reportedly shot dead during a protest.

Tibetan campaign groups, however, say that the number of Tibetans shot dead is higher than the Chinese government's count. The figures are hard to verify because foreign journalists are not allowed to enter areas of unrest in Sichuan.

The Chinese government claims that protesters in Draggo and Seda attacked police stations. But rights groups said that the marches were peaceful protests.

The groups say the protests are a sign of rising frustration among Tibetans because of growing religious repression and harsh security measures adopted by China.

A Young student killed protecting his friend – A round up of events

2012-01-29T14:35:00.001Z

Phayul[Saturday, January 28, 2012 08:22]

By Tendar Tsering

Tharpa seen here in an undated photo. (Photo/Phayul)

DHARAMSHALA, January 28: The Tibetan shot in yesterday’s police violence in Ngaba Bharma Shang has been identified as a young school student.

Urgyen, a 20-year old student was shot dead while he, along with a group of local Tibetans tried to protect his friend and school mate Tharpa from being arrested by Chinese police.

At around 12 noon local time on Thursday, Tharpa put up signed flyers in the locality, declaring that until the demands of the Tibetans who have self-immolated are met, Tibetans will never abandon their struggle and continue to organise more campaigns.

Two hours later, Chinese security personnel arrived at Tharpa’s house to arrest him when a crowd of Tibetans obstructed the police from taking his away. In the confrontation, Chinese police opened fire on the unarmed crowd killing Urgyen and injuring many more.

The situation in Bharma Shang is being described as very tense with thousands of Tibetans reportedly converging from the nearby areas.

This was the third case in a week when Chinese police opened fire on Tibetans, killing at least a dozen protesters.

Earlier protests occurred in the neighbouring regions of Drango and Serthar.

According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), around 1000 Tibetans at Dzumenda township in Dzamtang region of Ngaba Tibet, held a candlelight march on January 23.

"The leaders of the march addressed the crowd saying this New Year should be dedicated to those martyrs who gave their lives to protest against the Chinese government. And in solidarity with those martyrs, on New Year days people should mourn the death of the martyrs and that there should be no celebration. A speech listing the names and deeds of all the self-immolation protesters was also delivered," said the TCHRD in a release today.

Tibetans burn Chinese flag

In other reports, Tibetans in Amdo Golok Pema district took down the Chinese national flag from a local Chinese office building and burned it.

After pulling down the Chinese flag, the Tibetans hoisted the Tibetan flag along with a photo of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

A large number of Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and started beating the gathered Tibetans. Many were reportedly arrested.

Another source from the region told Tibetans in exile that a monk was arrested by Chinese police while he was trying to set himself on the fire in the same region.

Tibetans block road, stop military convoy

Upon seeing a convoy of Chinese military trucks speeding towards Drango, Tibetans in Tawu poured on to the roads and stopped the armed Chinese soldiers from their onwards journey.

Chinese security personnel shot down at least six Tibetans on Monday in Drango for carrying out a peaceful protest calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

The military convoy of around 40 trucks were reinforcements for Chinese troops in Drango.

Tibetans in Tawu also laid down road blocks along the road. A confrontation between the police and local Tibetans followed, after which a tight security cauldron has been thrown around Tawu.

Another Tibetan killed in fresh protests

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000Z

Phayul[Thursday, January 26, 2012 23:59]

DHARAMSHALA, January 26: In reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan was killed and several others seriously injured in police firings in eastern Tibet earlier today. This is the third bloody incident this week when unarmed Tibetan demonstrators have been fired upon by Chinese security personnel.

At around 12 noon local time, a Tibetan man named Tharpa put up signed flyers around Zu To Bharma Shang, declaring that until the demands of the Tibetans who have self-immolated are met, Tibetans will never abandon their struggle and continue to organise more campaigns.

Since March 2011, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

In a release today, the exile base of Kirti monastery said that Tharpa had himself gone around the town putting up the flyers with his name clearly signed on it.

“You, Communist Chinese, come and arrest me,” Tharpa had challenged.

Following the wave of self-immolations, numerous flyers and pamphlets have been reportedly cited in Ngaba and Drango areas, stating that many more Tibetans were ready to set their bodies on fire.

Two hours later, at around 2 pm local time, Chinese security personnel surrounded Tharpa’s home and arrested him. A crowd of gathered Tibetans outside the house stopped the Chinese police from taking him away saying that “all local Tibetans will rise up in protest” if Tharpa is arrested.

Following the confrontation, the Chinese security personnel resorted to violent force.

“The Chinese security personnel used fire arms, killing one Tibetan on the spot and injuring many more,” the release said citing sources in the region.
Over ten thousand Tibetans from the nearby regions of Zu Toe and Zu Mey (upper and lower Zu) have reportedly arrived at Bharma Shang as the situation continues to remain very tense.

Earlier this week, at least a dozen Tibetans were killed after Chinese security personnel fired indiscriminately at unarmed Tibetan demonstrators in two separate incidents in Drango and Serthar.

Amnesty International, in a release yesterday had urged China to allow independent monitors into areas of protest, saying that it was “worried about further violence and bloodshed" in Tibetan areas.

Kalon Tripa calls for wordwide vigil on Feb. 8

2012-01-26T23:57:00.002Z

Phayul[Thursday, January 26, 2012 17:37]

By Tendar Tsering

Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.(Phayul archive/Norbu Wangyal)

DHARAMSHALA, January 26: In his first official statement on the recent killings of Tibetans in Tibet, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay urged Tibetans and Tibet supporters all over the world to take part in a global vigil on Wednesday, February 8.

“To demonstrate our solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet, I urge Tibetans and our friends around the world, to participate in a worldwide vigil on Wednesday, February 8, 2012,” Kalon Tripa said.

“Let’s send a loud and clear message to the Chinese government that violence and killing of innocent Tibetans is unacceptable!”

In two separate incidents, earlier this week, hundreds of Tibetans took out demonstrations calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and demanding freedom in Tibet.

Protests in Drango county, flared up on Monday after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials arbitrarily arrested Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns.

Eyewitnesses in the region have confirmed the death of six Tibetans in police firings.

A day later, at least five Tibetans suffered fatal bullet injuries in police firings in Serthar, where over 600 Chinese security personnel brutally suppressed a peaceful demonstration by Tibetans calling for Tibet’s independence.

Referring to the recent police firings, Dr Sangay noted that China’s “gruesome acts” and “systematic repression of Tibetans” has led to the growth of “resentment and anger” amongst Tibetans against the Chinese government since the massive uprising of 2008."

“Basic human rights are being denied to Tibetans, the fragile environment is being destroyed, Tibetan language and culture is being assimilated, portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are banned, and Tibetans are being economically marginalised,” the de facto Tibetan Prime Minister said.

“Tibet is in virtual lockdown. Foreigners have been barred from travelling to Tibet now and the entire region is essentially under undeclared martial law.”
Addressing Tibetans in Tibet, Dr Sangay promised that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

"We hear your cries loud and clear. We urge you not to despair and refrain from extreme measures. We feel your pain and will not allow the sacrifices you have made go in vain. You all are in our heart and prayers each and every day," Dr Sangay said.

While appealing to the international community to show solidarity and raise their voices in support of the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people at this “critical time,” Dr Sangay reminded the Beijing government that violence will never address the genuine grievances of Tibetans and restore stability in Tibet.

“The only way to resolve the Tibet issue and bring about lasting peace is by respecting the rights of the Tibetan people and through dialogue,” Dr Sangay said. “As someone deeply committed to peaceful dialogue, the use of violence against Tibetans is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned by all people in China and around the world”.

In his statement, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay also urged Tibetans to forego celebrations during the coming Tibetan New Year, calling for only the basic customary religious rituals to be observed.

Since March 2011, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet.

Protests in Dharamshala as China sends additional forces to Tibet

2012-01-26T23:54:00.000Z

Phayul[Thursday, January 26, 2012 16:25]

By Tendar Tsering

Tibetans and supporters in Dharamshala held a candle light protest calling for international intervention to stop the ongoing bloodshed in Tibet on January 25, 2012. (Phayul photo/Norbu Wangyal)

DHARAMSHALA, January 26: Tibetans in Dharamshala held a candle light protest yesterday evening calling for international help to end the bloodshed in Tibet, even as reports of additional military build up in Tibetan areas are coming in.

As many as a dozen Tibetans are feared dead after Chinese security personnel opened fire on unarmed Tibetans demonstrating in Drango and Serthar earlier this week.

Tibetans carrying the ‘banned’ Tibetan national flag had called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and demanded freedom in Tibet.

Speaking at the candle light protest, Ghang Lhamo, member of Tibetan Parliament and General Secretary of the Gu-Chu-Sum Former Political Prisoner’s Movement said the world should be ashamed for allowing China carry on the brutal oppression of Tibetans.

“It is a shame that in this 21st century our world leaders chose to remain mute spectators when Chinese police are openly firing on peaceful crowds, shooting Tibetans in broad daylight,” Ghang Lhamo said. “It is high time world leaders echo the true aspirations of the Tibetan people in their non-violent struggle for justice and freedom”.

A user of Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo posted a photo, he said, showing armed police vehicles headed for the Serthar region of eastern Tibet.

Net users around the area of protests in eastern Tibet on Wednesday posted pictures indicating additional Chinese security forces being deployed in the region. The photographs showed Chinese army trucks speeding across a highway headed for the troubled region.

Serthar and Drango were under virtual martial law following the police firings. Thousands of Chinese security personnel were reportedly manning the streets, restricting the movement of Tibetans and imposing new stricter regulations in the region. Earlier reports had said that due to the lock down, Tibetans suffering serious injuries after the protests were unable to receive medical attention.

"The situation in Drango is very tense as police are not only manning the streets but also keeping an aerial vigil with helicopters flying over the region," said Palden, the Dharamshala based spokesperson of a network group keeping close contacts with people in Drango.

"People in the region are under constant fear," Palden added.

The reports of increasing Chinese brutality in Tibet have spurred heated online debates and discussions in the exile Tibetan community, especially amongst the youngsters.

"Without any fear, Tibetans in Tibet are setting themselves on fire and calling for freedom in Tibet at gun point. Let us join them, let us do a Tsampa Revolution," Kelsang Tashi wrote on a social networking site.

Another Tibetan, Lobsang Kunchok questioned the reactions of various Tibetan groups in exile to the ongoing crisis inside Tibet.

“Press releases and more press releases. I wonder what our leaders are waiting for before they actually decide to organise mass campaigns and global protests which does not involve sitting and saying prayers,” Kunchok wrote.

Amnesty expresses fear over further bloodshed in Tibet

2012-01-26T23:52:00.000Z

Phayul[Wednesday, January 25, 2012 22:54]

DHARAMSHALA, January 25: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) held a solidarity prayer service for the many Tibetans who have died due to Chinese police firings over the last two days in Tibet.

The prayer service held earlier today at Tsug-la Khang was led by Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.

The Dr Sangay on Tuesday had urged the international community to intervene to prevent further bloodshed in Tibet.

“Silence from the world community sends a clear message to China that its repressive and violent measures to handle tensions in Tibetan areas are acceptable,” Dr Sangay said. “As a nation aspiring to become a world economic and political power, the People’s Republic of China cannot be permitted to behave in such immoral and violent manner."

At least a dozen Tibetans have died after Chinese security personnel fired indiscriminately at unarmed Tibetan demonstrators in two separate incidents in Drango and Serthar, both in eastern Tibet.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International in a release yesterday said “China must avoid using excessive force in response to protests and allow independent monitors into areas of protest.”

"The Chinese authorities are responding only with repression and a security crackdown to an already volatile situation, instead of addressing long-standing human rights grievances on the part of Tibetans,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director.

"The situation has not improved in Tibetan areas since 2008 when tensions exploded into violence. Grievances regarding restrictions on religious and cultural freedoms have gotten worse, not better."

Keeping in view Chinese government’s “increasingly repressive behaviour,” Amnesty International renewed its call for independent monitors, for instance the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, to be allowed into the country.

The global rights group said that it was “worried about further violence and bloodshed" in Tibetan areas.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

‘Exercise restraint, Allow observers in Tibet,’ US tells China

2012-01-26T23:49:00.000Z

Phayul[Wednesday, January 25, 2012 22:52]

By Tendar Tsering

US Special Coordinator for Tibet, Under Secretary Maria Otero

DHARAMSHALA, January 25: Angered by the indiscriminate police firings on unarmed Tibetans in eastern Tibet over the last two days, the US government on Tuesday renewed its call for an end to the critical situation inside Tibet.

US Special Coordinator for Tibet, Under Secretary Maria Otero said US was “gravely concerned by reports of violence and continuing heightened tensions” in Tibet.

At least a dozen Tibetans have been killed in Chinese police firings in two separate incidents in Drongo and Serthar over the last two days. The Tibetans, protesting the repressive Chinese government policies in Tibet had called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and demanded independence for Tibet.

"The US Government repeatedly has urged the Chinese government to address the counterproductive policies in Tibetan areas that have created tensions and that threaten the distinct religious, cultural and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people," the US Special Coordinator for Tibet said.

President Obama’s point woman for Tibet went on to list a few of the “counterproductive policies” as the Chinese government’s “dramatic expansion” of controls on religious life and practice; ongoing “patriotic education” campaigns requiring the denunciation of the Dalai Lama; the permanent placement of Chinese officials in monasteries; increasingly intensive surveillance, arbitrary detentions and disappearances of Tibetans.

Under Secretary Otero also noted that the US Government has “consistently and directly” raised the issue of Tibetan self-immolations with the Chinese government while criticising Beijing for placing restrictions on and imprisoning families and friends of the self-immolators.

Just in the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans in Tibet have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

"We urge Chinese security forces to exercise restraint, and we renew our call to allow access to Tibetan areas of China for journalists, diplomats and other observers," the US Special Coordinator for Tibet said.

“We call on the Chinese government to resume substantive, results-oriented dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to address the underlying grievances of China’s Tibetan population."

Exile groups condemn China’s brutality

2012-01-24T21:54:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 24, 2012 20:55]

Young Tibetan monks at the candle light vigil in Dharamshala to protest ongoing police brutalities in Tibet, January 24, 2012. (Phayul photo/Norbu Wangyal)
DHARAMSHALA, January 24: Tibetans in the exile seat of Dharamshala, north India carried out a candle light vigil to protest police firing over the last two days in Tibet which has left at least 11 dead.

In two separate incidents, hundreds of Tibetans took out demonstrations calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and demanding freedom in Tibet.

Protests in Drango county, Kandze flared up yesterday after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials began to arbitrarily arrest Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns.

Earlier reports had indicated that one Tibetan was shot dead in Drango but now reports are confirming the death of six Tibetans in yesterday’s firings.

In reports today, at least five Tibetans have been confirmed dead in police firings in Serthar, eastern Tibet today.

Over 600 Chinese security personnel arrived at a scene of peaceful demonstrations in the central town of Serthar where gathered Tibetans raised slogans calling for Tibet’s independence.

Chinese security personnel began firing indiscriminately at the crowd, killing at least five and wounding many more. Sources say Serthar is under virtual martial law with injured Tibetans left with no access to medical treatment.

In a release at the candle light vigil, the Dharamshala regional chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-democracy group in exile said the ongoing police brutalities in Tibet were signs of Chinese government’s “insecurity” and “failure” of their policies in Tibet.

“As we lead this candle light vigil in Dharamshala to protest police firing in Kham Drango yesterday and Serthar this morning, we say prayers for the martyrs and mark our solidarity with our people in Tibet,” the youth organisaton said.

“We request the Indian government and its people, and the international community to ask the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and immediately withdraw their security crackdown in Tibet”.

The International Tibet Network, a global movement of 185 Tibet advocacy organisations condemned China's “escalating crackdown” after police firings in Tibet.
The group also vowed to intensify efforts for multilateral pressure on China in a release yesterday.

“We vow to intensify our efforts in support of Tibetans inside Tibet and call on world governments, international institutions, and the global community to pressure China to address Tibetan grievances before more lives are lost,” the organisations declared.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

“The scale of this crisis and China's unwillingness to acknowledge international concern warrants a strong international response,” said the International Tibet Network while urging all governments to “publicly condemn China’s use of force against unarmed Tibetan protestors.”

“The worldwide membership of the International Tibet Network condemns China’s flagrant disregard for fundamental human rights and its cruel and systematic assault on the Tibetan people,” the release said.

5 killed in fresh protests in Serthar

2012-01-24T21:52:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 24, 2012 18:33]
by Sherab Woeser

DHARAMSHALA, January 24: In news just in, at least five Tibetans have died in police firings in Serthar, eastern Tibet today.

The incidence occurred earlier today when a large crowd of Tibetans gathered in the central town of Serthar and started raising slogans calling for Tibet’s independence.

Sources in exile with contacts in the region say that over 600 Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the protests and began firing indiscriminately at the crowd.

Speaking to Dharamshala based radio service VoT, an unnamed Tibetan said that five Tibetans were confirmed dead with over 40 Tibetans carrying serious injuries.

“The Chinese security personnel began to fire indiscriminately at the crowd of Tibetans demonstrating against the Chinese government in the central town of Serthar,” the Tibetan said.

Beijing based Tibetan writer, Woeser has also independently confirmed that five Tibetans were killed in the protests today. Woeser identified one of the dead as Bobo, a Tibetan man in his mid-thirties.

Sources say the whole of Serthar is under virtual martial law with large numbers of Chinese security personnel maintaining a strict surveillance all over the town.

All the shops and restaurants and public amenities in the region have been forced to shut down.

There is fear that the number of casualties will rise as injured Tibetans have been left with no access to medical treatment.

The protests in Serthar come a day after massive protests were reported from neighbouring Drango county yesterday. Earlier reports had indicated that one Tibetan was shot dead by Chinese security personnel in Drango but now reports are confirming the death of six Tibetans in yesterday’s firings.

Last week, hundreds of Tibetans had come out on the streets of Serthar in an act of defiance against Chinese rule, carrying photos of the Dalai Lama and calling for Tibet's independence.

The de facto Tibetan Prime Minister Dr Lobsang Sangay today urged the international community to intervene to prevent further bloodshed in Tibet.

“Silence from the world community sends a clear message to China that its repressive and violent measures to handle tensions in Tibetan areas are acceptable,” Dr Sangay said.

“As a nation aspiring to become a world economic and political power, the People’s Republic of China cannot be permitted to behave in such immoral and violent manner”.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

At least a dozen Tibetans have died in the past few weeks alone in police firings on peaceful demonstrators in Tibet.

Students pedal on as situation worsens in Tibet

2012-01-24T21:47:00.003Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 24, 2012 17:29]

By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, January 24: The three Tibetan school students, with a mission to pedal through India demanding an international monitoring team to be allowed inside Tibet, are expected to reach Bangalore city, the capital of Karnataka state in south India later today.

Coinciding with their winter vacations, Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen, all students of the Tibetan Children’s village (TCV) School, Gopalpur, north India, voluntarily organised the rally.

The ‘Cycling for Tibet’ campaign, which will culminate in the Indian capital New Delhi, was flagged off from the largest Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in Karnataka Friday.

Covering over 90 kms, the students arrived for their first major stop in Mysore and with the help of the regional chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress, met with the press and distributed pamphlets around the city.

Speaking to Phayul over phone, the students said they would be reaching Bangalore later in the evening and arrange a meeting with the press tomorrow.

“With the help of the Tibetans in the city, we will be having a press conference at the Indian press club in the city tomorrow,” said Tselo Gyal, one of the three students on the cycle rally.

“The press conference will be followed by a mass gathering of Tibetans at the Tibetan Youth Hostel in the city, and then, in the afternoon, we will be heading off to Chennai,” Tselo added.

In a statement at the beginning of the rally, the three students said they were undertaking the ‘Cycling for Tibet’ campaign to highlight the “plight of Tibetans suffering under China’s repressive rule” and to appeal for support in the resolution of the ongoing crisis in Tibet.

“The suffering and the injustice meted out to Tibetans in Tibet must end soon if truth, freedom, and peace are to sustain this world,” the release said.  

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.  

The past couple of days have witnessed mass protests in many parts of Tibet, resulting in the deaths of at least two Tibetans as a result of police firing over unarmed demonstrators. The numbers are expected to rise as many more have been reported critically injured.

Tibetans shot to death on Chinese new year

2012-01-23T18:12:00.000Z

Phayul[Monday, January 23, 2012 18:48]

DHARAMSHALA, January 23: Security personnel in Drango, eastern Tibet celebrated the Chinese new year firing at a crowd of unarmed protesting Tibetans earlier today.

Reports coming out of Drango region confirm the death of at least one Tibetan with many suffering serious injuries.

"One Tibetan layman, identified as Yonten, has died of gunshot after security officials clamped down on a protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo County) in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," said the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in a release today.

The body of Yonten is reportedly kept at the Drango Monastery.

