The Tibet Post International e-Newspaper

Nobel Laureates send message of hope to Tibet Vol. 03, Issue 118, Print Issue 42, 15 October 2014

China detains a man after staging lone protest in Eastern Tibet

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

P-4 .....

B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin

Malala & Satyarthi share 2014 Nobel peace prize P-3 ....

A Voice For Tibet Bi-monthly

www.thetibetpost.com

Rs.10

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet is offered a ‘Long-life Ceremony’

By Jane Cook: 09 October 2014

In image one: Pasang Wangchuk, a famous Tibetan businessman displays a protest banner in the main market in Karze town, Kham region of eastern Tibet, on 3 October, 2014. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 08 October 2014

Dharamshala: — Chinese police officials have detained a Tibetan man in Karze County, Kham Province of eastern Tibet for staging a lone protest against Chinese repressive policies in the region.

‘Pasang Wangchuk, 37, father of three was arrested on Saturday morning (10.50 am, 4 October 2014), after staging a lone peaceful protest at the main market in Karze County (Ch: Ganzi County in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province),’ a Tibetan living in India told The Tibet Post International (TPI), citing sources in the region.

“Wangchuk staged his peaceful protest against the decades of repressive policies in Tibet carried out by the Chinese Communist government, while raising his banner to a huge crowds gathering around the main street,” the source added.

He also shouted slogans of “long life for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his return to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans and condemned the Chinese repression in his homeland as he marched along the main street towards the Chinese government P-5..... buildings in the county.

World should do more to prevent spread of Ebola

Dharamshala: - A Long-life prayer ceremony was offered to the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, began early Wednesday in the morning prior to the third day of his explanation of Nagarjuna’s ‘Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way’.

The ceremony, which was based on a vision of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo focussing on a triad of longevity deities, White Tara crowned by Amitayus, who in turn is crowned by Ushnisha Vijaya, was conducted by monks of Namgyal Monastery led by their Abbot, Thamtog Rinpoche.

Enhancing the significance of the occasion, the Long-life Ceremony was offered to His Holiness by Kewtsang Rinpoche.

Yesterday, His Holiness declared a special affection for Rinpoche because it was his predecessor who discovered him in 1937. In his authentic eyewitness account, Khemey Sonam Wangdu tells how the Regent Reting Rinpoche dispatched several search parties led by eminent Lamas to different parts of Tibet.

The party led by Serje Hardong Kewtsang Rinpoche travelled to Amdo in the north-east. In the course of their journey, the party visited the Panchen Rinpoche who was then in Kyegudo.

He alerted them to the urgency of discovering the 13th Dalai Lama’s reincarnation and told them of three possible candidates he was aware of, one of whom was eventually recognised as His Holiness.

Travelling on, Kewtsang Rinpoche’s party visited Kumbum, where Je Tsongkhapa was born. They paid their respects at the Kumbum Jampaling Monastery that was named by the 3rd Dalai Lama and subsequently visited and blessed by the 5th, 7th and 13th Dalai Lamas.

Of the three boys the Panchen Rinpoche had mentioned, one had died before the party could examine him, another was very shy in their presence but was later recognised as the reincarnation of Trichen Kekya Tulku of Kumbum Monastery. That left the boy born in Chija Taktser, a small village in the vicinity of Kumbum. Khemey Sonam Wangdu explicitly notes the great

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Kewtsang Rinpoche during the Long-Life Ceremony held at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on October 8, 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

joy on the face of the small boy on meeting the members of the party, who he spontaneously recognised, referring to Kewtsang Rinpoche as ‘an Aka from Sera’.

It was Kewtsang Rinpoche who conducted the traditional tests to see if the young boy recognised certain possessions of the 13th Dalai Lama. The young boy’s responses and his demeanour convinced him and the other members of the party that they had discovered the young Dalai Lama. After many complex

Man self-immolates in Tibet to protest against China’s repression

negotiations to enable the party to escort him to Lhasa, it was also Kewtsang Rinpoche who personally accompanied and took care of him on the way to his joyful reception and formal recognition in Lhasa.

Following the Long-life Ceremony that His Holiness received with pleasure, he continued his explanation of Nagarjuna’s key text. At the end he told his audience that tomorrow he would lead a ceremony to generate the awakening mind of bodhichitta.

South Africa Nobel Laureate summit cancelled

Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 15 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Hundreds of thousands of people, including world leaders have expressed deep concern over the deadly Ebola and called to help prevent the spread of the world’s deadliest virus.

