Karmapa attends 300th Anniversary of Garcham

The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee (Left) attends the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. DHARAMSHALA, March 22: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee attended the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. Speaking on the occasion, the Karmapa told the audience to understand the true virtue of Padmasambhava’s mind, body and soul through the religious dance and not to consider it as a pure entertainment. As the Tibetans inside Tibet are showing strong ‘courage’ and ‘determination’, the Karmapa called upon the exile Tibetans to offer their prayers and work towards the unification of Tibetans. ‘This is our unavoidable responsibility,’ he said. The fundamental steps, motions and movements of Garcham or the sacred dance as well as the meditation accompanying them are based on the writings of early Indian Buddhist text translated and taught in Tibet during the time of Padmasambhava. Consequently, the Garcham celebrates the birth of Padmasambahva and his eight emanations. Garcham performance at the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. The sacred festival was attended by over a thousand of disciples, many of whom have traveled from across the world, including representatives from Indian and the exile Tibetan governments. The Khampa Gar cham had its origination in 1712 when Kunga Tenzin, Third Khamtrul Rinpoche, had a vision during his retreat in Govo-Chung cave. On the tenth day of the monkey lunar month the entire universe was said to have transformed into the Mandala of Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava in his vision advised Kunga Tenzin to note down all the details of the vision and to have a sacred dance sadhana performed for the benefit of all sentient beings. This year’s garcham marks 300 years of unbroken performance.

A solitary cycle rally across Europe

DHARAMSHALA, March 19: A Tibetan man has embarked on a solitary cycle rally across Europe to appeal for Tibetans inside Tibet and in solidarity with their sacrifices. Rinpo, a Tibetan man from Minnesota in US will appeal to the leaders of the European Union and the people of Europe during his cycle rally to “support the young and ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet who are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of Tibetan people and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.” “The repressions do not seem to show any signs of improvement,” said Rinpo. “The overall situation inside Tibet is becoming increasingly tense and urgent. The Chinese government is hell bent upon suppressing the unrests while totally overlooking the causes of these drastic acts of protests.” Rinpo further called upon international community to stop the repressions and pressurize the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet once and for all. “The Tibetans are living under constant fear of arrests, persecutions, tortures and even deaths,” he said. On behalf of the Tibetans inside Tibet, Rinpo plans to appeal leaders, intellectuals, students and citizens of Europe to urge China to review its failed hard-line policies in Tibet; address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people by resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue; and allow world media and international fact-finding delegations to investigate the real cause of self-immolations. The rally began in Brussels on March 17 and will travel to over 150 towns and cities in 13 European countries. At the end of this campaign, Rinpo will submit a signed petition to the leaders of EU and its member states.

China sentences Tibetans up to six years

DHARAMSHALA, March 21: In connection with the self-immolation protest, Chinese court in Qinghai (Tib. Amdo) province handed down three Tibetans up to six years in jail. According to Dharamshala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Tibetans were charged of “incitement to split the country” and invoked article 103 of the Chinese Criminal Law to punish the Tibetans. The Intermediate People’s court in Tsoshar has sentenced Jigmey Thapkhey to five years in jail and deprived his political rights for three years; Kelsang Dhondup was given six-year jail term and withdrawn his political rights for four years. A court in Ping‘an County sentenced Lobsang to four years in prison and deprived his political rights for two years. In January this year, a Chinese court sentenced Lobsang Konchok, 40, a monk from Ngaba Kirti Monastery to death with a two-year reprieve and Lobsang Tsering, 31, to ten years in prison. On the same day, six other Tibetans were handed down heavy jail terms for their alleged roles in trying to rescue a Tibetan self-immolator from falling into the hands of Chinese security forces. Since 2009, there have been 109 confirmed Tibetans self-immolations calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. It is also reported that on March 19 a number of Tibetans were prosecuted for their alleged roles in the self-immolation of Rinchen, 17 and Sonam Dhargey, 18, who set themselves on fire in Kyangtsa in Dzorge, Eastern Tibet on February 19. Both succumbed to their burns.