According to sources, the protests flared after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials began to arbitrarily arrest Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns.

"Many Tibetans in the Drango area rose up in protest this morning. Many of the protesters were farmers and nomads," TCHRD said.

"The Public Security Bureau and People's Armed Police intervened by using guns to rein in the protesters," the TCHRD said while confirming “serious injuries” to three monks from Drango Monastery.

In a separate release on today’s incidence, the Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said scores of Tibetans called for Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, following which the police indiscriminately fired on the peaceful demonstrators.

Though TCHRD confirmed one death, other sources are reporting that as many as six Tibetans could have suffered gunshots.

TPiE has said the situation in the region continues to remain tense.

In another release, London based Free Tibet said that up to 30 Tibetans were shot this morning with local Tibetans avoiding taking the injured to hospital fearing arrest.

"The situation is ongoing and large numbers of Tibetans are reported to be travelling to Draggo from the surrounding areas of Serthar (Chinese:Seda) and Tawu (Chinese: Daofu) counties (also in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) to join the demonstration; large numbers of Tibetans are also gathering in Draggo monastery courtyard," Free Tibet said.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves ablaze demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

“Tibetans have resorted to this desperate act out of sheer frustration against the policies and programs of the Chinese authorities aimed at eradicating the Tibetan identity,” TPiE said in its release.

“The Tibetan parliament is deeply aggrieved by the incidents and condemns the Chinese authorities for resorting to such drastic acts of force and repression”.

Expressing shock at the “silence” of the international community over the “gross violation of human rights in Tibet,” TPiE appealed to the free world to “rise up to the occasion and impress on China to find a lasting solution to the Issue of Tibet”.

“We call on China to respect the Tibetan people’s right to express themselves and look into the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people,” the elected Tibetan representatives said.

School children kick off cycle rally for Tibet

2012-01-23T11:33:00.000Z

Phayul[Saturday, January 21, 2012 03:55]

By Tendar Tsering

Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen pedalling on from Bylakuppe in south India to New Delhi some 2,300 kms up north, in solidarity with the Tibetans who have self-immolated inside Tibet.

DHARAMSHALA, January 21: Three Tibetan school students began a cycle rally for Tibet from the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in the south Indian state of Karnataka to the Indian capital New Delhi, yesterday.

Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen, all students of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School, Gopalpur in north India have voluntarily organised the rally coinciding with their two-month winter vacations.

In a press statement, the three students said they were undertaking the “Cycling for Tibet” campaign to highlight the “plight of Tibetans suffering under China’s repressive rule” and to appeal for support in the resolution of the Tibetan crisis.

“The suffering and the injustice meted out to Tibetans in Tibet must end soon if truth, freedom, and peace are to sustain this world,” the release said.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Speaking to Phayul over phone from Bylakuppe, Tselo Gyal said they were taking out the cycle rally in support and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.

“We are demanding an immediate withdrawal of Chinese security forces stationed in war-like numbers in Tibet and also calling on China to allow an independent international investigation team to visit Tibet,” Gyal said.

Condemning Beijing for its inaction in the face of the fiery wave of self-immolations inside Tibet, the students said the Chinese government is responsible for the loss of Tibetan lives.

“China can end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal and reasonable policies for Tibet and Tibetan people instead of suppressing them,” the young students said.

The students will be covering over 2,300 kms (1,400 miles) on their bicycles.

Local MP Duncan meets Kalon Tripa

2012-01-18T22:20:00.000Z

Well done Duncan Hames MP!

Some interesting debate

2012-01-17T22:32:00.001Z

Panelists

Tenzin Tsundue, Sanjay Kak, Nitasha Kaul, Mirza Waheed, Jianglin Li, and Dechen Pemba

Dissent is integral to the idea of democracy. But what constitutes dissent? Who draws the line between legitimate and illegitimate dissent? Or for that matter, who defines the limits of democracy? Are democratic states better at accepting plurality and differences of opinion or are they better at managing them, and in the process, disciplining them? What do democracy, dissent, democratic dissent, and dissenting democrats mean in the context of world’s two largest countries: China and India? As the two states become major economic and military powers, what significance does it have for the diverse peoples residing within and connected without? The keynote speeches by two foremost and internationally renowned writers and intellectuals from India and China -- Arundhati Roy and Wang Lixiong will discuss some of these issues.
Nationalisms of all kinds play an important role in how states include or exclude people as well as in how people control or resist the state. The problematic nature of inclusionary/exclusionary nationalisms and coercive/cooptive statehood in China and India are nowhere better illustrated than in Tibet and Kashmir. Kashmir and Tibet are places with people -- people who live in a system they may not necessarily identify with, people whose life and livelihood is extra-ordinarily precarious under an overbearing, people many of whom have been forcibly displaced or involuntarily exiled -- and yet for the international audience they are mainly intractable problems. What does it mean to belong to the ‘troublesome paradises’? How does the experience of exile affect displaced subjects’ engagement with their homelands? What do the protests in Tibet and Kashmir since 2008 tell us about the aspirations of the people as well as about the myths associated with nationalism and statehood in ‘rising’ India and China? The panels on Kashmir and Tibet will bring together leading writers, filmmakers, poets, bloggers and intellectuals.

Colonialism in Tibet counterproductive to China

2012-01-17T22:21:00.000Z

(TibetanReview.net, Jan16, 2012) Despite its claims of having liberated Tibet and ushered in modernization and development there, China is, in reality, practicing colonialism whose result is counterproductive, Dr Dibyesh Anand, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Westminster University, London, was cited as saying, delivering a talk on “Self immolation in Tibet and its impact on India, China and Tibet, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, on Jan 13. The practice of colonialism is, in fact, the greatest threat to China’s credibility and ultimately its continuity in Tibet, isikkim.com Jan 4 cited Dr Anand as saying.

He has noted that China’s attacks on the Dalai Lama was seen by Tibetans as contempt for their way of life and disrespect to their dignity. Its familiar approach of blaming the Dalai Lama for all the problems in Tibet contradicts its own denial of there being any ‘Tibet issue’, he has added.

On the spate of self-immolations by protesting Tibetans, he has said the development should be seen in terms of continuity of the politics of resistance and not as a radical break from the past. He has blamed China’s hardline policies and a total securitisation of every aspect of life in Tibet for adding to the desperateness of the Tibetan people. He has pointed out that the repeated incidents of self immolation protests, despite China’s constant claims that Tibetans are happy members of the great Chinese motherland, proved the point the other way round.

He also felt that the insecurity the bulk of exile Tibetans feel despite being Indian in all practical sense was also the reason why the struggle for Tibet would continue. He has reiterated that Tibetans should be give credit for their contribution in reviving Buddhism in India and Buddhist sites like the Bodhgaya.

China bribing Tibetans to celebrate ‘Losar’

2012-01-17T22:13:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 17, 2012 16:30]

By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, January 17: The Chinese government is now up to bribing Tibetans inside Tibet to celebrate the upcoming Tibetan New Year ‘Losar’.

Speaking to Phayul, a Tibetan exile citing contacts inside Tibet said Chinese government officials were coaxing Tibetans with money and gifts to celebrate ‘Losar’ (February 22-24) against their wishes.

“I spoke to a Tibetan in Tibet and he told me that Chinese government is bribing them to celebrate Losar by giving them 500 Yuan for each family and 200 Yuan for each individual,” the Tibetan (name withheld) said.

Following the fiery wave of self-immolations that has engulfed eastern Tibet over the past 11 months, Tibetans inside Tibet are reportedly skipping the ‘Losar’ celebrations as a tribute to the 16 Tibetans who have self-immolated since March last year. The popular move is also see as gesture to pay respect and show solidarity with the families of the deceased and injured.

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group in exile, in November last had urged Tibetans to forego the ‘Losar’ celebrations in keeping with the Tibetan tradition of abandoning new year celebrations following the death of a member in the family.

Referring to the unending wave of self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, TYC had made an open appeal for a rescindment of Losar celebrations and urged Tibetans to instead contribute the expenditure usually incurred in celebrating the three-day event to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration.

“99% of Tibetans in Tibet will not celebrate the Losar but few are afraid that if they don’t celebrate then it might become a political liability for them,” the Tibetan man told Phayul.

“It would become easy for the Chinese authorities to pin point Tibetans not celebrating ‘Losar’ as anti-China”.

Another exiled Tibetan who has close contacts with Tibetans inside the besieged Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which alone has seen 11 instances of self-immolations, said that Tibetans were “determined to skip” the upcoming ‘Losar’ celebrations.

“Tibetans in Tibet are very much determined to skip the Tibetan New Year as we do to mark a black year when someone in one’s family dies,” said Kanyag Tsering, citing contacts inside Tibet.

Thousands attend Sopa Rinpoche's funeral; Protests reported

2012-01-17T22:07:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 17, 2012 19:22]

Sonam Wangyal Sopa Rinpoche in an undated photo

DHARAMSHALA, January 17: Thousands of Tibetans from around the Golok region of eastern Tibet attended the funeral of Sonam Wangyal Sopa Rinpoche on Sunday morning.

Sopa Rinpoche, a respected spiritual figure in his early forties passed away on the spot after drinking and spraying kerosene all over his body before lighting himself up on January 8.

According to the Beijing based award winning Tibetan writer, Woeser, Tibetans in Amdo Golok and in the neighbouring regions of Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan were in deep mourning at the passing away of Rinpoche.

Writing on her blog, Woeser said thousands of Tibetans participated in the funeral ceremony of Sopa Rinpoche in Darlag (in Chinese, Dari) county of Golok.

Elsewhere in Golok, hundreds of Tibetans took out a day long peaceful demonstration following Sopa Rinpoche's funeral ceremony.

Citing contacts within the region, an exile Tibetan, Khenpo Ogyen Rigzin told US based radio service VOA that over a hundred Tibetans carry photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa in Amdo Golok Pema district carried protests from around 9:30 am to 5 pm.

“The demonstration was carried out in solidarity with Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives since the 2008 mass uprisings in Tibet,” Kehnpo Rigzin said.

“The demonstrators were raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom in Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said while adding that he also heard people wailing and crying through a phone conversation he had with a local Tibetan while the demonstration was being carried out.

“The demonstrators were also carrying banners urging Tibetans to rise up in solidarity with all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said.

Chinese security personnel had apparently let the demonstration go on while taking pictures and videos of the demonstrators.

Sopa Rinpoche set himself ablaze in front of the police station of Darlag County in Golog after shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

In leaflets that Sopa Rinpoche distributed just before his fatal self-immolation, he stated his fiery sacrifice was not for his “personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans."

"The Tibetans should not lose their determination. The day of happiness will come for sure. For the Dalai Lama to live long, the Tibetans should not lose track of their path," Sopa Rinpoche said in his last statement.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Ngaba falls into deeper turmoil; Another self-immolation

2012-01-14T21:16:00.001Z

Phayul[Saturday, January 14, 2012 22:15]

DHARAMSHALA, January 14: In reports coming out of Tibet, a self-immolation by a Tibetan layman earlier today in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, has triggered a mass demonstration resulting in the death of one woman due to bullet wounds.

The self-immolation, the 16th since March last year, occurred at around 1.30 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region. Currently, there are not many details available on the Tibetan man but he is believed to be dead.

According to reports, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the self-immolation and severely beat the Tibetan layman while putting off the flame. As the Chinese security personnel started to take away the man, who was believed to be dead by then, local Tibetans angered with the Chinese authorities, reportedly gathered at the site and demanded the body to be handed over to them.

In the ensuing impromptu mass protest, Chinese security personnel fired on the crowd and used teargas. One elderly Tibetan woman has been confirmed dead as result of the firing. However, other sources indicate that the number of dead could be much more.

See map here

In a release, Free Tibet quoted an eyewitness as describing the situation as “terrifying” and that people were being “beaten” while “numerous people have been detained”.

The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration in a release today condemned the “use of violence against civilians” and appealed the international community to “intervene so as to restrain the Chinese government from further use of violence”.

“The People’s Republic of China’s government must take full responsibility for these cases of self-immolation. It is within its power to end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal policies for Tibet and Tibetan people,” the CTA said.

The Ngaba region in Tibet, seat of the besieged Kirti monastery has seen 11 Tibetans – monks, nuns, and laymen – set their bodies on fire since March last year.

This year alone, four Tibetans have died after setting themselves ablaze protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tsultrim, Tenyi, and Norbu Damdul all succumb to injuries

2012-01-10T21:51:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:09]

File photo of Norbu Damdul, a former monk at Kirti Monastery who self immolated calling for 'complete independence for Tibet' on October 15, 2011. This photo was taken in 2009 when Norbu Damdul was still a monk.

DHARAMSHALA, January 10: The death toll in the fiery wave of self-immolations in Tibet since March 2011 has risen to ten with the deaths of Tsultrim, Tenyi, and Norbu Damdul.

Tsultrim and Tenyi, both around 20 years of age, had set their bodies on fire on January 6 at around 2:40 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which alone has witnessed ten instances of self-immolations since early last year.

Eyewitness accounts said that the two people, a monk and a layman, were together when they set themselves ablaze.

“With folded hands they faced towards Kirti Monastery and raised a number of slogans amongst which the audible ones were- ‘Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ and ‘We want the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet,’” a Tibetan in Bodh Gaya had said quoting eyewitnesses.

According to a release by the exile base of Kirti monastery in Dharamshala, Tenyi succumbed to his burn injuries shortly after Chinese security personnel arrested him on January 6.

Tslutrim passed away a day later in the night of January 7 under increased security restrictions in the region.

“Following their self-immolation, all the Tibetan shops and business were closed as a mark of respect and to show solidarity with the family of the two deceased,” the release said.

“However, as in earlier instances, local Tibetans were barred from visiting the families of the deceased to offer their condolences and prayers by the Chinese authorities.”

Norbu Damdul passes away

Norbu Damdul, a former monk of Kirti Monastery, who set himself on fire on October 15, 2011 passed away in a Chinese military hospital in Barkham, eastern Tibet on January 5, 2012.

His whereabouts remained known for nearly three months after Chinese security personnel arrested him following his self-immolation in the central town of Ngaba.

Norbu Damdul had raised slogans demanding ‘Complete Independence for Tibet’ and ‘Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet’ according to eyewitness accounts.

Kirti monastery in its release said that the Norbu Damdul’s family was denied the right to perform his last rites.

Since March 2011, 15 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Tibet is burning – Third self-immolation in three days

2012-01-09T22:01:00.000Z

Phayul[Monday, January 09, 2012 23:15]

DHARAMSHALA, January 9: Just a day after two Tibetans set their bodies on fire in eastern Tibet, another Tibetan, a reincarnate lama set himself ablaze on January 8, Sunday.

Sonam Wangyal (Sopa), a respected spiritual figure in his early forties from Golok in eastern Tibet passed away on the spot after drinking and spraying kerosene all over his body before lighting himself up according to sources in exile.

Citing sources in Tibet, RFA said that Sopa self-immolated in front of the police station of Darlag (in Chinese, Dari) county in Golog after shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama – demands which have been common to all the 15 Tibetans who have self-immolated in Tibet since March 2011.

In leaflets that Sonam Wangyal distributed just before he set himself ablaze, he stated his fiery sacrifice was not for his “personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans," RFA said quoting a source from inside Tibet.

"The Tibetans should not lose their determination. The day of happiness will come for sure. For the Dalai Lama to live long, the Tibetans should not lose track of their path," Sonam Wangyal said in his last statement.

After Chinese security personnel confiscated his charred body, several hundred Tibetans reportedly marched to the police station to demand his remains.

According to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), around 2,000 local Tibetans held a candlelight vigil urging the local police authorities to release his body.

“The local police averted further tension by agreeing to do so,” the CTA report said.

RFA has reported that Chinese security forces are pouring into Darlag “amid indications that thousands of Tibetans are planning to turn up for a memorial service this week for Sopa at a monastery where he had served”.

“Chinese authorities tightened security in Darlag, deploying additional security forces from the main town of Golog, as posters praising Sopa's act and calling for a boycott of Chinese goods appeared in the county,” RFA report said.

At Bodh Gaya, the venue for the ongoing 32nd Kalachakra teachings, Tibetan pilgrims and refugees from Amdo Golok who have gathered here for the ten-day teachings organised a candle light in the evening to show support and solidarity with the plight of people inside Tibet, especially with the family of Sonam Wangyal.

FCO's strategic Programme fund has spend £1.5m

2012-01-08T20:56:00.001Z

Dear Information Rights Team,
I understand that the FCO's strategic Programme fund has spend £1.5m on a portfolio of projects in China over the last 3 years (Your Ref MIN/15987/2011) . Can you send me details of these projects specifically: The nature of the project, where they took place, who was involved, the outcome and any other information relating to these projects.

With Kind Regards

Richard

Response

Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
www.fco.gov.uk

23 November 2011
Dear Richard
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - REQUEST REF: Ref: 1183-11
Thank you for your email of 14 November 2011 asking for details of our human rights projects in China over the last 3 years; specifically the nature of the project, where they took place, who was involved, the outcome and any other information relating to these projects.
I am writing to confirm that we have now completed the search for the information requested.
I can confirm that the FCO does hold information relevant to your request. Please find enclosed some of the information that you requested. Some of the relevant information is exempt and has been withheld under Section 27(1) (a) of the Freedom of Information Act (relations between United Kingdom and any other states).
The exemption in Section 27 is qualified and is subject to the balance of the public interest. This means that a public interest test must be carried out to determine whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Whilst we appreciate the release of this information could increase public understanding of relations between the United Kingdom and China in this case, the effective conduct of the United Kingdom’s international relations, and its ability to protect and promote its interests abroad is of paramount importance.
We believe disclosure of the exempt information would be likely to lead to prejudice to the relations between the UK and China. In particular, if released, the exempt information could jeopardise our ability, and the ability of our partners, to run current and future project work in China. This would reduce the British Government's ability to protect and promote UK interests in China, which would not be in the public interest. Therefore, on balance, we conclude that the public interest is best served in withholding this information.
In keeping with the spirit and effect of the Freedom of Information Act, all information is assumed to be releasable to the public unless it is exempt. The information we have
supplied to you may now be published on our website together with any related information that will provide a key to its wider context.
I hope you are satisfied with this reply. However, if you wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, please write to the Information Rights Team at the Old Admiralty Building, Room SG 120, London SW1A 2PA. E-mail: dp-foi.img@fco.gov.uk. Yu have 40 working days to do so from the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the FCO. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
We continually strive to improve our service, so we would welcome your feedback and comments. If you would like to provide feedback, please email our Information Rights Team at: dp-foi.img@fco.gov.uk
You can also find out more about the FCO and freedom of information issues at our Access to Information website: http://foi.fco.gov.uk/en
Yours sincerely,
Victoria White
China Department
We keep and use information in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. We may release this personal information to other UK government departments and public authorities.
Human Rights Projects in China
2008-2011
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office focuses project work on human rights in China into 4 areas: criminal justice, death penalty, freedom of expression and civil society. Our objectives for these projects are to work with the grain to increase the protection and promotion of human rights in China. Our engagement has influenced positive changes in the criminal justice system and prisons and a reduction in the scope and application of the death penalty.
FY 2008/09
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Reform of China's judicial management system
21,600
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights approach in Two Provinces
34,900
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
7,637
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
68, 696
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
51,833
Reducing Pre-trial Detention: the role of the Procuratorate
24,997
Moving the debate forward: Researching China's use of the death penalty
68,452
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
30,450
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
20,500
Measuring the impact of new foreign correspondent rules on international media coverage of China
30,000
Child participation in reporting and evaluating child rights in China
60,000
FY 2009/10
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights
54,140
approach in Two Provinces
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
103,641
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
62, 215
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
49,303
Reducing Pre-trial Detention: the role of the Procuratorate
26,522
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
98,790
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
87,940
Freedom of expression and implementation of access to government information
22,984
Child participation in reporting and evaluating child rights in China
43,350
FY 2010/11
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights approach in Two Provinces
56,220
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
38,016
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
55, 977
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
9,637
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
26,000
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
63,000
Freedom of expression and implementation of access to government information
66,445
Hearing the public voice - enhancing the role of public opinion in government decision making
66,600
Partners for the period 2008-2011
Research institutes/Universities
Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Wuhan University, China Academy of Social Sciences, and Institute for Procuratorial theory of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate;
Government Bodies
- Ministry of Justice, Hunan Provincial High Court, No. 2 Beijing Municipal Procuraterate, Legislative Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Information Office of Chongqing Municipality; and
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Save the Children UK China Programme, International Centre for Prison studies, the Rights Practice, Ipsos MORI, and Great Britain China Centre.

China rubs salt on wound, Calls self-immolaters “thieves”

2012-01-08T20:46:00.000Z

Phayul[Sunday, January 08, 2012 14:25]

DHARAMSHALA, January 8: China’s state news agency Xinhua, while admitting the two instances of self-immolation on January 6 in the Ngaba region of eastern Tibet has accused the two Tibetans of being “thieves.”

