The Dalai Lama holds two-day discussions with Vietnamese disciples

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to disciples from Vietnam in Dharamshala on September 25, 2012. (Photo/OHHDL) September 27: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded a two-day discussion with a group of 102 disciples from Vietnam yesterday. The discussions were held inside his residential premises in his exile hometown of Dharamshala. Beginning his talk on ‘how to lead a meaningful life,’ the Dalai Lama stressed on the commonalty of human nature. “I always have a feeling when I meet people that on a human level we are all the same, there are no differences between us. Whether we are Tibetan or Vietnamese, we are all born the same way and when the time comes we die the same way.” “We have the same kind of emotions, anger, attachment and jealousy, but we also have the same potential to develop love and compassion. Most important, both you and I want a happy life and we have the same right to achieve it. On this sort of level, there are no differences between human beings, so there is no point in our quarrelling with each other.” In response to a question on how to deal with those who obstruct what we are trying to do, His Holiness said that it is important to find out if they are acting out of ignorance or deliberately doing it. “If they are not aware of the problems they are putting in your way, you may be able to explain it to them. However, if they are being deliberately obstructive, you may have to take counter measures, but do so not out of anger, but with a positive motivation.” The Dalai Lama gave the example of Tibetans struggling for justice in Tibet, opposing Chinese actions, without cultivating anger or hatred for them. His Holiness further noted that a happy society must be created by people themselves, not through prayer alone, but by taking action. “Action is the cause of happiness and the distinction between positive and negative action depends largely on our motivation.” Continuing his talk on the Buddhadharma on the second day, the Dalai Lama noted that the two major traditions of Buddhism in India - the Pali and Sanskrit traditions, emerged because of the languages in which their scriptures were written. “The Pali tradition contains the basis of Buddhism and its structure, while the Sanskrit tradition reveals further clarification, enabling the mind to achieve a greater capacity. The nature of the mind is knowing, but just as you cannot see when your eyes are obstructed, so long as the mind is clouded by ignorance, its ability is obstructed. Once ignorance, the negative emotions associated with it and their imprints are removed the mind becomes all knowing.” His Holiness further clarified that Tibetan Buddhism is the “most complete form of Buddhism because it takes the Vinaya of the Pali tradition as the basis, adds to that the Perfection of Wisdom teachings and the Buddhist logic and reasoning of the Sanskrit tradition, as well as the practice of tantra.” From October 1 to 4, His Holiness is scheduled to give a four-day teachings on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron) at the request of a group of Taiwanese at the Tsug-la Khang in Dharamshala.

UN members urged to form Tibet contact group as General Assembly begins

Tibet activists carrying out a vigil outside the UN headquarters in New York on the first day of the 67th UN General Assembly Session on September 25, 2012. (Photo/RTYC NY/NJ) September 26: The 67th United Nations General Assembly Session got underway at its office headquarters in New York Tuesday, hours after the Second Special General Meeting of the Tibetan People began in Dharamshala, north India. Addressing the brainstorming meeting to discuss campaign ideas in response to the critical situation inside Tibet, the elected head of the Tibetan people Dr Lobsang Sangay fully supported the recommendation made by two senior US Congressmen for the formation of a ‘contact group on Tibet’. The global rights group, Human Rights Watch last week had also urged governments concerned about the worsening human rights situation in Tibet to meet on the sidelines of General Assembly to discuss the formation of a Tibet contact group. HRW in a release said a Tibet contact group could “press the Chinese government to consider resuming meaningful negotiations with Tibetan representatives, and visibly demonstrate heightened international concern about deteriorating conditions.” “The response of governments to the Chinese government’s renewed crackdown in Tibet is hardly commensurate to the scope and scale of the crisis,” said Sophie Richardson, China director. “Concerned governments should set aside fears of irking Beijing and press China to respect Tibetans’ basic rights.” HRW also urged governments to express support for the longstanding requests by UN special rapporteurs, as well as diplomats, journalists, and other independent monitors, to have access to Tibetan areas. Since 2009, a total of 51 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves in fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet. HRW said the Chinese government, instead of addressing the underlying grievances of the Tibetan people, has “strengthened its blackout on information and communications into and out of Tibet, increased repressive security operations, and multiplied arbitrary detentions.” The New York based global rights group noted that although several governments have expressed concern publicly about the deteriorating environment in Tibet, “most have limited their calls for action to exhorting the Chinese government to resume meaningful negotiations with Tibetan representatives” – a step, HRW said the Chinese government is “unlikely to take in the absence of significant, coordinated international pressure.” “The many years of restricting Tibetans’ fundamental rights have led to acts of desperation that have escalated a crisis that shows no sign of abating,” Richardson said. “UN member countries should take steps now that could give Tibetans some hope.” Outside the UN headquarters, Tibet activists carrying Tibetan national flags and placards calling for the UN to ‘wake up’ and China to allow media in Tibetan areas are holding daylong vigils and rallies. Organiser of the protests, the regional chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, said that the main purpose of the campaign was to “amplify the voices of our brothers and sisters inside Tibet.” “We are here to deliver the messages of those who have sacrificed their lives for our country’s freedom,” the activists said. The ongoing conflict in Syria as well as the recent unrest in the Muslim world over a US-made film ridiculing Islam and Iran's controversial nuclear programme are expected to dominate the UN session.

