TYC Unveiled Jampel Yeshi’s Statue

DHARAMSHALA, March 28: On the first anniversary of Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation, the Tibetan Youth Congress today unveiled his statue at Lhagyal Ri in Dharamshala.

“As a Tibetan, he thought that his country was taken away from him, and he has no other way to resist except to sacrifice his life,” said former political prisoner Palden Gyatso, who was the chief guest for the occasion.

Yeshi's statue is installed next to Thupten Ngodup’s, who was the first Tibetan to self-immolate in exile, to remember and honour his sacrifice for the Tibetan struggle. Yeshi’s last message is printed on a plaque below the statue.

Jampel Yeshi, 26, self-immolated on 26 March last year to protest against China’s occupation of Tibet a day before the then Chinese President Hu Jintaos’ visit to attend the 4th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Suffering 98 per cent burn, Yeshi passed away in the morning of March 28.
He became the second person in exile to die from self-immolation after Ngodup died from after he set himself in fire on 27 April 1998.

“Jampel Yeshi and 113 other Tibetans in Tibet have self-immolated for the cause of Tibet and Tibetans. And it is our responsibility to make sure that their sacrifices do not go in vain,” said Tsewang Rinzin, President of the Tibetan Youth Congress.

Hundreds of Tibetans and leaders of various organizations attended the ceremony and offered scarves at Yeshi’s statue. It was an intensely moving occasion for many Tibetans, including Lhasang Tsering, former President of TYC, who choked with emotion.

Yeshi was born in Tibet. In exile, he studied at the Tibetan Transit School and later moved to Delhi.

Self-immolation Toll 113: Exile administration offers prayers

Undated photo of Tulku Thupten Nyendak and Atse DHARAMSHALA, March 28: Considering different ways of setting themselves on fire in Tibet, the exile Tibetan administration includes Tulku Thupten Nyendak and his niece Atse in the list of self-immolators. Forty-five-year-old Thupten Nyendak of Dragkar Monastery in Lhagang in Kham, Eastern Tibet, and Atse, 23, from Serta Tibetan Buddhist Institute set themselves on fire at the former’s residence in Dzogchen Monastery on 6 April 2012. This reportedly happened after they offered butter lamps and prayers for all the Tibetan. “As a Tibetan and Buddhist, we offer prayer for 113 Tibetans who self-immolated in Tibet, out of which we have been saying 83 [took place] in 2012. But now it is [confirmed] 85 in 2012 and 95 have died,” said Dr Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of exile Tibet. CTA holds a prayer service for Tibetan self-immolators at the Tsug-la Khang in Dharamshala on March 27, 2013. Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters, including Dr Lobsang Sangay and other dignitaries of Tibetan government and school students attended a prayer service held at the Tsuglakhang, the main temple, near the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The special service was held for Thupten Nyendak, Atse, Kal Kyi (30) and Lhamo Kyab (43) who set themselves on fire in protest against China's continuing occupation of their homeland. Kal Kyi, set herself ablaze protesting near Jonang monastery in Zamthang in Eastern Tibet at 3:30 pm (local time) on March 24. She is survived by her husband and four children, who are all below 15. On March 25, Lhamo Kyab set himself ablaze in a forest in Sangchu County in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. The self-immolation took place around 10 pm (local time). He died in his fiery protest. The number of Tibetan self-immolations since 2009 now stands at 113.

Harsher regulations won't ease tension in Tibet: US Congressional panel

DHARAMSHALA, March 19: The United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China urged the Chinese government to end repressive policies in Tibet, saying that “harsher regulations and heavier security” will not ease tension in the region. In a statement issued by the bipartisan CECC on Monday, the chairmen called on China to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions. “We hope for an end to these tragic self-immolations soon. The Chinese government can reduce tension, but not through its current policy of harsher regulations and heavier security," said Senator Sherrod Brown, Chairman of the Commission. "Ending policies that deny Tibetans their freedoms of expression, association, and religion, while showing greater tolerance for cultural diversity, and resuming a dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions would go a long way toward easing tensions." Since 2009, as many as 109 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Scores of Tibetans have been sentenced to harsh prison terms, including a death sentence with a two year reprieve, by Chinese courts for their alleged roles in the fiery protests. CECC further told China that reversing its policies and allowing international observers into Tibet would help in alleviating the situation. "In recent years, Chinese officials have tightened controls on Tibetan Buddhism and monastic institutions, used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, promoted resettlement and educational policies that have threatened and disrupted Tibetan culture and language, and closed Tibetan areas off to the outside world," said Congressman Chris Smith, Cochairman of the Commission. "Reversing these policies and allowing international observers into the region would do much to alleviate the situation." The CECC, in a special report released last August titled, ‘Tibetan Self-Immolation Rising Frequency, Wider Spread, Greater Diversity,’ had said the Chinese government is unwilling to address the grievances of the Tibetan people and has refrained from admitting policy failure in Tibet. “The Party and government have not indicated any willingness to consider Tibetan grievances in a more constructive manner and to hold themselves accountable for Tibetan rejection of Chinese policies,” the report said. “The Party and government have handled the crisis as a threat to state security and social stability instead of a policy failure.”