According to media reports, the Ebola virus is spiraling out of control. Cases in West Africa are doubling every 2-3 weeks and the latest estimate says that up to 1.4 million people could be infected by mid-January. At that scale, this monster threatens the entire world.

Previous Ebola outbreaks have been repeatedly contained at small numbers. But the scale of this epidemic has swamped the region’s weak health systems. Liberia has less than 1 doctor for every 100,000 people. Governments are providing funds, but there just aren’t enough medical staff to stem the epidemic.

Tibetans call for release of jailed senior Buddhist monk

Since September 28, peaceful protests demanding a real democracy for Hong Kong took to the streets and blocking subways and government office in Hong Kong, 29 September, 2014. Photo: TPI/Artemas Liu

By Yangchen Dolma: 01 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Tibetans in Golok County in Kham region of eastern Tibet gathered in prayer this week to call for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a popular Buddhist monk now serving a life term in prison following what rights groups and supporters have described as a wrongful conviction on a bombing charge.

The event on Sunday was organized by villagers belonging to the Golok township of Lithang (Chinese: Litang county in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture), P-4.....

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev participate in a panel discussion during the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates held in Chicago, Illinois, on April 25, 2012. Photo/Getty Images

By Yangchen Dolma: 05 October 2014

Konchok, a 42-year-old Tibetan man who self-immolated in an apparent protest against the Chinese government rule, in a hospital in Xining City. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 06 October 2014

The report contains graphic image you may find disturbing, so viewer discretion is advised.

Dharamshala: - Sources coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan man set himself alight in Gade County Golok, an area in North-Eastern Tibet, in an apparent protest against the Chinese government rule and repressive policies in the region.

The man, identified as Konchok, a 42-year-old self-immolated in an apparent protest against the Chinese government’s continuing repressive policies in Tibet,’ Tenzin currently living in exile told The Tibet Post International (TPI).

Details about this self-immolation have been slow to reach outside of Tibet because of the heavy handed imformation restrictions imposed on Tibetans. Konchok set himself ablaze on 16 September, 2014 in front of a police station in Gade county in the Golok, (Chinese: Gande in Guoluo, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province) Amdho Province of north-eastern Tibet.

The sources in contact with eyewitnesses in the area said “local Tibetans put out the fire and immediately took him to a hospital in Xining City, where he is being treated secretly.”

Another source has told TPI that “soon after the incident, Konchok was taken to a Hospital in Xining City for treatment. Although details of his conditions still remain unknown days after he was hospitalised with severe burns.”

The source said: “He did not die on the spot, but “locals who witnessed the fiery protest have said that Konchok has very little chances of survival as his body was severely burned. But as of now there is no confirmation whether Konchok is dead or alive.”

Many communication channels to Tibetan regions have been blocked or cut in recent years, as the Chinese authorities attempt to stop information of protests from spreading across the region and prevent reports reaching the outside world.

“Chinese authorities have beefed up security, installing security cameras at vantage points in Gade county, following the selfimmolation,’ sources told TPI and citing several sources in the region.

The sources however provide no further information about why the man set himself ablaze and what slogans were shouted by Konchok.

Th details of the incident have yet to emerge, but, according to the same sources, many believe that Konchok set himself on fire in protest to draw the world’s attention during the Chinese president Xi Jinping’s state visit to India.

“We cannot make further details as those who helped him fear that it can be dangerous, such as Konchok could be taken away by the authorities if he survives,” he said, adding: “If he does not survive, the Chinese authorities would also not return the body to the family.”

“They also fear that if he does not survive, the authorities would also not return the body to the family,” the source said. P-5.....

Dharamshala: - South Africa Nobel Laureate summit cancelled; reports say Cape Town mayor was “greatly disappointed” with government following His Holiness the Dalai Lama visa fiasco.

Just days after a group of six Nobel Peace Prize Laureates announced their intention to boycott the summit over South Africa’s refusal to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama, the mayor of Cape Town has announced that the entire summit will be cancelled. In a statement, Mayor de Lille wrote: This decision comes after the majority of Nobel P-2.....

Tibet’s glaciers at their warmest in 2,000 years

This Glacier located near Pashoe Town of Chamdho, easterb Tibet, next to the Rawo Lake is one of the three biggest glacier in the world. Photo: TPI/Media File

By Jake Thomas: 14 October 2014

Dharamshala: The Tibetan plateau, whose glaciers supply water to hundreds of millions of people in Asia, were warmer over the past 50 years than at any stage in the past two millennia, a Chinese state media said, citing an academic report.

