German Parliamentary Committee expresses ‘deep alarm’ over Tibet self-immolations

DHARAMSHALA, April 26: The Human Rights Committee of the German parliament, the Bundestag, passed a joint declaration expressing deep alarm over the continuing wave of self-immolations in Tibet and urging the German government to work for the improvement of the situation in the region. In the joint declaration passed on April 24, the Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid said it was “deeply alarmed and shocked” by the high number of self-immolations in Tibet and urged the Chinese leadership to “safeguard the human rights of Tibetans.” “The significant rise of self-immolations is an expression of deepest desperation about the lack of freedom, as well as about non-existent freedom of religion and the refusal of the Chinese leadership to respect a unique cultural identity,” the declaration said. “We urge the new Chinese leadership to open up a new chapter in their relations to the Tibetans, to look into the causes of these desperate acts and to bring about necessary reforms.” The German parliamentary committee further called on the Chinese leadership to “respect the human rights of the Tibetans and their right to live their own culture and religion.” “At the same time we demand from the Chinese leadership to re-start the dialogue with Tibet and the Tibetans which is inactive since 2010, in order to find a solution that is appropriate to the unique cultures of the Chinese and the Tibetans, and in order to prevent such acts of desperation like the self-immolations in the future,” the declaration said. Since 2009, as many as 117 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On April 24 - the same day the declaration was adopted - two young monks from the Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in Zoege, eastern Tibet became the latest Tibetans to set themselves on fire. Both Lobsang Dawa, 20 and Kunchok Woeser, 22 passed away in their fiery protests against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. In the declaration, the parliamentary committee further called for access for UN-diplomats, parliamentarians and journalists to Tibet and urged the German government to work for the improvement of the situation in Tibet. “We ask the Federal Government to continue to work bilaterally and on the international level towards an improvement of the situation in Tibet and while doing so, to also make use of the German Dialogue on Law and the EU-Human Rights Dialogue with China,” the joint declaration said.

Tibetans remember the 10th Panchen Lama

DHARAMSHALA, April 25: In memory of the 10th Panchen Lama, the Dharamshala based National Democratic Party of Tibet yesterday screened a biopic on the late Panchen Lama Lobsang Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen at the TCV Day School in the exile Tibetan headquarters. Over a hundred Tibetans including Members of Parliament were present to watch the 40-minute-long biopic and songs in remembrance of the 10th Panchen Lama. “Today as we mark the 24th birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, we also remember with great fondness and extend our gratitude for the enormous contribution the late 10th Panchen Lama Lobsang Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen has made towards Tibet’s political, religious, social and cultural identity,” said Gelek Jamyang, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet. “We would like to remind the Chinese government of their brutal acts of the sudden killing of the 10th Panchen Lama and thereafter having snatched and incarcerated his reincarnation recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.” The group also demanded the whereabouts and condition of the 11th Panchen Lama and his family through reliable international news outlets. The 10th Panchen Lama wrote the famous 70,000-character petition about the Tibetan people’s plight under Chinese rule in 1962. The petition, criticizing Chinese government’s Tibet policy, was met with violent and scornful reaction from Mao Zedong, who called it a “poisoned arrow shot at the party.” The Panchen Lama was condemned without trial and spent the following 14 years in prison or under virtual house arrest. In 1978, he was freed after which he traveled extensively throughout Tibet working to preserve the Tibetan culture, and improve the lives of the Tibetan people. During his last visit to Tibet in 1989, the Panchen Lama gave an extraordinary public speech in Shigatse, the seat of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, where he publicly criticised China’s policies in Tibet and declared his loyalty to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Shortly after the address, on January 28, 1989, the 10th Panchen Lama breathed his last under mysterious circumstances. He was 51. In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognised a young boy Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama but Beijing soon abducted him and installed its own choice, Gyaltsen Norbu.

Majority wants the French President to raise Human Rights and Tibet on China trip

PARIS, April 25: As the French President Francois Hollande heads to China on a state visit, first of such since Xi Jinping takes over the reign as the Chinese president, a survey by a leading French poll house shows that almost 70% of the French people wants their president to raise the situation of Human Rights and civil liberties with his counterpart. Of that another 66% of the people polled wants Hollande to raise his concerns about the situation of Tibetans in China.