"Dharamshala shouldn’t send out mixed political signals"

September 24: Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Penpa Tsering has said that Dharamshala, the Tibetan exile headquarters, should not send out mixed political messages, days ahead of the second Special Meeting of the Tibetan people. He was giving the closing address of the fourth session (September 14-22) of the 15th Tibetan Parliament, Saturday. Reflecting on the ongoing political and social turmoil in China, Speaker Tsering said that at a time when Beijing is closely observing Tibet, “Dharmashala should not send out mixed political messages.” He said that it is “highly important” to show a united front and clearly tell China’s leaders and its people that “all Tibetans are united” in seeking genuine autonomy and are not demanding independence. The parliament in its eight-day session reviewed the work of the Kashag and amended the Charter of the Tibetans in exile effecting the change of the title of ‘Kalon Tripa’ to ‘Sikyong.’ Asserting his “close understanding” of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes, Speaker Tsering thanked the parliamentarians for unanimously approving the title change. He noted that the new title ‘Sikyong’ reflects a continuation of the historical Tibetan system of governance and retains the legal significance of the democratically elected office. The parliament also unanimously adopted a resolution, after a full day of discussion, expressing solidarity and offering prayers for the Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to set themselves of fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. The speaker said that a special prayer service, presided over by His Holiness and other Tibetan religious leaders, will be offered for the self-immolators and their family members after the Special Meeting. Over 600 Tibetans are expected to take part in the Second Special Meeting of Tibetans (September 25-28) called by the Kashag and TPiE to hold extensive discussions and brainstorming on campaign ideas and plans for activities by exile Tibetans in light of the critical situation inside Tibet. Delegates at the four-day meeting will also deliberate on ways to garner support for the ongoing crisis in Tibet from the international community, India and South East Asian countries. Representatives of Tibet Support Groups and Chinese friends and supporters are also expected to attend the meeting as observers. At the end of the meeting, the Central Tibetan Administration, on behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet will offer a tenshug (long-life prayer offering) to the Dalai Lama.

EU raises Tibet with Wen at bilateral summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, (L) European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, (C) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during the 15th EU-China summit in Brussels on September 20, 2012 (Photo/AFP/Getty) September 21: The European Union has expressed its concerns over the situation in Tibet with Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao at the recently concluded 15th EU-China Summit in Brussels. In a press statement at the end of the day-long summit on Thursday, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso reiterated the “great importance” that EU attaches to the respect for fundamental freedoms in China. “We recognise the tremendous progress achieved in China by lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. But there are also concerns, in particular regarding restrictions of freedom of expression and the situation in Tibet,” EU said. Since 2009, 51 Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire demanding Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Last month alone witnessed seven self-immolations and a spate of protests, leading to the death and brutal beatings of Tibetan demonstrators. The elected Tibetan leadership in exile has said that Tibet is “effectively under undeclared martial law” and blamed the Chinese government for the increasing number of self-immolations. In the statement, EU, while welcoming the resumption of the Human Rights Dialogue with China in May this year, after more than one year, stressed on the need for further progress and improvement. “In our view it should deliver more progress on the ground,” EU said. “There is still room for improvement and we need to focus on that.” On June 25 this year, with the adoption of a landmark human rights package, EU foreign ministers had pledged that human rights, democracy, and rule of law will be promoted “in all areas of the EU's external actions without exception” and that the EU will “place human rights at the center of its relations with all third countries including strategic partners.” In a repeat of last year’s failure to agree over format arrangements, a post-summit press conference was cancelled after EU refused China’s demand of having the right to vet the names of journalists for the conference. The news conference was scheduled to be jointly addressed by Barroso, Rompuy, and Wen. An EU official has been quoted as saying that China's concern appeared to be that journalists from Taiwan would ask questions, or that journalists would ask Wen about Tibet and other sensitive issues. The EU-China summit is a biannual meeting focused on bilateral ties and global issues.