Tibetans protest against China’s shift in blame of self-immolation protest

Tibetan activists in Dharamshala stages a protest on “China’s victimization” of family members of self-immolators, March 21, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 21: As a response to continuing attempts by Chinese authorities to blame and impose heavy punishment on the family members of the self-immolators, the Tibetans in Dharamshala today staged a protest on “China’s victimization” of family members of self-immolators. The protesters paraded Xi Jinping’s bigheaded oaf holding a million Yuan in Mcleod Ganj and displayed placards saying Accept the Lie or Die! Two option: Either Accept the Bribe or Face the Punishment! I Will Never Accept the Lie! etc. The protest was jointly organized by regional chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association and Students For a Free Tibet, India. “The continuous self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet is one of the strongest political statements that highlights the height of oppression under which Tibetans have been suffering for a long time,” said Dorjee Tseten, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Chinese government’s attempt to conceal the reality by deploying heavy military and punishing innocent Tibetans or offering bribe will only further deteriorate the situation. Tibetans will not stop resisting until and unless China addresses the real issue of the Tibetan people.” On 13 March, Kunchok Wangmo, 31, set herself on fire protesting China’s rule over her homeland around midnight in the Dzoge region of Ngaba, Northeastern Tibet. She died from injuries. Following her self-immolation protest, the local Chinese authorities arrested Wangmo’s husband Dolma Kyab when he refused to comply with their orders to declare internal family feuds as the reason for her self-immolation. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Dolma Kyab allegedly choked his wife to death after a quarrel and then transferred her body to the residential community where it was set alight on 12 March. Currently, Kyab’s condition and whereabouts of Kyab are not known. Similarly, in November last year, by Chinese security personnel secretly detained the husband of self-immolator, Dolkar Tso, when he refused to accept bribes offered by local authorities to state that his wife set herself on fire due to to family disputes and not in protest against China’s rule.

Dalai Lama leaves Dharamshala for Northeast India Tour

His Holiness the Dalai Lama leaves Dharamshala, March 21, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 21: The Tibetan Spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today left Dharamshala for visits to Ravangla, Sikkim and Salugara in Northeast India. The Sikkim Government has requested the five-day tour to the state. The Tibetan Nobel Laureate is scheduled to begin his visit from Ravangla in Sikkim where he will perform the Vajrakilaya (Dorjee Phurba) consecration ceremony of the Buddha Statue followed by a teaching on Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattva (Gyasay Laklen Sodunma). On second day in Ravangla, His Holiness will confer White Tara Long Life Empowerment (Dolker Jenang Tsewang) and the State Government of Sikkim and Tibetan Communities in Ravangla will offer the long-life prayer ceremony (Tenshug) to His Holiness. On the final day of the visit, the seventy-seven-year-old Tibetan leader will visit to Salugura, Siliguri, where he is scheduled to teach on Tsong Khapa’s Concise Stages for the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Dudon) and Longchen Rabjam's Relaxing the Mind Itself (Sem-nyid Nyesol). His Holiness will return to Dharamshala on March 30. The Tibetan leader visited Sikkim in 2010, during which he toured Ravangla in the south of the state, where he addressed a congregation of people at the Tibetan settlement. He also visited the Ralong Monastery, arguably the oldest monastery in Sikkim built during the late 1600’s.

Karmapa to Grace Khampa Gar Tsechu Festival

Khampa Gar traditional ritual dance (cham).  DHARAMSHALA, March 20: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee will be the Chief Guest at the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Cham in Khampa Gar at Tashijong, a Tibetan refugee camp in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The weeklong festival (March 22-27) begins on the 10th day of the 2nd Tibetan lunar month and will ends on 15th. Jagat Singh Negi, Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Ravi Thakur, Member of Legislative Assembly from Lahaul Spiti and Kishori Lal, Member of State Legislative Assembly, will also attend the festival. According to Roshan Lal Negi, over a thousand of disciples from Ladakh, Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and other areas will come for the religious festival, and about four hundred foreign disciples are also expected to attend the ceremony. This year’s annual Tsechu Cham or religious dance marks the 300th years since this Khampa Gar traditional sacred dance began in 1712. The sacred dance or cham will depict the manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, the great Indian Buddhist teacher who taught Buddhism in Tibet, and his deeds. As a part of the weeklong festival, the Government of Himachal Pradesh will facilitate Tashi Jong Tibetan Settlement and some of the people involved in its initiative to make it the only tobacco-free camp in the state. Khampa Gar Monastery has around 400 monks and was founded by the Eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche Dongyu Nyima (1931-1980) in the late 1950s after his coming into exile. Tashi Jong, where the monastery is located, is about 40 km from Dharamshala

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.”