The French president will the the first head of the state to visit China between 25-26 April. Early last week, Senator Andre Gattolin asked whether President Hollande "intend to discuss with the issue of human rights in China and in Tibet" with Xi Jinping, the French government responded that "Human Rights form an integral part of the dialogue between China and Tibet."

"No topic will be excluded and all questions will be discussed with candour and mutual respect for each other", responded Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, French Minister for Woman's Rights and the spokeswoman of the government.

At the French lower house, day before Hollande leaves for China, MP Noël Mamere asked the government to raise the issue of rights for the Tibetan people and the release of Lui Xiaobo, the Nobel Laureate who is under detention in China.

In response the French foreign minister Laurant Fabuis said that to find a longlasting solution to the situation inside Tibet there is no other option than for the Chinese authorities to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Earlier last week Member of Parliament Jean-Patrick Gille and MP Noël Mamère also wrote an open letter asking the French President "not to exclude the issue of Tibet in the discussions with Chinese authorities during his forthcoming visit to Beijing".

"France, in partnership with the European Union must carry the banner of Tibetan freedom", the letter reads.

It also said that China must allow access to Tibet to everyone, including the media, and "resume the dialogue that China decided to stop",

Another question in the poll, that was carried out between 16-18 April, 92% said that the present condition of human rights and civil liberties in China is "unsatisfactory". When asked about Tibet, the figure jumps up to 94% of the people polled who says the situation is "unsatisfactory".

On the question about the vague of self-immolation in Tibet since 2009, more than 80 percent of the people polled said that they feel "in solidarity with the Tibetans." About 80% were in favour of the French President meeting with the Dalai Lama if he visits France. In April 2010, US President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama were voted the world's two most popular leaders, according to a poll conducted in six countries by Harris Interactive for France24 and Radio France-Internationale.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was at second place at 75 per cent, followed by the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 62 per cent.

Former Pope Benedict XVI was the seventh most popular leader with 36 per cent support.

During his 37-hour trip to China, the French president is expected to sing a "letter of intention" on nuclear programmes and deals on Airbus and also French public gas and electricity companies.

Senior Nepalese leader to Xi: Will repress Tibetan refugees

Chinese president Xi Jinping (right) and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) meeting in Beijing on April 18, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, April 25: A senior Nepalese leader has promised China’s President Xi Jinping that the Himalayan country will “repress” Tibetan refugees living in Nepal who are involved in free Tibet activities. Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) met the Chinese president on April 18 in Beijing during his week-long visit to China. According to asianews.it, Prachanda told Xi that Nepal will “stop any anti-Chinese protests, even by repressing Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu who continue to ask for a free Tibet.” “The national stability and integrity of both countries will not be compromised in the name of religious freedom and human rights.” About 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal and yearly hundreds of Tibetans flee China occupied Tibet into exile via Nepal. Reiterating Nepal’s “firm adherence to the one-China policy,” Prachanda told Xi that only a prosperous Nepal will be able to effectively further the policy to help address China’s security concerns over Tibet. The former Nepalese prime minister reportedly sought more financial and technical support from Beijing as well as more practical cooperation between the two sides on infrastructure, water conservancy projects, and tourism. On February 13, a Tibetan monk set himself on fire near the holy stupa of Boudhanath in the heart of Nepalese capital city Kathmandu. Druptse's body was then later declared "unclaimed" and was secretly cremated by Nepalese police at Pashupatinath cremation site despite repeated appeals and protests by exile Tibetans to hand over the body. The global rights group, Human Rights Watch, in its annual report released in February cited that Nepal's failures on human rights included a lack of movement on measures to improve the rights of women, children, and Tibetan refugees. HRW accused Nepal of increasing restrictions on Tibetan refugees under pressure from the Chinese government and noted that the country continued to deny Tibetans the right to openly celebrate their holidays, including the Tibetan New Year and the Dalai Lama's birthday.

