Breaking: A monk sets self ablaze in Tibet

Charred body of Kunchok Tenzin DHARAMSHALA, March 29: A monk from Mogri Monastery in Luchu in Eastern Tibet has set himself on fire in an apparent protest against China’s continuing occupation of Tibet. “Kunchok Tenzin set himself ablaze at a road intersection near his monastery at 7pm (local time) on Tuesday, March 26,” said Kanyag Tsering of Dharamsala-based Kirti Monastery, who closely monitors self-immolations inside Tibet. Twenty-eight-year-old Tenzin died in his fiery protest. “Following his self-immolation protest, the local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the monastery premises and cremated it on the same night to prevent the body from falling into Chinese security personnel’s hands,” Tsering added. Tenzin, son of Lhakho and Lhamo Tso, became a monk in Morgi Monastery at young age. Undated photo of Kunchok Tenzin Last week, David Sweet, a Canadian parliamentarian raised the issue of Tibet in the House of Commons and called upon Xi Jinping to meet with the leaders of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. “I would like to note that the world is now watching how President Jinping's government lives by those words and lives up to those expectations with regard to the situation in Tibet,” said Sweet. There have now been 114 confirmed self-immolations in the occupied Tibet. Sixteen of them took place since the beginning of this year. China’s media blackout and severe security clampdown in Tibet are some of the reasons why the news of Kunchok Tenzin’s self-immolation took two days to get out.

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.

Tibetans shut China’s “propaganda exhibit”

The "Tibet Today: Exposing the Truth" exhibition opens with photographs of pre-1949 independent Tibet, China's invasion, and recent Tibetan protests for freedom. DHARAMSHALA, March 27: The Chinese Consulate at Chicago has packed off their performances and opening ceremony during their exhibit “Tibet Today: Sight of Western China Photo Exhibition” at the University of Minnesota on Monday. "There is a lesson here for China. If you want to improve your image abroad, do it by making genuine change on the ground inside Tibet, not by hosting a propaganda show to mislead the global public," said Tenzin Sonam, Regional Coordinator of SFT-Midwest. Prior to the said exhibit, Tibetan organizations, including Students for a Free Tibet, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association and Tibetan American Foundation-Minnesota, opened a parallel exhibit ‘Tibet Today: Exposing the Truth’ with pictures of independent Tibet, self-immolations and China’s repression in Tibet. The Chinese opened their “propaganda” exhibition with photographs of smiling Tibetans waving the Chinese flag and other items, which Tibetans feel were “clearly aimed at whitewashing China's occupation of Tibet and misleading Western audiences into thinking Tibetans are happy under Chinese rule.” According to the Tibetan organizers some of them and their supporters went the Consulate's exhibit to question them about China's brutalities in Tibet, the Tibetan protests and self-immolations. The questions were met with blank stares and no answers. However, a Chinese student performer reportedly said "I'm very interested in Tibet now. We were taught different [things]. I was at your exhibition. You Tibetans are very nice people" Hours later, the Chinese exhibit cancelled their performances and opening ceremony. The Tibetan exhibit on the hand over a hundred visitors while the Chinese Consulate's exhibit remained all but with no visitors. The Chinese Consulate’s exhibition has reportedly remained closed for the second day. "Armed with truth, information and nonviolence, we were able to shutdown China's expensive propaganda show in our backyard. This is something every Tibetan community and group can do quite easily every time a Chinese propaganda show comes to town," Tenzin Sonam added.

Tibetans Remember Jampel Yeshi

Exiled Tibetans hold a candle light vigil in New Delhi to commemorate a year since Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation. DHARAMSHALA, March 27: Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest exile Tibetan organization, yesterday organized a candle light vigil in New Delhi to commemorate a year since Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation. “We are reminded once more of him in flames, in the hospital and finally his demise and through this experience of grief and anguish, we think of all the self-immolators inside Tibet and their family members, their sorrows and miseries, their pain and suffering,” said Konchok Yangphel of the youth congress. “We take this moment to think and pray for all our Tibetan heroes who have selflessly given up their lives for Tibet.” Hundreds of Tibetans attended the candle light vigil at Jantar Mantar in India’s capital city. Jampel Yeshi, 27, set himself on fire on March 26 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. In his last hand-written message, Yeshi wrote: 'At a time when we are making our final move toward our goal – if you have money, it is the time to spend it; if you are educated it is the time to produce results; if you have control over your life, I think the day has come to sacrifice your life. The fact that Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st century is to let the world know about their suffering, and to tell the world about the denial of basic human rights. If you have any empathy, stand up for the Tibetan people.' Yeshi became the second self-immolate in exile to die after Thupten Ngodup, who died from self-immolation in 1998. Since 2009 as many as 111 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 93 have died.