Prayers for the Dalai Lama on a rock earn China’s resentment

Visible blue blotches covering up prayers for the Dalai Lama on a cliff in Tridu region of eastern Tibet. DHARAMSHALA, March 19: Chinese authorities have effaced a traditional Tibetan prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, written on a rock face near the Nyitso Zilkar Monastery in Tridu region of Kyegudo, eastern Tibet. According to an exile monk, Lobsang Sangyal, the inscriptions on the rock, made on top of carved mantras, appeared on March 10, coinciding with the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. “As soon as the local Chinese authorities came to know about the inscriptions, they termed the incident as ‘political’ and dispatched security personnel to erase the prayer,” Sangyal The prayer, ‘Gangri rawei korwei shingkham su …’ an ancient Tibetan hymn, calls for the “reign of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to endure till the end of existence.” Sangye added that details about the incident were not immediately known as Chinese authorities had warned local Tibetans against placing international calls. “Tibetans in the Tridu region were called for a meeting by local Chinese government officials before March 10 and were ordered not to establish contact with the outside world,” Sangyal said. “They further said that all international calls were being monitored and recorded.” Recently, a monk at the Nyitso Zilkar monastery, Lobsang Jinpa, 31, who was hospitalised last year after suffering severe beating and torture in Chinese police custody was rearrested and sentenced to five years in prison. On February 8, last year, around 400 monks from the Zilkar monastery had led a protest march to Zatoe town with banners, written in blue and red ink, symbolic of the two protector deities of Tibet, calling for the Dalai Lama’s return, release of Tibetan political prisoners including the XIth Panchen Lama and respect for Tibetan lives. The march, which was later joined by a large number of local Tibetans, coincided with the global solidarity vigil called by the exile based Central Tibetan Administration.

Breaking: Kirti monk marks March 16 with self-immolation, Toll rises to 108

Tibetan self-immolator Lobsang Thokmey. March 16: A Tibetan monk in Ngaba region of eastern Tibet has become the 108th Tibetan living under China’s rule to self-immolate, marking five years since the 2008 peaceful protests in the region. Lobsang Thokmey, 28, a monk at the Kirti Monastety set himself on fire today at around 2:40 pm (local time). He passed away in his protest. According to the Dharamshala based Kirti Monastery, Lobsang Thokmey doused his body with kerosene in front of his monastic quarters in the west of the Kirti Monastery and started running towards the east. “Lobsang Thokmey was in flames as he began running with the Buddhist flag in his hands,” the Kirti Monastery said in a release. “Before he could reach the main gate, he fell on the ground.” Monks and people gathered at the scene of the protest carried Lobsang Thokmey to the local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. “A large number of Chinese security personnel arrived at the hospital soon after Lobsang Thokmey was admitted and later forcibly took away the deceased’s body to the regional headquarters of Barkham,” the same source said. It is not yet known what slogans Lobsang Thokmey raised during his self-immolation protest. He is survived by his parents Rogtrug and Depo and one sister and three brothers. Lobsang Thokmey became a monk at the Kirti Monastery at a young age and was currently enrolled in the pharchin class. “His conduct was excellent and he was very diligent in his studies,” the Kirti Monastery recalled contacts as saying. On March 16, 2008, around 28 Tibetans were shot dead on a single day by Chinese security forces during the peaceful protest in Ngaba as part of the wider uprisings that engulfed the entire Tibetan plateau. On the third anniversary of the 2008 killings, Kirti monk Lobsang Phuntsok set himself on fire at a busy market place in Ngaba on March 16, 2011, triggering in earnest the continuing wave of self-immolations. A year later on March 16, 2012, another Kirti monk Lobsang Tsultrim torched his body, marking the anniversary of the March 16 killings and protests in the Ngaba region. Since Kirti monk Tabey’s self-immolation protest in 2009, as many as 108 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. The exile Tibetan administration earlier called the unprecedented number of self-immolations “ultimate acts of civil disobedience against China’s failed rule in Tibet.” “Concrete steps that the leaders of the world need to take immediately are to send Ms Navi Pillay of UNHCR on a visit to Tibet and investigate the real causes of self immolations, and convene a meeting to discuss and address the crisis in Tibet,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people said last month.