Identifying the two as former monks of Kirti monastery, the Xinhua report said that one “died in a hotel room after setting himself on fire while another man aged 22 was being treated in hospital after setting himself ablaze”.

Xinhua further reported that an “investigation” found that the “men had been involved in a number of thefts, including the ‘case of the Kirti monastery Buddha statue burglary.’”

AFP in a report said that the local hospital where one of the self-immolaters is believed to be hospitalised declined to comment while calls to the county government and police “went unanswered”.

The latest in the alarming wave of self-immolations in Tibet comes days after a senior Chinese official said that the self-immolations will never succeed in forcing any policy changes.

"I can honestly say to our friends that even if such a thing happens again, the direction of the Chinese government's policies in Tibet and our attitude toward the Dalai clique's struggle will not change in any way," Zhu Weiqun, China’s point man for Tibet, who has held several rounds of unsuccessful dialogues with the Dalai Lama’s envoys said in comments carried on government website tibet.cn December 30, 2011.

Zhu, a vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, directly blamed the Dalai Lama and the exile Tibetan administration for the recent wave of self-immolations in Tibet which has seen 14 Tibetans set their bodies on fire since March 2011 protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

The Dalai Lama's supporters had "deceived several naive and young people to self-immolate in order to pressure the Chinese government", Zhu said.

There is scarce information on the two Tibetans who self-immolated on January 6 at around 2:40 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region of eastern Tibet.

Eyewitness accounts say that the two people, a monk and a layman, were together when they set themselves ablaze.

“With folded hands they faced towards Kirti Monastery and raised a number of slogans amongst which the audible ones were- ‘Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ and ‘We want the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet,’” a Tibetan in Bodh Gaya had said quoting eyewitnesses.

Another Tibet with contacts inside the Ngaba Kirti monastery told Phayul that one of the self-immolating Tibetans had wound his body with barbed wire before setting his body on fire in order to avoid being easily grabbed by Chinese security personnel.

Two Tibetans set themselves ablaze in Ngaba

2012-01-08T20:43:00.003Z

Phayul[Friday, January 06, 2012 22:10]

DHARAMSHALA, January 6: Continuing the fiery episode of self-immolations in the new year, two Tibetans in Tibet set themselves on fire this afternoon.

According to information received from various sources, the incident happened at around 2:40 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which alone has seen ten cases of self-immolation since March last year.

While there is scarce information on the details of the two people, eyewitness accounts say that the two people, a monk and a layman, were together when they set themselves ablaze in Ngaba town.

Free Tibet, the UK based organisation campaigning for an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, while quoting sources from inside Tibet said in a release today that “the person believed to be a lay person, was heard calling for the return of the Dalai Lama before Chinese forces extinguished the flames and removed him.”

His well-being and whereabouts are unknown.

In other information given by a Tibetan from the Ngaba region currently attending the ongoing Kalachakra teachings in Bodh Gaya, both the Tibetans had their hands folded in prayers as they faced towards the Kirti monastery, engulfed in flames.

“With folded hands they faced towards Kirti Monastery and raised a number of slogans amongst which the audible ones were- ‘Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ and ‘We want the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet’,” the Tibetan said quoting eyewitnesses.

The eyewitness confirmed that Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and forcibly took them away.

“The flames were huge and the layman might have probably died and there is less chances for the monk to survive,” the Tibetan said.

These are the 13th and 14th cases of self-immolations in Tibet since March 2011. Tibetans have set their bodies on fire with an alarming consistency, demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

Earlier pamphlets spread around the Ngaba region had proclaimed that many more Tibetans were ready to self-immolate for the common cause of Tibet.

Correspondance With James Gray

2012-01-03T17:37:00.004Z

Original email

Dear Mr. Gray,

We enjoyed reading your article in a recent Gazette and Herald after your trip to India entitled 'Let's strive to help Tibet overcome it's troubles'. As a Tibet Support Group, and with members in your constituency, we are greatly appreciative of your support and your many years of concern in this specific area. It is of great value that you will certainly do anything that you can, therefore with this sentiment we urge you to attend the debate in the House of Commons on Tibet on Wednesday 7th December. This will be the first debate on Tibet in Westminster since April 2008.

The debate will provide an opportunity for you to raise concerns about issues facing Tibet and ask questions of the Foreign Office and the British government. In particular, we urge you to call on our government to make a strong, robust statement of concern on China's repressive policies in Tibet.

The debate comes at a time of increasing repression in Tibet which, this year, has led to Tibetans taking the tragic action of setting themselves on fire. The most recent, a 12th immolation, took place last Thursday in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

With you in your support,

Bath District Tibet Support Group

Response via OCR:

JAMES GRAY MP
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWIA GAA

7th December

Richard,

Thank you for your email December with regard to Tibet.
I am extremely concerned about this matter and I can assure you that the Government is too. The Foreign and Commonwealth Ofïice (FCO) has urged the Chinese government to work with local monasteries and communities to resolve the grievances which have led to these desperate actions.
The FCO’s Human Rights Command Paper makes clear the UK’s concems regarding the human rights situation in China and Tibet. The consistent position has been that long term stability can only be achieved through respect for human rights and genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework ofthe Chinese constitution. The Government believes that meaningful dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese authorities is the best way to make this happen.

I am aware that the FCO is actively monitoring this issue and raising it with Chinese Authorities. Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne MP wrote to the Chinese Ambassador earlier this year raising his concerns regarding the situation at the Kirti Monastery and officials have also raised their concerns with the Chinese Embassy in London and the Ministry of Foreign in Beijing. British Embassy in China also make regular visits to Tibetan areas. and l am have done so recently.

Unfortunately I was not able to attend the meeting in the House today as I was

involved in a Parliamentary Committee. I am however a member of the All Party Parliamentary Party for Tibet and closely follow these matters.

Response

Dear Mr Gray,

thank you for your letter of the 7th Dec, I too am mindful of the efforts of FCO Minister Jeremy Brown MP and the efforts of the British Embassy staff with respect to the Tibetan issues.

I am also aware that you have not signed the EDM 2327 on the self immolations that have recently occurred in Tibet (letter to XXXXX 7th Dec who has passed it to me) and that your reasons for this include

uncertain as to it helping the Tibetan cause,
you make the point that self immolation is 'fundamentally against all Buddhist beliefs'
you believe that the EDM publicises the self immolation action.

Please note that the EDM does not encompass an endorsement of self immolation as the words start 'That this House is greatly saddened by the disturbing news of 10 incidents of self-immolation...' Can we not agree that it is sad that these monks and nuns have been driven to take their own life? These people must be faced with the prospect of not only loosing their land, culture and identity but also not being allowed to practice their religion due to the controls imposed by the Chinese authorities. Having lived in a functioning democracy all our lives we cannot begin to understand what it means to be under severe government repression.

For my part it is essential that independent observers are sent to Tibet, for which the EDM calls for, along with other action.

Can I also assure you that self immolation is not 'fundamentally against all Buddhist beliefs', a misunderstanding that was also iterated by a recent Chinese Embassy letter to the Guardian. Indeed Buddhism, particularly Mahayana (or Madhyamaka philosophy) which is the primary form of Buddhism in Tibet, provides no absolutes to 'believe' in. A central tenet of Buddhism is the recognition of the impermanent and unpredictable nature of reality. Thus there can be no absolute set of laws that will work in all circumstances. When a monk or nun take a vow to not kill, they do so with the knowledge that there may be certain extreme circumstances that require killing. The vow would be broken if they do not act in accordance with such extreme circumstances.

Perhaps extreme circumstances have been found in Tibet and like Vietnamese monks before them, they have found that the only solution is provided by the ultimate act of renunciation.

With Kind regards

Bath Dist Tibet Support Group

Response via OCR:

JAMES GRAY MP
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWIA GAA

14th December 2011

Richard

Thank you for your email of December with regard to Tibet.
There is no stronger advocate than I for the rights of the downtrodden people of Tibet, but that is not to presume that you and I would necessarily agree about tactics for raising it. I am particularly unhappy about publicity surrounding monkish self-immolation.

I bow to your wisdom with regard to Buddhist theology although I was quoting His Holiness the Dalai Lama directly in that regard since he made plain to us in a private audience that he most certainly did not approve of self-immolations.

My concern is that by seeking to use suicide as a means towards the end of achieving greater human rights in Tibet we may inadvertently perhaps be encouraging those very suicides.

I fear therefore that I will not be signing EDM 2327 nor was I prepared to be a co-signatory to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet’s recent letter to the Guardian.

Stand up for Tibet

2011-12-11T19:51:00.002Z

Urge World Leaders to Stand Up For Tibet

The Tibetan people are facing one of the darkest periods in their history of repression under Chinese rule. Only US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has spoken out publicly about the self-immolations and called for China to reform its Tibet policies. This public statement of support has given Tibetans everywhere a reason to hope. To stop this crisis other world leaders need to speak out too.
Take Action Now: Send urgent messages demanding World Leaders Stand Up For Tibet

Go to this link
http://standupfortibet.org/global-action/worldleaders/

Sacrifice by a Tibetan in Chamdo

2011-12-06T12:10:00.000Z

Phayul[Friday, December 02, 2011 07:51] By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, December 2: Various sources are now confirming that another Tibetan has set himself ablaze in Tibet in an apparent protest against the continued Chinese occupation of Tibet.

Tenzin Phuntsok, a former monk in his forties, reportedly self-immolated in Chamdo area of Tibet on Thursday. Tenzin Phuntsok is believed to have survived the self-immolation and has been taken to a local hospital.

No other details are available at the time of reporting.

Tenzin Phuntsok is being described as a former monk of the Karma monastery in Chamdo.

The entire Chamdo region, especially the Karma monastery have been facing increased repression after unconfirmed reports emerged of a bomb blast at a Chinese government building in Chamdo on October 26.

No casualties had been reported, although, following the blast, the Karma monastery was locked down and strict restrictions were placed on its monks.

Kelsang Gyaltsen, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile had told Phayul that the blast could be a plot to frame false charges against Tibetans.

"In 2001, China did the same thing, they falsely accused and jailed Trulku Tenzin Delek, an influential Tibetan religious leader on charges of a bomb blast," he said.  

The Karma monastery located on the eastern bank of the Dzachu river in Chamdo was founded by the first Gyalwang Karmapa, the head of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in the 12th century.
Repression has been intense in Chamdo, particularly since the 2008 pan-Tibet protests. The area witnessed a dramatic tightening of security and the imposition of ‘emergency’ measures by the authorities according to a notice of strategies issued by Chinese government officials in Chamdo in 2009.

The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa in a statement had called the desperate acts of self-immolation being carried out by people with pure motivation as a “cry against the injustice and repression under which they live."

While urging the Chinese leadership to "heed to Tibetans' legitimate demands,” Gyalwang Karmapa said that Beijing "needs to seriously review its policies towards Tibetans and other minorities."

This is the twelfth known case of self-immolation in Tibet since March this year.

Tibetan women delegates keep Tibet alive at Durban climate meet

2011-12-06T12:07:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, December 06, 2011 16:35]

Tibetan Women's Association delegates carrying out a protest at the ongoing world climate summit in Durban, South Africa. (Photo/TWA)

DHARAMSHALA, December 6: As world leaders accused China of throwing into "confusion" the ongoing world climate talks in Durban, South Africa, Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) representatives are providing an alternative voice for Tibet at the world’s largest climate change summit.

Tenzin Dolma, Joint secretary and Tenzin Woebum, head of the TWA Women’s Environment and Development Desk, representing Tibet Third Pole (T3P), an international working group of Tibetans and Tibet supporters formed in response to China’s environmental threat to Tibetans and Asians, arrived in Durban on November 28 to take part in the two-week Conference of Parties (COP-17) meeting from November 28 – December 9.

In a release December 5, TWA noted that NGOs, UN observers and the media at the meeting have shown “commendable interest” in the Tibet story and the Tibetan delegation has successfully kept the Tibetan agenda on “high stakes” at the conference despite China’s overwhelming influence.

“It is significant to have the Tibet voice heard in this magnanimous gathering of leaders and activists with vested interest. This is especially so when China is painting a different picture of Tibet,” said Dolma.

According to the release, the TWA delegation have proposed six key demands, which prominently include an immediate halt to all land uses that threaten the Tibetan Plateau's ecosystems, especially the plateau’s water resources; an immediate halt to the removal of Tibetan nomads from the grasslands; and a transparent, inclusive, and participatory trans-boundary resource management and decision-making mechanisms that includes all local and regional stakeholders whose lives depend on these ecosystem services, especially Tibet’s nomadic herders.

“The environmental campaigns by Tibetan delegates include lobbying Government delegates and pressuring them to include Tibet in the negotiations, addressing press conferences and public talks, and making presentations on Tibet’s waters, dams, and the plight of Tibetan nomads,” TWA said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has repeatedly urged world leaders to put global interest ahead of domestic interests when dealing with issues that affect the entire world.

“The elected government, sometimes their number one priority is nation, national economy interest, and the global issues are sometimes secondary,” the Dalai Lama had said while addressing an environment conference in Sidney two years back.

“That, I think, should change. The global issues should be number one. In some cases in order to protect global issues, some sacrifice of national interest is must”.

TWA will also be launching a new publication ‘Purging the Treasure House: Displacement and the Status of the Tibetan Nomad’ on December7 at a public event.

11,810 delegates; 1409 NGOs, 86 Inter Governmental Organisations from 200 countries are attending the meeting, working for a breakthrough on the renewal of the global environmental treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, which expires next year.

Leaked photos show Chinese brutality in Tibet

2011-12-06T12:04:00.001Z

Phayul[Sunday, December 04, 2011 21:21]

DHARAMSHALA December 4: Photos depicting China’s brutality in Tibet and the Chinese security official’s high-handed and vulgar display of power over Tibetan monks and commoners have been leaked out of Tibet.

A Chinese website based in US - boxun.com, on Friday released eight photographs of Tibetans with their hands tied at their backs, being paraded publicly in military vehicles, escorted by security officials, and kneeling on the ground. Placards with their names and their “crimes” such as “separatist” are seen hung from their necks.

Other photos also show large contingents of People's Armed Police and Special Branch of People's Armed Police carrying automatic rifles, manning the streets.
While the website didn’t provide exact locations and date of the pictures, individuals and organisations in exile have identified few of the photographs.

Speaking to Phayul, a monk at the exile base of the Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, Kanyag Tsering identified that four of the photos were from Ngaba in eastern Tibet.

“The ground where hundreds of Chinese armed security personnel are sitting is a public basketball ground in Ngaba Kriti town” Tsering told Phayul.

“The photo taken from inside a car is also in Kriti as you can visibly see the Kriti monastery stupa at the back with Chinese security officials manning the intersection with automatic rifles right at the front,” added Tsering.

Although Tsering wasn’t sure of the dates when the photographs were taken, the exiled monk recognised the houses and the streets in two other photos with armed Chinese security personnel marching in a show of power.

“The photograph showing Chinese security forces in green and blue uniform is taken near the Ngaba town court,” said Tsering.

The Kirti monastery in Ngaba and its surrounding regions have been facing growing restrictions since March this year after Phuntsog, a young Kirti monk self immolated protesting China’s occupation of Tibet and calling for the Dalai Lama’s return from exile.

Since then, eleven more Tibetans, including monks, nuns, and lay people have set their bodies on fire, the latest being Tenzin Phuntsok who set himself ablaze in Chamdo on December 1.

In the only on-ground report from Ngaba since March this year by foreign journalists, Robert Saiget, an AFP reporter in October said that “police, many carrying riot shields and armed with clubs and iron, lined the streets of the town”.

“Large groups of soldiers in camouflage carried automatic rifles, metal rods with spiked tips and fire extinguishers, while police buses, trucks and armoured personnel carriers blocked the streets,” AFP had reported in accord with the recently leaked photographs.

Writing on Facebook, the Beijing based award-winning Tibetan blogger and activist Woeser said that she was shocked to see the pictures.

“These photos clearly show the suppression of the truth of the Tibetans,” Woeser said.

How we have deployed the funds Raised

2011-11-30T21:12:00.001Z

This page shows how much we have raised and where the money has been spent.

Year 2011-2012 to date
Income

Donations and Sales into BDTSG £941

Out goings

Costs £62.26
Donations to Tibet Society £200
Donations to Tibet relief £318.75 (cows for Kids)
Donations to Students for a free Tibet £300.

We also expect to give a further £100 to a priority project of Tibet Relief.

Year 2010-2011
Income

Donations and Sales into BDTSG £716.87

Out goings

Costs £216.98
Donations to Tibet Society £0
Donations to Tibet relief £0
Stock £120

Not a good year, our main event was a talk by Thubten Samdup (Tibet Gov. in Exile Rep. in London). This was held in November when it snowed and was not well attended. The were high costs for this event and it only just broke even. The talk was good and is available on YouTube. Cash reserves were built up for further events and money was also spend on stock.

Year 2009-2010
Income

Donations and Sales into BDTSG £743

Out goings

Costs £96
Donations to Tibet Society £250
Donations to Tibet relief £350

The first year was very successful with good events: talks on Tibet plus slide shows and films. Costs were mainly on hire of premises and printing costs.

Early day motion 2327 self-Immolations in Tibet

2011-11-20T10:52:00.002Z

SELF-IMMOLATIONS IN TIBET

Session: 2010-12
Date tabled: 31.10.2011
Primary sponsor: Hamilton, Fabian
Sponsors: Bottomley, Peter, Caton, Martin, Durkan, Mark, Leech, John, Shannon, Jim

That this House is greatly saddened by the disturbing news of 10 incidents of self-immolation in eastern Tibet by young Tibetan monks, former monks and a nun, five tragically losing their lives; condemns the Chinese government's ongoing repression in Tibet that serves to exacerbate the frustration and desperation felt by the Tibetan people; calls on the Prime Minister to make a public statement of concern about this grave situation; and further calls on the Government to make urgent representations to the Chinese government to urge that it takes measures to ease the situation by withdrawing its troops from Kirti monastery, to verify the condition and whereabouts of the monks who have disappeared since self-immolating, to allow international independent observers to visit the region and to respect the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people including the right freely to practise their religion.

Note: there have now been 11 self-immolations

Take Action- Ask your MP to sign

Check to see if your MP has signed by visiting http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2327

Forced Nomad Resettlement

2011-11-18T20:55:00.000Z

Watch the Video then take action

What You Can Do -

Go to this web site and http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5380/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1306 send a letter to the party secretarys of the Chinese provinces that cover Tibet.

Tibet's Political Leader, Dr. Sangay Testifies Before US Congress

2011-11-09T21:47:00.000Z

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 12:38 Tibetan Administration Official Media. Tibet Net

Washington, DC: - The political leader (Kalon Tripa) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay's final two days of his first visit to US capital, Washington, DC since assuming office saw him keep up a hectic schedule of meetings with top congressional members and conducting various press interviews. Day four of the visit (November 3) started with a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, the young and rising Republican Senator from the important U.S. electoral state of Florida. Senator Rubio was remarkably well informed on the current situation in Tibet and demonstrated real interest on Tibet. He lamented President Obama's less than enthusiastic support for the Tibetan issue.
In a meeting of two young leaders (the Senator is 40 years old), the Senator told the Kalon Tripa that he was inspired by the Tibet cause, proud to be associated with the issue and wanted to lend his voice and support. He accepted the Kalon Tripa's invitation to visit Dharamshala. Kalon Tripa and his team came away from the meeting feeling that Tibet had made a new and important friend.
The meeting with Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) was focused on Nepal as the Congressman had recently come back from a trip to Nepal and Bhutan. Representative Chabot is the Chair of Middle East/South Asia Subcommittee. He expressed concern on the situation of Tibetans in Nepal.
In his meeting with Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Member, Foreign Operations Subcommittee, the Kalon Tripa thanked the US Congress and government for supporting various Tibetan programs and also invited her to visit Dharamshala.
A highlight of day four was the Kalon Tripa's testimony before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The hearing drew a full house of audience and three of the committee members attended. Dr. Sangay paid tribute to the late Congressman Lantos in his oral presentation and touched on the outbreak of self-immolation cases in Tibet, the transition in Tibetan political leadership, how the hardline policies of the PRC government was not working in Tibet, how the Tibet issue can be resolved, and His Holiness' recent statement on reincarnation and emanation.
Dr. Sangay was warmly welcomed by both the Co-Chairs of the commission - Representative James McGovern (D-MA) and Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA). Rep. Wolf in particular spoke out strongly against the Chinese government and described it as a "fundamentally immoral and evil government." He stated that the Chinese government was bound to fall as they had taken a page out of the playbook of Nicolae Ceaușescu of Romania.
The Congressman was particularly upset to learn that the Nepalese government had refused to issue exit passes that would allow 5000 Tibetans to immigrate to the US. He, along with Rep. McGovern, stated that they would write and summon the Nepalese ambassador in Washington, DC and request the Nepalese government to allow the Tibetans to leave Nepal. The Congressman threatened to zero out all US foreign aid to Nepal if the latter did not issue the exit visas to the Tibetans.
Another important witness testifying before the Commission was Kirti Rimpoche whose trip was organized by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Since many of the Tibetans who had committed self-immolation in Tibet were related to Kirti Monastery, CTA felt it would be beneficial for the Committee members and staff to hear directly from Rimpoche.
Immediately following the hearing, the Kalon Tripa had a meeting with Democrat Leader Pelosi, a long and steadfast friend of Tibetans, and her staff, Jonathan Stivers. Leader Pelosi expressed admiration for His Holiness in his move to transfer his political powers and welcomed the transition in Tibetan leadership to the next generation of Tibetans.