150 UK MPs urged to raise Tibet with PM Cameron

Lobbyists taking part in Tibet Lobby, in Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, London March 13 2013.  March 16: Tibetans and supporters in the United Kingdom took part in the fifth annual Tibet Lobby this week at the Houses of Parliament and in local constituencies around the UK. About 300 supporters, either in face-to-face meetings or through letters, lobbied at least 150 MPs on Wednesday. Organisers said the focus of this year's lobby was “to call on MPs to ask David Cameron to make a public statement of concern on Tibet and to urge the UK government to work with other governments to find a solution to the Tibet crisis.” At Westminster, about 60 Tibetans and supporters met with their MPs in Central Lobby and raised their concerns and called on them to take action for Tibet. Organisers said the response was “positive” with most MPs “committing to take the recommended actions.” The MPs agreed it was time for another debate on Tibet in the House of Commons, given that the last debate was in December 2011. The same day, representatives of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet laid a wreath at Westminster Abbey “to mark the Tibetan National Uprising anniversary and remember all the victims of China's 63-year occupation.” The wreath-laying, at the Memorial to Innocent Victims of Oppression, Violence and War, was accompanied by a short multi-faith service. Fabian Hamilton MP (Lab, Leeds North East and chair of the APPGT), gave a short address drawing particular attention to those who have died due to China's occupation of Tibet and been imprisoned for defending the freedoms and human rights of the Tibetan people. The wreath-laying ceremony was organised by Tibet Society and APPGT. Earlier on March 10, the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day, approximately 600 Tibetans and Tibet supporters took to the streets in central London to call for an end to China's occupation of Tibet, for the Chinese government to respect the rights of the Tibetan people and for the UK government to stand up and take action. Tibet Freedom March heading along Whitehall, London on March 10, 2013, the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. Gathered opposite Downing Street, representatives from the organising coalition of UK-based Tibet groups delivered a letter the Prime Minister urging him to “publicly speak out on the Tibet issue and to work with other governments to urge China to end the repression in Tibet.” Demonstrators carried placards, waved Tibet flags, and raised slogans for "Free Tibet," "Human Rights for Tibet," and "Long Live the Dalai Lama." Upon reaching the Chinese Embassy, Member of Parliament and long-time Tibet supporter, Tim Loughton MP, addressed the rally, calling on the free world to "draw attention to the liberties that are denied to [Tibetans] by China in their own country." "We offer an olive branch to China if they really mean what it says in their constitution about respecting the autonomy of regions within the borders of China," said Loughton. "Start a new dialogue and if you do, if you really are serious about respecting the rights, identity, and culture of the Tibetan people inside and outside your boundaries, then the world will be behind you. We will be behind you." Thubten Samdup, the Dalai Lama's Representative for Northern Europe and the UK, read out the March 10 statement from Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people.

Tibetan college girls storm Chinese Embassy

A group of 13 Tibetan college girls protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on the 54th Tibetan Women's Uprising Day on March 12, 2013. NEW DELHI, March 12: A group of 13 Tibetan girls, all studying at the Delhi University, stormed the Chinese Embassy today shouting slogans demanding China “to get out of Tibet.” The protest was carried out to mark the 54th Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day. On March 12, 1959, thousands of Tibetan women gathered in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, peacefully protesting China’s occupation of Tibet. Chinese authorities responded by restoring to brute force, resulting in the deaths, torture, and arrests of a large number of women. The girls, member the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Rohini, carried out their protest outside the gates of the Chinese Embassy at around 11:45 am. With their faces painted in Tibetan national flags and wearing t-shirts carrying pictures of Tibetan self-immolators, the girls locked themselves together and shouted slogans calling for Tibet’s independence and demanding China to “get out of Tibet.” Organisers said today’s protest was especially dedicated to the 107 Tibetans who have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Indian police have arrested the protester and the girls are currently under detention at the Chanakya Puri Police Station.