Indian MPs vouch their support for Tibet

March 16: A ‘Tibet Advocacy Campaign’ held in New Delhi from March 13-15, coinciding with the budget session of the Indian Parliament, lobbied with several senior Indian leaders and received support from across party lines. The three-day campaign aimed to “gather Government support and diplomatic intervention to redress the grim situation inside Tibet” was jointly organised by the Tibetan Women’s Association and Students for a Free Tibet, India and coordinated by the International Tibet Network. The advocacy team met with over 20 members from both houses of the Indian Parliament, including Mani Shankar Aiyar, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Dr Karan Singh, Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Inder Singh, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Ram Vilas Paswan, Agata Sangma, Smriti Irani, Joseph Toppo, Sansuma Kunggur Bwiswmuthiary, Rishang Keishing, Takam Sanjoy, Prof. Anil Kumar Sahani, Baishnap Parida, Pradeep Battacharya, Sohan Potai, Dr Pradeep Balmuchu, Deeraj Sahu, Dr Ajay Kumar and Ninong Ering, Minister of State, Minority Affairs. TWA’s General Secretary Nyima Lhamo said “the advocacy team engaged the Indian Parliamentarians in a strategic discussion to ensure an institutional support and tangible action to assert multilateral pressure on the Chinese leadership to resolve the Tibet crisis.” Since 2009, as many as 107 Tibetans living under Chinese rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Outspoken Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar, former minister and now a member of Rajya Sabha told the team that the self-immolation protests inside Tibet are “critical and needs urgent intervention.” Ram Vilas Paswan, chief of Lok Janshakti Party, while vouching his support for the Tibetan cause, produced a copy of a letter dated January 22 urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to “sympathetically look into the matter of heightened repression in Tibet.” Responding to the advocacy campaign, independent Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrashekar sent a letter to the Prime Minister urge him to “support the cause of Tibetan freedom by issuing a strong statement in light of current human rights violation and crisis in Tibet and raise this issue with the Chinese President at the upcoming BRICS meeting on 26 and 27 March 2013, in Durban, South Africa.” “Within 2 days, 11 MPs signed the ‘Stand up for Tibet’ pledge, which has already garnered 50,000 signatories. The copies of the signed ‘pledge’ and an exclusive appeal letter was delivered to the Prime Minister’s office today,” said Tsering Choedup from International Tibet Network. The campaign also requested Indian Parliamentarians to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the Indian Parliament and also invite Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, to address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Indian Parliament. Organisers said the advocacy campaign will be an on-going campaign in India with substantial follow-ups with Indian lawmakers.

Tibetan women shout out to Xi Jinping

200 Tibetan women activists take part in Shout out to Chinese leaders campaign organised by the Tibetan Women's Association in New Delhi on March 14, 2013. March 15: Tibetan Women’s Association, the largest women’s group in exile, staged a ‘shout out to Chinese leaders campaign’ in the Indian capital New Delhi Thursday coinciding with formal selection of Xi Jinping as China’s new President. TWA, on the final day of their three-day mass campaign ‘Tibetans stand together in joy and sorrow’ raised slogans at Xi’s figurine at Jantar Mantar. 200 Tibetan women activists representing 33 chapters from across India and Nepal directly called on China’s new president to ‘end the repression in Tibet, resolve the Tibet crisis now, and face the Tibet Challenge.’ “Today, as Xi Jinping formally assumes the title of president and as we commemorate the 5th anniversary of the ‘2008 spring uprising in Tibet,’ we are shouting out to the Chinese leaders to review their failed policies in Tibet, to end the crisis inside Tibet and significantly to fulfill the genuine aspirations of the Tibetan people who sacrificed their lives calling for ‘freedom for Tibetans inside Tibet’ and for ‘the dignified return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama back to Tibet’,” said Tashi Dolma, president of TWA. TWA in a release noted that the situation in Tibet is “exacerbated by a deepening crackdown by the Chinese government on any forms of peaceful expressions for freedom by the Tibetan people, thus deepening the anguish Tibetans feel.” “The Chinese leaders have time and again deliberately mishandled the crisis in Tibet,” the group said. The final day’s sit-in event at Jantar Mantar was addressed by Nitin Gadkari, former President of Bharatiya Janata Party, who said that he is ‘aware of the grim situation inside Tibet and remain saddened over the heightened repression.’ Women peach march from Samta Sthal to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. “I have and will always stand by the Tibetan people and their unwavering struggle for freedom,” said the BJP leader. Jaya Jaitley, prominent social activist, lauded the spirit of Tibetan women and assured that the ‘impeccable tenets of the Tibetan non-violent struggle and the powerful role of Tibetan women will persevere and bring triumph to the Tibetan freedom movement.’ Other speakers included Kamla Bhasin, Women empowerment activist, Radha Bhatt, Gandhian and social activist, Dr.Alana Golmie, Burmese democracy activist and members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The TWA organised three-day mass solidarity campaign in New Delhi included sit-in protest, lobbying Indian leaders, peace march, prayer meetings, and signature campaign. Since 2009, as many as 107 Tibetans living under China’s rule, including 14 women, have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Popular Tibetan singer Lo Lo sentenced to six years