The day ended with an interview with Al Jazeera for their The Stream program.

Day five and the last day of the visit started off with interviews with VOA Mandarin service and with the VOA Tibetan television program. Kalon Tripa also met with Washington Post, which published his op-ed on the unfolding tragedy in Tibet centered around the growing cases of Tibetans committing self-immolations. The final event of the day was a reception organized by the Capital Area Tibetan Association (CATA) both for the Kalon Tripa and Kirti Rimpoche.

China rebukes Mongolia over Dalai Lama visit

2011-11-09T21:42:00.000Z

Phayul[Wednesday, November 09, 2011 20:19]
By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, November 9: China on Tuesday expressed its routine disappointment at Mongolia for allowing the Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama’s visit.

Hong Lei, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry told
reporters that Beijing has lodged its "stern representations" with Ulan Bator over the visit of the Tibetan leader reviled by Beijing as a “separatist” but admired world over as a champion of peace and a an eminent Buddhist leader.

"The Dalai Lama always uses the opportunity of furtive visits to
publicize Tibetan independence, smear the Chinese government and play
up issues related to Tibet," Lei said. "we have always opposed any
country providing a platform for the Dalai Lama to engage in
activities to split China in any form."

According to Reuters, the Mongolian government had restricted the Dalai Lama to one lecture on Tuesday in the city's new sports stadium 'Buyant-Ukhaa', built on Chinese aid. More than 6,000 devotees attended the lecture, reports suggest. "The stadium got full and thousands of devotees were outside
the stadium to listen to the Dalai Lama talk," said a Mongolian
devotee who attended the talk.

The Mongolian Transportation Minister Battulga Khaltma told reporters following a cabinet meeting that the Dalai Lama's lectures for Wednesday and Thursday will be relocated to a less controversial location.

However, Choijamtsa, the head of Gandhan Tegchiling monastery in Mongolia, who is one of the core organisers of the visit said that they are determined to go ahead with the planned lectures at the decided venues.

"This is Mongolian territory and Mongolian property and we are going
to do it even if others oppose it," said Choijamtsa.

Don't cut Tibet, Tibetans tell India's censor board

2011-11-09T21:38:00.000Z

Phayul[Tuesday, November 08, 2011 11:50] By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, November 8: A decision by the Film Certification Board of India to blur out Tibetan national flag and free Tibet banner from the much anticipated Bollywood film ‘Rockstar’ by noted director Imtiaz Ali, known for his hit films like ‘Jab We Met’ (Tibetan dancers’ hip shaking moves to ‘Yeh Ishq Hai’ number alongside Kareena Kapoor) has sparked off protests by Tibetan exiles here.

Imtiaz Ali, one of Bollywood’s young successful directors, has been asked by the Censor board of India to either blur out the images or remove them completely from the film that will hit theatres on November 11, 2011.

The India Chapter of the Students for Free Tibet (SFT) Monday staged a protest against the Censor Board of India which it accused of “grotesque violation of free speech”.

"It is extremely disturbing that such a grotesque violation of freedom of speech is happening in the world's largest democracy," said Dorjee Tseten, director of SFT, India. “By caving in to Chinese pressure, the Censor Board is allowing China to threaten the freedom and liberties that Indians enjoy.”

However, television promotion of the film and the song “Sadda Haq, ethey rakh” (put here, my right) with the Tibetan national flag not blurred out can still be seen on various television channels.

Dorjee said that it is a matter of speech for the Indians and a matter of survival for the Tibetans. "We won't let the freedom of speech kowtow to Chinese pressure," said Dorjee, urging the people of India to join the Tibetans in protecting the freedom of speech and expression.

Exile Tibetans and supporters protest against Film Certification Board of India for their decision to blur out Tibetan flags and 'Free Tibet' banners in the Bollywood film 'Rockstar', Dharamshala, India. November 7, 2011 (Phayul photo/Norbu Wangyal)

“Tibetans are dying for freedom. In the last eight months, eleven Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire in protest against Chinese rule,” said Dorjee. “At this critical time – when Tibetans are suffering so desperately under Chinese repression – one would expect India to be promoting and protecting the Tibetan people’s basic human rights, not censuring their struggle in a free country simply because China demands it be done.”

Activists with Students for a Free Tibet are planning rallies and actions in several cities, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Calcutta and Dharamsala, to protest the “controversial” decision by Censor Board of India.

Members from the SFT will head for Mumbai to meet CEO of the Censor Board and the filmmaker.

Social networking sites like facebook and twitter are being bombarded with tweets and posts expressing disappointment at the censor board’s decision. “Outraged that our film censors cut a Bollywood movie's references to Tibet, violates freedom of speech, reduces us to China's level. Worse, the censors undermined our Government's standard explanation to Beijing that in our democracy we cannot control/restrict our media,” tweeted Shashi Tharoor, Member of Indian Parliament (LokSabha) and Former Under-Secretary General, United Nations.

Dalai Lama arrives in Mongolia

2011-11-09T21:36:00.002Z

Phayul[Tuesday, November 08, 2011 21:37] By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, November 8: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Mongolian capital Ulan Bator Monday on a three day visit, that has been kept confidential by the organisers until the last minute to avoid angering China.

The Dalai Lama is expected to hold several public lectures and meet with Buddhist leaders of Mongolia.

During the Tibetan leader’s last trip to Mongolia in 2002, China cut
off all train links to the country for two days in an apparent retaliation for inviting the Dalai Lama, reviled by Beijing as “a splittist”.

"This morning, an Air China flight bound for the Mongolian capital was
delayed. Officials in Beijing said weather conditions were poor,
despite sunshine in Ulan Bator," reported the BBC news service on
Tuesday.

The Mongolian government has said that the visit is neither political nor official but a religious visit on the invitation of the Dalai Lama’s devotees in Mongolia.

However, according to government sources, the president of Mongolia is likely to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Historically, Tibetans and Mongolians share a long history of priest – patron relationship. In 1578 the Mongol ruler Altan Khan bestowed the title Dalai Lama meaning ‘Ocean of Wisdom’ on Sonam Gyatso, the third in the lineage of the Dalai Lamas.

Tibetan Prayer Flags for Sale on Ebay

2011-11-09T21:05:00.001Z

We have currently raised over £50 selling Tibetan Prayer Flags on Ebay

Go to the following link if you want to buy more flags Tibetan Flags on Ebay

TAKE ACTION on Tibet

2011-11-04T23:29:00.000Z

China has to be called to account, not only to end the current crackdown in Kirti monastery, but also to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people. The British government must publicly state its concern over the current situation and, along with other international governments, persuade China to ease the increasingly tense situation by withdrawing its troops from Tibetan regions, especially from Kirti monastery, review its repressive policies in Tibet and grant universally recognised human rights to the Tibetan people.

1. Contact your MP
2. Leave a message on the FCO website
3. Write to the Chinese Ambassador
4. Sign the global pledge to Stand Up for Tibet
5. Attend the London protests at Downing Street and the Chinese Embassy (Wed 2 November)

1. Contact your MP and ask them to:
► sign Early Day Motion 2327: Self-immolations in Tibet which condemns China's ongoing repression in Tibet and calls for the Prime Minister to make a public statement of concern (read the text of EDM 2327). NB. If your MP has already signed, you can thank them for standing up for Tibet and ask that they also take the following actions. Click here to find out if they have signed
► call on the British government and the Foreign Secretary to make a public statement of concern on China's repressive policies in Tibet which, since March this year, has led to nine monks and two nuns undertaking the desperate act of self-immolation.
► write to the Chinese Ambassador in the UK urging for China to ease the situation by withdrawing its troops from Kirti monastery and respecting the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people including the right to freely practice their religion.
► to write to the Foreign Office to urge that pressure is put on China to allow international independent observers and journalists to visit Tibet and particularly Kirti monastery.
► Also ask your MP to sign the Global pledge to 'Stand up for Tibet' (see point 3)
To find your MP go to www.writetothem.com or findyourmp.parliament.uk.

2. Leave a comment on the Foreign Office website
The Foreign Office have just published their latest quarterly human rights update, which makes reference to the immolations in Tibet and that the FCO has raised the incidents with Chinese officials. Though the FCO's actions are welcome, the British government must do more. Leave a comment on the FCO website urging the British government to:
► make a robust public statement of concern, in light of the recent immolations, which calls on the Chinese government to ease tensions by withdrawing its troops from Kirti monastery in Ngaba and to review its policies in Tibet to bring an end to the oppression of the Tibetan people.
► continue to raise their concerns with their Chinese counterparts at every opportunity
► raise the self-immolations incidents with the Chinese Ministry of Religious Affairs, asking why, if there is religious freedom in Tibet as is purported, monks and nuns are undertaking such drastic forms of protest.
Click here to go to the Human Rights report update on the FCO website. The comment section is at the bottom of the page.
Further reading: Extract of FCO report & further details I Parliamentary question & response

3. Write to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, calling on the Chinese government to:
► confirm the condition and location of Lobsang Kelsang, Lobsang Kunchok, Kelsang Wangchuk and Norbu Damdrul, all of whom self-immolated in Ngaba and were taken away by security forces.
► end the military lockdown at Kirti monastery and withdraw the security forces from Ngaba.
► release all the monks and lay-people who have been detained and imprisoned since March and provide independent legal counsel for all those facing charges.
► respect the fundamental right of the Tibetans to freely practice their religion.
► review its existing policies in Tibet in order to fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a truly harmonious society.
Address: Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL.
Email: ambassador@chinese-embassy.org.uk
Note: The Embassy occassionally disables this email address (so your email is returned). If that is the case please try political@chinese-embassy.org.uk and/or press@chinese-embassy.org.uk.

Another nun burns herself to death in Tibet

2011-11-04T23:16:00.002Z

Phayul[Thursday, November 03, 2011 16:03]

By Tendar Tsering

A file photo of Peldon Choetso who died after setting herself on fire, protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet, in Tawu, Kham, eastern Tibet on November 3, 2011.

DHARAMSHALA, November 3: Phayul is receiving confirmed reports of yet another self-immolation by a Tibetan nun in Tibet.

Palden Choetso (also known as Choesang), 35, a Tibetan nun from the Gaden Choeling (also called Dharkar Choeling) near Nyitso monastery in Kham Tawo region of eastern Tibet set herself on fire today at around 12:40 pm local time.

"She died of severe burn injuries after setting herself on fire calling for freedom in Tibet," said Bawa Kalsang Gyaltsen, a member of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.

"Currently, Palden Choetso’s body has been kept at the Nyitso monastery and Chinese Armed Police have surrounded the monastery. As per latest information, the Chinese police are forcing the monks to handover the deceased’s body," added Kalsang.

This is the eleventh self-immolation in Tibet since March this year and the second instance when a nun has set herself on fire protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Coinciding with the two day G-20 submit in France beginning today, Tibetans and Tibetan supporters in more than 60 cities in 25 countries across the world are urging world leaders to raise the urgent issue of self immolations in Tibet with the Chinese president Hu Jinaao at the G-20 summit.

"These unprecedented acts by Tibetans are the ultimate form of non-violent action and TYC recognizes these as valuable sacrifices," said Tsewang Rigzin, the president of Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)-the largest Tibetan pro-independence group in exile at the launch of the global movement.

Gabriel Lafitte on Tibetan Nomads

2011-11-02T22:01:00.000Z

Here are three video tals given by Gabriel Lafitte at the Tibetan Environment conference April 2011

Gabriel Lafitte on Tibet's Nomads (Part 1) from sftuk on Vimeo.

Gabriel Lafitte on Tibet's Nomads (Part 2) from sftuk on Vimeo.

Gabriel Lafitte on Tibet's Nomads (Part 3) from sftuk on Vimeo.

Save Tibetan Lives - AVAAZ Petition

2011-10-31T20:29:00.000Z

Days ago, Tenzin Wangmo walked out of her nunnery, covered herself in petrol and set herself on fire while pleading for a “free Tibet”. Minutes later she died -- she was just 20 years old. In the past month, seven other monks have self-immolated to protest a growing Chinese crackdown on the peaceful Tibetan people.

These tragic acts are a desperate cry for help -- machine gun toting Chinese security forces are beating and disappearing monks, laying siege to monasteries, and even killing elderly people defending them -- all in an effort to suppress Tibetan rights. China severely restricts access to the region. But if we can get key governments to send diplomats in, break the blackout, and expose this growing brutality, we could save lives.

We have to act fast -- this horrific situation is spiraling out of control behind a censorship curtain. Over and over we have seen that when diplomats themselves bear witness to atrocities, they are motivated to act, and increase political pressure. Let’s build a massive petition to the six leaders with the most influence in Beijing to send a mission to Tibet and speak out against the repression. Sign the urgent petition and send this to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/?vl

Tibetans are suffocating under China’s stranglehold. They are unable to practice their religion freely -- just downloading a photograph of the Dalai Lama can land a Tibetan in prison. And it is getting worse: columns of Chinese troops have blockaded the largest monasteries and are abducting monks in "patriotic re-education" programmes. This horrific situation is spiraling out of control.

Just yesterday another monk, Dawa Tsering, was rushed to hospital after setting himself ablaze, and with every protest China tightens it’s grip. For Tibetans, self immolations are a very severe sacrifice and reveal their level of despair. They are deeply religious and believe that if you commit suicide it has a devastating impact on the cycle of re-incarnations and may even put you back 500 lifetimes. But their situation is so horrific that they are forfeiting their position in the cycle in exchange for the hope of international attention and freedom for their brothers and sisters.

The Chinese government won't allow journalists and human rights monitors into the region -- Sky news and AFP journalists were forced out last week. But diplomats can request access and get in and, as we have recently seen in Syria, they are the best way to get first hand reports, let China know that the world is watching and start high level political conversations on Tibetans’ human rights.

It’s up to us to raise the global alarm. If we can get the US, UK, Australia, India, France and the EU to send a delegation now, they could push China to action. We have no time to lose -- sign the urgent petition and share this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/?vl

Avaaz members have supported projects that are piercing the blackout and defending Tibetan culture and religious practice. But China’s ruthless crackdown is escalating. It’s time for our whole community to take a stand together with these peaceful people sacrificing their own lives for basic rights. Let’s show them that the world has not forgotten them.

With hope and determination,

Emma, Iain, Dalia, Ricken, Diego, Shibayan, Giulia, and the whole Avaaz team

More information:

Tibetan Nun Who Set Herself On Fire Dies (Sky)
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16095074

Self-immolation 'trend' at restive Tibetan monastery (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15169007

Study points to heavy handed repression of Tibetan area in China (The New York Times) (including HRW report)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/study-points-to-heavy-handed-repression-of-tibetan-area-in-china.html

China is fuelling the fires of Tibetan resistance (Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/17/china-tibetan-resistance-self-immolation?newsfeed=true

Graph showing China’s increased spending in Tibetan regions: http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/10/12/china-end-crackdown-tibetan-monasteries

Kalon Tripa is invited to Westminster in December

2011-10-31T20:20:00.001Z

This is a snip-it from a diary account of the MPs visit to Dharamsala in September 2011. read about the entire trip at http://tibetsociety.wordpress.com/

Fabian Hamilton, on behalf of the delegation, congratulated Dr Sangay on his election as Kalon Tripa, and as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet invited Dr Sangay to a meeting at Westminster during his planned visit to London in early December. There will also be requests submitted for the Kalon Tripa to meet David Cameron, Nick Clegg and William Hague. (Tibet Society will keep supporters informed of any possible public events with the Kalon Tripa.)

A discussion was held for an hour with Dr Sangay, which covered issues such as education (and the proposed scholarship scheme), long-term strategies to strengthen the exiled Tibetan community, negotiations with the Chinese government and the exiled government’s continued commitment to seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet.

Members of the Kashag then joined us for dinner, which was hosted by Dr Sangay. MPs were able to have one-on-one discussions with Kalons (Ministers) Dicki Chhoyang, responsible for the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR); Tsering Wangchuk, Department of Health; Dongchung Ngodup, Department of Security; plus Cabinet Secretary Migyur Dorjee (a former UK Representative of the Dalai Lama), DIIR Secretary Thubetn Samphel and Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay.

The evening concluded with presentation of khatags and mementos. The Kalon Tripa presented each MP with a genuine sample of Tibetan currency, used prior to China’s invasion in 1950. Dr Sangay said this was a reminder that Tibet had been an independent country prior to the occupation. Fabian Hamilton, in return, presented Dr Sangay with a Portcullis clock (from the Houses of Parliament). Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society, presented Lobsang Sangay with a small gift and an information pack about the work of Tibet Society and some small gifts to distribute amongst the Kalons.

Fortunately, Dr Sangay’s chauffeur was present when we departed so James Gray was unable to take the Kalon Tripa’s car for a spin as he had hoped!
Links of interest:
Tibet Relief Fund – http://www.tibetrelieffund.co.uk
Tibetan Childrens Village – http://www.tcv.org.in
Common Grounds project – http://www.commongroundsproject.org
Gu Chu Sum – http://9103.org

Next Event: Tea party in Corsham

2011-10-31T10:07:00.001Z

Afternoon Tea Party

Come and enjoy a selection of ‘Jing’teas from

**** around the World ****

Sunday 20th November

3pm till 6pm

in Church House, Church Street, Corsham.

Music, lovely teas, company and cakes.

Also table top sale, Fairtrade and other stalls

Free admission. Everyone Welcome!

For Tibet Relief

We will have a selection from Teapigs:

Peppermint (Tummy Tonic)

Super Fruit ( bursting summer berries)

Darjeeling Earl Grey ( the new grey)

English Breakfast (morning glory)

From Jing:

Jasmine Silver Needle (exceptional white tea )

Organic Jade Sword (outstandingly fresh green tea)

BlackCurrant & Hibiscus ( a rich whole fruit infusion)

Chamomile Flowers ( a deeply soothing infusion)

Peppermint Leave ( a intensly refreshing digestiv)

English Breakfast ( pure assam breakfast tea)

Organic Bohea Lapsang (the original authentic Lapsang )

Other Teas
Clipper Pure Green Tea

Afternoon Ceylon (delicate and uplifting)

We also have ordinary Tea.

Fire spreads in Tibet – Monk self immolates in Kardze

2011-10-25T14:32:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Tuesday, October 25, 2011 15:56]

By Sherab Woeser
DHARAMSHALA, October 25: Phayul is receiving confirmed information from Tibet that another Tibetan monk self-immolated in an apparent protest against China’s occupation today.
According to sources in exile, Dawa Tsering a 38 year-old monk from Kardze Monastery in eastern Tibet set himself ablaze at around 9.30 am local time.
A monk from Sera Jey monastery in south India, Lobsang Dakpa, while confirming the news told Phayul that Dawa Tsering self-immolated within the walls of the Kardze Monastery.
“Dawa Tsering was engulfed in flames as he shouted slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and the re-unification of the Tibetan people,” Dakpa said.
Chinese security personnel who have been stationed in the monastery since the 2008 pan-Tibet uprisings, arrived at the scene and doused the flames.
According to sources, Dawa Tsering refused medical attention and is currently being described in critical condition with severe burn injuries.
“When the Chinese police tried to take Dawa Tsering away, he cried and pleaded not to be taken away,” Dakpa said.
As of now the situation in and around the monastery is being described as tense with monks protecting Dawa Tsering inside the monastery and armed Chinese security guards surrounding the monks and the monastery.
This is the tenth instance since March this year when Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting Beijing’s repressive policies in Tibet.

Chinese police rushed in after Tibetan flag, leaflets appeared in Serta County

2011-10-18T22:56:00.003+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Oct17, 2011) Amid escalating protests in the face of rising Chinese repression, a Tibetan national flag was seen displayed on a local Chinese police building while leaflets were pasted on both sides of the street in Khakor Township of Serta (Chinese: Seda) county in Kardze prefecture, Sichuan Province, early in the morning of Oct 13, reported RFA.org and other Tibet-related sources Oct 14-15.

The leaflets, written in Tibetan and Chinese, were reported to call for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama; they were seen pasted on the walls of other Chinese government buildings as well.