From Brussels to Dharamshala, thousands expected to join March 10 protests

DHARAMSHALA, March 9: Tens of thousands of Tibetans and supporters will be pouring out on the streets the world over on March 10 to observe the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. Since March last year, more than 80 Tibetans have set themselves on fire protesting China’s continued occupation and demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. In Brussels, nearly 5000 Tibetans and supporters from all over Europe are expected to take part in a mass solidarity rally to highlight the tragic situation and the self-immolation crisis in Tibet, and seek support for concrete European Union action. More than 27 Tibetan Community Associations in Europe have for the first come together to organise the March 10 rally. Speakers at the event, apart from European leaders, include Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche, the exiled abbot of the Kirti Monasteries, Speaker Penpa Tsering, and Kalon Dicki Chhoyang. The organisers in a release said that through the mass solidarity rally, Tibetans will be appealing the EU and its Member States to urge China to review its failed hard-line policies in Tibet and allow unfettered access to Tibet for the media and international fact-finding delegations. The EU will also be called upon to instruct its Special Representative for Human Rights to seek access to Tibet and to appoint an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs with the primary task of encouraging and facilitating a dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government. In Toronto, Canada, around 3000 Tibetans, wearing traditional Tibetan clothes will carry out a mass rally tomorrow morning. Organisers said the marches will also carry 99 dummy coffins, draped in Tibetan national flags, in honour of Tibetan self-immolators who have passed away. Canadian members of parliament, Wayne Marston, who is also the Vice Chair Subcommittee of International Human Rights and Peggy Nash, among others, will be addressing the rally. In London, Tibetans and supporters will be marching from Downing Street to the Chinese Embassy where Tim Loughton MP will address a rally. The Tibet Freedom March in London will be calling on the Chinese government to end its six-decade brutal regime in Tibet and to respect the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people. Tibetans and supporters will also be urging David Cameron to speak up for the people of Tibet and make a public statement of concern over the current human rights situation in Tibet. In the exile headquarters of Dharamshala the official March 10 function will be attended by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people and Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament. Six ministers of the exile Tibetan administration will be attending official Tibetan National Uprising Day functions in four different continents tomorrow.

Tibetans observe 24th anniversary of declaration of martial law in Tibet

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay lead the Central Tibetan Administration in observing the 24th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in Tibet in 1989. Prayers were offered at the Tsug-la Khang on March 8, 2013. 

DHARAMSHALA, March 8: The exile Tibetan administration today held a special prayer service to mark the 24th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in Tibet’s capital Lhasa on March 8, 1989.

Hundreds of Tibetans including all staff members of the Central Tibetan Administration led by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people and school students attended the prayer service at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala.

Speaking to the media, Ngawang Choedak, Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture said the prayer service was held in “solidarity with all the Tibetans martyrs who were killed, jailed, and tortured during the martial law imposition in Lhasa.”

China under the then Tibet communist party Secretary Hu Jintao imposed martial law in Lhasa on March 8, 1989 after three days of protest by Tibetans against Chinese rule. 16 Tibetans died in the protests and thousands of armed forces were deployed in the city.

The martial law continued for 13 months and ended on May 1, 1990. All foreign journalists, tourists, and diplomats were banned from the region for two years. In total, around 2000 Tibetans were killed during the entire period of the imposition of martial law.

The exile Tibetan administration has been holding similar annual prayer services since 1990.

A former political prisoner, Venerable Bhagdro, who was in Lhasa during that time, shared his memories of the unrest and martial law in Tibet.

“It was sometime before I was jailed when I was hiding up in the mountains,” Ven. Bhagdro recalled. “I heard from people about the declaration of martial law in Lhasa. But I had to go to Lhasa for treatment as I was shot in my leg by Chinese armed forces. I faced lots of problem as the city was completely under lockdown.”

Ven. Bhagdro expressed further remorse that the situation in Tibet has not seen any improvement.

“Presently, the situation in Tibet is very critical. CCTV cameras have been put in most of the monasteries and Potala Palace. Monasteries are no more monasteries, it is more like prison and monks are treated like prisoners.”

Breaking: Another Tibetan self-immolates, Seven deaths in seven days

 In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire in an apparent protest against Chinese rule on Friday, November 23 in Tsekhog (Ch: Zeku) region of eastern Tibet.

Tamding Dorjee, 29, set himself ablaze near the entrance of the local Chinese administrative office of Dokarmo town in Tsekhog region of Malho at around 6:30 pm (local time).

According to exile sources, Tamding Dorjee raised slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with folded hands while engulfed in flames. He passed away at the site of his protest.

Following the self-immolation protest, thousands of local Tibetans gathered to offer prayers and attend the funeral which was carried out later in the night.

Latest reports indicate that local Chinese authorities have cut off Internet and phone lines in an attempt to contain the spread of the news.

With Tamding Dorjee’ self-immolation protest, 81 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009 demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

The alarming escalation in the fiery protests has already witnessed 19 Tibetans burn themselves in the month of November alone with seven self-immolations in the last seven days.