Temperatures and humidity are likely to continue to rise throughout this century, causing glaciers to retreat and desertification to spread, according to the report published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research.

P-4.....

2 I

TPI NEWS

15 October 2014

n

t e

r

n

a t i

o

n

a

l

Editorial:

Tibetans need the moral stand for freedom of the world and democracy 15 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Freedom of expression and transparency are essential parts of a healthy democracy.

In China and Tibet people cannot exercise their right to vote effectively or take part in public decision-making if they do not have free access to information and ideas and are not able to express their views freely.

Since the 1970s there has been a steady progress toward democracy and rule by the people. Authoritarian regimes and military dictatorships have fallen and communism collapsed throughout the Soviet bloc. In most cases, these systems have given way to electoral democracy and constitutional government. Major exceptions remain, but today electoral democracy is practiced in more than 130 out of 193 countries in the world.

Freedom of information, speech and the press is firmly rooted in the structures of modern democratic thought.

With limited restrictions, every democracy has legal provisions protecting these rights.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the general assembly in 1948 declares “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” (although as Article 19, it comes after the right to hold property, be married and hold a nationality, among others).

As such, morals and ethics heavily favor the nearly unfettered rights to speech, press and information.

Such rights might be tailored to protect state security from a Lockesian social contract perspective, but a Kantian categorical outlook surely provides for a society in which everyone can speak freely is better to one in which no one can speak freely.

Freedom of speech is thus not only essential for individual dignity but also to participation, accountability and democracy. Violations of freedom of expression often go hand in hand with other violations, in particular the right to freedom of association and assembly. However one particular form of expression which is banned in some countries is considered as “hate speech” because some views might incite intolerance or hatred.

Communism, as a primarily economic system, is much quieter on the issue of individual human rights and dignity in recent decades. Two conflicting positions on these freedoms arise with a self-centred attitude. The first is an argument against individual freedoms. In a communist society, the individual’s best interests are indistinguishable from the society’s best interest. Thus, the idea of an individual freedom is betrayed with a communist ideology, while articlating as a sole benefit for the people.

The only reason to hold individual speech and information rights must be to praise the party, a condition which would likely be met only in certain instances rather than across time, making the default a lack of freedom, dignity and human rights.

On the other hand, the idea of perfect equality in official documents argues for a right of expression and press.

Since each individual is equally important, each should have an equally valid point of view. Indeed, Marx defended the right to a freedom of the press, arguing in 1842 that restrictions, like censorship were instituted by the bourgeois elite. He claimed censorship is a tool of the powerful to oppress the powerless. That is what the world is seeing in Tibet and in recent events in Hong Kong.

Many implementations of communism favored a constitutional democracy, albeit usually with only one party. Before and at the creation of many communist countries, a desire for freedom from the oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeois translated into strongly voiced support for individual freedoms for speech, dissent and information.

By encouraging China to prepare for wars before he took power over China, Chairman Mao, proclaimed ‘the people should subject ... the party in power, to severe criticism, and press and impel it to give up its one-party, one-class dictatorship and act according to the opinions of the people....The second matter concerns freedom of speech, assembly and association for the people. Without freedom, it will be impossible to carry out the democratic reconstruction of the political system.’

Thus, on the balance, it seems communist theory is compatible with freedoms of speech, information and protest, but it is far from a basic freedoms and rights such as it is under democracy and individual-centered systems like that of Kant and Locke. Freedom of information should only be granted when the party as a whole is likely to benefit.

In this light, it is unrealistic that communist leaders, while still a persecuted opposition philosophy, would strongly support speech rights and later reject them when communism becomes the ruling system. At that point, access to oppositional speech and information is no longer beneficial to the communist regime, and thus no longer needed in single party system.

Today China - more than almost any other country in

the world - severely restricts its own citizens freedom of expression and human rights. Oddly enough, Article 35 of the current Chinese constitution, written in 1982, stipulates “Citizens of the PRC have freedom of speech, publication, assembly, association, procession and demonstration.”

Up to the advent of the internet, the regime had been able to successfully curtail this freedom in nearly all its physical manifestations. Beijing has a tightly controlled traditional media, while forcing all published information to be from official sources and to be vetted through the state control.