The incident was reported to have prompted a massive police deployment in the area and a hunt for those who might have carried out the clandestine overnight protest actions.

The report cited Serta Tsultrim Woeser, a native from the county who now lives in India, as saying the authorities had summoned the local Tibetans to meetings on Oct 14 for this purpose.

A similar incident had occurred on China’s National Day of Oct 1, when the authorities’ trashing of a Tibetan national flag on the Serta town street after taking it down from a four-storied building provoked a protest involving more than 200 Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama to join mass prayer gathering for self-immolating Tibetans

2011-10-18T22:51:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Tuesday, October 18, 2011 20:30]

DHARAMSHALA, October 18: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be joining a mass prayer gathering tomorrow at Tsug-la Khang in the exile seat of Dharamshala.

The day-long prayer session and hunger fast is being organised by the Kashag (cabinet) to “express solidarity with all those who lost their lives and with all other Tibetans who are incarcerated for their courage to speak up for the rights of the Tibetan people”.

Gyalwang Karmapa and Kirti Rinpoche, along with the entire staff of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) will be taking part in the prayer session.

Since March this year, nine Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet, protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Lobsang Phuntsok (20), Tsewang Norbu (29), Khaying (18), Choephel (19), and Tenzin Wangmo (20) have all succumbed to their injuries, while there is no information on the well being and whereabouts of Lobsang Kelsang (18), Lobsang Kunchok (19), Kelsang Wangchuk (17), and Norbu Damdul (19).

Announcing the jointly planned activities in India and the world-at-large with the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay last week called upon “all Tibetans and Tibet supporters in the free world to join efforts and organise activities in their respective regions”.

“We appeal to the United Nations, freedom-loving countries and people around the world to show their support and solidarity with the Tibetan people at this critical stage,” Dr Sangay said.

“Given the undeclared martial law in Tibet and the increasing cases of self-immolation, the international community must press the government of People's Republic of China to restore freedom and resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue … we urge the international community and the media to send fact-finding delegations to ascertain the situation on the ground inside Tibet.”

Tibetan exile administration begins solidarity movement

2011-10-18T22:50:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Tuesday, October 18, 2011 19:39]

By Tendar Tsering

35 Tibetan lawmakers began a 24-hour hunger fast in the Indian capital New Delhi led by Speaker Penpa Tsering (l) and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel (r) on October 18, 2011.

DHARAMSHALA, October 18: A group of 35 Tibetan parliamentarians are currently sitting on a 24-hour hunger fast in the Indian capital city of New Delhi.

Led by Speaker Penpa Tsering and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Tibetan lawmakers are marking a day’s protest in the heart of the national capital to show solidarity with the sacrifices being made by Tibetans inside Tibet under the banner of Tibetan Solidarity Movement.

"35 Tibetan parliamentarians are observing fast in Delhi and other parliamentarians are leading solidarity campaigns in other regional areas," said B. Tsering, a spokesperson for the movement.

The recently announced Tibetan Solidarity Movement is a joint campaign of the Kashag (cabinet) and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile to express solidarity and grave concern over the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008, particularly, the recent tragic acts of self -immolation.

Prior to the fast, Tibetan parliamentary delegations visited numerous embassies in the capital and met with political and spiritual leaders, lobbying for support for the grievances raised by Tibetans inside Tibet.

The fasting parliamentarians will also lead a candle light vigil later in the day at Jantar Mantar in memory of the nine Tibetans who have self immolated since March this year.

As part of the movement, around 3000 Tibetans from all over India and Nepal will take part in the Global Solidarity Fast at Rajghat tomorrow followed by a peace march led by Tibetan Monks and Nuns.

The massive protests are planned till Friday, but it might continue depending on the situation inside Tibet.

A Tibetan parliamentary delegation met with Yashwant Sinha, former union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader in New Delhi as part of raising support for the grievances of the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Dharamshala, last Friday, Kalon Tripa Dr Sangay said that the “Tibetan parliament and Kashag will continue to have dialogue on what else to do in weeks and months to come”.

Addressing the press earlier today, Speaker Penpa Tsering urged the People's Republic of China to review its existing policies in Tibet in order to fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a “truly harmonious society”.

"We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation inside Tibet that has driven the Tibetans to such desperate acts," Tsering told reporters following the fiery death of a 20-year old nun Tenzin Wangmo in Ngaba, eastern Tibet yesterday.

“The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile urges the UN to call on China to genuinely uphold the international human rights standards and allow international independent fact-finding delegations and media to visit Tibet and in particularly Kirti monastery, the nerve centre of the recent self-immolations."

20,000 Chinese officials in Tibetan villages for patriotic education

2011-10-18T22:47:00.003+01:00

Phayul[Tuesday, October 18, 2011 18:10]

By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, October 18: In wake of the fiery episode of self-immolations in Tibet, China is reportedly planning to send 20,000 Chinese officials to Tibetan villages in the so called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to “re-sculpture the minds of Tibetans”.

"These Chinese officials will stay one year in the Tibetan villages to espouse patriotism and love for China," said Bawa Kalsang Gyaltsen, a member of Tibetan parliament and a China expert based in Dharamshala, the seat of Tibetan administration in exile.

According to Gyaltsen, Chinese national flags and photos of Chinese leaders in large quantity will be distributed in all Tibetan villages.
"Usually Tibetans in the villages put up photos of Chinese leaders on the altars and walls when Chinese officials visit the villages and pull them down once they leave," said Gyaltsen.

“But now, under constant watch, the villagers would be facing greater repression.”

This move of penetrating Tibetan villages is amongst the many policies being employed by the newly appointed Chinese party boss in Tibet, Chen Quanguo.

Chinese government’s patriotic re-education campaigns in Tibetan monasteries and nunneries have been widely opposed by Tibetans and condemned by international observers. It is to be seen how Tibetan villages, which have an ethnic Tibetan majority unlike bigger towns and cities in TAR react to the new policy.

Human Rights Watch in a press release last week had said that repressive policies and provocative policing techniques by the Chinese authorities were responsible for greater unrest and escalating tensions in the region.

In this year alone, nine Tibetans, including a 20-year old nun, set themselves on fire protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Situation in Tibet spiraling out of control

2011-10-18T22:46:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Monday, October 17, 2011 23:35]

By Sherab Woeser

Tibet Burning: A campaign poster calling world's attention and support for the sacrifices being made by Tibetans inside Tibet.

DHARAMSHALA, October 17: Reports coming out of Tibet confirm the demise of yet another Tibetan, this time a nun, after she torched her body in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Tenzin Wangmo, around 20 years of age, set herself on fire at around 1 pm local time in the Ngaba region of eastern Tibet today.

The exile base of Kirti Monastery, citing eyewitnesses, in a release today said that Tenzin Wangmo self immolated on a crossroad near her monastery, the Mamae Dechen Choekhorling Nunnery, about 3 kms away from Ngaba County.

“Tenzin Wangmo was engulfed in flames as she marched on the streets for nearly 7 to 8 minutes raising slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and religious freedom in Tibet,” the release said.

Tenzin Wangmo died immediately.

According to the release, nuns from the Mamae nunnery carried Tenzin Wangmo’s body to the nunnery and despite repeated warnings from Chinese security personnel, refuse to give possession of the deceased’s body.

“The Chinese authorities have given the nuns an ultimatum to either hand over the deceased’s body or bury Tenzin Wangmo’s body by tonight,” the release said.

The situation around Mamae nunnery, which is the largest nunnery in the Ngaba region with over 350 nuns, is being described as tense.

This is the ninth incidence in this year alone when a Tibetan has been driven to the extreme sacrifice of burning one’s own body as a last resort of peaceful action against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet.

The first 17 days of October has already witnessed five self-immolations in Ngaba region.

Khaying, Choephel, and Tenzin Wangmo succumbed to their injuries while Kesang Wangchuk is being described in critical condition. There is no information as yet on the whereabouts of Norbu Damdul who was last seen being taken away by Chinese security personnel on October 15.

The Central Tibetan Administration in a release earlier today said that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be presiding over the “grand prayer service to mourn the tragic self-immolations in Tibet” scheduled for October 19 in Dharamshala, north India.

Two Tibetans shot as unrest spreads

2011-10-18T22:44:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Monday, October 17, 2011 23:53]

By Sherab Woeser

DHARAMSHALA, October 17: Two Tibetans were shot for staging a peaceful demonstration demanding an end to China’s occupation of Tibet yesterday.

Multiple sources with links inside Tibet are confirming the incidence that occurred outside a police station in Serthar County, Kardze, eastern Tibet.

According to sources, a group of Tibetans gathered outside the police station and started raising slogans demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Reacting to the peaceful demonstration, Chinese security personnel started firing at the crowd, injuring two and arresting seven.

The UK based group, Free Tibet in a report identified the two as Dawa and Druklo and said that “one was shot in the leg, the other in the torso”.

“It is not known why security personnel opened fire, nor are there further details about the wellbeing and whereabouts of Dawa and Druklo, but it has been reported that they were taken from the scene by the local community,” the group said.

Serthar County had recently witnessed repeated shows of discontent over Beijing’s heavy-handed rule.

On October 1, a huge portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a Tibetan national flag were unfurled from the top of a building in the central town of Serthar. Chinese authorities’ removal of the portrait and flag entailed an impromptu demonstration by over 200 Tibetans.

Later on October 13, a huge Tibetan national flag and flyers demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader and freedom in Tibet were pasted outside Chinese security and administrative offices in the region.

Following the announcement of campaigns by the exile administration to show solidarity with the sacrifices being made by Tibetans inside Tibet, beginning with the 24-hour hunger strike by Tibetan parliamentarians tomorrow in the Indian capital of New Delhi, calls for action have also been made from inside Tibet.

Sources say that envelopes containing a “call for action” on October 19 are being distributed at restaurants and shops in the Serthar region.

Monks sentenced in Ngaba in connection with Phuntsog's death

2011-10-09T22:09:00.001+01:00

From FreeTibet.Org: Ngaba prison terms

Monks sentenced in Ngaba in connection with Phuntsog's death

China has sentenced six monks, in connection with the death of Phuntsog, a monk from Kirti Monastery, Ngaba County who died on 17 March after setting himself on fire. All six monks were very closely related to Phuntsog.

UPDATE Three monks were sentenced in September. Two of them Dorjee, only 16 and Tseko, 22 are said to be Phuntsog's best friends. Lobsang Darjee is one of Phuntsog's brothers. The charges against are not known. All three were sentenced to re-eduation through labour. Re-education through labour is a system of administrative detention in China, issued by the police not a judicial court. In 2008 the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture concluded that re-education through labour is " systematic form of inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, if not torture".

Photo: Tibet Post

Lengthy prison sentences

Three monks were sentenced in August to lengthy prison sentences. Phuntsog’s uncle, Tsundue was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for “intentional homicide” which included delaying treatment. Tsering Tamding, 22 and Lobsang Tenzin, 21 were sentenced to 13 and 10 years respectively for “plotting and assisting” in the self-immolation.

Chinese state media reports that the three monks ‘confessed to their crimes’ raises the risk they were ill-treated while in custody and may have been subject to degrading treatment or even torture.

The charge that other monks instigated and assisted Phuntsog have been rigorously denied by a spokesperson at Kirti Monastery in Dharamsala, India and do not reflect the non-violent nature of Tibetan opposition to China’s occupation.

Although it has been impossible to confirm exactly what led to the delays in Phuntsog being taken to hospital, we can only speculate that this was informed by concerns that Phuntsog might be taken into detention.

Tabe, another monk from Kirti monastery who set himself on fire in 2009 was detained at the scene and his whereabouts remain unknown. Tabe’s parents are able to visit him at the invitation of authorities but for very limited periods. Tabe has also been used for propaganda purposes. In July this year he was interviewed on a local TV channel where he said he regretted what he did. It is not possible to confirm if Tabe gave the interview under duress.

Tabe lying on the street surrounded by armed police in February 2009

Free Tibet believes that these prosecutions are part of a wider pattern of abuses in response to the acts of self-immolation, which are aimed at preventing further acts of protest as well as deterring people from disseminating information within Tibet and externally, including to the international media who are unable to report freely from Tibet. The acts of self immolation secured global media coverage exposing how desperate some Tibetans have become, in direct conflict with the images and rhetoric the Chinese state promotes.

20-year-old Lobsang Tenzin alias Tenjam was sentenced to 10 years in prison on 30 August 2011.

It is understood that anyone closely associated with any of the three monks who self-immolated are “under intense pressure”. According to Chinese state media, a monk accused of emailing a photograph of Phuntsog to ‘a monk living abroad’ will be sentenced shortly. Another monk from Kirti monastery, Gotsang Jamyang, is already serving a 6-year sentence for sending information about Tabe’s self –immolation in 2009. Two monks from Nyitso monastery, where Tsewang Norbu resided before he self-immolated in August, have also been detained on unknown charges. Following the 2008 protests, there was a similar spate of sentences for those accused of sharing information, including a life sentence for a young Tibetan NGO worker in Lhasa, accused of emailing information about the protests overseas.

Enough is enough: A call for global campaign for Tibet

2011-10-09T21:56:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Saturday, October 08, 2011 22:16]

By Sherab Woeser

'Light a lamp for Tibetan Martyrs'. Tibetan NGOs in Dharamshala light candles remembering the fiery sacrifices of Tibetans inside Tibet on October 8, 2011. (Photo/SFT India)

DHARAMSHALA, October 8: Following the tragic incidents of self immolations in Tibet and a benumbed unresponsiveness from the exile Tibetan administration, a global coalition of Tibetans and supporters are planning a mass mobilisation at Chinese embassies across the world on Wednesday November 2.

Under the banner “ENOUGH! Global Intervention to Save Tibetan Lives”, the International Tibet Network (ITN) is calling on its member networks, which exceed 180 organisations worldwide, to “visibly lobby and pressure their governments to make a joint statement, collectively démarche China about the situation in Ngaba, and institute a multi-lateral mechanism that can progress future strategy on Tibet.”

In an urgent appeal letter, ITN is urging Tibet Support Groups to take part in a step by step process to build political pressure on China, through lobbying respective governments and increasing grassroots support as a build up to the G20 summit in France from November 3 – 4. President Hu Jintao will be representing China at the G20 summit.

Reminding its member organisations that “Tibet and Tibetans need a roar of support from the international community,” ITN warned that unless the international community intervenes, these “desperate acts may continue”.

“We believe that the desperation behind these immolations warrants a large scale international response, both to put pressure on China to address Tibetans' legitimate grievances, and to show Tibetans in Tibet that we have heard them and are responding to their anguish,” ITN said.

In a call for campaign, Tenzin Dorjee, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and one of the main organisers of the campaign said that China's “systematic repression and tyrannical rule” in Tibet was driving Tibetans to take extreme actions.

“While these young men have decided to sacrifice their lives, it's not an escape from life's suffering they are seeking. It's freedom. Not only for themselves, but for their nation”, Dorjee said.

Pushing for a coordinated international response to condemn China’s repressive measures in Tibet, Dorjee encouraged Tibetans and Tibet supporters to take part in the global campaign.

“On November 3-4, Chinese President Hu Jintao will sit with world leaders in Cannes, France at the G20 summit. On Wednesday, November 2nd, we're calling for a mass mobilisation in Cannes, France and cities around the world to intensify the pressure on China.”

Yesterday, two Tibetans, Choephel and Khayang, both in their late teens had torched their bodies, continuing the fiery episode of anti-China protests. While Choephel is feared dead, Khayang is reportedly in serioius condition.

Earlier, leaflets had surface in Ngaba town and Kirti Monastery warning that “if the present situation continued, many more people were prepared to give their lives in protest.”

Dalai Lama addresses Tutu as 'man of God', wishes him 'Happy birthday'

2011-10-09T21:53:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Saturday, October 08, 2011 17:24]

By Tendar Tsering

A screen shot of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's video message for Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his 80th birthday.

DHARAMSHALA October 8: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama wished his fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu a “very happy birthday” in a 6 minute video message.

"Very, very dear elder spiritual brother and Nobel Laureate Archbishop Tutu," began the Dalai Lama with folded hands.

"I wish you very happy birthday to you with this traditional scarf, and I pray for your long life and health body," said the Dalai Lama in the video message sent to Tutu on his 80th birthday.

Expressing his regret at not being able to attend the birthday celebrations in person, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that he was eagerly looking forward to meeting Tutu.

“I am very very eager and looking forward to see you personally as this is one of the opportunity. I just waited till day before yesterday, but then there was a clear sign. My representative in New Delhi approached the Africa mission there, but till even last day there was no answer. So then I felt this is a clear sign that your government feels very inconvenient. Therefore, I canceled my visit,” the Dalai Lama said.

The 76-year old Tibetan spiritual leader also expressed his sadness at not being able to meet the stalwart African leader Nelson Mandela.

"I am very sad and very much hoping this time to see Nelson Mandela, who is now very old. So now I doubt whether I can have another occasion to meet him.”

However, addressing Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama said, "You, Mr Tutu, my brother, although 80, because of your spirit and firm moral principle, always carry the message of love, compassion, peace, and non-violence. So you are truly man of god. So I am hoping for another opportunity to meet you.”

In his message, the Dalai Lama also acknowledged Archbishop Tutu’s commitment towards love and compassion, addressing him as an example for the younger generation.

“So, you are one of the important person who is really showing proper way, right way, from your own previous experience. Please take care your health,” the Dalai Lama concluded.

More heartbreaking news from Tibet, Two Tibetans self immolate

2011-10-09T21:50:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Friday, October 07, 2011 15:52]

By Sherab Woeser

DHARAMSHALA, October 7: Reports coming out of Tibet confirm that two more Tibetans set themselves on fire today in an apparent anti-China protest. One is feared dead while the other is being described in serious condition.

This is the third incident in a week following the self immolation of Kesang Wangchuk on Monday, when Tibetans have been forced to commit the ultimate sacrifice of setting their bodies on fire as a last resort of peaceful action against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet. Last week, two monks, Lobsang Kalsang and Lobsang Konchok had set themselves ablaze.

The exile base of Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, in a release today describe the two as Choephel aged 19 and Khayang (Lhungyang) aged 18, both former monks of Ngaba Kirti Monastery in eastern Tibet.

“At around 11.30 am Tibet time, Choephel and Khayang set themselves ablaze in the central town of Ngaba district. With hands joined in prayers, both of them raised anti-China slogans,” the statement said.

Eyewitnesses have told sources in exile that Choephel and Khayang were engulfed in flames as they called for Tibetans to unite and rise up against the Chinese regime and raised slogans for Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

“Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and started beating the two indiscriminately while dousing the fire,” the report said.

“Even while they were being taken to the hospital, Khayang was seen throwing his fist in the air, raising slogans,” the report added.

It is feared that Choephel succumbed to his injuries half an hour later.

This is the sixth incidence in the year and the third in October alone when Tibetans have self immolated as a last desperate measure to draw international attention and support on the deteriorating situation inside Tibet. Earlier, leaflets had surface in Ngaba town and Kirti Monastery warning that “if the present situation continued, many more people were prepared to give their lives in protest.”

UK MPs: ‘We share the pain of self immolating Tibetans’

2011-10-09T21:44:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Saturday, October 08, 2011 16:36]

By Tendar Tsering

A visiting delegation of UK Parliamentarians led by Labour MP Fabian Hamilton, who is also the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet holding a press conference at DIIR Lhapka Tsering Hall on October 7, 2011. (Phayul Photo/Norbu Wangyal)

DHARAMSHALA, October 8: Reacting to reports of two more self immolations by teenaged Tibetans in eastern Tibet earlier today, a group of visiting UK Member of Parliaments said that they felt and shared the “terrible pain” of the Tibetans in taking the decision to self immolate.

“We have an obligation to work way in every way possible to take action that would make it less likely that people are driven to take their own lives. We have to work in every way possible to give hope to the Tibetans that they would get the dignity to live their natural life,” said MP Simon Hughes who is part of a five-member UK Parliamentary delegation visiting the Tibetan exile seat of Dharamshala, north India.

The delegation had met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay and his cabinet colleagues, various community and NGO leaders, and also new comers from Tibet at the Tibetans Reception Centre during their stay.

The Parliamentary delegation led by Labour MP Fabian Hamilton, who is also the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet, wrapped up their five-day visit with a press conference yesterday.

Reaffirming their continued support for Tibet, the UK lawmakers announced a proposed programme of granting scholarships to Tibetan students from Tibet in UK universities.

“We discussed with His Holiness the Dalai Lama the prospect of having Tibetan students from Tibet in various universities in England and the prospect of raising more awareness about the plight of Tibet by reaching through to the Chinese people,” MP Hamilton told reporters.

The visiting Parliamentarians also said that the will make effort to “introduce a Tibetan Language news service in the BBC” while adding that it would be “a hugely difficult task.”