Police forcibly removes Tibetan hunger strikers

September 22: Indian authorities have forcibly removed the three Tibetan hunger strikers in New Delhi and taken them to a hospital after all three of them showed major signs of deterioration in their health. The three executive members of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, were today carried away against their wishes at around 12 noon by a large contingent of Delhi police. Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president, Penpa Tsering, organisational secretary, and Jigme Sholpa, cultural secretary were in the 20th day of their indefinite fast in “solidarity with the self-immolators inside Tibet and to appeal for immediate international intervention” in the unfolding crisis inside Tibet. “All three of them held on to whatever they could while resisting their forced removal,” Tenzin Norsang, TYC joint secretary, who was present at the protest site said. “Volunteers and activists around them could do little as there was an overwhelming police presence.” The three were taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the same hospital where Jamphel Yeshi, the 27-year-old Tibetan, who self-immolated in protest against China’s occupation of Tibet on March 26, was admitted. The forced removal came after yet another official medical check-up this morning confirmed imminent danger to the health of the hunger strikers. All three have lost over 10 kgs since they began their campaign. “Soon after the hunger strikers were forcibly taken away, the police also ordered the removal of the hunger strike tent from Jantar Mantar,” Norsang added. The indefinite hunger strike had come under unusual pressure the very day it began on September 3 when the hunger strikers were detained later that day citing security reasons due to the presence of a visiting Chinese dignitary in the Indian capital. The three were released on September 6, following which they again resumed their indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar. On September 18, the Delhi police issued a termination notice to the three TYC executives, after conducting medical check-ups for two consecutive days. Medical officials had then expressed particular concern over the health of Dhondup Lhadar, who had lost 9kgs and referred him to immediate medical attention. Last year, Lhadar had taken part in a TYC hunger strike, going without food for 25 days and had since not fully recovered. Norsang told reporters that TYC will continue with its planned activities in the coming days, including meeting with embassy officials. With the hunger strike, TYC has been appealing the EU, UN, governments and NGOs to immediately fulfil the promises made by them during earlier TYC hunger strikes through a multilateral approach and also demanding China to grant immediate access to governments, international organisations and the media to travel in Tibet in order to understand the aspiration of Tibetans inside Tibet.

Missing Tibetan monk feared dead

Tsering Gyaltsen in an undated photo. September 20: A Tibetan monk who has been missing since February this year is now feared dead as a result of the severe beatings he received from Chinese security personnel. Tsering Gyaltsen, 40, a monk from the Drango Monastery, was severely beaten and detained by Chinese security forces amid the crackdown that followed the January 23 protest in Drango in eastern Tibet. Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said that Gyaltsen was severely beaten by security forces and then taken to a hospital in Kardze on February 9. The group in a release Wednesday quoted an unnamed source as saying that Gyaltsen suffered a broken spine from the beatings and died the same day at the hospital. "Tsering Gyaltsen died the day he was hospitalised because the doctors could not treat the injuries he suffered during the police beatings," TCHRD said. "In addition to broken spine, he must have received other serious injuries." In May 2012, more than four months after Gyaltsen's disappearance, his family and relatives had carried out his last rituals after sources in the hospital confirmed his death. However, Chinese authorities have neither confirmed the death nor revealed the monk's whereabouts for the past eight months TCHRD said that Gyaltsen’s colleagues at the Drango Monastery and his family members had approached the County Public Security Bureau office a number of times to inquire about his condition and whereabouts. “The PSB officers have so far maintained that they have no knowledge about the case.” Hundreds of Tibetans had come out on the streets in Drango on January 23, the first day of Chinese new year, calling for Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Chinese security personnel retaliated by firing indiscriminately at the unarmed demonstrators, killing and injuring scores of people. Following the protests, Chinese authorities led a large-scale manhunt for suspected demonstrators – killing, arresting, disappearing, and passing heavy sentences on suspected demonstrators. The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration has said that since the peaceful protests in Drango, China has maintained a “strict and repressive” presence in the region. “Since the peaceful protest against the Chinese government in Kham Drango, Chinese military personnels have maintained a strict and repressive presence in the area,” CTA said. “Scores of Tibetan monks and lay persons were arrested arbitrarily during the protests and sentenced to various prison terms.”

Tibet crisis raised at UN rights session in Geneva

September 19: The critical situation inside Tibet has received attention at the ongoing 21st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (September 10-28) in Geneva at the behest of numerous countries and the European Union. Country representatives and NGOs brought to the Council’s notice the issue of Tibet, where 51 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009, protesting China’s continued occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Speaking on behalf of EU, Cyprus said EU remains “seriously concerned” about ongoing reports of human rights violations in China, particularly with regard to freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief, and the situation of minorities, including in Tibet and Xinjiang. “The EU continues to discuss these concerns with the Chinese leadership at multiple levels and through various channels.” The US accused China of silencing dissent through arrests, convictions, forced disappearances, and extralegal detentions and said government policies “undermine the linguistic, religious, cultural, and livelihood traditions of its minorities.” In August, two senior US Congress men, James P McGovern and Frank R Wolf, in a letter to Secretary Hillary Clinton had “strongly urged” the US to “work with partner nations and establish a contact group on Tibet to carry out strong, visible public diplomacy on this human rights crisis.” The two had suggested that the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in September offered an “opportunity to take steps towards forming such a contact group.” The Czech Republic expressed its “deep concern” over the deterioration of situation in Tibetan-inhabited areas where “increasing restrictions on religious freedom have led to a series of self-immolation cases.” “A number of Tibetan intellectuals and cultural figures have been recently imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression, such as Mr Yonten Gyatso, who was reportedly sentenced over sending information to the Human Rights Council.” Similar concerns over China’s failing human rights record were raised by Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. Speaking on behalf of the Society for Threatened Peoples during the debate, Tenzin Samphel Kayta said China “must uphold its international obligation by protecting human rights of all citizens including Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongolians of their religious freedom or belief, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, right to enjoy their own culture and use of their own language.” Two written statements on Tibetan children’s right to education and denial of freedom of opinion, expression and information were submitted by two NGOs to this Council. The three Tibetan hunger strikers in New Delhi have been pushing numerous countries as well international bodies like the UN and EU, over the past 17 days of their indefinite fast, to raise the issue of Tibet at the UN meetings and in their dealings with China.