Popular Tibetan singer Lo Lo sentenced to six years for singing politically charged songs. DHARAMSHALA, March 13: A Chinese court in eastern Tibet has sentenced a popular Tibetan singer Lo Lo, 30, to six years in prison for his ‘crimes’ of singing politically charged songs calling for Tibet’s independence. According to Lobsang Sangyal, an exiled monk in south India, the court sentencing came days after the singer was re-arrested on February 23. “Lo Lo’s current condition and his whereabouts are not yet known,” Sangyal told Phayul. The popular Tibetan singer was first arrested on April 19, 2012 following the release of his album titled “Raise the flag of Tibet, sons of the snow.” However, he was released after a short detention. The title song of the singer’s album calls for independence of Tibet, the “return of the saviour” and reunion of the Tibetan people – messages that are common to the slogans raised by the 107 Tibetans who have self-immolated since 2009. “To promote loyalty to the Land of Snows, For the complete independence of Tibet, With a realised understanding of our objectives, Raise the flag of Tibet- sons of the snow,” a portion of the lyrics reads. Lo Lo is a native of Dragkar in Keygudo region of eastern Tibet. He is son of Jamyang Choegyal and Choekyi Dolma. Tibetan singers, writers, and artists promoting Tibetan national identity and culture have been the target of China’s ongoing crackdown on intellectuals, especially after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In February last year, Tibetan singer, Ugyen Tenzin was arrested by Chinese authorities for praising His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the elected leader of the Tibetan people Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay. Another singer, Chogsel, was also arrested and banned from singing on charges of threatening social stability. In August last year, the exile Tibetan administration submitted a detailed profile of 64 Tibetan intellectuals to the UN Special Rapporteur in Geneva and urged for necessary inquiry into their cases. Calling the ongoing crackdown on Tibetan artists and intellectuals the “harshest” since the Cultural Revolution, the Central Tibetan Administration said that at least 24 Tibetans intellectuals have been given sentences ranging from few months to life imprisonment for exercising their freedom of expression. “This new generation of young Tibetans born and educated under Chinese Communist rule have edited banned magazines and are tech-savvy bloggers imprisoned for gathering, expressing and sharing information about conditions in Tibet especially after the March 2008 demonstrations across Tibet,” CTA said. The exile Tibetan administration noted that the whereabouts of about 37 Tibetan intellectuals remain unknown, while 12 intellectuals were released on fear of custodial death after excessive torture during detention by the Chinese authorities.