When asked about the then UK Foreign Secretary David Milband's comment on Tibet "being a part of China" in 2008, Hamilton defended British foreign policy saying that even “the Dalai Lama agrees and prefers for Tibet to remain under China as an autonomous region."

However, after the press conference the UK lawmaker told Phayul that he do agree that "Tibet was an independent nation in the hearts of the world though not in the documents of the nations across the world."

When asked if his government would recognise the Tibetan Government-in-Exile if Tibetans appealed, Hamilton said “most possibly, yes.”

Kalon Tripa is scheduled to visit UK at the end of this year.

Car Boot Sales at Lacock,

2011-08-30T16:53:00.001+01:00

We have done 2 car boot sales in the last month (August) at Lacock in Wiltshire which raised a total of £109. There was also a lot of interest with the stall and we took several donations. Our thanks to Claudia who was the driving force that made it happen.

Coming up is a Stall in Bath outside the Abbey on Saturday 10^th September.

We are also organising a tea party in November. Watch this space.

ICT Prisoner File

2011-08-03T22:40:00.002+01:00

This document accompanies the list of prisoners detailed in ICT’s latest prisoner list, which is updated regularly. The prisoner list at http://www.savetibet.org/files/documents/Prisoner_File_and_Woeser_tribute_041709.pdf includes only Tibetans detained after March 2008, but the document below includes cases of Tibetans sentenced before then. ICT has been able to identify more than 600 people who have been detained since protests began across the Tibetan plateau on March 10, 2008. We believe that some of those Tibetans have since been released, usually after undergoing extremely brutal treatment while in detention. The list below provides more detail on individuals named on the full prisoner list.
There are many hundreds of names we have not been able to confirm due to the Chinese authorities’ efforts to block information flow. ICT’s prisoner list includes names in Chinese and will be updated to include Tibetan names and further information as it becomes available. Prisoners serving sentences imposed after March 2008

Sangye Lhamo (F), nun, 26
Tsewang Kando (F), nun, 38
Yeshi Lhadon (F), nun, 24
- All from a related case in Kardze county

Details: Sangye Lhamo, a 26-year-old nun from Serchuteng township, Kardze (Chinese: Ganzi) county, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), Sichuan province, was detained on May 28, 2008 along with two other nuns from Dragkar nunnery in Kardze, Tsewang Kando, 38, also from Serchuteng township, and Yeshi Lhadon, 24, from Tsozhi village, Kardze county. The three 2 were detained following a peaceful demonstration in the town market square where they distributed leaflets. The three nuns are currently being held in Kardze town and have been denied family visitation, according to recent reports received from relatives. An image of Sangye Lhamo is available and can be viewed on p. 64 of ICT’s report, Tibet at a Turning Point: www.savetibet.org/files/documents/Tibet_at_a_Turning_Point.pdf. An image of Yeshi Lhadon can be viewed on p. 118 of the same report.

Imprisonment of a master printer in his eighties: Paljor Norbu
Eighty-one-year old Paljor Norbu, pictured, who ran a family printing business in Lhasa, was tried in secret in November 2008 and sentenced to seven years in prison. Norbu, was taken by the police from his home in Lhasa on October 31, 2008, possibly on suspicion that he had printed "prohibited material," including the banned Tibetan flag. During his detention, judicial authorities refused to inform his relatives that he was being detained, or to reveal the charges against him. His current whereabouts are unknown. Paljor Norbu is a renowned master printer, and his family printing business in the Barkhor had printed and published Buddhist texts for monasteries for some generations. He used both modern and traditional woodblock printing techniques in his workshop, which employed several dozen workers. In addition to religious texts, the shop printed prayer flags, folk reproductions, books, leaflets, and traditional literature. The business has now been shut down by the Public Security Bureau (PSB), which also took many of the wooden printing blocks. This indicates that he is not accused of involvement in any protests from March 10 onwards in Lhasa, but possibly in providing publications. Paljor Norbu is known to be a “very modest, quiet person.” He is widely considered as an elder by other printers in Lhasa, and so highly respected. According to High Peaks Pure Earth, before 1959, he traveled to various important monasteries such as Tashilhunpo, seat of the Panchen
Lama, and Narthang in order to supervise printing of Buddhist texts. In Narthang, he supervised the printing of one set of the 224-volumes of the famous Narthang Tengyur (Snar thang Bstan ’gyur), an order from the Fifth Jamyang Shepa (1916-1947), the famous head of Labrang Monastery and book collector. It took him ten trips from Lhasa to Narthang to supervise the process.

Human Rights Watch said that Norbu was not granted even the minimal rights that are supposed to be provided under Chinese criminal procedures. Violations included the failure to notify his family of his formal arrest or of the trial date; the refusal to reveal where he was detained; the failure to allow him defense representation of his choice in court; the failure to communicate the full verdict of the trial; and, the refusal to inform the family of his current whereabouts and of where he will serve his prison term.

Jigme Guri, monk, 42
Senior monk Jigme Gyatso (or Gyuri), whose account of a period in detention following the March protests in his monastery, Labrang (Chinese: Xiahe) was videoed and uploaded on YouTube, was seized by armed police on November 4 last year and is being held in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. There are fears for his welfare, particularly as he was beaten unconscious during a 42-day period of imprisonment starting from March 22 last year. Jigme Guri (also known under the honorifics 'Akhu' Jigme and Lama Jigme), deputy director of his monastery's 'Democratic Management Committee' and Director of Labrang's Vocational
School, was taken from his monk's quarters at Labrang on November 4, 2008 by around 70 police. This is Jigme Guri's third detention. Jigme Guri gave an authoritative account of his earlier detention on a video in which he shows his face and gives his full identity. Jigme Guri had not taken part in the protests at Labrang on March 14 and 15, but the authorities suspected him of being a ring-leader. In a video account later posted onto YouTube, which is now subtitled in English, Jigme described how on March 22, while he was waiting on the street near his monastery for his shoes to be mended, he was dragged into a white van by four uniformed guards. He was taken to a guest-house run by local paramilitary police near Labrang, in Sangchu (Chinese: Xiahe) county, Kanlho (Chinese: Gannan) TAP, Gansu province. Jigme's account of his ordeal was broadcast on Voice of America after they obtained a copy of the video, and is available as an English transcript at:
http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2008/09/voa-video-testimony-of-labrang-monk.html. Jigme’s testimony included details on prison conditions for monks from Labrang monastery that protested in front of a delegation of foreign journalists on April 10, 2008: “Monks who spoke to some reporters were beaten with batons and had their legs broken; on some, they used electric batons on their heads and in their mouths - the electric baton affected their brains and some have become disabled... driven to a type of insanity.”
After the video was released, Jigme went into hiding. It was only when he returned to Labrang that he was again detained from his monk’s quarters on November 4, 2008. A source told the London Times: “We don’t believe they gave any reason for his arrest. They came at lunchtime when most of the monks were in their rooms and there were fewer people around.”

Notes on protests, arrests in Tibet

2011-08-03T22:30:00.004+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Jul21, 2011) A monk named Dorgay, aged 22, was arrested Jul 6 from Zhabten Monastery in Dekyi Township of Nagchu County, Tibet, after he tied Tibetan ceremonial scarves on trees, electric poles and everywhere else in the country, traveling in his car loaded with 1,500 to 2000 scarves. The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy, Dharamsala, said Jul, 16 the monk carried out the action to mark the Dalai Lama’s 76th birthday.

The monk’s whereabouts remain unknown, as is the case with a schoolboy relative of his who accompanied him in his car and was also arrested.

* * *

Two girls – Tashi Palmo, 16, and Pema Yangzom, 19 – both students at the Kardze Middle School and belonging to Norzin village in Kardze County of Sichuan Province were in critical conditions after they were severely beaten by Chinese police for staging a protest in the county market on Jul 12. The girls were reported to have shouted for Tibet’s independence and the Dalai Lama’s return.

Citing Lobsang Dhondup, a monk at Sera Je’s Tehor Khangtsen in the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe, Karnataka state, India, Phayul.com said Jul 18 the beating was witnessed by local Tibetans and that the critically maimed girls were denied medical attention.

Ngawang Phuntsok, 34, was severely beaten and arrested with several other Tibetans after they staged a protest and shouted slogans against Chine rule in the main Kardze town in Sichuan Province on Jul 15, reported the exile Tibetan administration-run Tibet.net Jul 20.

The report also said that on Jul 10, – Samphel Dhondup, 23; Lobsang Phuntsok, 17; Lobsang Lhundup and a fourth Tibetan youth were severely beaten and arrested as they started a protest in the Karze same market area.

* * *

Ngawang Phuntsok, 34, was severely beaten and arrested with several other Tibetans after they staged a protest and shouted slogans against Chinese rule in the main Kardze town in Sichuan Province on Jul 15, reported the exile Tibetan administration-run Tibet.net Jul 20.

The report also said that on Jul 10, Samphel Dhondup, 23; Lobsang Phuntsok, 17; Lobsang Lhundup and a fourth Tibetan youth were severely beaten and arrested as they staged a protest in the same market area.

Visiting Chinese VP warns Tibet’s monks against separatism

2011-08-03T22:27:00.004+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Jul22, 2011) Visiting Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) for celebrations marking its 60th annexation anniversary, China’s Vice President Xi Jinping on Jul 20 told a carefully selected and controlled crowd of more than 100 monks, as well as “representatives from the religious circle”, at Jokhang temple in Lhasa to "stay clear from" separatist forces. Calling Tibet an inalienable part of China since ancient times, he lauded the people from the religious circle for having helped maintain social stability, national integrity and ethnic unity, reported China’s official Xinhua news agency Jul 20.

"The Party and the government will not forget your positive contributions," Xi was quoted as saying, urging them to carry on the patriotic spirit, stay in line with the Party and the government, and strive for Tibet's development and the improvement of the people's living standards.

The report noted that the temple was located near Lhasa's downtown streets which were hit hardest by the deadly riots on Mar 14, 2008. It added that the involvement of monks in the alleged violence had prompted the authorities to launch a year-long legal education campaign in the TAR’s 505 monasteries to raise the legal awareness of monks and nuns and dissuade them from being duped by separatist forces and ensure the normal practice of Buddhism.

A couple of weeks after the demonstrations in Lhasa, a group of monks at the Jokhang temple staged a brief protest in front of visiting foreign reporters, expressing support for the Dalai Lama. They shouted down a Chinese official who was briefing the journalists on the recent unrest, and said: "We want the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, we want to be free," AFP Jul 20 quoted one of the journalists as having said at the time.

The Xinhua report said the Jokhang holds important Buddhist events, such as the selection for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, referring to the Nov 1995 selection of the Chinese government dictated Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu.

The more than 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple houses a life-sized statue of Buddha Shakyamuni as a 12-year-old, brought to Tibet by the Tang princess Wencheng when she was given away in marriage to Tibet’s powerful 7th century king Songtsen Gampo.

Popular resentment forces China appointed Panchen to cancel visit

2011-08-03T22:23:00.003+01:00

Phayul[Saturday, July 30, 2011 18:50]

Widespread resentment from local Tibetans resulted in the cancellation of a long-planned trip by Gyaltsen (Ch. Gyaincain) Norbu, the China appointed 11th Panchen Lama to the Amdo region of Tibet this month, reports confirm.

Threats of pay-cuts and extermination from jobs failed to deter local Tibetan officials from complying with Chinese government decree to prepare a grand welcome for the 21-year old Gyaltsen Norbu.

“Fake” Panchen, a term popularly used to describe the boy handpicked by the Chinese government was scheduled to visit the Labrang monastery in Sangchu county amidst tight security. Over a thousand Chinese police and security forces, including plainclothes police, were reportedly stationed around the monastery as preparatory measures.

Citing sources in the region, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that Tibetan laypeople and monks at the monastery were unhappy when they heard about the proposed visit.

“For now, because of widespread discontent among the local Tibetans—both laypeople and the monks at Labrang—preparations appear to have been suspended,” RFA quoted a Tibetan man from Labrang as saying.

The report said that Tibetan staff at the local government offices refused to cooperate during the preparations for the visit even after strict warnings from the Chinese authorities.

“Chinese authorities ordered Tibetan staff at the Sangchu county offices to be ready to welcome him joyously, and offer scarves and prostrations," the report quoted the source in Labrang.

"Many were unwilling to do this, and authorities threatened to cut their salaries or even fire them if they refused to attend.”

This is not the first time when the vice president of China's state-run Buddhist Association had faced popular boycott by Tibetans. A similar situation of mass public boycott was reported a few years ago when the Chinese government brought Gyaltsen Norbu to Labrang.

China appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 after His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised Gendun Choekyi Nyima, a six-year old boy from Lhari, Tibet as the 11th reincarnation in the Panchen Lama lineage.

Gendun Choekyi Nyima and his family were arrested shortly and disappeared. Since then China has refused to acknowledge their whereabouts.

Bold report by Beijing scholars reveals breakdown of China’s Tibet policy

2011-08-03T22:15:00.000+01:00

From International Campaign For Tibet

Report reflects demands for greater state and Party accountability

A bold and remarkable new report by a group of Chinese scholars in Beijing challenges the official position that the Dalai Lama “incited” the protests that broke out in Tibet in March 2008, and outlines key failings in the policy of the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Tibet. The report, which is translated into English by ICT below, is the first such analysis from inside China and comes at a time of crackdown in Tibet when the PRC government is taking an increasingly hardline position against the Dalai Lama.

Until now, the report which was posted online on May 12, 2009, has appeared only online in Chinese and it is unlikely to be disseminated publicly in China. It is the result of a month-long investigation by a Beijing-based lawyers’ organization and thinktank called Gongmeng (Open Constitution Initiative). The report’s authors, several of whom attended the prestigious Beijing University Law School, conclude that China’s strategies to ensure ‘stability’ in Tibet have failed, and that China’s propaganda offensive has created divisions and further exacerbated tensions.

Lodi Gyari Gyaltsen, Special Envoy for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said, “It is gratifying that a group of Chinese academics have themselves taken up the responsibility to conduct an independent study of the circumstances that led to the spring 2008 demonstrations across Tibet. We hope that other progressive voices, including those within the PRC government, will support them and their findings, and help us find real solutions for Tibet.”

Since protests against Chinese rule broke out across the Tibetan plateau last March, state repression has been dramatically stepped up and the Chinese government has hardened its position on Tibet and the Dalai Lama, saying that the protests were planned and instigated by “hostile foreign forces” and the “Dalai clique.” The Open Constitution Initiative report, based on fieldwork conducted by scholars who traveled to Lhasa and a Tibetan region of Gansu province, is critical of this claim and appears to be directly aimed at policy-makers, recommending alternative and ground-breaking approaches.

The authors of the report state: “Even though research was carried out in the field for only a month, we deeply sensed the popular discontent and anger behind the incidents [of the spring 2008 protests], and the complexity of their social roots… An important perspective for interpreting the 3.14 incident [March 14, 2008, when protesting turned to violence in Lhasa] is that it was reaction made under stress by a society and people to the various changes that have been taking place in their lives over the past few decades. The notion that appears impossible to understand is the implication that reasonable demands were being vented, and this is precisely what we need to understand and reflect upon.”

Tibetan scholar Tseten Wangchuk, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Virginia in the US, said: “The report is significant because it points out specific problems in China’s Tibet policy for the first time in China, representing a major challenge to the state as it continues its repressive policies in Tibet. It is also a significant indicator of progressive views within China - these scholars are not alone. While this is the first time that an entire investigation on the causes of the protests has been produced and disseminated online, these views reflect other criticism circulating in China about Tibet policy. These views are going to become harder for the government to ignore.”

The authors, who spoke to numerous Tibetans and Chinese before completing the report, quote Baba Phuntso Wangye, a key figure in Sino-Tibetan relations known for founding the Tibetan Communist Party and who in later years wrote directly to Hu Jintao to urge dialogue with the Dalai Lama, as saying: “They [government officials] take every opportunity to play the splittism card. They are unable to admit their mistakes and instead put all of their effort into shifting accountability onto ‘hostile foreign forces’.”

The authors cite as a contributing factor to the protests that began in March 2008 the high levels of marginalization among Tibetans as a result of Chinese economic policies, saying: “From the level of actual benefits, the current rapid process of modernization has not given the ordinary Tibetan people any greater developmental benefits; indeed, they are becoming increasingly marginalized.” The report also refers to deepening rural-urban inequality in Tibetan areas, and notes the government policy of not interfering with the numbers of Chinese migrants flooding into Tibetan cities, and the undermining of the Tibetan language leading to disempowerment of Tibetans.

The report notes that in Lhasa, taxi drivers are mainly non-Tibetan, travel agencies are nearly all owned by outsiders, tourist stalls are not owned by Tibetans, and large numbers of Chinese work in businesses and the tourism industry. The scholars relate the impressions of a taxi-driver from the Chinese interior in Lhasa, who said: “When the land you’re accustomed to living in, and the land of the culture you identify with, when the lifestyle and religiosity is suddenly changed into a ‘modern city’ that you no longer recognize; when you can no longer find work in your own land, and feel the unfairness of lack of opportunity, and when you realize that your core value systems are under attack, then the Tibetan people’s panic and sense of crisis is not difficult to understand.”

Speaking about the lawyers’ motivations for the report, legal scholar Xu Zhiyong, one of the founders of the Open Constitution Initiative, was quoted by Time magazine as saying: “We want to help society, and help build rule of law. We want to be objective. On questions like Tibet, human rights, and so forth, the Chinese government has a standpoint, foreign governments and foreign media have a standpoint. But it’s also important to have an independent look at the problems.” (Time, May 26, 2009). One of China’s top leaders, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's legislature, the National People's Congress, asserted the importance of the official line on Tibet when he told US Speaker Nancy Pelosi on May 27 that of issues to be dealt with in the US-China relationship, Tibet and Taiwan are the two “most important and sensitive”. (Xinhua, May 27, 2009).

The Open Constitution Initiative report is carefully worded, presenting its arguments in Marxist language typical of that seen in much of China’s social sciences, and it frequently quotes phrases and vocabulary used by the Chinese Communist Party leadership. Perhaps exercising the same caution, and possibly based on an intention not to alienate policy-makers, the report portrays the issue of Tibet only as one of governance and policy, without exploring the more politically sensitive issue of the relationship between Tibet and China, nor do they go so far as to use the concept of colonialism to describe the situation in Tibet.

The authors do however refer to “contradictions” inherent in the state’s approach: “…Particularly in the modern era, two problems have faced the social situation in the two Tibetan regions of Amdo and U-Tsang [central Tibet, roughly equivalent to what is now the Tibet Autonomous Region]: one has been a problem with structures of the ruling state’s power systems, or to put it another way, the process of incorporating Tibetan regional culture as a regional society into the politicized structures of the ruling state’s systems; and two, the problem of adapting a society’s internal structures… as of now these problems have still not been properly resolved.”

There is also no discussion of the status of the Dalai Lama in relation to the Tibetan people or his key role in finding a solution to the Tibet question. Loyalty to the Dalai Lama and calls for his return to Tibet have underpinned the overwhelmingly peaceful protests over the past year in Tibet; Tibetans have risked their lives to assert their allegiance to him, as opposed to the Chinese state. There are a number of inconsistencies in the reporting; for instance, the authors state that “Regional ethnic autonomy has generally been realized in the Tibetan region of Amdo, and the Tibetan people have exercised the right to be their own masters,” when much of the report indicates an acknowledgement that the Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law has clearly failed to ensure genuine autonomy for Tibetan people within the PRC. A key recommendation of the report is that the government should “increase effective supervision over local power structures in the implementation of regional ethnic autonomy policies”.

The authors make explicit reference to a new “Tibetan aristocracy” of ethnic Tibetan cadres and officials with “low administrative abilities and backward understanding of governance”. The authors note: “’Foreign forces’ and ‘Tibet independence’ are used by many local officials as fig leaves to conceal their mistakes in governance and to repress social discontent.” They blame these local officials for such acts as canceling or postponing important religious festivals in Tibet, although some observers will point out that these actions are consistent with the increasingly aggressive approach of the central authorities to Tibetan religion and culture. This is a politically sensitive issue to raise because in some ‘ethnic minority’ areas of the PRC, including Tibetan areas, the incompetence of local ethnic cadres has been used as a justification for placing more Chinese officials in the area and furthering the assimilation process. Focusing on the failings of local Party cadres could also be a strategic approach by the authors who may be aiming to influence the central government. In their recommendations, the authors clearly assert the need for Tibetans to be involved in local governance, for training and education for Tibetans to be prioritized, and for the proper implementation of the Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law.

One of the most important points in the report, which has led to intense debate among Chinese and Tibetan bloggers since it was posted, is the way in which a virulent propaganda campaign has stoked divisions among Chinese and Tibetans. The scholars say: “The ensuing over-propagandizing of “violence” was used to make the 3.14 incident ever larger, which created certain oppositional ethnic sentiments… Such propaganda actions are in the long run detrimental to ethnic unity. The fascination that Han citizens have expressed toward Tibetan culture changed to fear and hatred of the Tibetan masses.”