Tibetan hunger strikers are struggling hard without food for 15 days

Indian government medical officials giving TYC Vice-President Dhondup Lhadar a check-up on September 17, 2012. (Photo/TYC) September 18: The three Tibetan indefinite hunger strikers entered their 15th day of fasting yesterday in New Delhi appealing for an end to the ongoing crisis inside Tibet. With their health showing significant signs of deterioration, the Delhi Police brought Medical Officers to conduct their first official medical check up on the hunger strikers. The officers expressed concern over their health and recommended immediate medical treatment. However, the three refused any medical help and vowed to carry on their hunger strike. Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president of Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile has already lost 9kgs while Organisational Secretary Penpa Tsering has lost 8kgs and Cultural Secretary Jigme Sholpa has lost 9kgs. The TYC hunger strike tent at the Jantar Mantar has now become a rallying point for Tibetan activities in the capital. Yesterday, TYC Joint-Secretary Tenzing Norsang and Social Services Secretary Yeshi Therchein visited the Embassy of Switzerland and met Martin Strub, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission. Strub was presented with photos, videos, and chronological evidence of the critical situation inside Tibet, heralded by the self-immolation of 51 Tibetans in Tibet calling for freedom and the Dalai Lama’s return. Through the Embassy, TYC requested the government of Switzerland to raise the issue of Tibet at the 21st session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations taking place in Geneva. TYC President Tsewang Rigzin leading a peace march to the Delegation Office of European Union in New Delhi to submit a memorandum. (Photo/TYC) Strub appreciated the evidence presented by TYC representatives in the face of China’s misinformation and propaganda, and assured that Switzerland will “definitely do its best” to highlight the issue of Tibet. TYC said it plans to visit embassies of different countries in the coming days and seek to hold discussions with their representatives, appealing for their support in raising Tibet at the UN meeting. Representatives of numerous Indian Tibet support groups also visited the hunger strikers and expressed support and solidarity with TYC and their three fasting leaders. In a joint press release, the Indian groups appealed to the UN and the European Union to “fulfill their promises of raising the issue of the ongoing spate of self immolations inside Tibet with the Chinese government and to send independent fact finding delegations to Tibet.” They also called upon the government of India to use its influence on the Chinese leaders to “ease the suffocating inhuman conditions inside Tibet which have lead the Tibetan youths to the extreme desperation of self immolation.” They further expressed serious concerns over the lack of political and moral courage among world bodies like the UN and the EU as well as governments across the world, who they said are “shying away from their responsibilities of asking the Chinese government to stop its inhuman treatment of its Tibetan colonial subjects.” TYC earlier submitted a memorandum to EU, appealing the body to take “long-due concrete actions” in order to improve the plight of the Tibetans inside Tibet, as per the assurances and promises they had made during the TYC Indefinite Hunger Strike in April, 2011. Tibetan activists joined TYC President Tsewang Rigzin and Norsang in marching to the Delegation Office of European Union in New Delhi, carrying traditional Tibetan khataks and flowers. The TYC delegation met Ed Marshall, Political Representative of the EU in India and held “in depth discussions” on the worsening situation inside Tibet. They also urged EU to fulfill their promises on Tibet, made during the earlier TYC indefinite hunger strike. Marshall assured the TYC representatives of EU’s continued support to the Tibetan cause and said that he will be submitting the memorandum to EU President Martin Suhulz.