Buddhist nuns attend empowerment programme

DHARAMSHALA, April 25: More than 20 Buddhist nuns from across India took part in a week-long empowerment programme organised by the Dharamshala based Tibetan Women’s Association, the largest women’s group in the exile Tibetan community. The 5th Annual Buddhist Nun Empowerment Programme was held at Tibetan SOS Vocational Training Centre, Selakui, Dehradun from April 17- 23. A total of twenty six nuns from 10 nunneries, including the Ladakh Nun’s Association; Drikung Samtenling and Sakya Rinchen Choekhorling, Dehra Dun; Karma Drupgyu Dhargyeling, Tilokpur; Namkha Khungzong, Orissa; Jamyang Choeling and Shugseb Ugen Dzong, Garoh; Redna Menriling, Solan, Domaling, Sidhpur and Gaden Choeling, Dharamsala attended the programme. Nyima Lhamo, General Secretary of TWA said that the programmes are aimed at helping the nuns “maximise their influence and discover what they are truly capable of in their lives.” “The nuns who attended the course began to find out that they have talent and the ability which can be harnessed not only for the furthering of their own potential, but for the benefit of wider society,” Lhamo said. TWA in a release said a number of trainers spoke on various topics at the week-long empowerment programme including Dhardon Sharling, Tibetan Parliamentarian, who gave a two-day training on ‘Building Effective Communication Skills on the learning curve' and ‘Innovation and Self-reliance’, Tenzin Tseyang, Trainer and Coordinator, Women’s Empowerment Desk, CTA, who conducted a day long training on ‘Women Empowerment,’ Lhakpa Dhondup, Director of the Tibetan SOS VTC, who spoke on ‘Nutrition and Diet,’ and Duke Tsering, Principal, TCV Model School, Selakui, who gave a talk on ‘Mind and Life’. As part of the programme, the nuns visited the prestigious Doon School as well as the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. They also worked on a social educational project proposal as practical training. “I am attending such programme for the first time in my life and I am amazed to see my transformation from the level of shyness to a sense of self-belief as the week progressed,” the release cited Phuntsok Lamdon, a nun from Dolmaling Nunnery as saying. The training programme was coordinated by TWA’s Empowerment through Action Desk funded by the Science Meets Dharma, an institute which aims to provide monks and nuns in Tibetan monasteries in India with access to scientific education.

Breaking: Twin self-immolation protests in Tibet, Toll rises to 117

Tibetan self-immolators Lobsang Dawa, 20 (left) and Kunchok Woeser, 23 (right) who set themselves on fire protesting China's occupation in Zoege region of eastern Tibet on April 24, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, April 24: In reports coming just in, two young Tibetan monks of the Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in Zoege, eastern Tibet set themselves on fire today protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet. The exile seat of the Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala identified the two monks as Lobsang Dawa, 20 and Kunchok Woeser, 22. “The two monks set themselves on fire at 6:40 pm (local time) near the right side of the main prayer hall of the Taktsang Lhamo Monastery protesting China’s repressive policies,” the Kirti Monastery release said. “Both of them passed away at the site of the protest.” According to reports, the body of the two monks were later taken to their respective monastic quarters where fellow monks carried out prayers. “Local Chinese authorities have issued orders for the cremation of the two monks by early tomorrow morning,” the release said. Lobsang Dawa is a native of Zaru region of Zoege and the youngest of seven siblings. Kunchok Woeser is a native of Zoege and is survived by his parents Tsering Norbu and Samdup Dolma and his two brothers. “The two monks were enrolled at the Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery at a young age and were known for their exemplary conduct and studies,” the release said. In 2008, following a series of anti-China protests across Ngaba region, local Chinese authorities had indefinitely closed down a school run by Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery. The primary reason for its closure was cited as participation by a number of students of Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in the March 15th protest along with other senior monks of the monastery at the Zoege county headquarters. Since 2009, as many as 117 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