China sentences tortured Tibetan monk to five years

Lobsang Jinpa, 31, sentenced to five years in prison. DHARAMSHALA, March 13: A Tibetan monk who was hospitalised last year after suffering severe beating and torture in Chinese police custody has been rearrested and sentenced to five years in prison. Lobsang Jinpa, 31, a monk at the Nyitso Zilkar monastery in Tridu region of Keygudo, eastern Tibet, was re-arrested from his monastic quarter on February 23. Lobsang Sangyal, an exiled monk told Phayul that a Chinese court in the region sentenced Jinpa to five years in prison for unknown reasons. “I have been trying to get more details about the court sentencing and Lobsang Jinpa’s condition and whereabouts but all attempts at establishing contact have failed,” Sangyal said. Lobsang Jinpa is son of Tagyal and Pema Tsomo. He was earlier arrested in September 1, 2012 with four other monks, Sonam Sherab, 45, Sonam Yignyen, 44, Ngawang Monlam, and Kalsang Tsultrim, during a surprise raid at the Monastery by Chinese security officials. Chinese security forces had arrived in large numbers and confiscated electronic items, including computers and CDs from the quarters of the five monks. Other monks of the Monastery who pleaded for the release of those arrested were severely beaten. Sonam Sherab and Sonam Yignyen were later sentenced to two years in prison by a Chinese court in Siling city on unknown charges, while Ngawang Monlam was detained for a month and later released due to a disability in his leg. According to the same source, Lobsang Jinpa and Kalsang Trultrim were beaten and tortured in prison by Chinese police and were severely injured. “Their condition was so serious that that they had to be hospitalised,” Sangyal said. Chinese armed forces carrying out a surprise raid at the Nyitso Zilkar Monastery in Tridu region of eastern Tibet on September 1, 2012. Tsultrim Kalsang is still in hospital, recovering from his injuries. People have expressed fear that he too is likely to be sentenced once he recovers and is discharged from the hospital. The initial arrest and the sentencing are believed to have been carried out in connection with the peaceful protests that engulfed the Tridu region on February 8, last year. Thousands of Tibetans in the region had taken part in a peaceful protest coinciding with the global solidarity vigil called by the exile based Central Tibetan Administration. Around 400 monks from the Zilkar monastery had led the protest march to Zatoe town with banners, written in blue and red ink, symbolic of the two protector deities of Tibet, calling for the Dalai Lama’s return, release of Tibetan political prisoners including the XIth Panchen Lama and respect for Tibetan lives. Although no arrests were made during the protest, three Zatoe monks - Sonam Gyewa, Lobsang Samten, and Lobsang Nyima were arrested on February 16 and later sentenced by an Intermediate People's Court in Siling at a secret trial without the presence of the monks' family members.

China arrests Tibetan monk on eve of Uprising Day

Kirti Monastery monk Tsepak arrested for the second time on March 9, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 13: A Tibetan monk of the Kirti Monastery in Nagaba, eastern Tibet was arrested in a midnight raid on the eve of the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day for unknown reasons. Tsepak, 29, was picked up from his aunt’s home by Chinese security personnel at around midnight on March 9. Dharamshala based Kirti Monastery in a release said Tsepak had been nursing his sick aunt. “Tsepak’s family members and friends have no clue why he was arrested and where he is being currently detained,” the release said. This is not the first time that he has been arrested. On March 25, 2011, Tsepak was arrested in Beijing and kept in detention for a few months when he was studying at the Beijing Nationalities University. “He was arrested by Chinese police on March 25, 2011 at around 6 pm (local time) for reasons that were not known then,” the Kirit Monastery said. “However, it was later found out that he was detained for allegedly keeping contacts with outsiders.” Tsepak is son of Dhondup and Dhondey. Confirming the reports of his arrest, Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Right and Democracy today said Tsepak had become a monk at the Kirti Monastery at a young age. “Before his detention, he was in the third-year Uma class (equivalent to Master’s Degree course in Tibetan Buddhism) at his monastery,” TCHRD said. Last week, in Beijing, Chinese officials representing Ngaba, told reporters that the tight security clampdown on the Kirti Monastery and the surrounding regions will not be relaxed. Wu Zegang, the governor of ‘Aba prefecture’ accused the local Kirti monastery of collaborating with exiled Tibetans to organise protests while failing to provide any concrete evidence to substantiate his claim. Another provincial official, Zhang Dongsheng, announced that government officials in eastern Tibet will not ease their grip over the region's monasteries and people. "Our struggle against the Dalai Lama is long-term and intense," Zhang said. "We cannot relax at any moment.”

Three Tibetan monks stage protest in Bathang, One arrested, two on the run

DHARAMSHALA, March 12: Three Tibetan monks of the Yaso monastery in Bathang region of eastern Tibet staged a peaceful protest against China’s rule on March 8, raising slogans for the Dalai Lama’s long life and Tibet’s independence.

Chinese security personnel arrested one of the monks, while the two others managed to escape and are currently on the run.

According to Bawa Kalsang Gyaltsen, a member of the Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the three monks paraded the ‘banned in Tibet’ Tibetan national flag as they carried out their protest in Bathang.

“The monks shouted slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s independence, and language rights,” Gyaltsen said citing sources in the region.

“While the monks were carrying out their protest, several Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and arrested one of the monks. The two others managed to escape arrest and are currently on the run.”

The arrested monk has been identified as Tashi Dorjee, while the names of the two other monks have not been revealed.

The protest on March 8 followed rising tensions in the region after Chinese authorities barred local Tibetans from carrying out a consecration (rabney) ceremony of a statue of the Dalai Lama commissioned by a local monastery, the same source said.