TYC meets UN Officials as hunger strikers’ health deteriorate

Tibetan activists carrying out a prostration campaign to the UN Information Office in New Delhi on September 12, 2012. (Photo/TYC)  September 13: On the 10th day of the Tibetan Youth Congress led indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, activists yesterday led a prostration campaign to the United Nations office, appealing for their immediate intervention to end the crisis in Tibet. The campaign brought along memorandums addressed to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. Scores of Tibetan students studying in various universities in Delhi led by Tibetan Youth Congress’ Finance Secretary, Konchok Yangphel, started prostrating while chanting prayers, heading towards the UN Information Centre. TYC in a release said that although prostrations are usually performed as part of the Tibetan Buddhist’s religious tradition, the activists were doing full body length prostrations to appeal to the UN to act on their earlier promises of action on Tibet. After covering over 500 meters, the activists reached the gate of the UN office where TYC President Tsewang Rigzin, speaking through a megaphone, reminded the UN of its commitment to “directly engage with the Chinese government and to send UN representatives to Tibet,” made during the TYC led New York Indefinite Hunger strike in March this year. “Thus, trusting the UN to keep their promises the hunger strike was called off indefinitely. It has been 6 months since then and no UN delegation has visited Tibet so far and the situation inside Tibet is worsening by the day,” Rigzin said. “TYC is forced to resume its hunger strike and we are holding UN responsible for whatever happens to the three hunger strikers. We are appealing and will continue on until concrete actions have been taken by the UN." When the TYC delegation asked for permission to enter the UN office to personally handover the memorandums, they were refused entry citing rule changes and were told that even a Tibetan parliamentary delegation that recently came was refused entry. However, after much persistence, the TYC delegation was invited inside the office to meet with senior UN officials, including Ritch Miller. The UN officials assured of forwarding the memorandums to the UN offices in New York and Geneva. The three TYC Central Executives, Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president, Penpa Tsering, organisational secretary, and Jigme Sholpa, cultural secretary began their indefinite fast on September 3 in “solidarity with the self-immolators inside Tibet and to appeal for immediate international intervention” in the unfolding crisis inside Tibet. TYC said that all three hunger strikers are showing gradual signs of deterioration in health with Lhadar losing 9 kgs, Tsering 7kgs and Sholpa losing 6 kgs. “Their expressions show tiredness and faces are pale but the eyes are still hopeful and passionate for the cause they live for,” one of the organisers said. TYC also submitted memorandums to embassies of 55 countries, conveying the need for immediate international intervention and to engage their governments in resolving the crisis inside Tibet. Since 2009, there have been 51 known cases of self-immolations inside Tibet demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

China fails to remove Tibet mural

Building owner David Lin stands proudly in front of the mural promoting independence for Tibet and Taiwan. (Photo/Corvallis Gazette-Times/Andy Cripe)  September 11: A mural depicting images of Tibetans self-immolating and monks being beaten by Chinese riot police in a small US city has generated quite a media hype, courtesy China. The 10-foot-by-100-foot mural painted by Taiwanese-born artist Chao Tsung-song and commissioned by property owner David Lin, on a brick wall in Corvallis, Oregon started drawing attention after China raised objections at the work, in written as well as in person, with local authorities. Two officials from the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco complained about the mural in writing to the mayor of Corvallis and also visited the town to lodge a formal complaint this month. “There is only one China in the world and both Tibet and Taiwan are parts of China,” the letter to Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning dated August 8 from the Chinese Consulate General said. “To avoid our precious friendship from being tainted by so-called ‘ Tibet independence’ and ‘ Taiwan independence’ we sincerely hope you can understand our concerns and adopt effective measures to stop the activities advocating ‘ Tibet independence’ and ‘ Taiwan independence’ in Corvallis.” Manning ignored the warnings and instead gave a lecture to the Chinese consulate on America’s constitutional freedom of speech. “As you are aware, the First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees freedom of speech in this country and this includes freedom of artistic expression,” Manning wrote. Two weeks later, Vice Consul Zhang Hao and Deputy Consul General Song Ruan flew to Oregon and met with Manning and City Manager Jim Patterson. The two reportedly expressed the concern of the Chinese government about the mural and called it “political propaganda.” However, the mayor stuck to her earlier position of safeguarding America’s constitution and said that the city could not and would not order the painting’s removal. The mural wall forms part of a restaurant, which has been named ‘Tibet House’ by its owner, Lin. The painting depicts “images of Taiwan as a bulwark of freedom,” Chinese riot police beating Tibetan demonstrators, and Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule. Since 2009, an ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet has witnessed 51 Tibetans set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai lama. Lin, a strong supporter of a free Tibet and an independent Taiwan, told reporters that he was under a “lot of pressure” to take down the mural, but clarified that he has “no plans to do anything of the sort.”

China to set up new office for overseas Tibetans!