CTA holds prayer service in honour of Tibetan self-immolators

The Central Tibetan Administration holding a prayer service for Tibetan self-immolators at the Tsug-la Khang in Dharamshala, India on April 24, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, April 24: The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration today held a prayer service in honour of two Tibetan self-immolators Jugtso and Phagmo Dhondup at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala. The prayer service was presided over by the Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche, the exiled abbot of the Kirti Monasteries in Tibet. Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters including the Tibetan Justice Commissioners, Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalons, Parliamentarians, and school students attended the prayer service. Jugtso, 20, a mother of four, had set herself alight outside the Jonang Monastery in Zamthang around on April 17. She passed away at the protest site after which her body was carried inside the Monastery where religious ceremonies were carried out. Following her self-immolation protest, thousands of local Tibetans gathered at the Jonang Monastery to offer prayers and pay their last respects. Local Chinese authorities issued orders forcing her family members to cremate the body the same night in contravention of Tibetan traditional rituals. Jugtso was a native of Bharma Village in Zamthang County and the sixth Tibetan to self-immolate in Zamthang. Last week, reports of Tibetan self-immolator Phagmo Dhondup’s death reached exile. Dhondup had set himself on fire on February 24, 2013 in the ancient Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung region of Tshoshar, eastern Tibet. After undergoing treatment in a hospital in Siling for over a month, Phagmo Dhondup reportedly succumbed to his injuries. Addressing the prayer service, Sikyong Sangay spoke about US State Department Secretary John Kerry’s recent visit to China. “Recently, US State Department Secretary John Kerry visited Asia and during his visit to China, it has been reported that he raised human rights issues in Tibet with Chinese officials.” Since 2009, at least 115 Tibetans living under China’s occupation have set themselves on fire calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. As many as 98 Tibetan self-immolators have died in their fiery protests while the condition of others remain serious or unknown.

Tibetans demand 11th Panchen Lama’s whereabouts and release

Tibetans call for the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's release and whereabouts in Dharamshala on April 24, 2013 a day before he turns 24 in Chinese custody. DHARAMSHALA, April 24: A day before the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima turns 24 in Chinese captivity, Tibetans and supporters in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala today demanded to know his whereabouts and called for his release. Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered at Mcleod Square wearing facemasks of the Panchen Lama and raised slogans for his release. The protests were jointly organised the Tibetans Women’s Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for a Free Tibet, India and coordinated by the International Tibet Network. "We urge Chinese government to release the Panchen Lama so that he will be reunited with his family and thousands of followers who have been waiting for his release for the last 18 years,” said Tashi Dolma, president of TWA. “We also urge the Chinese government to release all the prisoners of conscience." The 11th Panchen Lama was abducted at the age of six along with his family in 1995, shortly after he was recognised as the reincarnation of the Xth Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Despite repeated international pressure, the Chinese government has refrained from disclosing the well-being and whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family. Instead, Beijing handpicked another Tibetan boy as the 11th Panchen Lama. Traditionally, the Panchen Lama bears part of the responsibility for finding the incarnation of the Dalai Lama and vice versa. "The Chinese government's intention behind appointing their own 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu is but to take over the political, financial and cultural powers that come with being the head of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery, " said Gang Lhamo, General Secretary of Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet. "Forced to become the 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu has to act and live a life, not chosen for by himself. Tibetans in Tibet have to recognise and worship him under duress. These actions not only highlight the lack of freedom and human rights, but also how the Chinese government undermines and insults Tibetan people's tradition, culture and religion. A simultaneous petitioning campaign address to Zhu Weiqun, Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department was also carried out with organisers urging supporters to call the Chinese embassy in New Delhi to inquire about the Panchen Lama. The organisers, in a release, cited Ven. Ngawang Woebar, former president of Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet as saying that the 11th Panchen Lama’s parents are currently placed under house arrest in their hometown in Tibet and have been barred from making any outside contact. “Police officials are reportedly escorting and monitoring all their movements,” Ven. Woebar was cited as saying. “Panchen Lama's mother seem to have sadly expressed that she is the most unfortunate mother who has to live in constant fear and worry not knowing if her son is still alive or not."