Prevailing tensions over a Chinese mining site near the Yaso Monastery, in addition to the protests, has ensured that the region remains under strict surveillance and heavy lockdown.

Chinese leaders of Tibetan areas, last week renewed their pledge to fight against the “Dalai clique resolutely” and crackdown on “all secessionist forces and sabotage activities.”

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.

Over 1200 German towns raise Tibet flag, France working on Tibet resolution

Tibetans and supporters mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 10, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 11: The Tibetan national flag was raised in more than 1200 German cities and towns on Sunday to mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. Tibet advocacy group, Tibet Initiative Deutschland, in a release today said that Tibet demonstrations were also carried out in more than 20 cities all over Germany. 1236 German cities, municipalities and counties, including the regional capitals Bremen, Hannover, Magdeburg, Potsdam Saarbrücken, Stuttgart, and Wiesbaden raised the Tibetan Flag at town halls, public buildings and on their websites, the group said. In the national capital Berlin, a demonstration and a ‘Tibetan Flag-Performance’ was held in front of the Chinese embassy. “All over the world the Tibetan flag stands as a symbol for the Tibetan right of self-determination,” said TID-Executive Director Nadine Baumann. “In Tibet even owning the flag is prohibited and will be punished.” In Paris, the capital city of France, hundreds of Tibetans and supporters, including French, Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese, together marked the 54th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day. The event began at the Place de Trocadero, where homage was paid to all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet, including the 107 self-immolators who set themselves on fire protesting China’s rule. In his address, Jean Patrcik Gilles, a member of the French National Assembly and a co-president of the Tibet Group in the assembly, reiterated his support for the cause of Tibet and underlined the importance of dialogue for a durable solution of the Tibetan issue. Tibetans and supporters raise the Tibetan flag outside the Chinese embassy in Berlin, Germany on March 10, 2013. He told the gathering that the Tibet Group would be meeting French President Francois Hollande before the President’s scheduled visit to China to urge him to press the Chinese leadership to enter into constructive dialogue with the Tibetan leadership. Gilles also said the Group is working on a parliamentary resolution on Tibet and a possibility to send a parliamentary delegation to Dharamshala, the exile Tibetan headquarters in India. Later, a protest march was held in front of the Chinese embassy during which demonstrators called for resumption of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue process and demanded unfettered access to international media and diplomats to assess the ground situation inside Tibet.

Russian Federation joins Tibetans for March 10 anniversary

Representative Dr Nawang Rabgyal during the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day event in Moscow, Russia, on March 10, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 11: The 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day was observed in the Russian Federation Sunday with prayers, protests, and movie screenings. In the Russian capital city of Moscow, the commemorations began with a prayer service in honour of Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet. In his address, Nawang Rabgyal, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States, spoke on the “main causes of the uprising in occupied-Tibet and the nature of the Tibetan struggle for freedom.” The official statement of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay was read out in Russian. Two documentary films made by the exile Tibetan administration, dubbed into Russian was screened, followed by an interactive session with Representative Rabgyal. A photo exhibition on pre-1959 Tibet was also organised at the White Cloud Culture Center in Moscow. In the afternoon, a prayer service for Tibetans inside Tibet was held at the Open World Center in the city. Later in the evening a vigil was organised in the center of Moscow, near Russian President Administration Office, by a group of Russian human right activists. The protesters carried posters which read, "Tibet is Burning" and "Down with China's policy in Tibet." In the Kalmyk Republic, Tibetans and supporters observed the March 10 anniversary with a prayer service in the morning and a mass meeting later in the day. A number of people gathered at center square of Elista, capital of Kalmyk Republic, carrying the photos of the 107 Tibetan self-immolators who have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation. The Chairwoman of Kalmyk Friends of Tibet Society, Antonina Kookueva, spoke on the current situation in Tibet and read out the official statement of Sikyong Dr Sangay. A signature campaign was also held to express solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet. The 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day was also observed in the Tuva Republic and Buryat Republic with prayers and protests. Sikyong Sangay in his official statement called on Tibetans to “re-dedicate ourselves to the brave struggle started by the selfless elder generation” and paid tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet." “The occupation and repression in Tibet by the government of the People’s Republic of China are the primary conditions driving Tibetans to self-immolation. Tibetans witness and experience China’s constant assault on Tibetan Buddhist civilisation, their very identity and dignity,” the de facto Tibetan prime minister said. “The prohibitions of peaceful protest and harsh punishments compel Tibetans to resort to self-immolation. They choose death rather than silence and submission to the Chinese authorities.”