Dalai Lama talks about self-immolation

A screen grab from Timesnow.tv March 25: Speaking about the on-going self-immolation protest in Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that “the ultimate factor is their (self-immolators) individual motivation.” The Dalai Lama spoke to TIMES NOW, a major Indian news channel. “Actually, suicide is basically (a) type of violence but then question of good or bad actually depend on the motivation and goal. I think (as) goal is concern, these (self-immolators) people (are) not drunk, (do) not (have) family problem, this (self-immolation) is for Buddha dharma, for Tibetan National interest but then I think the ultimate factor is their individual motivation,” the 77-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader said. “If motivation (consists) too much anger, hatred, then it is negative (but) if the motivation (is) more compassionate, calm mind then such acts also can be positive. That is strictly speaking from Buddhist view of point. Any action whether violence or non violence, is ultimately depend on motivation.” Since 2009 there have been 111 Tibetans self-immolations against China’s occupation. Overwhelming majority of them demanded freedom and return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Thousands of Tibetans have carried out mass protests even as Chinese authorities have increased their repressive policies and tightened the noose around self-immolations. Responding to the question of China’s blame on the Tibetan spiritual leader for self-immolation and crisis ins Tibet, the Dalai Lama welcomed Chinese officials to “do thorough check” at his exile residence in Dharamshala. “I am very good, please come here and (do) thorough check. Since 2008 crisis, even the former Prime minister Wen Jiabao (who) looks (as a) very nice (and) sensible person, he also accused (me) for the crisis that, it starts from India, I think he also mentioned my name, then immediately I responded, now please some Chinese officials, or international media, please come to Dharamshala (to do) through check,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said. “Come to here instead of saying from distant. Come here, you will be our guest ... most important guest (and) check everything.” On China’s new leadership and hopes to resolve the Tibetan issue with new leadership, the Tibetan Nobel Laureate said, “China is a another totalitarian and closed society. So the system as such, (a) few individuals cannot do much, but overall picture of China is changing. Today’s China, (as) compared to 30 to 40 years ago, much changed." “China can do much more constructive role on global level or (in) Asia, for that trust (and) respect from the rest of the world is highly necessary in order to carry some constructive role. That is lacking now.” On China’s restriction in allowing international and its lack of transparency in politics, the Dalai Lama pointed out that China should carry all political activities transparently, and promote rule of law and freedom for media. “1.3 billions Chinese people have every right to know the reality and once 1.3 billion of Chinese people know the reality, they also have the ability to judge what is right or wrong.” “Therefore censorship is immoral,” the Tibetan spiritual leader added.

Breaking: Second self-immolation in 24 hours, Toll rises to 111 (Updated)

Lhamo Kyab's charred body lies on the ground after his self-immolation protest against China's occupation of Tibet. March 25: Within 24 hours of Kal Kyi’s self-immolation in Zamthang, another Tibetan has set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s continuing occupation of Tibet. Forty-three-old 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. According to our sources in exile, Lhamo Kyab set himself in a forest where he works as a forest guard. “Early morning, he doused himself in kerosene and jumped into a fire which he started with timber wood,” said the same source, who did not want to be named. Following his self-immolation protest, a large number of armed security personnel arrived at the location and the situation in the region is described as tense “under strict surveillance”. Kyab’s self-immolation is the second such case in one a day. Thirty-year-old Kal Kyi, a mother of four has set herself ablaze on 24 March in Eastern Tibet at 3:30 pm (local time). She died at the protest site.

Tibetans demand action as BRICS summit begins

March 25: The exile Tibetans demand actions for Tibet from Xi Jinping as the Chinese president attends his first BRICS summit in Durban. “Tibet is Xi Jinping’s number one challenge and he has to address the legitimate grievances of Tibetans living in occupied Tibet and bring about an end to the tragic wave of self-immolations,” said Dorjee Tseten, National Director of Students For a Free Tibet-India. In their joint press statement the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) and SFT-India said that the two-day summit will witness Xi’s “historic meeting” with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa while the self-immolations goes on in Tibet. The toll has reached 110. “In the months since Xi Jinping was elevated to the top of the Chinese Communist Party, there has been an increase in China’s hardline response to dissent in Tibet, with a heightened military presence, mass detentions and a campaign to ‘criminalize’ the family member of self-immolation protestors,” said Tashi Dolma, President of TWA. As a part of the campaign the NGO's held a mock alternative BRICS-Summit wearing masks of Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa; Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil; Vladimir Putin, President of Russia; Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and Xi Jinping, President of China. The two Tibetan organizations have also submitted an open letter to the embassies of the BRICS nations in India as well one to the Indian Prime Minister appealing them to speak about China’s brutal repression of Tibetans and urge Xi to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Tibet. A few days ago Rajeev Chandrasekhar, an Indian MP, urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise the ongoing self-immolation in Tibet with his Chinese counterpart at the BRICS summit. “I urge you 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” Chandrasekhar said. This is the fifth BRICS summit and the last one was held in India’s capital city.

