Tibet “neither seeks separation nor high degree of autonomy”: Kashag Statement Vol. 03, Issue 100, Print Issue 24, 15 December 2013 US asks China to engage in dialogue with Dalai Lama
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Non-violent action is related to warm-heartedness: Tibet’s spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 02 December 2013
Mr Gary Locke, the U.S. ambassador to China. Photo: Media file
By Yeshe Choesang: 13 December 2013
Dharamshala: - The US Ambassador to China, Mr Gary Locke, urged the Chinese leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives to resolve tensions in Tibet. “As Ambassador, I have witnessed China’s rich diversity first hand. I have also seen cases where heavy-handed policies deny basic freedoms to ethnic and religious minorities, including ethnic Uighurs, Tibetans and Mongolians, undermining the trust that binds diverse societies,” Mr Gary Locke said in a statement issued on 10 December, the International Human Rights Day. “The United States calls on the Chinese government to protect the fundamental freedoms of all its citizens without discrimination. We also urge China’s leaders to engage in constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, as a means to reduce the tensions,” he said. The ambassador welcomed China’s recent decisions to end the re-education through labour system and to strengthen the rule of law. He expressed hopes that China’s leaders will soon bring substance to the notion that certain inalienable rights pertain to all citizens.
Tibetan speaker meets Minnesota Rights Commissioner
Dharamshala: - The Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address a select gathering of corporate leaders, civil servants, academicians, professionals, and diplomats today as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. “It’s a great honour for me to have this opportunity to share my views and experiences with brothers and sisters like you,” His Holiness said. “I consider myself to be just another human being with not much difference between us. I remember it was perhaps 20th April 1959 that I reached Birla House in Mussoorie after several days journey by train. Soon afterwards, Pandit Nehru came to see me,” he said. “I met him for the first time in Peking in 1954, then again at the time of the Buddha Jayanti celebrations in 1956. By then there was already trouble in Tibet and I told him I was thinking of not going back. He advised me that it would be better to go back and to try to manage the situation on the basis of the 17 point agreement,” he added. “It’s been nearly 55 years since I came to stay at Birla House. I lost my home and found a new one in India, a country I’d always felt close to because of my studies. The Government of India took care of us. I am a refugee, but I’m also the longest staying guest of the Indian government. As a result of India’s help and the freedom I’ve enjoyed here, I’ve learned many things; among them the ancient Indian concept of ahimsa or non-violence.” His Holiness went on to say that “peaceful, non-violent action is related to warm-heartedness, which is something we need to promote on the basis of secularism. Because India is a multireligious society, the freedom fighters decided there should be a secular constitution. It wouldn’t work to impose one religion or another, whereas secularism, from the Indian point of view, is
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Birla Institute in Noida, India on December 1, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
respectful of all religions and even of the right to be agnostic.” He said we need to reflect on our common experience: our birth from our mothers and the affection with which she cared for us, give us the ability to be affectionate to others. “Nobody wants problems, but we create them. They spring
Another Tibetan sets himself on fire in Tibet, Toll reaches 123
directly from our self-centred attitude. The opposite of this, compassion and concern for others is the key factor in the creation of a more peaceful world. If we base our compassion on religious faith, there’ll be limits to it. If, instead, we take a secular approach, there are no limits to what we might achieve.”
Kalons meet leaders in Europe on Human Rights Day
Kalon Dolma Gyari in Torino with President Mr Valerio Cattaneo of the Regional Council of Piemonte Region Mr Gianpiero Leo President of the Regional Association for Human Rights and Tibet accompanied by Mr Bruno Mellano and Mrs Rosanna Dagiovani. Photo: CTA
Speaker Penpa Tsering with Mr Kevin Lindsay, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Photo: CTA/DIIR
By Jake Thomas: 28 November 2013
By Jake Thomas: 13 December 2013.
Dharamshala: - Tibetans and supporters of the just cause of Tibet around the world on 10 December celebrated the 24th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and observed the World Human Rights Day. According to CTA, Four Kalons of the Central Tibetan Administration attended the celebrations with members of the Tibetan communities and supporters in different parts of Europe. P- 7......
Dharamshala: - Speaker Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile met Mr Kevin Lindsay, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human Rights and members of the Tibetan community in Chicago and Madison from 6 -10 December. He was in Minnesota at the invitation of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM). P- 7......
Tibetan Students’ silent protest in Dharamshala
Chinese Embassy “intimidated” by candlelight vigil
Konchok Tseten, a 30-year old Tibetan nomad set himself on fire on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, in Machu County, north-eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI
By Yeshe Choesang: 04 December 2013
Candlelit vigil outside Chinese Embassy, London to mark Human Rights Day, 10 December 2013. Photo: TPI
By Paul Golding: 13 December 2013.
London: - Chinese officials in London said they felt “intimidated” by activists holding a candlelit vigil outside the Chinese Embassy to mark Human Rights Day on 10 December. The Embassy refused to accept a giant postcard calling on the Chinese government to make immediate reforms to improve the human rights for all its citizens. The vigil was held to remember all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience who sacrificed their freedom and lives in order to promote and protect the human rights of those living under the Chinese Communist Party’s regime in East Turkestan, Tibet and across China. P- 7......
Dharamshala: - Emerging reports coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan from Machu county set himself ablaze in Ngaba County North-eastern Tibet on Tuesday, December 3, in protest against Chinese repressive rule in Tibet. “Konchok Tseten, a 30-year old Tibetan nomad set himself on fire yesterday 5pm ( local time) inAmdo Machu county, North-eastern Tibet,” Lhamo Kyab, a Tibetan living in exile told The Tibet Post International. “Some local Tibetans in Meruma village in Ngaba County who witnessed the fiery protest told me that the Tibetan man from Machu county has suffered severe burn injuries,” Lhamo Kyab told TPI News, adding that he has most likely not survived the self-immolation. “Chinese police and security forces immediately arrived at the spot to take the self-immolator into their custody, Sources said. Authorities tried to take him away but local Tibetans prevented them.The police took away the self-immolator after arresting several Tibetans, including his wife and relatives,” sources added. The exile source with contacts in the region said that “all the shops and restaurants remained closed today and Chinese police are confiscating the mobile phones of the residents in the areas as they stepped up a security crackdown following the latest self-immolation protest against Beijing’s rule”. Sources said “Konchok had told a relative this summer that he would set himself on fire one day to protest against the Chinese repressive
rule. The relative advised him not to take his own life.” He is survived by his wife Namnang and two sons- Chakdor Kyab, 4 and Patsal Kyab, 3. “Tibetans inside Tibet are living under heavy repression. There is a total clampdown on any conventional means to express their grievances. These conditions have led to the growing number of selfimmolations inside Tibet. We implore Chinese leadership to address the grievances of Tibetans immediately,” Mr Tashi Phuntsok, who is the Secretary for Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Wednesday evening. Konchok Tseten is from Delek Ruchen Village in Chakgawa Township, Machu county in Gansu province’s Kanlho. His father’s name is Samkho and his mother’s name is Oga. The burning protest by Tseten brought to 123, the verified number of self-immolations since the wave of burnings began in 2009 in protest against Chinese repressive rule and of them 105 were reportedly passed-away from their severe burn injuries. The Tibetan self-immolators called for freedom for Tibetan people and the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. The CTA has consistently appealed to and discouraged Tibetans from drastic action, including self-immolation, as a form of protest. The blame as well as the solution for the self-immolations lies with the Chinese government.
T.T.S. Students offering prayers for self-immolators, Dharamshala, India, on 13 December, 2013. Photo: TPI By Choneyi Sangpo: 13 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Over 250 students of the Tibetan Transit School (T.T.S.) held a rally in Dharamshala in solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet and 123 Tibetans who have set themselves ablaze in protest against Chinese repressive policies in Tibet. The students finally gathered in front of the Martyrs Memorial near the main Tibetan temple after walking 8 KM from the school, chanting prayers and carrying pictures of the self-immolators. They demanded that China must consider allowing the Dalai Lama to return his homeland, and called a reunion of all Tibetans both inside and outside of Tibet. They also urged China to release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima immediately. Many students recited their poems dedicated to Tibetans self immolators. A candlelight vigil marked the end of the day-long silent protest.