Ironically, the regime founded on the free speechbackbone of Marx’s words stipulates a minimum personal income of $35,000 dollars to be able to publish print media, an income level which could easily be considered bourgeois by Chinese standards. China also has strong restrictions against assembly and worship, demonstrated over the last few days with a crackdown on Tibetan protesters.

Many assumed the government’s ability to crack down on dissent would be destroyed by the increased prominence of a dynamic and nearly infinite internet space. However, China has adapted it’s censorship policies to the internet, and by many standards managed to stay ahead of the curve in restricting free speech in the digital realm.

Internet use in China is blossoming. As of recent survey, the so called China Internet Network Information Center, considered the premier source for measuring Chinese internet use, pegged the number of Chinese users at 210 million. This number will only grow in the foreseeable future, with the booming mobile market, more and more a popular portal to the internet, estimated to hit more than 600 million by 2014. This realm has been modified from it’s original version. It has been formatted to fit The Party’s view of the world.

China has responded with a vast centralized censorship program. One study by a group at Harvard in 2002, “found blocking of almost every kind of content. If it exists, China blocks at least some of it.” The blocking has traditionally been centered on political and opinion based sites. Some of the most likely to be blocked are related to independence movements in Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong, protest groups like the Falun-Gong, political parties opposed to the regime, and sites on democracy and human rights.

For the majority of Chinese web-users, these controversial topic-specific sites are not part of their daily internet routine, which focuses merely on sports, entertainment and gaming sites. These users may have only the vaguest notion of the filtering being conducted by the state, including internet cafes being required to record and store information about all users and their internet use. Recently, however, the Great Firewall of China has evoked increased backlash as it has begun to block more popular social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and selected MySpace pages.

China’s filtering and censorship program is regarded as the most sophisticated in the world. It includes some 30,000 censors as well as technology, often provided by foreign companies like Yahoo who are required to censor their results or be censored themselves. The filtering effort is in conjunction with a strict criminal prosecution system working with laws that forbid the publication of anything “(i) Denying the guiding status of Marxism, Mao Zedong Thought, or Deng Xiaoping Theory; (ii) Violating the Party line, guiding principles, or policies; (vii) Anything else that violates Party propaganda discipline or violates national publishing administration regulations.”

Making unrefuseable conditions, the regime also forces companies to display propoganda content. All ISPs are legally required to abide by these rules.

When we look at a wider perspective, North Korea has a reputation as one of the most secret nations in the world -- and for international journalists, it’s one of the hardest places from which to report. But surprisingly there’s a place that allows even fewer foreign reporters than North Korea does: China-controlled Tibet.

That’s according to Tibet scholar Carole McGranahan, who is a professor of the University of Colorado at Boulder and who made the point during a recent lecture at Yale University, video of which is embedded below.

McGranahan also discussed the rising trend of Tibetan self-immolations – a form of political protest against Chinese rule – and the challenge of understanding Tibet’s turmoil.

Beijing’s near-total isolation of Tibet makes it awfully difficult for the outside world to see or understand what is happening there. Presumably, that’s part of the point; Chinese rule in Tibet can be shockingly severe, as can the ongoing efforts to assimilate Tibetan people and culture into the rest of China.

The so called moderating China has no interest in whether conforming to the platitudes of free speech, human rights, press and dissent nor those espoused

by Marx, Mao and it’s own constitution. While

OPINION

The Tibet Post International

Increase in harsh security and punitive measures in Tibet: US report

By Jane Cook: 13 October 2014

Dharamshala: - The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), in its annual report for 2014 (covering the period from fall 2013 to fall 2014) released on October 9, 2014, has said that in Tibetan areas there was an increase in harsh security and punitive measures. It also said Chinese government leaders showed no willingness to reexamine policies toward Tibetans that deny the cultural, religious, and linguistic rights or to engage in dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama.

In its recommendations to Members of the U.S. Congress and Administration officials, the CECC said they should urge “the Chinese government to resume contact with the Dalai Lama or his representatives and engage in dialogue without preconditions.” It added, “A Chinese government decision to engage in dialogue can result in a durable and mutually beneficial outcome for the government and Tibetans that will benefit local and regional security in coming decades.”

The CECC further recommended that they “Stress to the Chinese government the importance of respecting and protecting the Tibetan culture and language. Urge Chinese officials to promote a vibrant Tibetan culture by honoring the Chinese Constitution’s reference to the freedoms of speech, association, assembly, and religion, and refraining from using the security establishment, courts, and law to infringe upon and repress Tibetans’ exercise of such rights.”