Tibet Issue Raised in Canadian & Australian Parliaments

MP David Sweet addresses the House of Commons. March 25: A Canadian parliamentarian, David Sweet, raised the issue of Tibet in the House of Commons on Thursday and called upon Xi Jinping to meet with the leaders of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. “I would like to note that the world is now watching how President Jinping's government lives by those words and lives up to those expectations with regard to the situation in Tibet,” said Sweet. He also termed the situation in Tibet as “increasingly violent and desperate”. “Given this urgency, we sincerely encourage President Jinping to meet with the leaders of the Tibetan government in exile to discuss the Dalai Lama's middle-way approach for peace, human rights, stability and a reasonable coexistence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples,” he added. Sweet is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. On same day, Senator Sarah Hanson Young of the Greens Party moved a motion on Tibet in the Upper House of Australian Parliament. In a motion passed in the Senate notes that the Australian Government must urge Chinese authorities to address the underlying causes of tension in Tibetan regions; end the use of harsh policies such as increased surveillance and violent crackdowns; lift restrictions on access to Tibetan regions, including for international media and diplomats; and resume substantive talks with the Dalai Lama’s representatives. The continuing crisis in Tibet has a series of self-immolations that has now seen 111 Tibetans set themselves on fire since 2009.

Breaking: 110th Tibetan Self-immolation

Undated photo of Kal Kyi March 24: A Tibetan woman today set herself on fire in an apparent protest against China’s continuing occupation of Tibet. Thirty-year-old Kal Kyi, a mother of four has set herself ablaze protesting near Jonang monastery in Zamthang in Eastern Tibet at 3:30 pm (local time). “The local Tibetans carried her charred body inside the monastery premises to prevent it from falling into the hands of Chinese security personnel,’ said Tsangyang Gyatso, an exile Tibetan who has close contacts in the region. Kal Kyi had died from injuries. Kyi is survived by her husband, Gyepo, and their four children. Last year in May, another Tibetan woman, Rikyo 33 has set herself on fire near the Jonang Zamthang Gonchen monastery in Zamthang County, which is located in Ngaba, the nerve centre of the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet. With Kyi’s self-immolation the confirmed number of Tibetan self-immolation has reached 110. The primary demand of those who set themselves on fire are freedom for Tibet and return of His holiness the Dalai lama from exile. Fourteen Tibetans have self-immolated since the beginning of this year. Eight of them happened in February alone.

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.

Advertisement “Dismantle this Orwellian ‘grid’ system”: Human Rights Watch

DHARAMSHALA, March 23: Adding to the already tight security, the Chinese government is said to expand a new security system throughout the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). According to Human Rights Watch, the annual TAR work report released on February 7 announced a new system known as the ‘grid’ management that is designed reportedly to improve public access to basic services. This system will increase surveillance and monitoring capacity over “special groups” in the region such as former prisoners and those who have returned from exile among others. HRW said that the expansion of the grid system, alongside the construction across Tibet of over 600 “convenience police-posts” with high-tech equipment will monitor daily lives and increase already active volunteer security groups called ‘Red Armband Patrols’ (Tib: dpung rtags dmar po). “The surveillance is now a pervasive part of life across the region,” HRW added. On February 17, Yu Zhengsheng, Standing Committee member of the Politburo of CPC said that the system should be put into effect throughout the region to form “nets in the sky and traps on the ground.” “Chinese authorities should dismantle this Orwellian ‘grid’ system, which has been imposed while the government continues to avoid addressing popular grievances,” said Sophie Richardson, the China director at HRW. “China’s effort to impose pervasive surveillance on every street is not likely to make Tibet safer, but the increased surveillance will surely increase pressure in an already tense region, even while the Tibetan people are still waiting for Chinese attention to rampant violations of their rights,” Richardson further said. The grid management system grows out of “social stability maintenance”, a China-wide drive to prevent protest and unrest. It is a part of the Communist Party’s objective to carry out “social management” alongside “stability maintenance”, which is usually presented as a way to provide ‘better services’ to residents.

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.

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.

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.