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Opinion TPI NEWS The world needs a stable China, while China Editorial: needs the world even more: Chin Jin The Tibet Post International
15 December 2013
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Tibet Remembered as the World marks another Human Rights Day
A minute’s silence in memory of all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives of the cause of Tibet at a ceremony marking world Human Rights Day in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang 30 November 2013
Dharamshala: - As we celebrate World Human Rights Day 2013, we remember all those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace, democracy and human rights and the legacy of that struggle that we must continue to carry forward. On this day, 64 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed. One thing that weighs down heavily on the mind of Tibetans in exile, and their global supporters, is that Tibet continues to be occupied by the world’s worst human rights abusers, the Chinese government. The Chinese regime which has no history of valuing human rights continues to maintain hard-line policies on Tibet such as arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, torture and other inhuman-treatment in Tibet. The Tibetan people, over six decades, have never stopped denouncing the serious human rights violations in Tibet as well as the Chinese political repression, cultural assimilation, social discrimination, economic marginalization, environmental destruction and lack of religious freedom. All these have accumulated as causes for the 123 Tibetans who have self-immolated, sacrificing themselves to protest China’s policies in their homeland Tibet. Under the regime of the current President Xi Jinping, the resurgence of violence against Tibetan people has continued, including those who are defending their holy mountains and rivers against exploitation by Chinese mining and dam companies and especially the families/ relatives of the self-immolation victims. The world must not forget even for moment that there are1.2 million Tibetans, including 173,221 tortured in Chinese prison, 156,758 executed, 432,705 killed in fighting, 342,970 starved to death, 9,002 suicide and 92,731 other forms of struggling to death because they all lost their lives standing up for Tibet and Tibetan people. Because they all lost their lives between 1949 and 1979 standing up for the six million Tibetans who have the right to live in peace and freedom like every other human being. It is not very agreeable, but simply true what the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said in her statement on Human Rights Day this year:” In several instances where deplorable, large-scale violations of international human rights law were occurring, the international community was too slow, too divided, too shortsighted – or just plain inadequate in its response to the warnings of human rights defenders and the cries of victims,” Navi Pillay said, adding: “the Vienna Declaration should be viewed as a blueprint for a magnificent construction that is still only half built.” But in today’s world, it is difficult to understand the decades long nonviolence struggle as well as to comprehend how people in world major freedom struggles in the mid-20th century resorted to sacrificing life for freedom and justice. Since the death of the revered South African icon Nelson Mandela, there have been many reflections on his life and the things for which he stood. At the heart of much of what he wanted was respect for human rights. This recognition of human rights must be an ideal to which we should all admire if we want a better, fairer and more just society. Nelson Mandela once said that: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Once again, we, the Tibetans in exile and our supporters around the world strongly express our deepest condolences to the people of Tibet, who have
suffered oppression, exploitation, subjugation and discrimination since the Chinese military occupation. However, the Chinese government policies have failed to address the aspirations of the Tibetan people with their distinct cultural identity. Our freedom and our rights depend on each other to survive. In November, 2013, Spain’s national court issued arrest warrants for former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and four other top Chinese authorities for genocide and other crimes against humanity in occupied Tibet in an historic case. With this incredible achievement, it may appear as though the voice for human rights in China and Tibet is drastically improving. However, human rights violations, violence and oppression at the hands of the Chinese government remain the only reality for the people of Tibet at this time. We need to take further steps to develop an approach, (similar to the methods used for the cases at the Spain’s national court) explaining the current situation in Tibet and asking for the application of international pressure against the deplorable human rights violations that are repeatedly committed against Tibetan populations by the Chinese government. We also commemorate the sacrifice and reaffirm our commitment to justice for the people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom in 2008. We must never forget 15,000 Tibetan brothers and sisters, who were killed within three days in a Chinese military deadly crackdown on the National Uprising of 10 March 1959 in Capital Lhasa. There’s no any doubt that resorting to the self-immolation protest against Chinese rule is not the best option for our freedom struggle. Tibetans today, however, do not have the better of choice between good’ and bad. The plight and suffering of six Tibetans means that they can only choose between bad and worse. It seems, the world has forgotten the well-known Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi’s (1823-1849) poem, ‘Life is dear, love is dearer. Both can be given up for freedom.’ And they have also long forgotten the line: ‘Give me liberty, or give me death.’ They do not even understand what Communist Xia Minghan once said: ‘It does not matter if you are beheaded, as long as you are fighting for truth. Many however say “the world is unfair, unjust and morally twisted. — no matter how many innocents they target for murder — and its neglect of the cruelly treated, peaceful Tibetans.” The ongoing human rights violations in Tibet is condemned worldwide as unfair. Therefore, China must learn from the remarks made by US president Jimmy Carter at a White House Meeting Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration’s Signing on December 6, 1978, in which he said in 1943, “For millions of people around the world today the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still only a declaration of hope. Like all of you, I want that hope to be fulfilled. The struggle to fulfill it will last longer than the lifetimes of any of us. Indeed, it will last as long as the lifetime of humanity itself. But we must persevere. Lastly Tibetans strongly believe in speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our strength comes from their spirits, including the brave Tibetans and the political prisoners jailed inside Tibet. Because that’s what the universal decoration hopes for. Therefore, we also believe victory will not only prevail for the Tibetan people, but for the seven billion human beings worldwide.
By Chin Jin : 10 December 2013
Sydney: - I am Chin Jin, a Chinese democracy campaigner. I am very pleased to travel all the way from Sydney to Canberra for the event this evening to celebrate the World’s Human Rights Day and the 24th anniversary of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s awarding the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. As China is one of the most human rights abusive countries in the world, and my goal or pursuit is to push democracy to China so as to bring the human rights abuses to a full stop, my talk would be mainly on China. Human rights issues are constantly at the forefront of our focus in the free and civilized world, but investing effort into raising awareness of human rights violations, with the hope of seeing some improvement, has generally been fruitless when dealing with undemocratic states. For the past few decades, the general strategy of the West has been to officially “express concern” at the disgusting human rights records of the Chinese communist government. In response, the Chinese government has consistently turned a deaf ear to the West, in fact, it showed almost nothing of improvement in this particular regard. My personal view is that human rights abuses in China have not changed at all since the time of Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989. My view is that, in the first instance, it is the West who has revealed their lack of judgement about dealing with autocratic China, naively believing that a move towards democracy is possible as the Chinese economy improves, by presenting a high level of tolerance to the human rights violations by the Chinese government.
Secondly but more importantly, the autocratic Chinese government has no intention, nor capability to improve human rights records profoundly, due to the nature for its political system and infrastructure. This would be akin to a doctor prescribing the wrong drug to cure a disease. You can bring a horse to river but you can’t make it drink. Can the West adopt a more successful approach to improve human rights in China? In my view, the more constructive approach is to address key factors within the Chinese political system. There are always less human rights abuses in countries where leaders are democratically elected. That is a fact. This means that the political system, that is, democracy, is a basic requirement to guarantee a move away from human rights abuses. Without targeting this key point in a hope of pushing the Chinese leaders to improve its domestic human rights violations, all efforts made by the West would be useless and could end up looking like a big joke or hypocrisy. The Chinese government was so isolated after the Tiananmen Square Massacre, but just at that crucial time, world leaders got lost in their own maze of Chinese policies, a typical example of which was the US President Snr George Bush, who sent his envoy to meet Deng Xiaoping to give the wrong message, which in turn encouraged the hardliners of the Chinese leadership. I still have a fresh recollection of that the human rights dialogue between China and the West, which was firstly initiated from Australia when the Senator Chris Scharcht headed a delegation to China. Has there been any substantial human rights improvement in China? The answer is no. As early as 1998, China became the signatory of two UN Covenants; the international covenant on civil and political rights, and the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights. But right up until now, these two UN covenants have not been ratified, there is no sign of having them ratified and as a matter of fact, the Chinese government has no intention at all of ratifying them. My interpretation is that the Chinese government has been deliberately hoodwinking the world, and Western leaders are happy to be hoodwinked, because
they are more interested in the huge market in China. Human rights dialogues with the current Chinese government are only talks which mend no holes. China in the eyes of the Westerners appears to be the great success story of economic growth, with millions of people being lifted from poverty, a new development model surpassing the West and the locomotive representing the future of the world. That is the shiny side of the coin the Chinese government wants the West to see, believe and accept. But what is the real situation in China? I wish to quote from Zhou Xiaozheng, a wellknown Professor of sociology of the Renmin University of China. His typical description of current situation of China is as follows: “our country is full of insanity, absurdity, craziness and hollowness. In the meantime, it has all of these, ignorance, incompetence, ruthlessness, immorality, unscrupulousness, heartlessness, impudicity and hooliganism”. It is hard to help laughing at this thorny reality, that the people inside China is so numb to it, but outsiders find it so hard to believe or accept. I am aware that the US vice president Joe Biden encouraged young Chinese to be courageous enough to challenge the status quo on his recent China visit. I am also very sad to learn another young Tibetan selfimmolated. If the Chinese understand and do as Joe Biden implicated, the tragedy of the self-immolations in Tibet could be avoided. The transition of political structure in China from autocracy to democracy would contribute a great deal to world peace and progress. I appeal to the West to make good use of your political clout to push China to get on to the correct orbit of democracy, no more beating around the bush, but getting out of the merry-go-round. Whilst on the subject of global human rights, I would like to pay respect to the world’s iconic figure late Nelson Mandela, friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. HH the Dalai Lama says the spirit of Nelson Mandela must be continued. The world needs a stable China, while China needs the world even more and the Chinese government has been enjoying the kowtowing West to keep its autocratic regime. It is my hope that should be stopped.
Tibet community organization celebrates inauguration
presentations by various speakers, students’ singing in French, German, Chinese, English, and Tibetan, as well as refreshments for the attendees. According to sources from Tibet World, guests left the joyous event excited for the future of this organization. Mr. Tsering wished the best for Tibet World in
his speech, expressing that training Tibetans with self-reliance is a bright idea. He also supported the organization’s motto, “Tibet meets the world, the world meets Tibet” as a notion worthy of praise. Yeshe Lhundup founded Tibet World with the desire to “train Tibetans to be a role model of compassionate people in the world and to make Tibet a zone of peace. We have preserved Tibetan culture as well as making a greener world through our Himalayan planting projects.” In the past 9 months, over 50 international volunteers and 230 students have collaborated with the association to further its projects. These include intercultural exchange programs as well as education and training in fields such as language, career development, and the environment. These resources help further Tibetans’ abilities to develop sustainable livelihoods and embrace and express Tibetan culture.
achieving gender equality and the protection and promotion of women’s human rights. TWA also takes note of that commitment made by Ms. Francas Raday, chair of the Working Group, towards assessing the legislative reforms and policies that have been implemented by the Government of China to promote women’s rights and gender equality. In addition to the expert groups’ area of focus- women’s economic and social life, achievements and good practices to eliminate discrimination against women and also obstacles to their empowerment, TWA urges the team to pay special attention to the status of Tibetan Women inside Tibet. A research report published by TWA titled ‘The Status of Tibetan Women inside Tibet Mirrors China’s Critical Disengagement with its International and National Commitments-2013’ launched today in Dharamsala on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, covers the status of women in the fields of Education, Employment, Prostitution, Healthcare, Family-Planning Policy, Justice, Torture, Religious Freedom, Political Freedom and Employment.