September 10: In what is being seen as a propaganda offensive, China is soon expected to open a new office in order to “communicate with and serve” exiled Tibetans and assist them in returning back to the country. According to a report published by the Chinese Communist Party run Global Times, the office, to be managed by the so called Tibetan Autonomous Region, will open this month. The report, citing the Hong Kong-based Chinese language paper Ming Pao said the office will be at par with other overseas Chinese affairs offices and serve overseas Tibetans. “There are about 150,000 Tibetans living overseas, but Tibet does not have an organ to serve them while all other provinces and autonomous regions in China have overseas Chinese affairs offices,” the report cited Ming Pao as saying. Global Times quoted Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at the Minzu University of China as saying that the establishment of such an organ would be helpful to overseas Tibetans and united front work, the Communist Party office which manages relations with ethnic minorities, overseas Chinese and non-Communist Party elite. The professor further hinted that the office will help “young” Tibetans who left with the “expectation” of meeting the Dalai Lama, but couldn’t meet him. "These Tibetans would like to come back, but they do not have money, and they still worry that they might be arrested on return," the report quoted Xiong as saying. “The government's new methods will definitely guide and impact overseas Tibetans, and when returned overseas Tibetans go abroad again and tell others about their personal experiences, more will return,” the professor told the Global Times. Ming Pao in its report noted that China began to “change its thinking toward overseas Tibetan affairs and the united front work in 2009, when Chinese officials first affirmed it would carry out patriotic work with overseas Tibetans while meeting with overseas Tibetans and their relatives during the Tibetan New Year.” Over the past few years, there have been reports of exiled Tibetans attending such new year parties hosted by Chinese embassies in a couple of countries. Earlier this month, Ling Jihua, one of President Hu Jintao’s most trusted and notorious political fixers and head of the all-important General Office was appointed as the head of the United Front Department. His move to the office, which has held nine rounds of talks with Tibetan representatives, is being seen by many as a demotion.

Tibetan flag hoisted in Tibet

DHARAMSHALA, September 10: In growing expressions of defiance against China’s rule, protesters have pulled down a Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan national flag at a school in eastern Tibet. Leaflets calling for Tibet’s freedom, written in red ink, were also scattered around the flagpole. According to exiled Tibetans with contacts in the region, the Chinese flag at a school in Dzachukha Wonpo region of Kardze was pulled down at around midnight on Friday. Instead, the ‘banned in Tibet’ Tibetan national flag was hoisted. The same sources also confirmed that many leaflets carrying the words ‘Freedom for Tibet’ written in red ink were scattered on the school grounds. Local Chinese government officials arrived at the school on Saturday and removed the Tibetan flag and the leaflets. Although no arrests have been made so far, officials have vowed to investigate the incident. In the same region, earlier this year in February, Tibetans pulled down a Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony. A few days later, coinciding with the call for a global solidarity vigil for Tibet on February 8, Tibetans in Akhori town of Gyalrong in Amdo Ngaba region, pulled down all Chinese flags from government offices and hospitals in the town. Earlier this month, despite heavy restrictions over the possession of portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet by the Chinese government, Tibetans in Bathang region paraded large pictures of the exiled spiritual leader. Defying Chinese orders, Tibetans taking part in the enthronement ceremony of Trulku Tenzin Nyima, a reincarnate lama, at the Changkar Monastery were seen carrying large portraits of the Dalai Lama on their motorbikes. Around 10,000 Tibetans had taken part in the ceremony September 1. Tibetans have been tortured and jailed for up to six years in prison over the possession of the Dalai Lama’s pictures and Tibetan national flags.

Social stability while leadership change!

September 9: China’s top security chief has urged police across the country to “safeguard social stability” for the upcoming 18th Congress of the Communist Party, which will see a change of guards in Beijing. The official Xinhua News Agency on Saturday quoted Zhou Yongkang as saying the police should make efforts to create a “safe and stable” social environment to ensure the success of the national congress, dates of which are yet to be made public. In its once a decade leadership change, China’s President and Communist Party supremo Hu Jintao is expected to hand over party reins to Xi Jinping. “Police authorities at all levels must strive to safeguard social stability, the fundamental interests of the people and the authority of the law,” Zhou was quoted as saying. Following the market slump and a series of labour unrests, China last year spent more on “public security” than the military for the first time. Public security, which covers state surveillance of its people and maintaining China’s paramilitary police, received a boost by nearly 14% to the tune of $95 billion. Spending on China’s internal security is set to increase in the future, if Zhou is to be believed, who last year warned provincial officials of more unrest in China. In July this year, China's propaganda chief, on a visit to Tibet, underlined the importance of maintaining stability and ordered officials to intensify the fight against separatism in the restive region. Ranked fifth in the hierarchy of the ruling Communist Party, Li Changchun’s visit came in the midst of the ongoing wave of self-immolations, which has witnessed 51 Tibetans in Tibet, since 2009, set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama. "We must guide officials and the people to continually strengthen their understanding of the great (Chinese) motherland and people and deepen and expand the fight against separatism," Li said. He also pushed for an education campaign to "underscore the historic fact that Tibet is an inseparable part of China," which should form "the ideological basis for the fight against separatism and the maintenance of stability."