The protests continue even as Chinese authorities announced heightened restrictions and the implementation of a five-point notification giving stern orders to punish self-immolators, their families, their villages and even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.”

Prayer service in Dharamshala

Yesterday, thousands of Tibetans and supporters including the Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioners, Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalons, members of parliament, and school students attended a prayer service held in honour of Tibetan self-immolators at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala.

Special prayers were offered for Wangchen Norbu, 18; Tsering Dhundup, 35; and Lubum Gyal, 18 who set themselves on fire in protest against China’s occupation of Tibet.

Wangchen Norbu, 25, set himself ablaze on Monday near the Kangtsa Gaden Choephel Ling Monastery. He passed away at the site of his protest.

He raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile, release of the Panchen Lama and freedom for Tibet.

On Tuesday, Tsering Dhondup, 35, set himself ablaze on a ground near the entrance of a mining site in Amchok region of Labrang Sangchu. He succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest.

Tsering Dhondup is survived by his wife Tamding Tso, their three children, and his parents.

Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet on Thursday in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Speaking at the prayer service, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said the prayer services were significant as it sends a message of solidarity from exile Tibetans to Tibetans inside Tibet.

“We hold the prayer services in honour of self-immolators’ family, Tibetans in prison and for those Tibetans who have lost their lives for Tibet,” Sikyong Sangay said.

The Dalai Lama recently told reporters that China’s repressive policies and the unbearable situation in Tibet are forcing Tibetans to set themselves of fire in Tibet.

"The unbearable situation in Tibet is the cause for these unfortunate events. I am very sad about the turn of events. These are symptoms of fear, hard line suppressive policy practiced by China in Tibet. The time has come for China to think more realistically," reporters quoted the Tibetan spiritual leader as saying,

Breaking: Another self-immolation rocks Tibet, Toll reaches 80

Tibetan self-immolator Tamding Kyab, 23, in an undated photo. November 23: In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire late last night in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. The Tibetan man, the 80th to self-immolate inside Tibet since 2009, has been identified as Tamding Kyab. “Tamding Kyab, 23 years of age, set himself on fire on November 22 at around 10 pm (local time) in the Kluchu region of Kanlho, eastern Tibet,” exile Tibetans hailing from the region told Phayul. “After local Tibetans recovered Tamding Kyab's charred body this morning, they carried it to his home." Monks from the nearby Shitsang Monastery have been performing prayers at the deceased's home and also carried out the last rites today. A nomad, Tamding Kyab was earlier a monk at the Shitsang Monastery, where currently his younger brother is studying. The charred body of Tamding Kyab placed under a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tamding Kyab passed away in his self-immolation protest against China's rule on November 22, 2012. Tamding Kyab frequently spoke out the ongoing self-immolation protests and expressed his desire for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "Whenever he heard of a self-immolation protest, he used to say, "How I wish I could also sacrifice my life" and often stated that without the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, there is "no difference between living and dying" in this world," the same sources said citing contacts in the regions. The same day, Lubum Gyal, 18, passed away after setting himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet following heightened restrictions and the implementation of a five-point notification issued by Chinese authorities giving stern orders “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The alarming escalation in self-immolation protests has already witnessed 18 Tibetans set themselves on fire in the month of November alone, making this the deadliest month since the protests began. Thousands of Tibetans, including school students, have carried out mass protests and rallies demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Earlier this month, local Chinese authorities in Kanlho (Ch:Gannan) imposed a “near-total information blockade” in the region following seven self-immolations in the past month. Local authorities clamped down on the Internet and mobile phone lines, imposing an indefinite ban on the sale of mobile SIM cards on three known shops in Sangchu, while restricting the sale of petrol and other flammable liquids in towns and villages in the area. Also in the region, local Chinese authorities posted notices last month, offering 50,000 Chinese Yuan (US $ 7,913) for information on “the sources of scheming, planning, and instigating” self-immolations. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.”

CTA launches USD 2m Tibet Education Project

Rinchen Dharlo, President of Tibet Fund (l) and Additional Secretary Topgyal Tsering of the Department of Education addressing the press in Dharamshala at the launch of the Tibet Education Project November 23, 2012.

The exile Tibetan administration today officially launched the Tibet Education Project, a two-year programme, aimed at improving the quality of education opportunities for Tibetan refugee students in India and Nepal.

Funded by the US Agency for International Development, the programme will be implemented in close cooperation with the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Education.

Earlier this September, USAID awarded USD 2 million to Tibet Fund, a US-based NGO operating out of New York City, to implement TEP.

In a release, the Education Department said the TEP will address the critical education needs prioritised by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people.

“This new initiative will provide significant boost in strengthening the overall Tibetan education system and provide much-needed resources to realise some of the core educational goals of my administration,” said Sikyong Dr Sangay who is also the Kalon for the Department of Education.