The report has made 15 recommendations[iii] for the Chinese Government and the United Nations. Whilst it calls for international intervention to address the status of women in Tibet, it sense the need for adequate reforms to ameliorate the living standards of women in Tibet and significantly to keep China a strict adherent of its national and international commitments. TWA also would like to reiterate that much is expected from this visit as it is the first Special Procedures visit since the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Olivier De Schutter went in December 2010. TWA urges the Working Group to pay attention to the recommendations enclosed with this letter. TWA will closely follow the delegation’s preliminary findings which will be delivered via a press conference scheduled to be held on 19 December 2013 in Beijing. TWA also anticipates a veracious account and a substantial report with conclusions and recommendations which the team will present to the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2014.
By Cameron Hickert: 28 November 2013
Dharamshala: On October 19 of this year, the Dharamshala-based organization Tibet World celebrated its Inauguration Ceremony. Domestic and international guests – including students, volunteers, members of Tibetan parliament, representatives from other NGOs, and Tibet World’s global friends – united at the organization’s headquarters to commemorate the exciting occasion. Notable among these were the Honourable Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Mr. Penpa Tsering, President of Tibet Kalaish House Mr. Wilfried Pfeffer, and his secretary Ms. Gundi. The ceremony commenced at 9.30am with the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem, after which Chief Guest Tsering and Special Guest Pfeffer lit a butter lamp. The following festivities included
On October 19 of this year, the Dharamshala-based organization Tibet World celebrated its Inauguration Ceremony. Photo: TPI/ Choneyi Sangpo
TWA urges UN to heed to status of Tibetan women in Tibet
The Chief Justice Commissioner releasing a research book on the status of women in Tibet on world Human Rights Day, on 10 December 2013. Photo: TWA By Tibetan Women’s Association: 10 December 2013
Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Women’s Association [i] is pleased to learn that an experts team representing ‘United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice’ will undertake its first visit to the People’s Republic of China [ii] from 12 to 19 December 2013, to appraise the progress made towards
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exile news
Sikyong of Tibet calls for unity to realise self-immolators’ wishes
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the prayer service at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, India, on 7 December 2013. Photo: CTA/DIIR By Cameron Hickert: 09 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Speaking on Saturday December 7 at a prayer service for the Tibetans who have self-immolated in the struggle against China, the political leader of Tibet – Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay – called for unity and concerted efforts to realise their aspirations. These include the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans. A special prayer service organised by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan
Administration was presided over by Tromthok Rinpoche, abbot of Namgyal monastery. Hundreds of Tibetans, including monks, nuns, supporters, and the heads of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy attended the prayer gathering at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala as a mark of respect and solidarity with all those Tibetans who set themselves ablaze for the just cause of Tibet. A large number of Tibetans and well-wishers gathered at the main temple in Dharamsala to offer prayers for Kunchok Tseten, a 30-year-old father
Eve of Human Rights Day: Free Tibet protest at Chinese embassy By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 11 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Ten Tibetan youths were arrested and later released by police in Delhi after protesting outside the Chinese Embassy on December 9. The group voiced their position against the Chinese government’s “repressive policies in Tibet and its blatant violation of human rights in Tibet” on the eve of World Human Rights Day. The group, which was primarily composed of Tibetan students from Delhi University, shouted slogans demanding human rights for Tibetans inside Tibet. To date, a total of 123 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of the exiled spiritual Tibetan leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The group also called for the surrender of Chinese leaders recently found guilty by a Spanish court. Speaking on behalf of the assembly, one of the ten
of two children, who died after setting himself on fire in northeastern Tibet’s Ngaba region to protest against China’s repressive rule. After setting himself on fire, he raised slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, and the early reunion of Tibetans in Tibet. “We offer our deep condolences for all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet and express solidarity with their family members. Over 123 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans. 106 of them have died. These are not just numbers, but precious human lives. We must strengthen our unity and make concerted efforts to fulfill their aspirations,” Sikyong declared at the prayer service. The leader argued political repression, cultural assimilation, social discrimination, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and lack of religious freedom are the primary factors driving Tibetans to self-immolation. The only way to end this brutal and grave situation is for China to change its current hardline Tibet policy by respecting the aspirations of the Tibetan people, stated Dr Sangay. (CTA White Paper on Self-Immolations in Tibet) The Central Tibetan Administration has consistently appealed to and discouraged Tibetans from taking drastic action, including self-immolation, as a form of protest. The CTA believes the blame for the selfimmolations, as well as the solution, lies with the Chinese government.
ancient Chinese people”, TPIE By Cameron Hickert: 11 December 2013
Dharamshala: – Speaking on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPIE), Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel expressed concern that “the Chinese government’s ongoing disregard for the religious and cultural rights and freedom of speech of the people of Tibet” has failed Tibetans, the international community, and even China’s own people. Mr Tenphel made the speech amidst Tibetan celebrations for World Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10, the day on which His Holiness the Dalai Lama “received the universally acclaimed Nobel Peace Prize.” This year’s celebration marked the 24th anniversary of the occasion on which “all people across the world who covet democracy, freedom, and peace exalted him (His Holiness) and expressed elation, reverence and admiration for His outstanding deeds.” Traditional Tibetan dances and songs contributed to a joyous atmosphere of celebration during the midweek holiday. The speaker indicted the Chinese for their continued inaction despite international criticism. “The representatives of Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United States, The United Kingdom, Iceland, Japan, Poland, and Australia made it clear that the human rights situation in Tibet was continuing to worsen considerably and expressed serious concerns over the development.”
By Cameron Hickert: 06 December 2013
On the eve of the International Human Rights Day, Tibetan youth protested in front of Chinese Embassy in Delhi. Photo: TPI
arrested condemned the “loyalty” China forces Tibetans to express. He specifically cited the Chinese government policy that demands Tibetans hoist Chinese national flags atop their houses in Driru County, eastern Tibet. The demonstrators were detained briefly at the Chanakyapuri Police Station before their release in the evening.
Tibetan cyclist welcomed to Dharamshala
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China misrepresents Tibet, “great
Tibet community in exile mourns self-immolation
Dharamshala: – To honor the sacrifice of Konchok Tseten, the 30-year old Tibetan nomad who selfimmolated in protest against Chinese repressive rule, Tibetans and supporters held a candlelight vigil in Dharamshala on the night of December 4. Over 175 people took part in the solemn ceremony, which was organized by Students for a Free Tibet: India, the Dharamshala chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress, and the Dharamshala Regional Tibetan Women’s Association. According to information from sources in the region, “the Tibetan man who self-immolated on 3 December, died from his injuries on 5 December.” To commence the vigil, candle-bearing attendees holding pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr Tseten joined in procession around the McLeod Ganj town square and offered prayers in Mr Tseten’s honor. Sources from Students for a Free Tibet: India described it as an emotional and animated event. The mourners then gathered beneath prayer flags and a glowing sunset, chanting prayers in unison in the name of Mr. Tseten. Speeches in both Tibetan and English provided an outlet for the assembly’s grief, after which the vigil concluded. Sources inside Tibet confirmed the immolation to be fatal. Despite Tibetans’ efforts to protect Mr Tseten’s body, Chinese police eventually were able to take the self-immolator into custody, arresting several Tibetans in the process. The following day, the authorities brought Mr Tseten’s ashes to his wife. Mr Tseten is survived by his father Samkho, mother Oga, his wife Namnang, and two sons – Chakdor Kyab, 4 and Patsal Kyab, 3. In his speech at the vigil, writer and Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue discussed the power
15 December 2013
Tibet community in exile mourns self-immolation by Konchok Tseten on December 4, 2013, in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI
of nonviolence and noted the vigil’s diverse audience, which included domestic and international attendees. He encouraged each individual to “take the message of love and compassion to your country, to your family, and to your friends.” Afterwards, Mr Tsundue noted the importance of the candlelight memorial in engaging the public: “International media will not carry... the message of self-immolation like this; therefore this is our top priority immediately.” He continued, “What we are doing is a collective response from Dharamshala.” Vigil attendee Lobsang Tseten (no relation to Konchok), discussed his emotions while at the event. “I feel sad. 123 have immolated and China, instead of unearthing the reasons, blames His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I also feel angry. To be here in exile and know what people in Tibet are going through, no one wants to burn themselves but they are doing it out of desperation. But the world isn’t listening.” Students for a Free Tibet: India’s Program Director Tenzin Jigdal echoed these sentiments: “Self-immolations... since 2009 highlight the gravity of the situation in Tibet.”
Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivers the statement of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the 24th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Dharamsala, India, on 10 December 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang
He continued: “They made emphatic criticisms over the Chinese government’s ongoing disregard for the religious and cultural rights and freedom of speech of the people of Tibet. Besides, they offered specific recommendations on the ways in which the government of China should ensure the protection of the rights of the ethnic minorities, including the Tibetan people, and urged that these be acted upon.” But after these repeated and explicit condemnations from the global community, “The government of China has thus far nothing positive to show in terms of accomplishments in the area of human rights.” The Deputy Speaker expressed hope in the human rights promises China has made in order to rejoin the United Nations Human Rights Council, but also used his speech on Tuesday “to ask China to implement its promises and also urge the international community to closely scrutinize China on this issue.” Continuing on to focus on the Tibetan people, the speech specifically cited the Chinese Communist Party General Secretary of Tibet Autonomous Region, Mr Chen Quanguo. Mr Tenphel described Mr Quanguo’s comment, “we should educate and guide cadres and ordinary people of various ethnic groups to separate Tibetan Buddhism from the fourteenth Dalai Lama,” as another manifestation of the endemic oppression of Tibetans at China’s hands. However, TPIE’s address then moved into a position less common, by arguing the Chinese government is doing a disservice to the Chinese people themselves. The “resolute policy of deceiving people with the monetary temptations to whatever extent it can on the one hand and with a brutally violent repression through use of troops and arms on the other hand” shows the world – including the Chinese Han ethnic majority – “that the communist party government of China is totally backward: out of step with the rest of the world today in every respect and not in keeping with the transformations that have taken place in modern human society.” In a particularly explicit statement, the speaker Penpa Tsering noted, “There is no trace of the moral ethics, nor a slightest whiff of the virtuous traditions and culture of the great ancient Han Chinese people remaining in this (the Chinese) government. This represents an enormous loss to the people across the world and, especially, to the entire 1.3 billion people of China today.” Mr Tenphel closed by thanking Tibet’s partners around the globe for their efforts thus far, and encouraging them to offer more support in the future. He then wished His Holiness the Dalai Lama a long life, and expressed hope for a day when Tibetans in exile can be reunited with their families and friends.