A teenage girl is sentenced to three years for peaceful protest

Jigme Dolma in an undated photo.  September 8: A Chinese court in eastern Tibet has sentenced a teenaged-Tibetan girl to three years in prison for carrying out a protest demanding the return of the Dalai Lama and Tibet’s freedom. Jigme Dolma, 17, was sentenced on August 25 for committing actions aimed at ‘splitting China,’ exile media outlets have reported. It is not currently known where she will serve her sentence, even as her relatives have not been informed of her present whereabouts. Jigme Dolma, took out a lone protest in Kardze region of eastern Tibet on June 24. She raised pro-Tibet slogans calling for Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, demands which have been raised by more than 51 Tibetans who have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet. Eyewitnesses said Dolma was severely beaten by Chinese security personnel and is believed to have sustained major damages to her arms and legs. She was later traced to a local government hospital in a “critical” condition as described by her relatives. Last month, Shedup Lhamo, 39, a nun at the Kardze Gaden Choeling Nunnery was severely beaten and arrested for carrying out a peaceful protest and distributing pamphlets in the same region. Kardze has witnessed repeated protests since the mass uprisings of 2008. Last October, Dawa Tsering a 38 year-old monk from Kardze Monastery set himself ablaze shouting slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and the re-unification of the Tibetan people. Earlier this year, Khedup Dorjee, 38, a monk at Za-Samdrup Monastery in Kardze, was severely beaten and arrested for carrying out a peaceful protest in the crowded market of Kardze on March 7. In another incident, a Tibetan man, Tashi Palden, was beaten with batons and rifle butts by Chinese security personnel for carrying out a peaceful protest at the market place in Kardze on February 11. In April this year, more than 2000 Tibetans carried out a mass protest in Kardze, demanding the release of around 250 Tibetans who were arrested after Chinese authorities ordered the closure of a locally founded Tibetan organisation called the ‘Dayul Unity Association.’

Taiwanese and Tibetans strengthen bonds

September 8: In growing exchanges between Taiwan and Tibet, a Taiwanese group is currently in Dharamshala, the exile Tibetan headquarters, visiting Tibetan offices and meeting with exile leaders. Organisers of the trip, the Gu Chu Sum Former Political Prisoner’s Movement of Tibet and the Taiwanese Friends of Tibet group, yesterday held a joint press conference, addressed by Professor Chang Yen Hsien, head of the Taiwan Association of University Professors. The two groups, as a sign of solidarity with each other’s struggle for independence, exchanged flags and also books and testimonies of political prisoners. Prof. Chang spoke in detail about the death and destruction that Taiwan has witnessed over the decades. He also spoke about the era known as the “White Terror” when martial law was declared in Taiwan in 1949 and in the following years, around 140,000 people were imprisoned or executed. Referring to the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet, Prof. Chang expressed his belief that these sacrifices will become the main building blocks of the Tibetan nation in the future. In July this year, a group of Taiwanese students had visited Dharamshala to explore Tibetan culture and the political movement. In June, Taiwan Solidarity Union Legislator Lin Shih-chia said she would propose officially inviting Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to deliver a speech at the Legislative Yuan. “To show that we’re in solidarity with the Tibetans in their quest for freedom, I will make a proposal to formally invite the Dalai Lama to deliver a speech at our legislature,” Lin had said. Also in June, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, visited Taiwan and addressed Taiwanese parliamentarians, community leaders, and students. This was the first time that a Tibetan minister had addresses members of the Taiwanese parliament. At the request of a group of Taiwanese, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to give four days of teachings on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron) From October 1-4 in Dharamshala.

Protesters turn the heat on China’s Defence Minister

A Tibetan activist protesting against China's Defence Minister being taken away by the police in New Delhi on September 5, 2012  September 5: Tibetan activists kept up their pressure on the visiting Chinese Defence Minister with the third straight day of protests in the Indian capital New Delhi. Earlier today, Tibetan activists staged a noisy protest in front of the historical Qutub Minar, where General Liang Guanglie was scheduled to visit. Activists of the Student’s for a Free Tibet, India unfurled Tibetan national flags and raised slogans calling for global intervention in the unfolding Tibet crisis. One of the protesters even climbed a tall pole, grabbing attention of everyone present there. Dorjee Tsetan, National Director of SFT, India, who also took part in the protest, said that India being the largest democracy in the world and the land of Mahatma Gandhi has a “moral obligation to stand in solidarity with the Tibetan people's nonviolent struggle for freedom.” “Now is a critical time for India to add her voice to the multilateral pressure on China to stop the crackdown in Tibet. Tibet’s resolution can only bring a true solution to the current Sino-India matter,” Tsetan said. The group had earlier launched an online petition addressed to the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna urging him to make a strong and clear statement condemning China's crackdown in Tibet and calling for a multilateral forum to resolve the crisis. In the Indian capital, the three Tibetan indefinite hunger strikers, who were arrested for the second consecutive night yesterday were taken to Tihar jail at midnight. They were lodged in the jail along with 30 odd Tibetan boys and girls who were arrested yesterday evening for carrying out a protest against General Liang near one of his meeting venues. Tibetan Youth Congress in a release expressed disappointment at the heavy-handed actions of the Indian authorities and said that the hunger strikers have vowed to continue their fast in the jail in “solidarity with the self-immolators inside Tibet and to appeal for immediate international intervention” in Tibet. “Our protests and means of expression for our cause has always been determinedly peaceful and non-violent but the turn of events today and the nature of the response and treatment from Delhi Police has deeply disappointed and hurt us,” TYC said in the release. General Liang, who is scheduled to retire as China’s Defence Minister next month, will remain in India till September 7.