Following are the findings and recommendations on Tibet in the report.

Formal dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Chinese Communist Party and government officials has been stalled since the January 2010 ninth round, the longest interval since such contacts resumed in 2002. The Commission observed no indication during the 2014 reporting year of official Chinese interest in resuming a dialogue that takes into account Tibetan concerns regarding the Tibetan autonomous areas of China.

The frequency of Tibetan self-immolation reportedly focusing on political and religious issues declined steeply during the Commission’s 2014 reporting year, and followed an increase in Party and government security and punitive measures. The Commission has not observed any sign that Party and government leaders intend to respond to Tibetan grievances in a constructive manner or accept any accountability for Tibetan rejection of Chinese policies. One Sichuan province county issued provisions in April 2013 (unreported until February 2014) imposing collective punishment intended to deter Tibetans from self-immolating.

Pressure on Tibetan Buddhists to accept Communist Party and government control of the religion remained high. Party leadership continued to characterize the Dalai Lama as a threat to Tibetan Buddhism’s “normal order” instead of as a principal teacher, and urged that he be “separated” from the religion and the title “Dalai Lama.” State-run media reported that a deployment of Party cadres to every Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) village, monastery, and nunnery, completed in March 2012, involved 60,000 cadres—nearly triple the 21,000 initially reported. Officials detained, imprisoned, or beat to death a number of monastic leaders, interfered with identifying a reincarnation, and imposed a ban on travel for religious purposes to Mount Kailash.

The Commission observed no indication this past year that Party and government leaders intend to develop a “harmonious society” inclusive of Tibetan preferences toward their culture and language. The government asserted that learning and using Tibetan language is “protected by law” but officials closed non-governmentdissent may seem compatible within the framework of theoretical communism, it appears to be at odds with the communism practiced in China. In revoking its founders statements, the government’s position may seem to oppose the spirit of communism; yet, the choices make perfect sense when considered in the framework of decision-making without ethical considerations, like democracies aspire to do, rather on the basis of what is best for the communist regime.

However, the Paris based global media-watch-dog ‘Reporters Without Borders’ said “There can be no justification for remaining silent in the face of these flagrant violations of freedom of information, not even the ‘respect for sovereignty’ that the Chinese government repeatedly cites in response to criticism of its repressive and discriminatory policies towards Tibetans.”

The media watch-dog in its annual “Enemies of the Internet” index, which has highlighted China as one of the worst violators of press freedom and one of the Internet’s biggest enemies, —still holds among the lowest rankings in recent recent years.

While moving away from the one-man-dictatorship of Mao’s days, President Xi Jinping is unlikely to make the same mistakes made by those formers who have wanted to maintain China’s crony capitalism using the Maoist iron fist. What the Chinese people have been hoping for is a change in the philosophy of ruling China with an autocratic, totalitarian regime. But will Xi continue to follow the same six decade old-system in future? Its a big quetion for everyone.

run programs and detained Tibetans who promoted use of the language. The Party accepted no accountability for Tibetan grievances contributing to protests and blamed them on external factors, especially the Dalai Lama.

In September–November 2013, a prominent example of crackdown developed in one Tibetan county: as of September 1, 2014, the Commission’s Political Prisoner Database contained records of 58 detentions related to the crackdown including 15 resulting in prison sentences of up to 18 years.

The Party and government continued to prioritize economic development as a prerequisite for “social stability.” Authorities reportedly detained or imprisoned Tibetans who protested against mining activity, seizure or forced sale of land related to mining, or development projects that allegedly damaged the environment. The westward railway segment from Lhasa city to Rikaze (Shigatse) city reportedly was “put into use” in August 2014 and provided the first extension since the XiningLhasa segment of the Qinghai-Tibet railway opened in 2006. After 2009, TAR yearbooks ceased to report county-level population data, hindering demographic analysis.

As of September 1, 2014, the Commission’s Political Prisoner Database contained records of 639 Tibetan political prisoners believed or presumed currently detained or imprisoned. Of those, 621 are records of Tibetans detained on or after March 10, 2008; 44 percent of them are Tibetan Buddhist monks, nuns, teachers, or trulkus.