Tibet community in exile joins world in mourning Mandela by Cameron Hickert: 09 December 2013
Tibetan cyclist welcomed to Dharamshala after 9 month long rally, Saturady, 30 November, 2013. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo by Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 03 December 2013
Dharamshala: -Hundreds of Tibetans and well-wishers lined the streets of Dharamshala on Saturday, 30 Nov. to welcome Rinpo Yak, a Tibetan who cycled through 400 cities in 15 countries across Asia and Europe. He embarked on this cycling rally form Brussels on 10 March 2013 on a campaign to seek global support to end China’s repressive rule in Tibet. Throughout his journey he met Parliamentarians, Tibet supporters, and human rights activists, and raised awareness about the plight of Tibetans under the policies of the Chinese government. Addressing the welcome event in Dharamshala, Mr Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, applauded the efforts of the cyclist to raise awareness about China’s atrocities in Tibet. He urged Tibetans to
draw inspiration from his initiative and determination to do something for the Tibetan cause. The speaker also highlighted the contributions of other Tibetan individuals who have carried out similar campaigns for the Tibetan cause. He stressed that Tibetan unity is the most important factor that will determine the success of the Tibetan movement. In a brief speech, Rinpo spoke of his objectives for embarking on the international cycling rally from Europe to Asia. He said the dire situation prevailing inside Tibet needs to be brought to the attention of the world’s conscience. Rinpo Yak is currently based in Minneapolis, US. He has been actively engaged in political activities since 2000. He has organised and participated in peace marches, prostration events, and cycle rallies throughout almost all the states in the United States.
Dharamshala: – In life, Nelson Mandela generated social change which resonated throughout the world. In his passing, the South African prisonerturned-president reminds the global community of these historical ripples of change. The Tibetan community is not exempt from these reminders, and it has linked arms with the global community to mourn the passing of this great leader. The reverence for Mr Mandela reverberates within many Tibetans, and was easily visible on Saturday, December 7. On that day in the northIndia mountain community of Dharamshala, the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibet movement’s leadership in exile) organised a special prayer service to commemorate Mr Mandela’s life. The CTA reported that various Tibetans joined the event to offer prayers for the anti-apartheid
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the prayer service at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, India, on 7 December 2013. Photo: CTA/DIIR
hero, and combined those sentiments with prayers for the 123 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest against heavy-handed Chinese rule. The Tibetan political leader, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay attended the prayer service, during which he stated of the lifelong activist, “It is sad to see him pass away, but it gives us courage that his legacy of equality and justice that prevailed over unjust governments is
inspiration for Tibetans.” This theme of Mr Mandela’s value to the Tibetan movement corroborated his observations from the day before, when he pointed out the leader ’s illustration “that no matter how much someone is oppressed, the justice and truth will prevail.” Of course, as a personal friend of the South African hero, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has played a very significant role in the ongoing tributes. He has maintained a perspective of respect for the past, while continuing to look to the future, particularly in entreating Tibetans to work for reconciliation and peace as Mr Mandela did. Prior to Saturday’s prayer service, deputy speaker of Tibetan Parliament Khenpo Sonam Tenphel expressed the CTA’s condolences to South Africa’s leadership and Mr Mandela’s family: “We share with the people of your country the great grief of this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
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Two popular singers arrested over Writer among nine Tibetans alleged political songs for Tibet sentenced to prison in Tibet
exile told the Tibet Post International on Thursday evening, citing sources in the region. “His family members have no idea why he is being held. There is no information about his current place of detention or the condition of his health. Gonpo Tenzin, 25, another Tibetan singer was arrested on 30 November 2013 in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet on unknown charges. There is still no confirmed information on the whereabouts and wellbeing of the arrested Tibetan singer and his family has not been heard from since. According to sources Gonpo Tenzin released a album titled “No Losar for Tibet”, which became popular among Tibetans. The sources said “there is serious concern over
the two Tibetan singers who are now considered subjected to enforced disappeared.” Over the years, China has sporadically arrested many Tibetan singers who have sung songs with explicit and subdued political messages, and metaphorical songs for the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A 29-year-old Tibetan singer who has released four albums and was known to be working in collaboration with other Tibetan singers, was reportedly arrested on July 29, 2013 in Siling city for singing politically sensitive songs that expressed longing for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. In April this year, Lo Lo was arrested for releasing his new album titled “Raise the Flag of Tibet, Sons of the Snow”, which carried overt themes of reunification with Tibetans in exile and political messages calling for Tibet’s independence from China. In February, another Tibetan singer named Urgyen Tenzin was arrested for singing a song in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the political leader of Tibet Dr Lobsang Sangay. “Since September 2013, Chinese authorities have violently suppressed protests by local Tibetans, subjecting them to gross human rights abuses such as arbitrary detention, torture, unlawful imprisonment and enforced disappearance,” Dharamshala based rights group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, said on Friday, adding that “the crackdown has since spread to other areas neighbouring Diru County as well as Lhasa after Lhasa authorities began putting 24-hr surveillance over Tibetans” in Nagchu County, situated about 328.3 km by road north-east of the capital Lhasa
bringing even more money into Switzerland. I was permitted inside the main government building to meet politicians and lobby for Tibet,” Loten said. He said he ‘tried to convince politicians from diverse Swiss political parties to speak about the Human Rights situation in Tibet and lobbied them not to sign the treaty which is against the fundamental belief of the Swiss people and the Basic Principles of the Swiss union. “It was also a hectic day with lots of political lobbying but in the end, unfortunately, the majority voted YES to the Trade Agreement which is basically a disaster for human rights and environmental issues,” he added. However, Mr Loten spoke to Swiss parliamentarians, including the finance minister. “I had the great honour to speak to Mr Ammann Schneider who is the Finance minister and the person responsible for the Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and China,” he said. The singer spoke with him about hundreds of Tibetan artists, intellectuals, writers and poets
who are in Chinese prison for speaking about Tibetan culture and tradition. “I told him that by signing the trade treaty Switzerland is literally hand shaking with a murderer,” Loten further added. He urged the Swiss minister to consider not sign the treaty as long as China doesn’t improve the human rights situation in Tibet. “The minister assured me that he takes the Tibet issue as a very important matter and he will do his best to convey the message to the Chinese leadership.” The financial minister also told him, one day he would like to come to his concert and hear his songs. “Without any hesitation, I just offered one of my famous Khampa warrior songs, hopefully he enjoyed it,” Loten stressed. The singer also urged the minister to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama officially to the Swiss parliament and honour Him. Loten said that “as an individual Tibetan, the day was a great success and I contributed a small step to the freedom struggle of our people and nation.”