The Dalai Lama to speak at the University of Sydney this June

University of Sydney DHARAMSHALA, April 23: The University of Sydney is set to hold an on-campus lecture by Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in mid-June reverting an earlier decision to cancel the event. In a public statement issued by Professor John Keane, Director of the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, University of Sydney, he said the University and the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Australia “agreed to host an on-campus lecture for students at the University of Sydney in mid-June 2013.” “The IDHR looks forward to hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama under the theme 'Education Matters,'” Prof Keane said in the statement. “It is hoped the mid-June event will form part of a determined commitment of the University of Sydney to develop a constructive dialogue on matters concerning Tibet and the wider region." Earlier this month it was reported that the University, which has close links with China, had cancelled the Tibetan Nobel Laureate's talk. Last week, Australian Broadcasting cooperation obtained emails exchanged between Prof. Keane and the University's Vice-chancellor, Michael Spence, which confirmed the decision to withdraw the Dalai Lama’s lecture. "This is to confirm that the decision was taken to withdraw our support for hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama's planned speech at the University on June 18th," Prof. Keane's email said. "I am of course happy to talk with you further about the reasons why we have taken these difficult decisions." The cancellation of the talk raised many serious questions and students and politicians blamed the University of having compromised its integrity to uphold warm financial relations with the Chinese government. “This is an insult to the students and it also direct hit on the university's reputation for independence and for its capacity to exercise intellectual leadership," John Kaye the New South Wales Greens Parliamentarian had said reacting to the cancellation. "I've never seen a university try to give up, and try to share with other universities, a jewel like having the Dalai Lama coming. People are very keen to see this man - a significant intellectual and political figure of the 21st Century." His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Australia from June 14-23 and give a series of public talks and teachings in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Darwin.

Severe repression in Tibet says US Human Rights Report

DHARAMSHALA, April 22: US Department of State has released a Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 in which says the China's respect for and protection of human rights in Tibet "deteriorated markedly".

"The [Chinese] government engaged in the severe repression of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage by, among other means, strictly curtailing the civil rights of China's ethnic Tibetan population, including the freedoms of speech, religion, association, and movement," report says.

It highlights human rights violation in Tibet, including Tibetan self-immolation, freedom of speech and press, internet freedom, arbitrary arrests and detention, freedom of religion and movement and many others.

"Repression was severe throughout the year but increased in the periods before and during politically and religiously sensitive anniversaries and events,"

In 2011, 85 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The Chinese government, the report said, responded harshly to self-immolations and routinely vilified the Dalai Lama and blamed the "Dalai clique" and "other outside forces" for instigating the self-immolation protests in Tibet.

Disappearance of Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima and various detentions and punishments to suspects of being associated with the self-immolations are also reported.

"Arbitrary arrest and detention was a growing problem in Tibetan areas. With a detention warrant, police may legally detain persons for up to 37 days without formally arresting or charging them. Police must notify the relatives or employer of a detained person within 24 hours of the detention. Following the 37-day period, police must either formally arrest or release the detainee."

The human right report emphasized on the denial of fair public trials stating legal safeguards for detained or imprisoned Tibetans were inadequate in both design and implementation. "Prisoners had the right to request a meeting with a government-appointed attorney, but in practice many defendants, particularly political defendants, did not have access to legal representation."

The US State Department report noted restrictions on foreign journalists and Tibetans attempts to provide information outside the country and other expressions of discontent through cell phones and internet were subject to harassment or detention.

Dharamshala launch of ‘Tibet Burning’ issue of Seminar Journal

From left to right, Bhuchung D Sonam, Dhardon Sharling, Tenzin Tsundue, and Thubten Samphel at the launch of the April issue of Seminar Journal in Dharamshala on April 21, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, April 23: The April edition of the Seminar Journal, dedicated to discussing issues relating to Tibet, particularly the ongoing self-immolation protests was launched in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala on Sunday. TibetWrites, a group of Tibetan writers and poets, hosted the event which was attended by contributing authors to the magazine and many Tibetans and foreigners. The 102-paged issue, “Tibet Burning – a symposium on the crisis in Tibetan politics and culture,” published from New Delhi and edited by Ananya Vajpeyi, also features articles by Indians and Chinese writers. Thubten Samphel, Dhardon Sharling, Bhuchung D Sonam, and Tenzin Tsundue, four of the contributing authors present at the launch, read their articles. In the opening article titled, ‘The Problem,’ Ananya Vajpeyi, expesses hope that the “collective power” of the articles will “make a dent in the conscience of a world that has for too long left an ancient people with a rich and evolved civilization and delicate eco-system exposed to the depredations of a bellicose state that combines the authoritarian power of communism with the ruthless greed of capitalism.” “India under Nehru had the correct instinct to give refuge to the Dalai Lama and his people as they fled in the face of the Chinese invasion,” Vajpeyi writes. “But half-a-century on, India is not doing enough, not taking care of the Tibetans who live here, nor acknowledging their anguish as their distant homeland is slowly but surely destroyed. Tibet is burning: each of us needs to help in putting out these searing fires, whose flames consume our humanity and leave us diminished.” Other contributing authors to the special issue on Tibet includes Tsering Woeser, Tibetan author, poet and blogger, Wang Lixiong, Chinese dissident writer and Tibetologist, Youdon Aukatsang, Member, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Tenzin Norbu, Environment and Development Desk, Ming Xia, Professor of Political Science at the Graduate Center, and the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Sungchuk Kyi, poet and journalist, Claude Arpi, writer and historian, Tenzing Sonam, filmmaker and writer, Tsering Dhundup, Research Officer, Environment and Development Desk, Tenzin Dickyi, writer and translator, and Sudeep Basu, Assistant Professor, Gujarat Institute of Development Research amongst others. The Seminar is a monthly journal in print since 1959 which focuses on a single issue debated by writers belonging to different persuasions. Copies of the April issue are on sale in India and the online edition will be made available from May.