“I want to thank USAID, Under Secretary Maria Otero and the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues for making this program possible.”

The project includes intensification of teacher development and training; expansion of Scholarship Program; Scale the Counseling Program; prioritising Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education; providing Test Preparation and Coaching for Secondary School Students and Improve Educational Management.

Sikyong Dr Sangay; Bill Hammink, USAID Mission Director in India; Sang Lee, USAID Agreement Officer Representative; Rinchen Dharlo, President of Tibet Fund; Bob Ankerson, Vice-President of Tibet Fund and senior officials of the CTA’s Department of Education attended the launch programme earlier today.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference following the launch, Additional Secretary Topgyal Tsering of DoE said: “TEP seeks to revitalise of Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal by strengthening the Tibetan education system in innovative, replicable ways that equip young Tibetans to succeed in modern professions, become strong and visionary leaders.”

CTA recently announced new scholarship schemes representing a 50 percent increase in the annual scholarship funding provided by the exile administration.

China stirs up hornet’s nest of boundary disputes

A Chinese man holds up a Chinese passport with details on a page that shows dashes which include the South China Sea as part of the Chinese territory outside a passport office in Beijing, China, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012.

China has again stirred up the hornet’s nest of unsettled boundary disputes with its neighbours by issuing revised passports that show it staking its claim on Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin (in India), the entire South China Sea and even Taiwan.

The passports issued in May, carries an outline of China printed in the upper left corner with the contentious regions, hemmed in by the dashes. Although China’s official maps have long included parts of India, Taiwan and the South China Sea as Chinese territory, this act of printing it on its passports could be seen as a provocation since other countries would be required to tacitly endorse those claims by affixing their official seals to the documents.

According to media reports, India has retaliated by stamping these passports with its own version of the map, marking out its own territorial boundaries. Although India is yet to raise this matter diplomatically with China, the issue however could feature on the agenda when India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon visits China for border talks in a few weeks.

The 15th and the latest round of Sino-Indian special representative talks were held in New Delhi this January and reportedly ended in a deadlock after Beijing insisted it would settle for nothing less that “its share” of Arunachal Pradesh.

Philippines and Vietnam have sent diplomatic notes to the Chinese embassies, lodging their “strong protest” and demanding that Beijing remove the “erroneous content” printed in the passport.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam are scheduled to meet December 12 to discuss claims in the South China Sea and the role of China.

In Taiwan, the ruling party and opposition lawmakers alike have condemned the map, saying it could harm the warming ties the historic rivals have enjoyed since Ma Ying-jeou became president 4 1/2 years ago.

‘‘This is total ignorance of reality and only provokes disputes,’’ said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, the Cabinet-level body responsible for ties with Beijing. The council said the government cannot accept the map.

Taiwan recently decided to bar the Dalai Lama from entering the island to give a keynote speech at the 2012 Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in December, citing “professional assessment.”

Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed that they would not allow the visit, noting that "It's just not a good time."

The country’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party politicians accused President Ma Ying-jeou of blocking the Dalai Lama's visit due to pressure from Beijing while the organisers of the visit said the move reflected fear of angering China.

Breaking: Tibetan teen burns self to death, Toll climbs to 79

In no respite to the spate of self-immolations inside Tibet, another Tibetan teenager passed away in his fiery protest.

In confirmed reports received by Phayul, Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet at around 4:20 pm (local time) in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency also reported on the incident, confirming that the self-immolator (Libong Tsering) succumbed to his injuries.

“Lubum Gyal set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Dowa town,” Sonam, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region told Phayul. “Soon, a large number of Tibetans gathered and rescued his body from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities.”

“Monks from the Dowa Monastery later carried out the last rites of Lubum Gyal at a nearby crematorium,” Sonam added.

According to the same source, the recent deployment of large numbers of Chinese armed forces and the severe restrictions placed on local Tibetans triggered Lubum Gyal’s fiery protest.

“Following the recent escalation in self-immolations and protests in Dowa and the adjoining regions, Chinese security personnel armed with automatic guns have forced strict restrictions on the movement of Tibetans,” Sonam cited sources as saying. “Moreover, higher ranked Chinese government and Communist Party officials have been paying frequent trips to Dowa to investigate the reasons behind the protests and to assure that no more protests take place in the region.”

The Chinese officials were reportedly implementing the five-point notification issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.”

The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place.

Lubum Gyal is survived by his father Tsego.

The Rebkong region of Malho has now witnessed ten self-immolation protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month.

79 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009.

China to punish families, entire villages of self-immolators

Chinese authorities in Malho (Chinese: Huangnan) region of eastern Tibet have announced a series of strict measures targeting the ongoing wave of self-immolations with further restrictions, punishments, and threats.