Cover of Ring of Unity, Singer Gonpo Tenzin and singer Trinley Tsekar: TPI By Yeshe Choesang: 06 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Two Tibetan singers from Driru County of eastern Tibet were arrested by Chinese authorities for allegedly singing politically sensitive songs that expressed suffering of the Tibetan people. According to sources, Tibetan singer, Trinley Tsekar, 22, was detained on 20 November, 2013 in Driru County for releasing several music albums, including ‘Ring of Unity’, praises Tibetan identity, culture and language, which China thinks are politically sensitive. “Tsekar from Serkhang Village in Diru County was a popular Tibetan singer who also fearlessly expressed the pain and suffering of Tibetan people through his songs,” Tenpa, a Tibetan living in
Exiled singer Loten meets Swiss politicians and lobbies for Tibet
Loten Namling, an India-born Tibetan singer with the Swiss Federal Minister of Finance Mr Ammann Schneider. Photo: TPI By Yeshe Choesang: 11 December 2013
Bern, Tuesday, 10 December, 2013: - Loten Namling, an Indian-born Tibetan singer and artist currently living in Switzerland, urged Swiss politicians and parliamentarians to speak about the Human Rights deteriorating situation in Tibet. “It was a very important day in the history of Switzerland,” he said, adding that he was happy to be part of it in some way. “It was about signing the Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and China. It was about
“Getting to Zero”: HIV/AIDS in the Tibet community By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 04 December 2013
Dharamshala: – Every year on December 1st, Tibetans join the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day to unite in a struggle against the HIV/AIDS virus. This year’s celebration was particularly relevant for Tibetans. Health Kalon Dr Tsering Wangchuk reports that while the Tibetan community in India “has recorded 13 HIV-positive cases in 2012, the actual number of people who are HIV-positive in our Tibetan community is believed to be much higher.” Dr Wangchuk’s statement further notes the Tibet Autonomous Region itself has reported over 300 cases of HIV/AIDS. He attributes this high number to a variety of causes, including the “Beijing government’s lackluster approach towards the HIV/AIDS problem, poor healthcare infrastructure in Tibet, presence of large number of China’s HIV/AIDS victims; and a large flow of Chinese tourists in Tibet through the Gormo-Lhasa Railway since 2006.” Global health estimates approximate 35 million people live with the virus worldwide. The Health Kalon supports the World AIDS Day aim of “Getting to Zero” – “zero new
Chinese armed police surround Tibetan protesters in Shagchu Township, Driru County of eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI By Yeshe Choesang: 04 December 2013
Dharamshala: - China’s ongoing crackdown in enforcing the government’s ‘mass line’ policy has resulted in the sentencing of nine Tibetans in Shagchu (Ch: Xiaqu) town in Diru (Ch: Biru) County, Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). All three identified so far have been charged with maintaining contacts with the “Dalai clique” and for “engaging in activities to split the nation.” Among the nine sentenced to varying terms is Topden, a nomad and a writer who writes under the pseudonym Dro Ghang Gah. Topden, 30, was arrested on 28 October 2013 and sentenced to five years in prison on 30 November 2013, according a report by TCHRD. He hails from Village No. 4 in Shagchu town and has a wife, Dakar, and three young children. Sources say Topden was imprisoned for “keeping contacts with Dalai clique and for engaging in activities to split the nation”. Some who have contacts in Diru contend that he might have been punished for writing a poem detailing the atrocities faced by local Tibetans in Diru County since early this year. The poem encompasses events during the early years of Chinese rule in Tibet particularly Nagchu area during 1969 when thousands of Tibetans were starved, imprisoned and killed. It also contains details on some of the recent crackdowns in Diru County including the beating and continued incommunicado
detention of lay man Dayang, 69, in Dongla Rudo Village in Tsachu Township. The writer also mentions the sacred Naglha Dzamba Mountain where hundreds of Tibetans protesting mining activities at the holy mountain have clashed with armed police in recent years. Two other Tibetans, lay man Tenzin Rangdol and monk Konchok Choephel, were among the nine sentenced in Shagchu town. Dharamshala based rights group,Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) earlier reported on the arrest of Tenzin Rangdol, 32, a selfemployed father of three. Rangdol’s arbitrary arrest had led to an overnight protest the next day on 19 October 2013 by Tibetans outside the government office. He was arrested on 18 October 2013 and sentenced on 30 November 2013 to five years in prison for the same charges as Topden. Rangdol hails from Village No. 4. Konchok Choephel, 28, was arrested on 18 November 2013 and sentenced on 30 November 2013 to six years in prison on same charges as Topden and Rangdol. Monk Konchok Choephel hails from Nga-yang Village in Shagchu town. Konchok Choephel, a monk, has been sentenced to six years in prison. Konchok Choephel, a monk, has been sentenced to six years in prison. Sources also said that Lobsang Tashi, a monk from Rabten Monastery was arrested while he was doing his daily meditation. The arrest occurred at around 4 pm (local time) on 23 September 2013 when local Public Security Bureau officers also seized the monk’s personal cellphone and “other electrical gadgets”, according to sources. Lobsang hails from Village no. 8 in Dathang Township and has since disappeared. There are no additional details on Lobsang Tashi. The identities of six others sentenced are not known immediately due to extreme government censorship and surveillance in Diru and neighbouring counties in Nagchu
China detains seven people over self-immolation protest in Tibet By Kathryn Middel: 02 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Chinese authorities have detained seven Tibetans in response to the latest self-immolation protest against Chinese repressive rule in Tibet. Tsering Gyal, a 20-year-old Buddhist monk from Akyong monastery, set himself ablaze on Nov. 11 in Pema county in the Golok. He died the next day after calling for freedom for Tibetans and an end to Chinese rule, sources said. The seven detainees were accuced of involvement in Gyal’s fatal protest. Three of those detained were fellow monks from Akyong monastery. Several other monks from the monastery have also been questioned. Sources stated that “three laymen from Chokriyultso village- Tsewang, Bhumkyab and Janpo were also arrested. Their whereabouts, the charges against them, and their condition remain unknown.” Tsering Gyal’s self-immolation has led to a security crackdown in Pema county. Groups of 15 Chinese armed paramilitary police are
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stationed at every turn of the road in the county. “The police at one checkpoint then contact police at the next checkpoint to let them know the Tibetans are coming their way, in order to ‘hand them over,’” the source said, adding that Internet service to the area has now been disconnected and local Tibetans are being restricted in their movements, with some searched at gunpoint. Officials warn that if a self-immolation happens again, those involved will be severely punished. In 2013 alone, 24 Tibetans set themselves on fire to protest against China to end its government’s hardline policies against Tibet and the Tibetan people. The burning protest by Tsering brought to 123 the verified number of self-immolations since the wave of burnings began in 2009 in protest against Chinese repressive rule; of them, 105 reportedly passed-away from their severe burn injuries. The Tibetan self-immolators called for freedom for Tibetan people and the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.
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Dr Franz Pahl Mr Thomas Kemeil Mr Shalinder Kumar Ven Thupten Yarphel
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Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy A software engineer, Austria A professional graphic designer, India A Tibetan writer, India
Editor in Chief Mr Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Miss Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Choneyi Sangpo Photographer Artemas Liu Layout & Design Choneyi Sangpo Distributor Mr Tashi “Getting to Zero”: HIV/AIDS in the Tibet community. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo
HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.” This includes support of the department of health’s education and awareness campaigns ongoing throughout India. These programs include the promotion of condom use to prevent the virus’ transmission, HIV testing, and support for those living with the virus. Tibetans, like anyone else, can contract HIV. Early diagnosis is important in
ensuring effective treatment. Dr Wangchuk emphasizes that modern treatments for HIV/AIDS allow individuals with the virus to live long and productive lives. He further notes, “We need to treat people living with HIV with respect and empathy. We should not discriminate against them and we need to stop stigmatization. You could have the virus! It is very important for everyone to know his or her HIV status by testing for HIV.”
Contributors to this editon Keary Huang Taiwan
Cameron Hickert USA
Artemas Liu Taiwan Jane Cook UK Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer USA Chin Jin Australia Thomas Jake Finland Yeshe Choesang India Choenyi Sangpo India Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) Room #1 Top Floor, New Varuni House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India
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Peace will come as a result of action rather than prayer: His Holiness By Jane Cook: 08 December 2013
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the 10th T N Khoshoo Memorial Award ceremony at the Chinmaya Missionin New Delhi, India on December 7, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
New Delhi, India, 7 December 2013 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama was a guest of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), where he had been invited to present the TN Khoshoo Memorial Award and give a lecture. He was presented with a book published by ATREE entitled, ‘Himalaya: Mountains of Life’. The award was started in 2004 to encourage and promote individuals for outstanding achievements in the field of conservation and sustainable development. Rashmi Bharti and her husband Rajnish Jain were the recipients of this year’s award for the development of handmade naturally dyed textiles, the dissemination of solar technology ,and water resource management to sustain rural lifestyles in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. His Holiness began his lecture by saying that “concern
for the environment is very important” and noted that the population has grown significantly resulting in climate change and asked if the way we live is sustainable. He said ways needed to be found of preserving natural resources and that the gap between rich and poor is morally and practically indefensible. His Holiness urged that lavish displays of wealth should be exchanged to provide a meal for the poor and suggested that peace in the world will come as a result of action rather than prayer. His Holiness was asked who he is most impressed by and answered that on a human level we are all the same, essentially gentle and compassionate and suggested that if we give in to self-centredness we are more likely to be angry which can then lead to suspicion, fear, and loneliness. Over lunch he met with his old friend and supporter of the Tibetan cause, Kapila Vatsyayan. He was
The Dharma remains relevant today giving us self-confidence
5 Mongolians offer long-life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
H.H the Dalai lama
then driven to Mehrauli to visit a Care Home for Street Children. Here he made a short tour of the home meeting children and staff along the way. Harsh Mander, writer and social activist gave a brief introduction to the occasion. He said that he’d been preparing to refer to the two most loved people in the world, Nelson Mandela and His Holiness, but now sadly only His Holiness remains. He described the Care Home as built on a sense of love and compassion, something His Holiness represents more than anyone. He added that His Holiness displays no anger or bitterness about his exile and that he has never heard him promoting Buddhism, rather he praises the qualities of other faiths. Harsh Mander then asked His Holiness to speak to the children and mothers in the Care Home. His Holiness said that he was extremely happy to meet them and that there is a candour and straightforwardness about poor people not seen elsewhere and he speculated that maybe hardship keeps us in touch with reality. He spoke of the need to encourage a sense of the 7 billion human beings being part of one human family. If we see others as part of ‘us’ there will be no room to neglect them, he said. He urged the children not to feel homeless or helpless but to study and work and develop self-confidence just as he and his fellow Tibetans had done when they arrived in India. His Holiness then presented a cheque for ten lakh rupees as a donation from the Dalai Lama Trust. In his closing remarks he said that if you give up, you make no progress, but if you work hard, keep up your confidence and determination, you will be successful in whatever you do and he urged them to grow up helping others without exploiting, deceiving or bullying them.