This past year, officials detained, imprisoned, or beat to death monastic leaders including Abbot Gyurme Tsultrim, Abbot Karma Tsewang, chant master Thardoe Gyaltsen, Geshe Ngawang Jamyang, and Abbot Khedrub. Officials detained or imprisoned cultural advocates, including writer Tsultrim Gyaltsen, singer Gebe, and environmental activists Choekyab and Tselha.

Officials released filmmaker Dondrub Wangchen upon completion of his sentence in June 2014; as of September 1, authorities had not permitted him to travel to the United States for reunification with his family.

Recommendations Members of the U.S. Congress and Administration officials are encouraged to: Urge the Chinese government to resume contact with the Dalai Lama or his representatives and engage in dialogue without preconditions. Such a dialogue should aim to protect the Tibetan culture, language, religion, and heritage within the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and the Tibetan autonomous prefectures and counties in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. A Chinese government decision to engage in dialogue can result in a durable and mutually beneficial outcome for the government and Tibetans that will benefit local and regional security in coming decades.

Urge the Chinese government to recognize the role of government regulatory measures and Party policies in the wave of Tibetan self-immolations and other protests. Stress to Chinese officials that strengthening the measures and policies that Tibetans resent is unlikely to promote “social stability” or a “harmonious society.”

Urge the government to refrain from using security and judicial institutions to intimidate Tibetan communities by prosecuting and imprisoning Tibetans with alleged links to a self-immolator or for sharing self-immolation information.

Urge the Chinese government to refrain from using

intrusive management and legal measures to infringe upon and repress Tibetan Buddhists’ right to the freedom of religion. Urge the government to cease treating the Dalai Lama as a security threat instead of as Tibetan Buddhism’s principal teacher. Urge the government to respect the right of Tibetan Buddhists to identify and educate religious teachers in a manner consistent with Tibetan Buddhist preferences and traditions. Stress to Chinese officials that increasing pressure on Tibetan Buddhists by aggressive use of regulatory measures, “patriotic” and “legal” education, and anti-Dalai Lama campaigns is likely to harm social stability, not protect it.

Request that the Chinese government follow up on a 2010 statement by the Chairman of the TAR government that Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the Panchen Lama whom the Dalai Lama recognized in 1995, is living in the TAR as an “ordinary citizen” along with his family. Urge the government to invite a representative of an international organization to meet with Gedun Choekyi Nyima so that he can express to the representative his wishes with respect to privacy.

Stress to the Chinese government the importance of respecting and protecting the Tibetan culture and language. Urge Chinese officials to promote a vibrant Tibetan culture by honoring the Chinese Constitution’s reference to the freedoms of speech, association, assembly, and religion, and refraining from using the security establishment, courts, and law to infringe upon and repress Tibetans’ exercise of such rights. Stress the importance of respecting Tibetan wishes to maintain the role of both the Tibetan and Chinese languages in teaching modern subjects, and to refrain from criminalizing Tibetans’ passion for their language and culture.

Encourage the Chinese government to take fully into account the views and preferences of Tibetans when the government plans infrastructure, natural resource development, and settlement or resettlement projects in the Tibetan areas of China. Encourage the government to engage with appropriate experts in assessing the impact of such projects and in advising the government on the implementation and progress of such projects.

Encourage the government to report accurately and comprehensively data on population in Tibetan areas of China.

Continue to stress to the Chinese government the importance of distinguishing between peaceful Tibetan protesters and rioters; condemn the use of security campaigns to suppress human rights; and request the government to provide complete details about Tibetans detained, charged, or sentenced for protest-related and self-immolation-related “crimes.” Continue to raise in meetings and correspondence with Chinese officials the cases of Tibetans who remain imprisoned as punishment for the peaceful exercise of human rights.

Encourage the Chinese government to respect the right to freedom of movement of Tibetans who travel domestically, including for the purpose of visiting Tibetan economic, cultural, and religious centers, including Lhasa; to provide Tibetans with reasonable means to apply for and receive documents necessary for lawful international travel; to respect the right of Tibetan citizens of China to reenter China after traveling abroad; and to allow access to the Tibetan autonomous areas of China to international journalists, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of the United Nations, and U.S. Government officials.

Letter to the Editor---Hong Kong Democracy

By Joe Bialek: 15 October 2014

Cleveland, OH USA: - This letter is in response to the articles covering the voting crisis between China and Hong Kong. As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of Hong Kong.

Their efforts are similar to what is happening in many other parts of the world.