Dharamshala based rights group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, in a release today said the five-point notice issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 gives stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.”

The recent escalation in self-immolations has made an alarming impact in Rebkong region of Malho with nine fiery protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month.

The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place.

“The first point in the notification clearly states that government aid to the family members of a person who had self-immolated will be cut off for three years ... Development funds will be cancelled to those villages where self-immolations took place; even those projects that had been approved earlier will be cancelled within three years,” TCHRD said in its release.

The notice calls for “detailed investigation” into the “failure” of local leaders and relevant Communist Party officials to protect “stability” and “harmony” in areas where self-immolations have taken place. It says that official if found “guilty” will be relieved of their posts and “severe measures” will be taken against them.

The notice goes on to call for “thorough investigation” to determine whether any government officials had visited homes of self-immolators to offer condolences and further warns others from such acts, the offence of which, the notice says, will “attract immediate firing, followed by investigations and punishments.”

While asking higher authorities to “advise and guide” these officials, the notice states that the Public Security Bureau officers will “strike hard” on those who do not listen to such guidance.

“If a village or a monastery has collectively organized prayer ceremonies and visits to the families of self-immolator, then the whole village will get no government aid. All development projects approved earlier in the village will be cancelled within three years,” TCHRD quoted the notice as saying.

The notice warns that if high lamas or abbots or senior staff at monasteries are found of having organised prayer ceremonies for self-immolators, then their monasteries will be closed down and steps will be taken to purge these monasteries of causing "instability."

It must be be noted that on several occasions, self-immolators have chosen to set themselves ablaze near their local monasteries, following which, their bodies have been in many cases carried inside the monastery premises to perform prayers and rituals.

“Heavy punishment shall be given to those who attempt to organise themselves or form associations or groups,” the notice states.

The notice further blames the “Dalai clique” for the instability in the region.

The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation.

“The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.”

Press Freedom Award boosts global call for Tibetan filmmaker’s release

Lhamo Tso, wife of imprisoned Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, holds a petition for her husband at the Committee to Protect Journalists' International Freedom Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Nov. 20, 2012 in New York City. The global campaign for the release of jailed Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen received a major boost with the awarding of the Committee to Protect Journalists' 2012 International Press Freedom Award. The self-taught Tibetan documentary filmmaker, along with Mauri König (Gazeta do Povo, Brazil), Mae Azango (FrontPage Africa and New Narratives, Liberia), and Azimjon Askarov (Ferghana News and Golos Svobody, Kyrgyzstan) were recognised by the global press freedom group for their “courageous reporting” and “risking their lives and liberty to reveal abuses of power and human rights violations.” Wangchen’s wife, Lhamo Tso was present to receive the award at a gala dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria on November 20 in New York City. CPJ told the gathering of over 900 attendees that two on its annual awardees, Dhondup Wangchen and Azimjon Askarov were currently in jail for “holding officials accountable and helping ordinary people voice their indignation.” Wangchen conceived and shot the film "Leaving Fear Behind" (Tib:Jigdrel) to portray life in Tibet in advance of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He was arrested on March 26, 2008 for filming interviews with ordinary Tibetans on their views on the Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government’s policies in Tibet. Shortly after his footage was smuggled overseas, Wangchen disappeared into Chinese detention. Hewas sentenced to six years in prison for “subversion” on December 28, 2009 following a secret trial. In January 2010, he was denied appeal. In prison Wangchen contracted Hepatitis B and has been reported in poor health. Wangchen’s hard-hitting documentary has been screened in over 30 countries with his wife Lhamo Tso travelling internationally to campaign for her husband's release. Tso, who hasn’t spoken to her husband since March 2008, told CPJ that the decision to formally release the documentary was a “very difficult” one. "It was very difficult," she told CPJ. "He hadn't been sentenced yet. We didn't know if publicising it would hurt his chances. But in the film, so many people spoke out about their opinions, about the Dalai Lama. So many had spent time, effort, energy on this film. I thought my personal family matter was less important. The film should be shown." Looking after their four children and his elderly parents, Tso said that applying pressure on the Chinese government does make a difference. The reason Dhondup Wangchen's working conditions improved, she said, is because of the vocal support he is getting from outside prison walls. CPJ has also launched a petition addressed to the Chinese President, calling for the release of Dhondup Wangchen. Coinciding with the award, Marina Schuster, Speaker for Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance of the Free Democratic Party at the German Federal Parliament congratulated Wangchen and demanded his immediate release from detention. The Group of the Free Democratic Party further expressed its concern about reports of Wangchen subjected to torture and suffering from Hepatitis B while in detention and called upon the Chinese government to “pursue the path of openness and to respect fundamental human and civil rights.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama leaves Dharamshala for extended south India visit

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, waves to well-wishers as he leaves Dharamshala on November 22, 2012.