Severe repression in Tibet says US Human Rights Report

DHARAMSHALA, April 22: US Department of State has released a Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 in which says the China's respect for and protection of human rights in Tibet "deteriorated markedly".

"The [Chinese] government engaged in the severe repression of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage by, among other means, strictly curtailing the civil rights of China's ethnic Tibetan population, including the freedoms of speech, religion, association, and movement," report says.

It highlights human rights violation in Tibet, including Tibetan self-immolation, freedom of speech and press, internet freedom, arbitrary arrests and detention, freedom of religion and movement and many others.

"Repression was severe throughout the year but increased in the periods before and during politically and religiously sensitive anniversaries and events,"

In 2011, 85 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The Chinese government, the report said, responded harshly to self-immolations and routinely vilified the Dalai Lama and blamed the "Dalai clique" and "other outside forces" for instigating the self-immolation protests in Tibet.

Disappearance of Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima and various detentions and punishments to suspects of being associated with the self-immolations are also reported.

"Arbitrary arrest and detention was a growing problem in Tibetan areas. With a detention warrant, police may legally detain persons for up to 37 days without formally arresting or charging them. Police must notify the relatives or employer of a detained person within 24 hours of the detention. Following the 37-day period, police must either formally arrest or release the detainee."

The human right report emphasized on the denial of fair public trials stating legal safeguards for detained or imprisoned Tibetans were inadequate in both design and implementation. "Prisoners had the right to request a meeting with a government-appointed attorney, but in practice many defendants, particularly political defendants, did not have access to legal representation."

The US State Department report noted restrictions on foreign journalists and Tibetans attempts to provide information outside the country and other expressions of discontent through cell phones and internet were subject to harassment or detention.

Tibetan PM in Switzerland

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing at the Conference of President of Tibetan communities in Boldern, Switzerland.  DHARAMSHALA, April 21: The democratically-elected Tibetan political leader Dr Lobsang Sangay yesterday spoke at the Conference of the presidents of Tibetan communities organized by Geneva based Tibet Bureau in Boldern, Switzerland. The conference was also attended by over 30 delegates from 11 Tibetan communities and members of exile Tibetan parliament from Europe. Addressing at the conference, Sangay highlighted the importance to educate governments, parliamentarians, media and the general public about His Holiness the Dalai Lama's devolution of political authority to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership of the exile Tibetan administration. PM also apprised the gathering about how the Tibetan government in Dharamshala can assist Tibetan communities in Europe to preserve and promote Tibetan culture, religion and language in their respective countries. Sangay added that the promotion of democracy and dialogue further strengthens the exile establishment and the issue of Tibet in the generations to come. He urged the delegates to lobby governments and parliamentarians to encourage the Chinese government to resolve the crisis in Tibet. And also emphasized the exile Tibetan administration's firm commitment to the Middle Way Approach and the three principles of his administration - unity, self-reliance and innovation. Given the increasingly critical situation in Tibet which has seen 115 Tibetans setting themselves on fire in Tibet calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile, the PM said each Tibetan as well as Tibetan communities in Europe must do as much for Tibet as they can. Following the conference of President of Tibetan communities, Sangay addressed at the first Europe Tibetan language Teachers' Conference. Over 50 delegates, including teachers from Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Austria attended the the meet organized by Geneva-based Tibet Bureau. Sangay appealed the teachers to work closely with Department of Education of the Tibetan government-in-exile to formalize the language textbooks based on the local needs and situation.