By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 05 December 2013
New Delhi: - The day was just breaking as the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the Kempinski Hotel on Wednesday morning to perform the various preparatory rites for the Vajrabhairava Empowerment. The hall was quiet and virtually empty when he began, but towards the end of his rituals, two Mongolian musicians began to play poignant lilting melodies on their bowed, stringed instruments. Once His Holiness was seated on the throne, the Mongolians proceeded to offer prayers for his long life, based on the ‘Offering to the Spiritual Master’ (Lama chopa), which they recited in Tibetan. When it was done, His Holiness said: “First of all, thank you all very much for making this Long-life Offering. I noticed that in the section for eulogy and appeal, you recounted the relationship between Mongolians and the Dalai Lamas. When the Third Dalai Lama, the omniscient Sonam Gyatso, was leaving for Mongolia, an attendant took the reins of his horse and uttered this prayer: ‘May you, the lamp of Je Rinpoche’s teachings, dispel the darkness of sentient beings.’ He went on to establish the Dharma, particularly the Gelugpa tradition, firmly on Mongolian soil.” He continued, “When I made my first visit to your country in 1979, a long-life ceremony was offered during which those making the prayers wept, which brought tears to my eyes
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his teachings in New Delhi, India on December 4, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
New Delhi, India, 2 December 2013: - A group of 818 Mongolian Buddhists along with 60 Koreans and 15 Tibetans converged in New Delhi to listen to teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Once he had taken his seat, monks led a recitation of the Heart Sutra in Mongolian. His Holiness began by saying that teachings mean both the teacher and disciples need to correct their motivation by taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sanga and generating the awakening mind of bodhichitta. Otherwise we might remain selfish, self-centred, inclined to harm others, to lie to them and to covet their possessions. The three texts chosen for the teaching are ‘Blazing Teaching’ spoken by the Buddha; the ‘Foundations of All Excellence’, and ‘Three Principle Aspects of the Path’ by Je Tsongkhapa. His Holiness observed the many ups and downs in Mongolia but noted that they are now reviving their Buddhist traditions. He said the question today is what is the benefit of Dharma. Material development gives us sensory pleasure which can lead to anxiety, attachment, and anger. So the Dharma remains relevant today, giving us self-confidence which attracts trust and brings us friends. Buddhists believe, he said, that the experience of pain and pleasure arises through causes and conditions. If you treat others well, you get good results. Because Buddha gave the Mahayana teachings in private, some people have suggested that it is not the teaching of Buddha. To practice the Dharma, he continued, nuns and monks needed to be focused, which entails developing singlepointed concentration and also developing the wisdom that understands selflessness. His Holiness noted that the Sanskrit tradition of Buddhism entered China from the Silk Road, but the Tibetan Emperor decided to seek Buddhism in India. He drew attention to Buddha’s urging of his followers not to take his
Some of the many Mongolians with offerings for His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a Long Life Offering ceremony in New Delhi, India on December 4, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
too. However, the person who brought the tsog had tried to put on a hat that turned out to be too small for his broad skull, so he’d simply laid it across his head instead, which I remember made me laugh. Since then, I’ve been to Mongolia several times, although there may be some who only think of it as a reason they can’t drink vodka. Anyway, we’ll meet again and again in the future.” Once the empowerment was complete, he remarked that dedicated practitioners take the necessary parts of the empowerment as and when they need them. By request, His Holiness gave a reading transmission of a prayer for the swift return of Kalka Jetsun Dhampa, who passed away in Mongolia nearly two years ago. Proceedings were completed with a tsog offering and His Holiness gave his concluding advice: “We’ve finished this Dharma discourse for Mongolians. Now the most important thing is to make an effort to cultivate the awakening mind and a realization of emptiness.”
Serve the world by sharing ahimsa: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
because it makes me feel younger too. We older people have mostly already done our work, but you young people are just at the beginning of your time, making preparations for a happy life.” He talked about how he sometimes calls himself a son of India because his brain is informed by Nalanda thought and his body has long been nourished by Indian rice, dal and chapatis. As far as Buddhism is concerned, it involves training the mind. In order to do that you have to become familiar with the mind and emotions and ancient
Indian psychology is able to fill the gap that reflects something missing from modern life. Ahimsa, or non-violence, His Holiness explained, is an ancient idea that is relevant right now. Every day we hear reports of violence. The gang rape that caught public attention earlier in the year was about men with no values, no sense of caring for other people. It’s clear that if one has inner peace and concern for others’ well-being, one cannot do them any harm. Related to this is corruption, which has become like a cancer afflicting the whole world. The opposite of this is self-discipline, taking account of the short and long-term consequences of one’s actions. In this context, developing a warm heart, a compassionate heart, is the best way to fulfil one’s own and others’ interests. On the topic of peace amidst differences, he said, “India has a marvelous, longstanding tradition of inter-religious harmony. You are a living example that it is possible for different religions to live sideby-side. This is not only a treasure for India, but something you can contribute to the wider world. The sense of Ahimsa or non-violence that Gandhi made so well-known is another such treasure...we need you to serve the world by sharing ahimsa and religious harmony.” He concluded, “In the normal run of things to export you have to increase production, so who will produce the ahimsa and religious harmony for export? It’ll have to be young people like all of you. This is an example of the opportunity you have to create a better world.”
but especially to Tibetans. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in a letter to Mandela’s family, wrote that he will personally miss a dear friend, who he had hoped to meet again and for whom he had great admiration and respect. His Holiness concluded in saying that the best tribute we can pay to Mandela’s legacy is to do whatever possible to honor the oneness of humanity, and to continue working for peace and reconciliation as he did. Dr Lobsang Sangay’s parting words closely paralleled those of His Holiness: “...Nelson Mandela has left this world, but his legacy will continue and the struggle for justice will continue.” Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. After spending 27 years in prison in his fight against the apartheid system, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. Mr. Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, became an international icon
respected for his lifelong commitment to civil and human rights. The Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliamentin-Exile also expressed their heartfelt condolences to Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa and Mrs. Graca Machel, widow of Nelson Mandela. “We are deeply saddened at the demise of Mr. Nelson Mandela. He was not only a great leader of the people of South Africa but an iconic International figure of inspiration for peace, equality, justice and democracy,” said Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, deputy speaker of Tibetan Parliament today. “For the struggling people of Tibet, Mr. Mandela will always remain a guiding light and a warm friend to our leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama- both Nobel Peace Laureates,” he added. “We share with the people of your country the great grief of this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
By Jane Cook: 04 December 2013
teachings at face value, to ensure the teaching continues to deal with reality. He also explained that everything is impermanent and nothing has intrinsic existence. Before lunch His Holiness gave the transmission of a text known as ‘Blazing Teaching’, a praise of Dharma, composed by the Buddha and after lunch he began to teach the ‘Foundation of All Excellence. One way to make our lives meaningful is to contemplate death, its inevitability and the uncertainty of when it will occur he added. Resuming the teaching, His Holiness ON December 3rd 2013 turned to the ‘Three Principle Aspects of the Path’ explaining that in the first verse were references to the Three Aspects, the determination to be free, awakening the mind of bodhichitta, and the wisdom of the correct view. His Holiness also talked about arguments in the past as well as the present about whether the Mahayana were really taught by the Buddha and the final status of Buddha. After lunch His Holiness began the preparatory empowerment of Vajrabhairava, pointing out that for complete empowerment the disciple should hold individual liberation vows as well as Bodhisattva vows.
15 December 2013
His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting students before his talk at Vasant Valley School in New Delhi, India on December 6, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 09 December 2013
New Delhi, India, 6 December 2013: - After a tortuous drive through morning Delhi traffic, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Vasant Valley School in the south of the city. His Holiness was greeted and escorted to the stage of an amphitheater within the grounds where expectant students and staff awaited him. Following a brief introduction by Director Arun Kapur, His Holiness spoke. “Hello, good morning, elder and younger brothers and sisters. I’m always happy to meet young people,
Sikyong expresses Tibet solidarity with people of South Africa By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 06 December 2013
Dharamshala: - Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), held a press conference on Friday morning at the DIIR Lhakpa Tsering Memorial Hall of the CTA. Sikyong voiced the administration’s sorrow and solidarity with the people South Africa over the death of the former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela. “ O n b e h a l f o f t h e C e n t r a l Ti b e t a n Administration, I would like to express profound sadness to learn that a great statesman like Nelson Mandela, who has contributed a lot to the justice and peace in the world, has left us,” the Sikyong stated. He continued on, saying that “the success of the anti-apartheid movement gave a lot of hope to anyone who is seeking justice in this world and Nelson Mandela himself...reflects
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay speaks at a press conference in Dharmshala, India, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang
both perseverance and persistence... [and] that no matter how much someone is oppressed, justice and truth will prevail.” Dr Lobsang Sangay articulated that the nonviolent and peaceful nature of the Tibetan movement has been inspired by the anti-apartheid movement. Nelson Mandela’s personal story as well as the history of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa gives hope not only to humanity as a whole,
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TPI NEWS
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15 December 2013 International 7 Exiled minister seeks Italy’s support on Tibet issue Tibet neither seeks separation nor high degree of autonomy: Sikyong
The Tibet Post International
TPI NEWS
By Cameron Hickert: 09 December 2013
Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Central Tibetan Administration before the Italian Senate’s Extraordinary Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Rome on 5 December 2013. Photo: CTA
Dharamshala: – Citing China’s continued abuse in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Central Tibetan Administration’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dicki Chhoyang entreated the Italian leadership on December 5 to engage with the Chinese government on Tibet’s behalf. Ms Chhoyang testified before the Italian Senate’s Extraordinary Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, reporting on the state of Tibetans in Tibet as well as those in exile around the globe. Kalon Chhoyang commenced her address by reminding the senators of the 297-year relationship between Italy and Tibet, which His Holiness the Dalai Lama has continued to cultivate by visiting Italy 25 times over the past 40 years.
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Kalon Tsering Dhundup and Representative Ngodup Dorjee with French members of Parliament, Mr Patrick Bloche and Mr Andre Gattolin and President of the Tibetan Community in France, Thupten Gyatso. Photo: CTA
Kalon Tsering Dhundup and Representative Ngodup Dorjee with French members of Parliament, Mr Patrick Bloche and Mr Andre Gattolin and President of the Tibetan Community in France, Thupten Gyatso. Photo: CTA
DIIR Kalon Dicki Chhoyang (4th left) and Karma Choeying, an official of Office of Tibet Brussels, (2nd right) with Executive Committee member of Tibetan Community Netherlands (from left to right: Karma Ngawang, Chokyi, Tsewang Lhatso, Rinchen, Ngawang Dhondup, Tashi Dayab, Dhondup Phuntsok) Photo: CTA
She then delved into more concerning issues by stating, “News from our homeland is replete with tales of destruction including Tibetan language and environment, disappearances, discrimination, detention, imprisonment, torture and extrajudicial killing. The current number of known political prisoners in Tibet today is estimated to be as high 1,204.” To illustrate her report that “Tibetans have been made second-class citizens in their own land,” the Minister cited a clandestine photograph from Tibet’s capital of Lhasa. In the picture, a help-wanted sign offered Tibetans a salary of 30 RMB while it offered Chinese applicants a pay of 50 RMB for the same work. This disrespect, Ms Chhoyang stated, is indicative of Chinese mistreatment in all areas of Tibetan life. She cited such issues as blatantly contradictory to the Chinese government’s “equality of nationalities” motto. The diplomat continued her speech “by reiterating Tibetan people’s firm commitment to non-violence and dialogue. We do not view the Chinese nation and people with malice, but with respect.” She concluded, “The Central Tibetan Administration strives for a resolution to the situation inside Tibet through the Middle Way Approach which seeks genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese constitution.” The Italian government’s requested role in achieving this end, Ms Chhoyang noted, would include engaging China on the issue of regional autonomy and entreating the Chinese government to converse with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys in an effort to end the abuse of Tibet. “I urge you at this critical time to help us realize the aspirations of the Tibetan people,” the Minister declared. “As we see justice prevail in different parts of the world, so it should be for Tibet with your support.”