The authors acknowledge the resurgence of pride in Tibetan cultural identity among many young Tibetans: “In the language of the older people, we’d often hear such vocabulary as ‘cadre’ or ‘commune member’. However, this was not so among the youth, where phrases such as ‘we Tibetans’ or ‘our nationality’ often appeared in their speech.”

Tseten Wangchuk says: “The propaganda offensive after March 14, 2008, became a turning point in Chinese nationalism. It is very challenging to China that Tibetans are searching for their own identity and expressing their views. As China is becoming more powerful, it would seem to follow that Tibetans would be prouder about being Chinese, but that’s not the case they’re becoming more proud of being Tibetan. China’s propaganda is focused on the positive changes, the ‘democratic reform’ that they say China brought to the ‘backward’ Tibetans. The Chinese people are susceptible to this but Tibetans feel it’s an insult it is inflaming prejudice.”

The report concludes with a series of detailed recommendations by the researchers, who advise first and foremost that the Chinese government should “Earnestly listen to the voices of ordinary Tibetans and, on the basis of respecting and protecting each of the Tibetan people’s rights and interests, adjust policy and thinking in Tibetan areas to formulate development policies which are suited to the characteristics of Tibetan areas and which accord with the wishes of the Tibetan people.”

Chinese intellectuals speaking out on Tibet

The Open Constitution Initiative report is representative of a movement among intellectuals in the People’s Republic of China that seeks political space and accountability from the state. Groups like this one include some of China’s most eminent legal scholars and practitioners and represent the trend that has led to the Charter 08 movement and engendered attempts to use the courts to challenge the Communist Party’s and state’s abuses of power. These lawyers take on politically sensitive cases that, for example, included in April 2009 the legal defense of a senior Tibetan Buddhist cleric facing implausible charges of possession of arms and misappropriating state property. (www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/verdict-tibetan-lama-def...). In another case, the mere visit of two such lawyers with a monk who had been detained for six months without charge was enough for police to release him from custody.

The Party has now threatened not to re-register the licenses of some of the most prominent individuals unless they back away from such cases. (“Doomsday for Chinese Human-Rights Lawyers?” By Leslie Hook, Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2009). Others have been beaten and arbitrarily detained by police. One of the most famous of these lawyers, Gao Zhisheng, disappeared in February following months of harassment, and his wife and children have fled to the United States.

Xu Zhiyong and the Open Constitution Initiative, together with other lawyers and rights advocates, has been actively involved in identifying cases to test the new Regulations on Open Government Information (OGI Regulations) that became effective in the PRC on May 1, 2008. This law requires PRC government administrative agencies, subject to certain conditions, to publicize information they have created or obtained in the course of carrying out their duties, and to provide information to members of the public upon request. Given the Party’s agenda of political control, analysts believe it is unlikely that the OGI Regulations will be allowed to provide a platform to challenge the basic political system, but NGOs in China, concerned lawyers and scholars including the Open Constitution Initiative, are still mobilizing the law to push for a more open government. (Human Rights in China report,http://support.savetibet.org/site/www.hrichina.org/public/contents/artic...).

Following the beginning of the protests in Tibet last year, more than 30 leading Chinese intellectuals, including the Chinese writer Wang Lixiong, released a petition that appeared on several websites in Chinese, entitled 'Twelve Suggestions for Dealing with the Tibetan Situation'. The petition, demonstrating great courage among its signatories, strongly urged the Chinese government to "stop the violent suppression" in Tibet, and appealed to the Tibetan people likewise not to engage in violent activities. It also urged the Chinese government to end the propaganda and news blockade, saying: "The one-sided propaganda of the official Chinese media is having the effect of stirring up inter-ethnic animosity and aggravating an already tense situation. This is extremely detrimental to the long-term goal of safeguarding national unity."

The signatories, include Chinese writers Wang Lixiong, Liu Xiaobo and Yu Jie, Professor Ding Zilin, of the pressure group Tiananmen Mothers, as well as other scholars, and several lawyers and artists.

The petition states that the language used by the Chinese government to describe the Dalai Lama is not "in keeping with the situation, nor is it beneficial to the Chinese government's image," saying: "As the Chinese government is committed to integrating into the international community, we maintain that it should display a style of governing that conforms to the standards of modern civilization."

An influential columnist and deputy editor of Southern Metropolis Weekly, Chang Ping, was sacked last year after he wrote an article about how censorship had hindered truthful coverage of the Tibet protests. In an article entitled, ‘How to find the truth about Lhasa’ published in April, 2008, Chang Ping urged his readers to reflect about the lack of press freedom in China, instead of pouring scorn on prejudice in the western media. (http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/05/chang-ping-i-am-ashamed-of-self-cen...). Chang Ping was labeled as a “rumor monger” by a columnist at Beijing Evening News.

The new report by the Open Constitution Initiative is the first investigative report on the protests last year and the Tibet situation, based on fieldwork and analysis. The full text of the report is available in Chinese here:https://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df4nrxxq_91ctcf6sck, and the English translation by the International Campaign for Tibet follows.

An investigative report into the social and economic causes of the 3.14 incident in Tibetan areas

Gongmeng Law Research Center

Contributors: Li Kun, Huang Li, Li Xiang

Research: Li Kun, Huang Li, Li Xiang, Wang Hongzhe

House committee says no new Chinese consulates in the U.S.

2011-08-03T22:00:00.003+01:00

From International Campaign For Tibet

House committee says no new Chinese consulates in the U.S. until the U.S. gets one in Lhasa, Tibet

A House panel says China cannot build new consulates in the United States until it allows a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet. The language was contained in provisions to authorize a U.S. consulate in Lhasa and a Tibet section in the U.S. embassy in Beijing. These were included in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 20, 2011.

"The Committee's action affirms Congress' strong interest, going back more than a decade, for U.S. diplomatic representation in Tibet," said Todd Stein, Director of Government Relations at the International Campaign for Tibet. "It is a response to and reproach of the Chinese government's effort to seal off Tibet from external scrutiny of its policies."

The provisions, added by the Republican majority on the Committee, are virtually identical to those approved in 2009 when the panel was controlled by Democrats, reflecting the bipartisan interest in this effort. Further, in 2008, Congress appropriated $5 million for a U.S. consulate in Lhasa and $1 million for a Tibet section at the U.S. embassy.

The legislation directs the State Department to pursue a consulate in Lhasa "to provide services to United States citizens traveling in Tibet and to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in Tibet, including Tibetan areas of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan provinces." It stipulates that "until such consulate is established, [the Department] shall not permit the establishment in the United States of any additional consulate of the People's Republic of China."

The bill would establish a Tibet Section at the U.S. embassy in Beijing to monitor "political, economic, and social developments inside Tibet ... until such time as a United States consulate is established in Lhasa."

Lhasa remains a top priority for U.S. consulates in the People's Republic of China, as recently reaffirmed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Dan Baer in testimony before the Committee on June 2. The Chinese government is seeking new consulates in Atlanta and Boston, but has thus far declined the U.S. request for a consulate in Lhasa. The closest American post to Tibet is Chengdu, Sichuan province, which is farther from Lhasa than U.S. embassies in Nepal and Bangladesh.

"A critical thrust of this effort is the language conditioning any further Chinese consulate in the U.S. on Chinese agreement on the consulate in Lhasa," said Todd Stein. "We thank Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Howard Berman and Committee Members for recognizing the importance of this leverage," added Stein.

The bill also included other provisions amending the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002:

directing the President to coordinate with other countries in multilateral efforts in promoting a negotiated solution on Tibet;
giving the National Security Council a role in assisting the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in coordinating U.S. Tibet policy across Executive Branch agencies;
authorizing the program providing grants to NGOs that support sustainable development, environmental conservation and cultural preservation on the Tibetan plateau; and
calling on the U.S. government to urge the Chinese government to end interference in the reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism.

£259.34 for 'Cows for Kids' raised

2011-07-17T11:56:00.001+01:00

The 'Bring and ~~Buy~~ Sell' for Tibet last Saturday 9th July was our most successful event raising £259.34 for the 'Cows for Kids' Project, Sonada In North East India. Everything went well even though Corsham was very quiet that day.

THANKYOU to everyone who helped with cakes, soup, music and giving your time and energy. The musicians had a comment when playing in town, that they've "put the 'Merry' back into England!" and I thought that summed up the day, enjoyable, happy and making a positive difference to other's lives.

Here are some pictures from the event.

Cakes

Stalls

Plants

Bike Advert

Hum-Drum - out and about

More Hum-Drum

Bring and Buy Sale Saturday 9th July

2011-06-28T09:49:00.005+01:00

This is in aid of the 'Cows for Kids' Project, Sonada In North East India

Location: Chruch House, Church Street, Corsham

Human rights issue 'not off limits'

2011-06-27T22:48:00.003+01:00

David Cameron insisted human rights issues were not "off limits" with China today after holding talks with Premier Wen Jiabao.

As the two leaders announced a package of trade deals worth £1.4 billion, the Prime Minister said he would always raise difficult questions about political freedom and the justice system alongside seeking closer economic ties.

Meanwhile, Mr Wen said Britain and Beijing had to treat each other as "equals" on human rights.

He stressed that China was pursuing "political structural reform and improvement of democracy and the rule of law" as well as economic growth.

The comments came at a press conference in central London during Mr Wen's three-day visit to the UK.

Asked whether he had raised human rights during the talks, Mr Cameron said: "There is no trade-off in our relationship. It is not about either discussing trade or human rights.

"Britain and China have such a strong and developed relationship. We have a dialogue that covers all these issues, and nothing is off limits in the discussions that we have."

He added: "We are different countries, we have different histories, different stages of development.

"We should show each other respect. But we're very clear that political and economic development should go hand in hand, that one supports the other."

Mr Wen said: "On human rights, China and the UK should respect each other, respect the facts, treat each other as equals, engage in more co-operation than finger-pointing and resolve our differences through dialogue."

He went on: "China is not only pursuing economic development but also political structural reform and improvement in democracy and the rule of law."

In a possible sign of irritation at being asked questions about human rights by British reporters, Mr Wen said China believed states should not address one another "in a lecturing way" on the issue.

"I am confident that tomorrow's China will enjoy not only economic prosperity but improved democracy and legal systems. It will be a country based on the rule of law," he added.

Mr Cameron said trade with China represented a "huge opportunity" for the UK, and the countries were "on target" to meet their aim of expanding bilateral trade to 100 billion US dollars (£62.7 billion) by 2015, he said.

And he said that, as an open economy, Britain was "the natural home for Chinese investment into Europe, making clear this could include major national infrastructure projects such as the planned high-speed rail link between London and the North.

Mr Cameron said he would oppose moves in Europe to protect local markets against Chinese competition, which he described as "the wrong approach". Britain and China had agreed new arrangements to encourage "people-to-people" contacts, as well as a symposium to look at the issue of intellectual property, after bitter complaints from the UK's creative industries about the scale of pirating of music, film and patents in China.

Mr Cameron welcomed Premier Wen's comments about the need for China to rebalance its own economy.

But he was challenged by a Chinese reporter who said the UK had fallen to third place in Europe in terms of trade with the Far Eastern giant and to fifth in terms of trade in technology. The UK was overtaken by Germany last year in its investment in China, he said.

The PM responded: "If you look at the figures, British exports to China grew by 40% last year and since November, when I visited Beijing, have gone up by 20%, so I don't accept that Britain isn't exporting more to China and isn't on target to meet the very challenging target of 100 billion dollars in bilateral trade by 2015.

"I think the performance is good, but I want it to be better."

The economies of the UK and China were "increasingly complementary", with Britain able to provide the expertise in areas like pharmaceuticals, education, green technology, oil and gas exploitation that are in greater demand as China's domestic markets grow, said Mr Cameron.

"Trade with China is a huge opportunity for the UK and we have a lot to offer China too," said Mr Cameron. "As our economies become increasingly complementary, the UK has the goods and services, the experiences and the skills to match China's ambition to move up the value chain."

Increased trade in both directions will mean "jobs, growth and prosperity for all of us", he said.

He cited a memorandum of understanding signed between British Gas and the Bank of China to provide a credit facility worth up to £1.5 billion (£940 million) to expand their operations in China.

And he said drinks giant Diageo's growth in China was "an example of business success that we want to see more of in future".

Mr Wen said he and Mr Cameron had witnessed the signing of trade and cooperation agreements worth a total of 4.3 billion US dollars (£2.7 billion).

He said there was "no strategic conflict" between the UK and China and that "our common interests outweigh our differences".

"A sound China/UK relationship will not only serve our respective development but promote positive evolution of the international landscape," he said.

He said it was a mark of this relationship that China will be sending two giant pandas - Tian Tian and Yangguang - to Edinburgh Zoo by the end of this year, as announced by Vice Premier Li Keqiang in January.

Premier Wen later visited the Royal Society in London, where he was presented with the Society's King Charles II medal, awarded to heads of state and government who display a commitment to science.

His arrival at the Society's headquarters was met by a noisy demonstration by a few dozen supporters of Tibetan independence, and a counter-demonstration by supporters of the Beijing regime. But the protests did not disturb the presentation ceremony or Mr Wen's speech.

Royal Society president Sir Paul Nurse said the medal was being bestowed on Mr Wen for overseeing "one of the most ambitious national research investment programmes the world has ever seen".

Mr Wen said China's leadership recognised the need for "the spirit of independence of thought" within the scientific community and wanted to create "a better political environment and a freer academic atmosphere.

He said he wanted to foster "an environment which encourages innovation, criticism and risk-taking" among Chinese scientists.

Mr Wen added: "Tomorrow's China will be a country that fully achieves democracy, the rule of law, fairness and justice."

He accepted that "corruption, unfair income distribution and other ills that harm the people's rights and interests still exist in China".

But he added: "The best way to resolve these problems is to firmly advance the political structural reform and build socialist democracy under the rule of law ...

"We need to create conditions for people to oversee and criticise the government and make government live up to its responsibilities and prevent corruption."

Mr Wen said he could see that Britain had "regained confidence" since his last visit in 2009, when he sensed "anxiety and uneasiness in the air" in the wake of the financial crisis.

He said Beijing's efforts to expand domestic demand and "fully tap into the potential for consumption" by its 1.3 billion people would help address trade imbalances and provide trade opportunities for British exporters.

China was pursuing "peaceful development which is an opportunity rather than a threat to the rest of the world", he said.

from the Independent and the Guardian

A Great Day at the French Market Corsham 25th June

2011-06-27T12:47:00.001+01:00

Here are a few images from Saturdays Stall at the French Market in Corsham where we made £109.87. We had lots of interest including the local MP Duncan Hames who dropped by to report that he had signed EDM 1434 Arrests in Tibet. A total of 43 signatures were collected for the petition for Dhondup Wangchen - you can see his Film 'Leaving Fear Behind' at leaving-fear-behind-dondup-wangchen for which he got a six year prison term and was not allowed to present a defense at his trial.

The new Tibetan themed flag poles were widely admired.

Leaving Fear Behind - Dondup Wangchen

2011-06-26T12:53:00.000+01:00

Here is the film 'Leaving Fear Behind' hosted by YouTube

ACTION: Chinese Premier in UK 25-27 June

2011-06-24T22:47:00.000+01:00

Chinese Premier to meet David Cameron on 27 June
Take Action: Urge Cameron to speak out for Tibet

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to visit the UK between 25 and 27 June, and will be meeting David Cameron in London on 27 June for a UK-China Summit. This meeting provides the British Prime Minister with the perfect opportunity of putting human rights at the centre of the UK's relationship with China, in line with the government's commitment announced earlier this year.

In March, Foreign Secretary William Hague stated that the British government is committed to a “foreign policy that has the practical promotion of human rights as part of its irreducible core”. The British government has also strongly backed those seeking democracy and human rights during the 'Arab Spring' protests. Now the government should afford pro-active support for those who continue to be oppressed in Tibet and China.

JOIN THE PROTESTS
BIRMINGHAM
Sunday 26 June, 10am - 12 noon
Location: Entrance to MG Rover factory on Lickey Road, Longbridge, Birmingham B45. Map
Nearest train station: Longbridge
Wen Jiabao is due to visit the MG Rover plant (owned by Chinese company Shanghai Automotive). Chinese democracy activists and Falun Gong supporters will be present. Tibet supporters are encouraged to join them.

LONDON
Sunday 26 June, 3pm – 6pm
opposite Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA. Map
Nearest tube: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line)
Join the event on facebook
Wen Jiabao will be staying at the Mandarin Hotel and is believed to be holding business meetings there.

Monday 27 June, 11am – 1pm
opposite Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA. Map
Nearest tubes: Westminster or Charing Cross
Join the event on facebook
Wen Jiabao will be meeting David Cameron at 10 Downing Street as part of the UK-China Summit.

Monday 27 June, 2pm – 3.30pm
outside Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. Map
Nearest tubes: Westminster, Charing Cross or Piccadilly Circus
Join the event on facebook
Wen Jiabao will visiting the Royal Society following his meeting with David Cameron.

Placards and flags will be provided at the London protests but feel free to bring your own. Both Cameron and Wen must be reminded that human rights must be put before trade, and Wen has to see that the issue of Tibet is still important to those living in the UK.
The London protests are being organised by a coalition of UK-based Tibet groups, including Tibet Society.

China artist Ai Weiwei released on bail

2011-06-24T22:27:00.001+01:00

Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has returned home having been freed after more than two months' detention.

He was bailed late on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, Xinhua news agency said.
An outspoken critic of China's human rights record, his arrest in April prompted a global campaign for his release.
The 54-year-old said he was back home and in good health in a phone interview with the BBC.
"I am already home, released on bail, I can't talk to media but I am well, thanks for all the media attention," he said.
Mr Ai was detained as he boarded a Beijing flight bound for Hong Kong.
Perhaps most famous for helping design the Bird's Nest stadium that became the centre-piece for Beijing's 2008 Olympics, he was held at a secret location without access to a lawyer.
Beijing alleged the artist had evaded taxes and destroyed evidence; his supporters said the charges were motivated by his activism.
'I'm out' Xinhua reported that Mr Ai had offered to repay the taxes and would be released because of "his good attitude in confessing his crimes".
The agency quoted police as saying the company that handles business aspects of Mr Ai's career, Beijing Fake Cultural Development, had evaded "a huge amount of taxes and intentionally destroyed accounting documents".
Xinhua also reported that Mr Ai was suffering from a "chronic illness".

Analysis

Martin Patience BBC News, Beijing

Ever since Ai Weiwei's detention at Beijing airport in April there have been calls for his release.
His supporters say the charges against him were politically motivated - an accusation strenuously denied by the Chinese authorities.
The artist's detention provoked an international outcry. The US and other countries said his arrest was a sign of the deteriorating human rights situation in China.
It came during the biggest crackdown against dissidents in China for more than 20 years, following calls for Middle-East style protests.
Hundreds of Chinese lawyers, activists and intellectuals have been detained or been questioned by the authorities. Some have disappeared.

China's foreign ministry previously said that Mr Ai was under investigation for "economic crimes".

It insisted that his arrest - which came amid one of China's biggest clampdowns on activists in years and was condemned by Western governments - had "nothing to do with human rights or freedom of expression".
But the release coincides with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit this week to Germany and the UK, two countries with which Mr Ai has strong professional ties and public support.
Beijing has been under enormous pressure to free the artist, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing.
The case had generated criticism from the international community that China was breaking its own laws by holding Mr Ai in secret without access to a lawyer, adds our correspondent.
A message from the Twitter account of Mr Ai's lawyer, Liu Xiaoyuan, said he had received a text message from his client's phone which simply read: "I'm out!"
Chinese human rights activist Wen Kejian welcomed the release, saying Mr Ai's arrest had been political.
Artist's appeal The US state department welcomed Mr Ai's release, adding: "But there's obviously more individuals who are being held, so we want to see the release of all these people."
Baroness Ashton, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said Mr Ai's case had been "the subject of widespread concern" and featured in recent EU-Chinese discussions on human rights in Beijing.
She said she welcomed the news "while regretting the circumstances of his detention".
In a statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said his release "can only be a first step" and that China must now fully explain to Mr Ai the accusations against him.
The German director of Human Rights Watch said it was "not by accident" that Mr Ai had been released shortly before Mr Wen's European visit, but warned he could now be facing further restriction on his movements.
"Examples from the past of other dissidents that were released have shown that released opponents of the system face strict restrictions and many have been silenced," said Wenzel Michalski.