Chinese envoy raises issue over Tibetan activities in Nepal

DHARAMSHALA, April 20: The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Wu Chuntai, met with Nepal Congress President Sushil Koirala at his residence in Maharajgunj yesterday to raise issues over Tibetan activities in Nepal.

Quoting an aide of Koirala, Nepal.com said, "The meeting dwelt on Nepal's current political scenario, the proposed Constituent Assembly elections and China's concern about the activities of Tibetans in Nepal,"

However, the Nepal Congress President Sushil Koirala said that the government and the parties were working to build the environment for elections as he explained his party's view that activities against the neighboring countries should not be allowed in Nepal.

On February 13, when Tibetans around the globe were commemorating the 100th year of the declaration of the Tibetan Proclamation of Independence by the Great 13th Dalai Lama, a Tibetan monk in Nepal set himself on fire near the holy stupa of Boudhanath in the heart of Nepalese capital city Kathmandu.

Druptse's body was then later declared "unclaimed" and was secretly cremated by Nepalese police at Pashupatinath cremation site in violation of the fundamental Tibetan tradition of funeral prayers and last rites essential for the dead.

In 2011, another Tibetan monk Bhutuk set himself ablaze at the same spot.

Over 20,000 Tibetan refugees live in Nepal and their situation is grim with China's increasing influence on Nepal which denies the Tibetans even freedom to celebrate cultural and religious festivals.

French Senate meets Tibetan PM

DHARAMSHALA, April 19: The Parliamentary Tibet support group in the upper house of French parliament at the Senate received Dr Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of exile Tibet, during his visit to the country on 17 April.

The Group for Information on Tibet has released a statement on receiving the Head of Tibetan government in exile upon his arrival in Paris and expressed their full support on resuming the dialogue between the exile Tibetans government and the Chinese.

"Senators in the Tibet group support all efforts that France can do to help resume dialogue between the Tibetan government in exile and the Chinese Government, and to improve the situation of Tibetan people. It recommend the President of the Republic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to officially receive Sikyong as other leaders of democratic countries have already done,"

A dinner reception in honour of Dr Sangay was held and the Special Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Europe Kelsang Gyaltsen, by the President of the Tibet Group Senator Jean Francois Humbert and six other senators, who are also members of Tibet group.

On meeting with the Sangay, Senator Humbert expressed his joy in receiving him as a representative of the entire Tibetan people.

The President of the Tibet Group in Senate also informed the Tibetan prime minister about the group's recent work vis-a-vis Tibet, particularly about Senate Tibet Group's Initiative in successfully adopting a resolution in favour of Tibet in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the European Committee.

Sangay in turn thanked the Senators and underlined the significance of this encounter as French people's belief and faith in the fundamental principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood.

He said that the exile Tibetan administration has invested decades in the principles of non-violence and democracy and it is up to the free world, including France, to live up to their fundamental principles and values by supporting the just cause of Tibet.

The democratically-elected Tibetan leader reiterated the his consistent position of discouraging any kind of drastic actions, including self-immolations while fully supporting the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet and those of self-immolators, which he said was return of His Holiness the Dalai to Tibet and freedom in Tibet.

Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform for the Dalai Lama

DHARAMSHALA, April 19: The popular American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers are to perform for the Tibetan Nobel Laureate, the Dalai Lama, at his annual environment summit in Portland.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will take part in an environmental summit on Universal Responsibility & the Global Environment at Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, on 11 May. Maitripa is the first and only Tibetan Buddhist College in the Pacific Northwest.

"The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been great supporters of the Tibetan cause, of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and of the need to work to protect and preserve our environment," the statement posted on the summit's website said.

"The musical element of this event is intended to be a display of joyful celebration and an inspiration to future generations to care for our planet."

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been great supporters of Tibetan cause and the band played at the first-ever Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996 in San Francisco.

With their Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991), the Red Hot Chili Peppers became rock stars for the masses. The band has some great hits, including Under The Bridge, Dani California, Snow (Hey Oh) and Monarchy of Roses from their latest album I'm With You.