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today left his exile hometown of Dharamshala for an extended visit to south India.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to begin his tour with a two-day visit to the Indian state of Kerala from November 24-25.

On Saturday, the Dalai Lama will be joining hundreds of spiritual leaders for the 80th annual pilgrimage season of Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala near Kollam.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Swami Rhithambharananda, General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust said: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama took special initiative to attend this conference as he could not accept our invitation last year. He will be attending the conference from 9 am to 11 am on the day.”

Among other dignitaries, Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Dharma Sanghom Trust president Swami Prakashananda and Kerala Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan will be participating in the event.

On day two of his Kerala visit, His Holiness will travel to the port city of Kochi and speak on "The Art of Happiness" at a function organised by Friends of Tibet to the beneficiaries of the "Wellbeing" Tibetan medical camp being held in the city for the last two years.

Friends of Tibet is also organising an exhibition of historic photographs on Tibet and artifacts, including coins and currencies from the then Independent Tibet and a radio used by the Dalai Lama.

Later in the evening, His Holiness will be the Chief Guest at the Catholicate Centenary Celebrations and the anniversary function of the Orthodox Church in Ernakulam.

From November 30 to December 13, His Holiness is scheduled to give a fourteen-day teachings on 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) Commentaries, including Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron), Tsongkhapa’s Great, Middling, and Concise Treatises on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (lamrim chenmo, lamrim dringpo and lamrim dudon), and 14 other classic Lam Rim texts at Gaden Monastery and Drepung Monastery at the request of H.E. Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and Gaden Shartse Monastery.

Showdown in Chennai, More than 100 Tibetan students mass arrest

Tibetan students in Chennai, south India call for international intervention in the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet.

November 22: More than one hundred Tibetan students studying at various colleges in the south Indian metropolitan city of Chennai staged a mass protest yesterday, demanding international intervention in the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests inside Tibet.

The students, as part of the Tibetan Students Association of Madras, filled the Gemini-Flyover, one of Chennai’s busiest roads, opposite the United States Consulate at around 3 pm Wednesday.

More than 110 students, all wearing black t-Shirts inked with Tibet slogans, unfolded two large banners from the flyover. One of the banners read “Tibet is not a part of China” and the other carried pictures of China’s new Politburo Standing Committee members with the title “Seven new terrorist leaders of China on Tibet.”

Speaking to Phayul, Tenzin Phuntsok, president of TSAM said the sloganeering and demonstrations carried on for about an hour before the police arrived at the site.

Tibetan students in Chennai, south India call for international intervention in the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet.

“We continued our protest even after the police’s arrival,” Phuntsok said. “The police then arrested all our students and we were detained for around five hours before being finally released.”

The protesters urged the United Nations to immediately intervene in the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet and press China to allow visits by international media and human rights observers in Tibet.

The ongoing wave of fiery protests in Tibet has witnessed 78 Tibetans set themselves on fire since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The month of November alone has seen 16 self-immolations against China’s rule and mass protests by thousands of Tibetans including school students.

Earlier this month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay urged China to “promptly address the longstanding grievances that have led to an alarming escalation in desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations, in Tibetan areas.”

Pillay said she was disturbed by "continuing allegations of violence against Tibetans seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights," and urged China to allow independent and impartial monitors to visit and assess the actual conditions on the ground, and to lift restrictions on media access to the region, as a confidence-building measure.

Chinese Govt to implement more harsh treatment to Tibetans

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has reported today, on Nov. 22, 2012, China punishes protest self-immolations, cuts off aid to Tibetans. The Chinese authorities in Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province have announced they have cancelled government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where Tibetans had carried out protest self-immolations.

In an official notification which was issued on Nov. 14, 2012, by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government, local Party and government officials have been given strict orders to punish self-immolators and their families, and even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives. A source has told TCHRD that the notification, which was issued both in Tibetan and Chinese, was shown on Malho Prefectural TV channel. The first point in this notification clearly states that government aid to the family members of a person who had self-immolated will be cut off for three years. Nobody is allowed to arrange for the resumption of government aid to such families.

 Furthermore, development funds will be cancelled to those villages where self-immolations have taken place. Even projects in these villages that had been approved earlier will be cancelled within three years. And, as is usual with the Chinese government, the so-called “Dalai clique”, has been held responsible for the extensive instability in the region. The Chinese government has stated, “The Dalai clique, wearing religious robes, use self-immolations to create instability.” The Chinese government has also said the “Dalai clique” has also been responsible for inciting schoolchildren to create disturbances and instability.