Rights group Amnesty International said Mr Ai's long detention without charge had violated China's own legal process.
"It is vital that the international outcry over Ai Weiwei be extended to those activists still languishing in secret detention or charged with inciting subversion," said Amnesty's Catherine Baber.
The circumstances of one of Ai Weiwei's relatives, his accountant and driver, who were detained at the same time as him, remain unknown.
British sculptor Anish Kapoor, who had led criticism of Beijing over the detention, called for the artist to be given a fair trial.
"While I am thankful that he has been released, I do not think that artists should present their work in China until the situation has been resolved," said Mr Kapoor.
The Indian-born sculptor had dedicated his monumental Leviathan art installation in Paris, unveiled last month, to Mr Ai.
Ai Weiwei gained international recognition in the early 1980s for his monolithic brick sculptures.
Last October, he unveiled a carpet of 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds at London's Tate Modern, which he said questioned the role of an individual in society.

China 'closes Tibet to tourists' ahead of anniversary

2011-06-20T17:38:00.001+01:00

China has closed Tibet to all foreign tourists until the end of July, say travel agents in the region.

The move is being seen as an attempt by Beijing to prevent unrest ahead of celebrations marking 90 years since the founding of the ruling Communist Party.

Tibet saw a wave of violent anti-China protests in 2008, on the anniversary of a failed uprising against Beijing.

Beijing blamed the unrest on followers of the Dalai Lama, who it said were seeking to separate Tibet from China.

All foreign tourists need special permits to visit the Tibetan region - which Beijing calls an autonomous region - but the authorities have periodically barred all access, citing safety or security concerns.

Travel agents said the latest ban had been issued at least as early as June this year and would run until the end of July.

One agent, who spoke anonymously, said had he hoped the ban would be eased in time for Tibetan Buddhist festivals in August, but that his company had now had to cancel trips.

"We don't know the reasons behind it. Perhaps it has to do with something political, he told Reuters.

"We are disappointed because we lost a lot of money. We just have to tell clients we are sorry."

Another travel agent, at a hotel in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, said the ruling was connected to the 90th anniversary celebrations.

"Even with a tour group, foreigners cannot come," said the agent.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters he had "no understanding" of the ban, said Reuters.

Tibet is largely closed to foreign media, so reports are difficult to verify.

But China is wary of the influence of foreigners in the politically sensitive region.

The 2008 unrest was the worst in the mountainous region in 20 years - China responded with a massive military crackdown and closed the region to foreigners.

Beijing said at least 18 people, mostly Han Chinese, were killed, but Tibetan rights groups put the figure at about 40.

Many Tibetans say Beijing is attempting to dilute their minority culture, by encouraging huge numbers of majority Han Chinese to resettle there.

Beijing says it is bringing development and improving the standard of living in the area.

The Tibet Divide

China says Tibet was always part of its territory
Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th Century
In 1950, China launched a military assault
Opposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959
Tibet spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled to India
Dalai Lama now advocates a "middle way" with Beijing, seeking autonomy but not independence

Kirti monks boycott propaganda religious ceremony

2011-06-20T17:33:00.002+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Jun18, 2011) Noting the propaganda circumstances created for its holding, monks of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County of Sichuan Province have on Jun 15 refused to take part in a twice-monthly religious ceremony for propitiating the monastery’s protector deities, reported Radio Free Asia (RFA, Washington) online Jun 16. The ceremony had been banned since Mar16, when police savagery against a Kirti monk who set himself on fire in protest against Chinese rule, sparked a major Tibetan protest. The monastery has been under armed police blockade ever since.

A few days before Jun 15, the authorities were reported to have announced that the ceremony honoring the deities would again be held and invited the public to attend it. And early in the morning of appointed day, many TV cameras were reported to have been set up along the approaches to the deities’ chapel, waiting for the monks to arrive. However, only about 40 elderly monks showed up against the usual mass parade of monks. A group of Chinese government officials then went to the monks’ dormitories and told the monks to come out.

But the monks were reported to have replied that the event was being staged for false propaganda purposes and so refused. Fearing protest, the authorities were then reported to have deployed about 100 plainclothes policemen “in and around” the chapel.

Camera crews could, therefore, only film laypeople making incense offerings.

The report also said that monks from Golog and Yushu prefectures in neighboring Qinghai province who were among the more than 300 Kirti monks trucked away in the night of Apr 21 had now been released and ordered to return home, banned from coming back to their monastery. They were told their belongings at the monastery would be sent to them by the government.

New hydropower station begins operation in Nyingtri, Tibet

2011-06-20T17:32:00.002+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Jun20, 2011) China said Jun 17 that it began operating that day a new hydropower station in Gongbo (Tibetan: Kongpo) Gyamda county of Nyingtri prefecture. It said the 1.288 billion yuan (US$200 million) project had an installed capacity of 102 megawatts.

The Laohuzui (Chinese for "tiger's mouth") hydropower station, located about 343 km from Lhasa, is designed to generate 2.5 million to 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity daily to supply Lhasa, reported the official Xinhua news agency Jun 17.

The report said several other hydropower stations had been built in Nyingtri prefecture, including a 722.6-million-yuan, 40,000-kilowatt Xoka hydropower station, and a 25-billion-yuan, 3.78 million-kilowatt Songta hydropower station.

The report noted that the prefecture had 77,000 hectares of rivers and lakes and at least 60 million kilowatts of hydropower reserves, indicating plans to build more hydropower stations.

Tibetan truckers protest after work in their area given only to Chinese

2011-06-20T17:31:00.002+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Jun20, 2011) China sent in large numbers of riot troops and police to suppress Tibetan truckers in Shigatse in central Tibet and Lithang in Karze Prefecture of Sichuan Province who staged protests after Chinese authorities denied them work in favour of mainland-based Chinese companies, reported Radio Free Asia (RFA, Washington) online Jun 17. The trucklers were reported to be seeking work on road and railway projects in Tibet.

The report said about 100 Tibetan truckers protested in front of Lithang county headquarters on Jun 1. They were reported to have demanded that work on sites within the county for the improvement of a section of the highway connecting Sichuan’s capital Chengdu and Tibet’s capital Lhasa should have been given to them instead of 24 companies in mainland China who then brought in their own workers.

Many local Tibetans had purchased trucks after they had heard of the project in the hope of getting work. But both their hopes and protests remained fruitless.

In Rinpung County near Shigatse Prefecture, Tibetan truckers were reported to have clashed with Chinese drivers working for Chinese owners in April. “The Chinese owners alerted officials and police, who came from Shigatse in 15 to 20 vehicles and detained 10 Tibetan truck owners,” a local Tibetan source named Dondrub was quoted as saying.

The Tibetans were reported to have been severely beaten before being taken away.

The report cited him as saying local Tibetans had taken loans to buy 60 trucks after Chinese authorities had told them earlier on that the construction of the railway line linking Shigatse with Lhasa would soon pass through their area and that if they purchased trucks they would be provided with work. However, after some work initially, everything was given only to Chinese owned trucks, leaving no work for the Tibetan truck owners.

Implement international human rights standards: EU raps China

2011-06-20T17:30:00.000+01:00

Phayul[Friday, June 17, 2011 12:30]

Armed Chinese soldiers walk past a monk during their patrol in Lhasa, Tibet.(Reuters)

In a dialogue on human rights said to have been conducted in a “free and frank atmosphere”, the European Union (EU) expressed concerns over the implementation of international human rights standards in China and how to translate them into domestic practice.

The dialogue was held under the aegis of the EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights in Beijing on June 16 with Jim Moran, Director for Asia at the European External Action Service of the EU representing EU and Chen Xu, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China leading the Chinese delegation.

In a release issued after the dialogue, the EU said that it sought further information about reports of torture of people in detention and expressed concerns about the use of forced disappearances and extra-legal detentions while putting special emphasis on the rights of the minorities including Tibetans.

“The two sides reviewed recent developments in human rights and had an in-depth discussion on the rights of minorities … The EU called on the Chinese authorities to provide full information on the fate and whereabouts of the persons who have disappeared from Kirti Monastery”, the statement said.

The release also noted extensive discussions on the exercise of freedom of religious belief and practice, the rule of law, freedom of the press, the protection of human rights lawyers and defenders, and the importance of an independent judiciary.

This was the 30th round of the bi-annual EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights which began in 1995. China, furious over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo, had cancelled the dialogue scheduled for December last year.

Short Review of Tragedy in Crimson

2011-06-08T23:41:00.005+01:00

"How the Dalai Lama Conquered the World but lost the Battle with China" By Tim Johnson.

This book is well worth reading and packed with a diverse set of accounts of experiences with Tibetans and Chinese both inside and outside of China. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the Tibetan Issue with subjects as diverse as the view point of the Tibetan nomads, The Diaspora, internecine conflict within Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and his successor and the Chinese Government and their 'totally correct' policies.

Many fascinating points are made by Mr Johnson who is drawing on his 10 years experience in China. He notes that western journalists based in China will not usually publish critical stories about the Chinese government for fear of loosing their assignment for which much time and effort has been invested. The chapter on the Princess is of interest as she could be the link between Tibetans and the Chinese which is currently missing.

In the end the future is hard to predict and the extremes of fragmentation with the chinese government imploding due to reduced economic growth verses the Strong State - continued economic growth with technology providing answers to problems and suppressing dissidents. The middle way is a move to partial democracy with sustained growth.

A lasting comment on the Chinese government was given by Ai Weiwei as a reaction to a government spokesman saying that 'There were no Dissidents in China'. Ai Weiwei wrote on Twitter:

Dissidents are Criminals
Only Criminals have dissident ideas
The distinction between criminals and non-criminals is whether they have dissident views.
If you think China has dissidents, you’re a criminal.
The reason China has no criminals [dissidents?] is because they have already become criminals.
Does anyone have a dissenting view about what I've said?

posted by Richard

UN rebukes China as protests continue in Tibet

2011-06-08T23:06:00.002+01:00

Thursday, June 09, 2011 00:23
By Sherab Woeser

A day after two Tibetans were severely beaten and detained in eastern Tibet for raising pro-independence slogans, another monk protested against Chinese rule June 7.

Woeser Phuntsok, a 30-year old monk form Kardze Beri monastery led a solo demonstration in Kardze town calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and religious freedom in Tibet. Eyewitnesses confirm that Woeser Phuntsok was severely beaten before being taken away by the Chinese police.

His whereabouts remain unknown.

A source in exile with contacts in Kardze said that security in the area has been beefed up with tight restrictions on the movement of ethnic Tibetans.

Meanwhile, on June 8, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances voiced its serious concern over the widespread occurrences of enforced disappearances in China.

The UN Working Group urged the Chinese authorities to disclose the fate and whereabouts of a group of Tibetan monks who were forcefully taken from their monastery last April.

On April 21, more than 300 monks of the Kirti monastery in the Amdo province of Ngaba were arrested and transferred to unknown destinations in military trucks.

“We encourage the authorities to undertake full investigations into the on-going practice of enforced disappearances and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted and receive sentences appropriate to the gravity of the crime”, the UN Working Group said.

Dubbing enforced disappearance as a ‘terrible practice’ that can never be justified, the expert body called on China to fulfill its promise to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

“China has an obligation to abide by the strictest standards in the field of human rights”, the UN body noted.

Fresh protests in Tibet

2011-06-08T23:03:00.003+01:00

Phayul[Wednesday, June 08, 2011 16:55]

Two Tibetan monks have been arrested for protesting against Chinese rule in eastern Tibet reported Voice of Tibet (VoT), today.

The protest took place at around 11 am on June 6 in Kardze town, Kham province, an area which has witnessed repeated protests by Tibetans against Beijing’s rule. The report said that the unidentified monks from Kardze monastery raised slogans and distributed pamphlets calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in front of the police headquarters in Kardze town.

“The monks threw pamphlets in the air and raised slogans calling for the long life and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, and demanded freedom for Tibet”, the report said.

Citing eye witness accounts in Kardze, VoT quoted a source in exile, Tenzin Namgyal, saying that the police immediately rushed to the scene and arrested the monks after severely beating them with iron rods.

“Passersby saw blood dripping from the iron rods of the police and the pavements were stained with blood from the beating”, Tenzin Namgyal said.

No further details were available on where the monks are being detained.

The situation in Kardze is being described as tense with the public coming out in support of the actions of the monks.

2011-05-09T22:40:00.001+01:00

WERE IS HE?
Tibet's Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, turned 22-years old on April 25th. Since he was "disappeared" in 1995, the Chinese government refuses to acknowledge his whereabouts.
TAKE ACTION - China: Where is the Panchen Lama?
Read SFT Tendor's Open Letter to the Panchen Lama on his birthday.

The Panchen Lama is one of Tibet's most important spiritual leaders. He was kidnapped with his family by the Chinese government in 1995 when he was just 6-years old. He has been missing ever since. Learn more: http://www.freepanchenlama.org/

Renji - The Princess of Tibet

2011-05-09T22:33:00.001+01:00

Bridging the gap
She is half-Tibetan, half-Chinese, with an overlay of confident Los Angeles charm. Into the arcane world of Tibetan politics - mostly peopled by bossy Chinese communist officials, deferential maroon-robed Tibetan monks, and a mix of international activists like actor Richard Gere - has stepped a 22-year-old princess.

Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo is familiarly known to her friends as "Renji" but to many others she is known as the "Princess of Tibet".

Her father was the 10th Panchen Lama, a Buddhist monk ranking close to the Dalai Lama in Tibet's spiritual leadership, who died in 1989. Her mother, Li Jie, is a former doctor in China's People's Liberation Army and granddaughter of a famous general in China's civil war.

After 10 years studying in the United States, at high school in Los Angeles and then political science at the American University in Washington, Renji has just returned to China for further studies at the elite Tsinghua University to prepare for what she sees as her future role as a "unifier".

"I know my goal very clearly, as the daughter of the 10th Panchen Lama, my responsibility [is] to the Tibetan people," Renji said this week in an interview with the Herald in an ornate villa built in the central Beijing compound given to her father. "They have hopes and dreams in me. Also I have to honour my father, give something back. People call me princess. They place hopes and dreams upon me. They count on me to do something."

The invitation to return and commence doctoral studies in whatever field she wanted, at any Chinese university, came "from the highest authority in China, basically meaning Mr Hu," the princess said.

The involvement of President Hu Jintao, China's top communist, signals the high hopes that Beijing has placed in this young woman as a saga of hard politics and wafty mysticism moves slowly towards a finale.

The role of the Panchen Lama will be crucial in the identification and confirmation of the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama after the death of the present one, who is 70.

Six years after the death of Renji's father, the Dalai Lama and his senior monks identified a boy named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima in the Tibetan town of Naksu as his reincarnation.

Beijing moved swiftly. Six months later, its religious officials staged a ritual which selected another six-year-old, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the new Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama's choice, along with his family, disappeared from view and has never been seen by the outside world since. Beijing asserts the boy is well and the family secluded at their own request, but the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child recently asked for an independent mission to be allowed to visit them.

(next page of 3)
www.smh.com.au/news/world...237462.html

other good links:

tibetoffice.org/en/index.php

www.studentsforafreetibet.org/art....php

US hold ‘tough discussions’ with China on serious rights issues

2011-05-09T22:26:00.002+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, Apr30, 2011) The United States said Apr 28 that it raised a number of serious human concerns with China during their two-day, annual rights dialogue in Beijing and that the two sides had “a tough set of discussions”. Reports cited Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner as saying the talks were expansive and in depth, and also included issues such as Internet freedom, religious freedom, Tibet, and Xinjiang.

"In recent months, we've seen a serious backsliding on human rights, and a discussion of these negative trends dominated the human rights dialogue these past two days," voanews.com Apr 28 quoted Posner as saying. "We have been and are very concerned over recent months by reports that dozens of people, including public interest lawyers, writers, artists like Ai Weiwei, and others, have been arrested, detained, or in some cases, disappeared, with no regard to legal measures."

On the recent detention and disappearance of well known artist and activist Ai Weiwei, Mr Posner was quoted as saying, "What I would say is that on that case, we certainly did not get an answer that satisfied. ... There was no sense of comfort from the response, or the lack of response."

On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei gave few details about the talks, while acknowledging that they were "candid and in depth," the report said. He had made clear, however, that his government was opposed to what he called the United States' use of the human rights issue as an excuse to interfere in China's internal affairs.

The report noted that rights will again be on the agenda, along with a number of other issues, at high-level US-China strategic and economic talks in Jun’11 in Washington.

Posner has made it clear that human rights constitute an important element in bilateral relations. "Human rights is an essential feature of what we do, and so to the extent that there are serious human rights problems, those problems become an impediment to the relationship," bbc.co.uk Apr 28 quoted Posner as saying.

Austria summoned Chinese ambassador to protest Ai’s detention

2011-05-09T22:24:00.001+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, May06, 2011) Austria said May 4 that it had summoned China’s ambassador to Vienna to protest against the continued detention and disappearance of artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, reported AFP May 4, citing Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger. “Even somebody who is critical of the regime should be allowed to express himself,” Spindelegger, who met with Ai during a trip to China in February, was quoted as telling journalists afterwards.

The report cited Spindelegger as saying Austria, which was seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 20, would continue to push for the artist’s release, noting: “We know that he remains in custody.”

The report cited Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann as saying he would raise the issue of Ai’s detention during his visit to China later in the week.

Beijing has so far refused to acknowledge Ai’s whereabouts after taking him into custody from Beijing airport, on his way to Hong Kong, on Apr 3.

Tibetan Books Banned in Chinese Raid at Ngaba Schools

2011-05-09T22:22:00.000+01:00

Monday, 09 May 2011 12:42 YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - Around April 22, the students' textbooks and other reading matter were raid by Chinese authorities, and any books not endorsed by the government were confiscated and burned, according to a latest Tibet report. Students were warned that they are not allowed to possess any book without an official stamp of approval. The many students who come from Ngaba county were told that they may not return to their homes for an indefinite period, and would not be allowed to return there during the summer vacation. A latest report received by The Tibet Post International, it will be remembered that students of the Ngaba prefecture upper middle school (in Barkham) went on hunger strike from March 17 in sympathy with the suicide of Kirti monk Phuntsok and the situation of the Ngaba people, and in emphatic protest against the state's singular resort to deployment of police and armed troops to deal with the situation in Ngaba county, and the arrests and suppression of the population there. The students were then forcibly confined, had their mobile phones confiscated and internet access cut, and were forbidden from making outside contact.
According to Ven Kanyak Tsering, one of the media coordinators of Dharamshala based Kirti monastery, on April 12, two of the elderly people who tried to oppose the soldiers at Kirti monastery were killed, and a group of younger people were detained. This group was taken to a detention centre where they were subjected to beatings and mistreatment. The other older people in that group were taken to a compound next to the Ngaba river where they are being put through a daily program of reeducation.
On May 8th it was learned that Chogyam of the Chogyam Tsang house, age about 33, in the Chukle Gongma pastoral area of Ngaba disappeared around April 15. His mother's name is Manay. On about May3, personnel from the provincial State Security bureau in Chengdu and police came to search his mother's house, and his own house up in the pastoral area. At that time it became clear that he is being held in detention in Chengdu. He left behind his wife and one year old child.
There are many similar cases of disappeared people who have been missing for very long periods, apparently being held by State Security and Public Security, about whom no information whatsoever can be found as to their whereabouts or circumstances. When the Kirti monk author Go Sherab was detained, for example, nothing more was known about him until he was eventually released. (Go Sherab was released in Chengdu on May 5. he is not permitted to return to Ngaba. The exact date of his detention is not known).
Since April 18, older women (aged 50-60) with citizenship cards have been allowed to come and go from the monastery (e.g., to visit relatives), but on May 6 it was announced that visits would not be allowed more than once a week. Soldiers and police have been posted at the entrance to each monastic dormitory, and control tightened.

Two Kirti monks jailed amid continuing clampdown

2011-05-09T22:19:00.003+01:00

(TibetanReview.net, May09, 2011) Two monks of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County of Sichuan Province have been jailed for three years on or around May 2, said the exile Tibetan government-run Tibet.net and other exile Tibetan reports May 7. Lobsang Dhargay, 31, was jailed for his involvement in the protest in Lhasa in March 2008 with other monks of Drepung Monastery where he had enrolled in 2003 and was still studying at the time. Kunchok Tsultrim, 33, was reported to be Kirti monastery’s storekeeper.

Lobsang Dhargay was initially held for five months at different detention centres in and around Lhasa before being sent back to Ngaba. In Ngaba he rejoined Kirti Monastery but remained under police surveillance. He was frequently required to report for questioning at police station and his residence was also raided many times. Eventually he was arrested on Apr 11.

Kunchok Tsultrim was arrested on Mar 16, although it was not clear why.

It was not clear whether the armed police blockade of the monastery had been lifted or not. However, the so-called patriotic education campaign to blaspheme the Dalai Lama and exalt China under communist party rule was reported to be continuing. The police and the paramilitary police were reported to be continuing to watch and scour the monastery, although in civilian dress and by staying put in cars and trucks parked around the monastery.

The police were reported to have forcibly occupied a residential compound built with funds arranged by a monk named Tenpa Yarphel for elderly monks and scripture teachers for use as their station.

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