Tibetan speaker meets......
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According to CTA report, the speaker visited the Gyuto temple where he met several students participating in Lamton, an education and leadership program that provides tutoring to middle and high school Tibetan students. He also visited the Tibetan Culture School (TCS) in Minnesota, which is a k-8 weekend Tibetan language and culture school with more than 138 students. The Speaker addressed the Tibetan public in Minnesota on 7 December. He spoke about the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration and other important issues facing the Tibetan communtiy. He said that the Middle Way Approach is the most practical and logical solution to resolve the issue of Tibet. His talk was followed by a question and answer session. Speaker Penpa Tsering left Minnesota on 11 December for Washington DC. His other programs in the US include visits to Vermont, Connecticut and New York.
By Yeshe Choesang : 10 December 2013
Dharamshala: - The Middle-Way Approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet ‘neither seeks separation from the People’s Republic of China nor a high level of autonomy, but Genuine Autonomy for Tibet under a single administration’, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said, while giving a speech on December 10 to commemorate both the 24th Anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the 65th Anniversary of International Human Rights Day. In a statement marking the Human Rights Day, observed across the world every year on 10 December, Dr. Sangay recalled that the Nobel Peace Price was awarded to His Holiness for his consistent resistance to the use of violence in his people’s struggle for basic freedom. “The Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama catapulted the Tibetan struggle to greater international visibility. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s global stature directly and positively impacted on the image of the Tibetan people and fundamentally strengthened the Tibetan cause. Tibet became synonymous with non-violence and justice.” Sikyong Dr Sangay reiterated the Central Tibetan Administration’s commitment to the Middle-Way Approach. “Dialogue is the most realistic approach and the only way to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibet issue. The Middle-Way Approach neither seeks separation from the People’s Republic of China nor “high degree of autonomy”, but Genuine Autonomy for all Tibetan people under a single administration. This is consistent with both the National Regional Autonomy Law and the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China.” Dr. Lobsang Sangay remarked that “the CTA does not use the term “Greater Tibet.” The three
Chinese Embassy......
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The vigil was organised by Chinese Uyghur Tibetan Solidarity UK, a coalition of organisations and activists of which Tibet Society is a founding member. At the start of the vigil, organisers were informed by police that they would not be allowed onto Embassy property to deliver a giant postcard addressed to the Chinese Ambassador. The police said they had been informed that Chinese officials felt “intimidated” by the presence of human rights activists and supporters, and had been instructed not to let anyone approach the front entrance. As Paul Golding, Campaigns Coordinator of Tibet Society, said to those gathered for the vigil, “The admission that we intimidate the Chinese Embassy officials, shows not only have they noted our presence, but are embarrassed by the vigil and fear the truth - the truth of the Chinese government’s appalling human rights record and oppressive policies in Tibet and East Turkestan.” The focal point of the vigil was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with participants reading out selected Articles from the Declaration and related case information of prisoners of conscience. Nine prisoners of conscience were highlighted: Chinese - Wang Bingzhang, Liu Xiaobo, Gao Zhisheng; Uyghurs - Ablikim Abdureyim, Gulmira Imin, Nurmemet Yasin; and Tibetans Kunsang Bum, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, Ugyen Tenzin.
In Pictures: Nobel Peace Prize Anniversary Celebrations and Human Rights Day
Tibetans and Taiwanese supporters offer prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the 24th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in Taipei on 10 December 2013. Photo: CTA
Tibetans and Russian supporters organise a prayer service for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in Moscow, on 10 December 2013. Photo: CTA
Tibetans in Dharamshala, India present cultural performance at a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Dharamsala, India, on 10 December 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay delivering his tatement during the 10 December function at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang
traditional provinces of U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo have always been essential parts of Tibet that covers the entire Tibetan plateau. They share not just the same geography and topography but also culture, language and religion”. The Tibetan political leader said “division of Tibet into several provinces of China is a clear violation of Chinese laws and of Article 4 of the Constitution which recognises the right of minority nationalities to practice regional autonomy “in the areas where they live in concentrated communities” and to “set up an organ of self government for the exercise of power of autonomy.” He added: “99% Uyghurs live in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and 95% of Zhuangs live in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Tibetans living in one concentrated community are divided into different provinces with less than 50% in the TAR while the majority is incorporated into neighbouring Chinese provinces as Tibetan autonomous prefectures and counties.” “Tibet constituting one-fourth of China is not a recent political creation but a natural outcome of Tibetans inhabiting the Tibetan plateau for thousands of years,” Sikyong said, adding that “the fact that Tibet constitutes one-fourth of China should not be a concern for the Chinese government because one-fifth of China is already established as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and oneeighth as Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Moreover, Genuine Autonomy for all Tibetans is not geographically specific, but administratively specific, aiming for actual implementation of Chinese laws in the areas to empower Tibetans to become masters of their own affairs.” In his statement on Human Rights Day, Sikyong Dr Sangay said: “having all Tibetans with the same tradition, economy and even geography in a single administrative unit will be an efficient and effective form of governance rather than dividing them into TAR and four Chinese provinces with Chinese majority, i.e. Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan”. The Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People has clearly explained that it is not our intention to expel “all Chinese” from the Tibetan areas as alleged by the Chinese authorities. But the Tibetan areas should have a Tibetan majority for the preservation and promotion of the unique Tibetan identity”. “For all these reasons, the moderation and pragmatism of the Middle-Way Approach has attracted support and recognition among intellectuals, parliamentarians, leaders and individuals, including Chinese scholars, writers and Chinese Buddhists,” he said. Sikyong said that “since 2011 more than 6 different countries have passed resolutions and motions in support of resumption of dialogue between envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the new leadership. More than 16 foreign ministries, spokespersons and individual parliamentarians have urged China to resolve the Tibet issue.” Dr. Sangay also remarked that “this day is also observed as World Human Rights Day, to celebrate the proclamation and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948 as the common standard to measure the freedoms to which all peoples and nations should live.” “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, e v e n a f t e r 6 5 y e a r s o f proclamation there is not much for Tibetans to celebrate given the deteriorating human rights condition in Tibet,” he added. “China continues to negate the principle of the universality of human rights by violating the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he said, adding that Tibet “continues to suffer from political repression, economic marginalisation, social discrimination, environmental destruction and cultural assimilation.” Sikyong said “Worst is the mass Chinese migration
to Tibet which has turned Tibetans into second-class citizens in their own homeland.” He emphasized that “living under such a repressive environment, with no space for conventional methods of protest, Tibetans from all walks of life are forced to take drastic measures to express their outrage and despair. Just a week ago, Mr. Kunchok Tsetan, only 30 years old, selfimmolated and died. Despite our repeated appeals not to do so, 123 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet since 2009. 123 is neither simply a number nor a list of names. They are human beings just like any one of us who wish to live a complete life, if given a choice. China cannot deny the blatant human rights violations which are the causes for the self-immolations.” He further emphasised that “recently in Driru, Nagchu, Tibetans refused to hoist the Chinese national flag. They were shot at and 4 of them were killed. Many were detained. The situation in the area continues to remain tense.” “Instead of seeing His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the solution,” Sikyong said, adding that, His Holiness “is labeled an arch enemy. Chen Quanguo, the Party Secretary of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), threatened to silence His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s voice and ban his own people inside Tibet from hearing his message. Similarly, the voice of their own Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu Xiaobo, is silenced as he is currently imprisoned in China.” Dr. Sangay expressed gratitude for the positive developments occurring over the years. “The deteriorating human rights situation inside Tibet is being criticised and castigated in the US State Department Human Rights Report, Amnesty International Report and Human Rights Watch Report. The Freedom House ranked Tibet among the ‘worst of the worst’ in civil rights and political liberty in its Freedom in the World Report 2013”. “In the recent United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of China, 12 nations including Japan, Australia, Iceland and Canada expressed their concern over China’s human rights violations. Among others, New Zealand called on China to resume two-way dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet,” he further said. Sikyong Dr Sangay sent a clear message to Tibetans inside Tibet saying “We must all remain united and dedicate ourselves to fulfil the auspicious words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibet’s cause and its struggle for human rights will triumph. The strength and perseverance of the Tibetan people will never diminish. Non-violence and peace are a universal aspiration not only for us, but for all humanity. The success of the Tibetan struggle will be a success of non-violence and peace.” Therefore, ‘our beloved brothers and sisters in Tibet,’ he added, though “your suffering is unbearable and seems endless, the only certainty in life is change. Things never stay the same forever. Though we remain separated by political force, we will never stop working to be reunited with basic freedoms and with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet.” He went on to quote a line from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Speech Accepting 1989 Nobel Peace Prize: “The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated.” Finally the democratically elected leader in exile announced that “His Holiness the Dalai Lama on September 22, 2013, reassured all Tibetans by categorically stating that he would live a very long life and see the day when the Tibet issue is resolved through the Middle-Way Approach.” In closing the Sikyong expressed his gratitude to all those countries, including friends of Tibet for their efforts supporting the Tibet cause, and particularly to the people and government of India for their continued hospitality.