Burning Tibet ; another teen self immolation's, toll reaches 79

In no respite to the spate of self-immolations inside Tibet, another Tibetan teenager passed away in his fiery protest Thursday, November 22.

In confirmed reports received by Phayul, Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet at around 4:20 pm (local time) in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency also reported on the incident, confirming that the self-immolator (Libong Tsering) succumbed to his injuries.

“Lubum Gyal set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Dowa town,” Sonam, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region had  told Phayul. “Soon, a large number of Tibetans gathered and rescued his body from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities.”

“Monks from the Dowa Monastery later carried out the last rites of Lubum Gyal at a nearby crematorium,” Sonam added.

According to the same source, the recent deployment of large numbers of Chinese armed forces and the severe restrictions placed on local Tibetans triggered Lubum Gyal’s fiery protest.

“Following the recent escalation in self-immolations and protests in Dowa and the adjoining regions, Chinese security personnel armed with automatic guns have forced strict restrictions on the movement of Tibetans,” Sonam cited sources as saying. “Moreover, higher ranked Chinese government and Communist Party officials have been paying frequent trips to Dowa to investigate the reasons behind the protests and to assure that no more protests take place in the region.”

The Chinese officials were reportedly implementing the five-point notification issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.”

The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place.

Lubum Gyal is survived by his father Tsego.

The Rebkong region of Malho has now witnessed ten self-immolation protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month.

79 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009.

Chinese nationals at TSG root for democracy

DHARAMSHALA: About 20 Chinese nationals who attended the crucial meet of Tibetan Support Groups (TSGs) held under the banner of International Tibet Network at Dicky Tsering Hall in McLeodganj, expressed that the "democratic setup of the Tibetans-in-exile was better than the communist regime in China". They also rued that once again no representation had been given to minority communities in the new leadership of China.
"Reports on the 18{+t}{+h} Chinese Communist Party Congress suggest that the new Chinese leadership will stick to old policies. A democratic setup will be better for China than communist regime," said Yang Jinali, president of Initiative for China Movement, which is working for advancing peaceful transition of democracy in China.
"The composition of 25-member political bureau and the seven-member standing committee shows that there is little representation for minority communities like Muslims and Tibetans in the new leadership," said a Chinese, requesting anonymity. The three-day meet, which concluded on Sunday, was organized to design strategic campaigns to take up the Tibetan issue with the new Chinese leadership. When contacted, the media officer of Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Choedak, maintained that there were 200 participants from 43 countries, including China. "The meeting was called to discuss the current situation in Tibet as mounting self-immolations have gripped the exiled Tibetan community in grief. About 8 Tibetans have died in last 17 days while the total toll has reached 71," said Choedak.
Meanwhile, international Tibet support groups have pledged to mobilize the international community to press the Chinese government to find a lasting and mutually-agreeable solution to the problem. TSG members expressed solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet for their unwavering determination and commitment to non-violence in resisting China's policies to undermine Tibet's culture, language and religion. They said the responsibility for this crisis lies with China's past leaders and their failed policies over the last 60 years.

Chinese nationals at TSG root for democracy

 DHARAMSHALA: About 20 Chinese nationals who attended the crucial meet of Tibetan Support Groups (TSGs) held under the banner of International Tibet Network at Dicky Tsering Hall in McLeodganj, expressed that the "democratic setup of the Tibetans-in-exile was better than the communist regime in China". They also rued that once again no representation had been given to minority communities in the new leadership of China.

"Reports on the 18{+t}{+h} Chinese Communist Party Congress suggest that the new Chinese leadership will stick to old policies. A democratic setup will be better for China than communist regime," said Yang Jinali, president of Initiative for China Movement, which is working for advancing peaceful transition of democracy in China.

"The composition of 25-member political bureau and the seven-member standing committee shows that there is little representation for minority communities like Muslims and Tibetans in the new leadership," said a Chinese, requesting anonymity. The three-day meet, which concluded on Sunday, was organized to design strategic campaigns to take up the Tibetan issue with the new Chinese leadership. When contacted, the media officer of Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Choedak, maintained that there were 200 participants from 43 countries, including China. "The meeting was called to discuss the current situation in Tibet as mounting self-immolations have gripped the exiled Tibetan community in grief. About 8 Tibetans have died in last 17 days while the total toll has reached 71," said Choedak.

Meanwhile, international Tibet support groups have pledged to mobilize the international community to press the Chinese government to find a lasting and mutually-agreeable solution to the problem. TSG members expressed solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet for their unwavering determination and commitment to non-violence in resisting China's policies to undermine Tibet's culture, language and religion. They said the responsibility for this crisis lies with China's past leaders and their failed policies over the last 60 years.