Nepali police arrest 11 for ‘anti-China activities’

DHARAMSHALA, March 11: Police in Nepal arrested 11 people on suspicion of “anti-China activities” on March 10, the day marked world over as the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. “Some of the people we arrested were Tibetan but we have not interrogated all of them yet,” police spokesman Uttam Subedi was quoted as saying by reporters. Nepal, which is home to some 20,000 Tibetans, has accommodated Tibetan exiles for decades, but has come under increasing pressure from China to crack down on political protests in recent years. Home ministry spokesman Shanker Koirala told local journalists last week that the government was making “necessary security arrangements in areas deemed sensitive, to foil any untoward incidents.” There have also been reports of a letter being issued to Tibetans activists in the valley by the chief of Kathmandu’s district administration asking them not to publicly observe the March 10 anniversary. However, talking to reporters, the district administration chief neither confirmed nor denied the letter, but said he gave the Tibetans a verbal warning last week against organising a protest “because activities against China violate Nepal’s law.” Nepali officials are yet to return the body of Tibetan self-immolator Drupchen Tsering who set himself of fire protesting China’s occupation of Tibet on February 13 near the Boudha stupa. A senior police official, who refused to give his name, had earlier confirmed to the Nepali newspaper The Himalayan that the body of Druptse was still at the hospital and authorities were waiting for the kin of the monk to receive the body. “Some four Tibetan organisations operating from the Kathmandu Valley came to us to claim the body. But, we did not hand over the body to them after their authenticity and kinship with the monk were not established,” the paper quoted his as saying. Speaking at the March 10 rally in New Delhi, senior Indian political leader and President of the Janata Dal United, Sharad Yadav said that he has written a letter to Nepali PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai, urging him to hand over Druptse body to Tibetan representatives. Since 2009, as many as 107 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tibetan attempts self-immolation in Dharamshala, Thousands march for Tibet

Thousands of Tibetans and supporters rally in Dharamshala to mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2013.

DHARAMSHALA, March 10: A Tibetan man attempted to set himself on fire today in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala during a mass protest rally marking the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day.

Dawa, in his 30s, reportedly consumed and poured kerosene over himself.

Speaking to Phayul, Sangchu Dugbey, an eye witness said: “When I saw him, he was carrying a bottle of kerosene and some girls were requesting, ‘Please, don’t do it.”

“We snatched the bottle of kerosene from his hand after which he pleaded with us to let him self-immolate,” Dugbey said. “He further said that he had decided to set himself on fire after thinking it over many times.”

Dawa was later taken to a local hospital.

Over a thousand Tibetans and supporters marched downhill from Tsug-la Khang to Lower Dharamshala carrying Tibetan flags and photos of Tibetan self-immolators.

Since 2009, as many as 107 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

The protestors, wearing black-cloth around their foreheads, raised slogans for freedom in Tibet and international intervention in the ongoing crisis in Tibet.

Speaking at the rally, Ravi Thakur, Member of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Lahaul Spiti called on Tibetans to stay united and continue their non-violent struggle under the Dalai Lama, “the only gem in the word.”

Tibetans and supporters in Taipei, Taiwan take part in the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day demonstration carrying photos of Tibetan self-immolators on March 10, 2013.

“Over the past centuries, many outsiders have come and settled in India who have now lost their identity but you people have kept your identity alive and you should never lose your identity. I hope and pray that you will cherish your Tibetanness for many generations to come,” Thakur said.

“I have always stood up for the Tibetan people and will always stand up for you in the future as well.”

Tenzin Jigdel of Students For a Free Tibet said the dynamic of the Tibetan movement has changed and Tibetan resistance has never been stronger.

“There is a new revolution we are seeing inside Tibet … Tibetans inside Tibet are re-asserting their identity and their aspiration has never been stronger,” Jigdal said.

The protest march was jointly organised by the five major Tibetan NGO’s, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet, and Students For a Free Tibet.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, in his March 10 statement blamed China’s occupation and repression in Tibet for driving Tibetans to self-immolation.

“The prohibitions of peaceful protest and harsh punishments compel Tibetans to resort to self-immolation. They choose death rather than silence and submission to the Chinese authorities,” Sikyong Sangay said.