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TPI NEWS
15 December 2013
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2013 Int’l Seminar on Tibet held in Taipei, Capital of Taiwan
The Tibet Post International
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks of Mandela’s loss
By Yushuan Nyima: 13 December 20133
2013 International Seminar on Tibet held in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Photo: TPI/Artemas
Taipei: - Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association (TTWA) held the 2013 International Seminar on Tibet discussing Tibet issues “from Tibetans Self-immolation analyzing the human rights and religious freedom in Tibet” on November 11, 2013 at National Taiwan University Alumni Club (NTUAC). Scholars and experts, including Tibetan exiles, were invited to the seminar publishing. Distinguished guests, moderator, and invitees include: Li-xiong Wang, Chinese intellectual, the author of Yellow Peril and The Destiny of Tibet, Yi Liu, Chinese artist, Jian-li Yang, founder of Initiative for China, Biao Teng, Chinese Human Rights defense lawyer from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Yongmei Cai, Executive Editor of Open Magazine, Hong Kong, Dorothy Hui, activist of Hong Kong, Dan Li, Dongjen Center for Human Rights Education, Beijing, Kelsang Gyaltsen, member of Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration, Geshe Jampa Gyatso, the first preacher of the Tibet Religious Foundation of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Taiwan, Chang-zhen Yang, chairman of Center of Social Empowerment, Thinking Taiwan Foundation, Jian-yuan Zeng, associate professor of Department of Public Administration at Chung Hua University, Da Qian, former legislator, Secretary General of Chinese Alliance for Democracy, Xian-hong Yang, chairman of Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Zhi-ben Sun, president of SinoTibetan Friendship Association of Taiwan, Jia-hong Su, professor of Fooyin University Center for General Education, Xian-long Zhu, professor of Social, Economic and Public Policy Research Center at Macau Polytechnic Institute, Yeau-tarn Lee, professor of Graduate Institute of Development Studies at National Chengchi University, Xing-jian Wu, researcher of Chinese
Integration Association of College of Social Science, NTU. “In the seminar, I hope Sino-Tibetan relations can be more peaceful with discussion and mutual communication so that we won’t repeat the same mistake made in the past 50 years,”Dawa Tsering, head of Tibet Religious Foundation of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Taiwan, said at the beginning of the seminar. Chang-zhen Yang, the first moderator of the seminar, suggested that Tibetans selfimmolation has a peculiar meaning in the sense of martyrdom. Tibetans immolate themselves not only because of suffering and desperation resulting from the ruler, whom we should not trust and rely on, but also to try to make people understand their pain through such desperate form. “The more profound the silence is, the more monstrous the evil gets”, and “such resistance (self-immolation) is the ultimate defense for self-esteem for them,” he said. “The Middle Way Approach is a peaceful, nonviolent movement for the freedom of Tibet; for a monk, observing the principle of non-violence is as much about observing his/her precepts,”Geshe Jampa Gyatso said. He also suggested that the main reason why Tibetans immolate themselves stems from the suppression from the Communist Party. Not only do they force Tibetans to accept their education of their own ideology and forbid us from Buddhist studies, they also coerce us into hatred for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whom we greatly revere. Other than that, large immigration of Chinese on their homeland has made them a minority. When speaking of Tibetan self-immolation, Dr. Jian-li Yang said that Tibetans’ condition in China have been suffocating because of the government, and self-immolation is the result of repression rather than what the authority blame,
neither “excessive drinking” nor “domestic problems.” He considers self-immolation more of an action of hope, awaking people’s consciousness, rather than desperation and urges that grassroots movement speak out for justice. MP Kelsang Gyaltsen also suggested that selfimmolation wouldn’t have happened if the Party had listened to the people’s voice. He blames the patriotic re-education started by Tse-Ming Chiang since 1995, when Chinese has been immigrating into Tibet and pushing out Tibetan culture from then on. Jian-yuan Zeng, associate professor of Department of Public Administration at Chung Hua University, moderated the second part of the seminar. Chinese human rights defense lawyer Biao Teng and Quan-zhang Wang respectively expressed their attitude on governmental infringement on Tibetan human rights. Teng’s law license was revoked in 2008, owing to providing Tibetans legal services. A Tibetan was shot to death by the police because of reading articles about His Holiness in 2012. “Repression on Tibetans far outweighs that on Chinese people,” he said. Quan-zhang Wang shared his experience in Tibet in May, 2013. A Tibetan youth brought a disk with information about self-immolation and wrote those martyrs’ names on scripture flags, praying for their souls. Including some of his friends, he was consequently arrested just for that. “Chinese people regard Tibetans from a nationalist point of view; therefore, Tibet issues must concern national security and independence for certain,” Wang said.”Tibetans are not beneficiaries from economic development; Chinese people should help and fight for Tibetans’ humans rights, alleviating conflicts between both sides.” The seminar was continued until the evening. As the Dawa Tsering said, many of the invitees signify figures on Tibet issues. These distinguished guests include two Chinese human rights defense lawyers, professors from Taiwan and Hong Kong, a Chinese artist who made portraits for each Tibetan who staged selfimmolation. Also, there are Chinese students who asked some acute questions. The Middle Way Approach is not only the proposition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but also that of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. “The ultimate result and accomplishment do rely on support and universal efforts from both Tibetans and Chinese,” Dawa Tsering said. “To accomplish that, we need people who attend to the issue to share more ideas and wisdom with us, so that one day we can reach real peace and harmony.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with South African President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town in 1996. Photo: Media file
By Jake Thomas: 13 December 2013
Dharamshala: - On 13 December, PeaceJam’s One Billion Acts of Peace campaign based in Johannesburg hosted a 20-minute digital conversation via Google+ Hangouts on Air between Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who was the moderator, asked: “Your Holiness the Dalai Lama, one of the things often said about Nelson Mandela was his willingness to forgive those who had oppressed and those who had imprisoned him for 27 years. Where do you think that ability to forgive come from and is that something everybody can do in their life?” In his response, His Holiness said: “Every human being has the potential. We grew up with tremendous affection of a mother. On top of that, Nelson Mandela practiced religious faith.
Throughout his freedom and political struggle”. “I believe his main conviction came from his faith. I think my friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu followed the same principle. Mandela has strictly followed the Mahatma Gandhi’s path of nonviolence. As he is no longer with us, his spirit should be within us and pass on to the younger generation. I expressed my sadness over his demise but I do not think that is enough. This sadness must be transformed into willpower to practice and hand over his legacy for future,” said His Holiness. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, and Sir Richard Branson also joined the conversation. On being asked by Anderson Cooper what legacy of Nelson Mandela should people pass on to the future generation as mentioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the two said: “Mandela’s life is his legacy, which embodies struggle against injustice and indomitable spirit to speak out for the marginalised people.”
Zurich: The political leader of the exile Central Tibetan Administration in India, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, arrived in Switzerland on April 10 for a 12-day visit.
Dr Sangay was scheduled to address the Swiss Tibetan community on April 14 in Fribourg, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama was also set to give a teaching. From April 20 to 21, the Sikyong
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Today,as the world celebrates Human Rights day, Tibet continues to burn. The Tibetan people inside Tibet have suffered so much for so long under the Chinese occupation. The Tibetan people have believed in the United Nations and the fundamental universality of human rightsand for years approached the UN, used its mechanisms, submitted reports and cases of abuse and lobbied country delegations in the corridors of UN buildings both in Geneva as well as New York, in the hopes that while the efforts and struggle for the restoration of our homeland continues human rights violations of the Tibetans inside Tibet can be prevented and protected. However, human rights abuses continue unabated. In the meantime, the Tibetans inside Tibet have resorted to the most acute form of non-violent protest in the hopes that their self-immolations protests – now at the staggering number of 124 – would end the occupation and oppression by the Chinese government. Not surprisingly, the response by the Beijing Government has been to vilify the protestors, arrest, imprison, torture and intimidate the surviving family members, relatives, friends or acquaintances. But most unfortunately the world watches on and fails to hold China accountable. In fact, it rewards it by smoothly re-electing China back into the UN Human Rights Council on November 12th 2013. While the Tibetans and supporters of the Tibet cause are outraged, it only
affirms the long-standing view that the United Nations Human Rights Council is just a fancy name given to a conglomerate of nations who have some of the worst records of human rights abuses and it has lost sight of the principles which it is supposed to guarantee and protect. The Beijing Government has consistently systematically violated the basic human rights of the Tibetans in Tibet. Tibetans are denied freedom of speech, assembly, press, religion, right to development and are deprived of their socioeconomic cultural rights.Tibetans are arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and it is clear that racial discrimination in its worst form is being practiced against Tibetans. The latest so-called “White Paper”, released by China, tries to justify that development and progress in Tibet is the victory of human justice. Economic development and progress are grounds on which they argue the development of human society. The self-immolations, the protests, the non-violence civil disobedience and non-cooperation movements in Tibet would tell an otherwise different tale. A famous poet from Tibet, Shogdril - recently arrested for speaking his mind wrote this: I visited every nook and corner of Lhasa Apart from bars and brothels spread throughout the alleys Apart from beggars and wanderers on busy streets Apart from the believers and civilians of Barkhor Street Apart from tourists in the temples deserted
Apart from frightening situations Apart from sad tragedies I haven’t found any beauty Any place where it is possible To live and work in peace and contentment Tsultrim Gyaltsen “Shogdril” Despite the current grim situation of the Tibetan people, we have reasons to believe that this situation is not a permanent one. History teaches us that no big nation can sustain its might forever. The Chinese government despite pumping millions into its propaganda machine to overhaul its image on the world stage has failed miserably. It remains to this day one of the most detested, disrespected and distrusted countries not only by the international community but also by its own citizens. Since the illegal occupation and invasion of Tibet in 1949, the world has seen much progress and development. Change has taken place all throughout the five continents. Nations who were once under other captors have achieved independence and many brutal dictators have been brought down simply by the might of people’s power and movement. Therefore, the fight will continue. The Tibetan freedom struggle will last as long as Tibet remains occupied. No amount of money, force or intimidation can quell the spirit of the Tibetan people. The Tibetan people will remain united both inside and in exile and will see the day when freedom and independence is restored and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet.
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Statement of Tibetan Youth Congress on world Human Rights Day By Tibetan Youth Congress 10 December 2013
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