Zilkar Monastery tense following arrest of five monks

September 4: In growing cases of arbitrary detention of Tibetans by Chinese authorities, five more monks in eastern Tibet have been detained on unknown charges. In reports received by Phayul, five monks of the Nyitso Zilkar Monastery in Tridu region of eastern Tibet were detained on September 1 from the monastery in a surprise raid by a large number of Chinese security personnel. Lobsang Sangyal, a monk in south India, with contacts in the region identified the arrested monks as Sonam Sherab, 45, Lobsang Jinpa, 30, Tsultrim Kalsang, 25, Ngawang Monlam, 30, and Sonam Yignyen, 44. “Monastery officials were informed by the local Chinese authorities that they will be visiting the Zilkar Monastery regarding certain government houses built after the earthquake that hit in the region in 2009,” Sangyal told Phayul. “But instead they arrived with a large number of armed security personnel and raided the monastery.” Sangyal said power supply to the Monastery was cut off and electronic items of the monks were confiscated. “The quarters of the five arrested monks were raided and their computers and CD’s were confiscated,” the same source said. “When other monks of the Monastery pleaded for the release of those arrested, they were severely beaten as well.” The conditions and whereabouts of the arrested monks remain unknown. Sangyal added that the Zilkar Monastery is currently under strict surveillance. Earlier this year in February, three Zilkar monks Sonam Gyewa, Lobsang Samten, and Lobsang Nyima were arrested on suspected charges of their roles in a massive protest that rocked the region. Thousands of Tibetans in Tridu area had led a peaceful protest, carrying banners demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and respect for Tibetan lives, coinciding with the global solidarity vigil on February 8, called by the elected leader of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay. Around 400 monks from the Zilkar monastery had led the protest march to Dza Toe town, which later swelled to over a thousand. The monks unfurled 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. Again in June, more than 800 Chinese security personnel were deployed in and around the Zilkar Monastery and Zatoe town to block local Tibetans from paying their last respects to Tenzin Khedup, who set himself ablaze with Ngawang Norphel, on June 20 calling for Tibet’s independence and long-life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, monks from the Zilkar Monastery went against the official decree and attended the cremation in their hundreds.

Tibetan Youth Congress will launch an "Indefinite Hunger Strike" From 3rd September 2012.

Public address by HH the Dalai Lama at Choklamsar, Ladakh, Aug. 3, 2012

"No negotiations with Tibet till year end"

September 2: A senior Chinese official has said that the stalled Sino-Tibet dialogue process will not resume at least till the end of this year and denied any new approach to the Tibetan issue. Xu Zhitao, an official with the United Front Work Department, the main office that has represented China in the nine rounds of talks with Tibetan envoys since 2002, insisted that in the event of the continuation of the dialogue process, the discussion will only centre on how the Dalai Lama should "stop his separatist speeches and win the trust of the central government as well as the forgiveness of the Chinese people." "China will continue to be flexible with the Dalai Lama, but it seems that no result will come out if he does not change his attitude toward some fundamental issues," Xu was quoted s saying by the Chinese state-run Global Times. "The so-called autonomy of Tibet the Dalai Lama claims to be seeking is actually the independence of Tibet, which is definitely forbidden.” The Tibetan spiritual leader, in a recent interview with Reuters had spoken about “very encouraging signs” of leniency from the next generation of Chinese leaders on the issue of Tibet after meeting with of “visitors from China” claiming to have connections with senior officials of the Communist Party of China. Xu categorically denied “any such recent visits.” Speaking to reporters in June, the Dalai Lama had expressed hope that Chinese leadership will take a new and different approach under its new president. Xi Jinping, China’s vice-president and son of Xi Zhongxun, one of the most liberal leaders of the Chinese revolution, who was known to have had a less hardline approach to Tibet, is certain to take over the reins from Hu Jintao next year. "I hope Mr Xi Jinping, a new leader, new blood, looks in a more open, realistic way," the Dalai Lama had said. Amidst the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet, the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy Gyari Lodi and Envoy Kalsang Gyaltsen resigned in June this year. The two Envoys cited the deteriorating situation inside Tibet and their “utter frustration” over the lack of positive response from the China as reasons for their decision. “Given the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008 leading to the increasing cases of self-immolations by Tibetans, we are compelled to submit our resignations,” Gyari and Gyaltsen said in their resignation letter. The last round of talks between the Envoys of the Dalai Lama and representatives from the Chinese United Front Work Department was held more than two and a half years ago in January 2010. Since then, the Chinese have refused to meet the Tibetan delegation. The dialogue process has failed to yield much result, with the former Envoys repeatedly stating that large differences still remained on “fundamental issues”.