Believe it or not, one thing that trumps capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one’s voice heard. This is the foundation of which our democracy is built on. Hong Kong should continue to defy China’s powerful influence so that democracy can begin to thrive.

It is unfortunate that the United States compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in China; something that happens all too often domestically as well. It is not Hong Kong that is attempting to seize power but rather their voting rights; it is however those currently in power who have engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people from being heard. Why else would they stoop to such underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the citizens of Hong Kong?

China, you have had over seventeen years to help Hong Kong and have failed them by your own choosing. The days of the despotic regime are finally coming to an end as it appears the desire for freedom will continue to sweep among the people of Hong Kong.

Accordingly, let the call go forth among all citizens of Hong Kong that your brothers and sisters of democracy from all over the world are with you during every trial and tribulation you may encounter during this crisis. To the people of Hong Kong, the trumpet of freedom beckons

you to exercise your protest to ensure your vote to preserve your sacred heritage, promote your children’s future and obtain the blessings of liberty we all cherish.

Hong Kong, the hour of your redemption is at hand. As you the rightful citizens move forward to reclaim your own country, rise and protest! In the name of those who were murdered fighting for everyone’s rights, rise and protest! To end the rule of this regime, rise and protest!

Let no one continue to fear. Let all of Hong Kong be strong and push on for their freedom. Rise and protest!

China, let Hong Kong be free!

You can reach him at jgbialek@roadrunner.com

South Africa Nobel......

...... continued from front page

Laureates and Laureate institutions requested that either the summit be moved to another country, or that the visa to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, be granted unconditionally.

Given the continued intransigence of the South African Government on this matter, this eventuality appears unlikely at best.

The attending Peace Laureates and Laureate institutions agreed, in the absence of granting said visa to the Dalai Lama, to withhold their collective attendance in protest of the decision.

The National Government has treated our requests and those of the Laureates themselves with disdain, and in so doing showed that they are more intent on pleasing Beijing than with ensuring that a prestigious international event is held in South Africa, which was intended to celebrate the late Nelson Mandela and 20 years of democracy in SouthAfrica.

Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams had earlier explained her decision not to attend in an open letter to Desmond Tutu, writing that: “No entry for my friend, for me means I do not wish to enter. I am available to reconsider my attendance if the summit is held in a different location.”

The Tibet Post International

Tibetan parliament mourns passing away of Ama Wäger

By Choneyi Sangpo: 08 October 2014

Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile expressed deep sadness at the passing away of Mrs Irmtraut Wäger, a long term Tibet supporter who dedicated her life to the education and well being of poor and needy Tibetans.

Mrs Imtraut Wäger of Deutsche Tibethilfe e.V. ( German Aid to Tibetans), fondly called by Tibetans as Ama (mother) Wager la, breathed her last at the age of 95 in Munich on 2 Oct, according to media reports.

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of our very long and supportive friend. We sincerely express our condolence to the

family members,” Penpa Tsering the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said in his condolence message.

“Ama Wäger, the name given fondly by the Tibetans and the name which is on the mouth of every Tibetans from small children to the elder people, had dedicated her life to the well being of the poor and needy Tibetans. She was a true angel and a true friend of Tibetans,” Tsering added.

“She blessed so many poor and needy Tibetans through her generous and kind hearted-ness supporting their education and livelihood till her last breath. She even supported many welfare projects in India and Nepal. Indeed she was a source of light that enlightened the lives of many Tibetans and was a symbol of hope for many,” he said.

“In fact, we surely lost an angelic friend. As a Buddhist, we believed in rebirth and pray that she be born again to serve the humanity.”

“We the Tibetans will forever remain indebted to her compassionate heart,” he further added.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet congratulates Malala & Satyarthi

By Yeshe Choesang: 11 October 2014

Dharamshala:– Following the announcement of the 2014 Nobel Prize winners by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has congratulated India’s child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistani girls’ education campaigner Malala Yousafzai on winning this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The 2014 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded jointly to Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and Indian children right’s campaigner Kailash Satyarthi.

“I am writing to congratulate you on your being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is a matter of great joy to me that the work you have both been doing in your different circumstances to support children and their education should have been acknowledged today,”the 78-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama said on October 11, separate congratulatory letters were sent to the two Nobel peace prize winners Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai.

To the 17-year old Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai the youngest ever Nobel winner, His Holiness wrote: “For someone so young you showed immense courage in the stand you took to defend girls’ right to education. Later, you again showed tremendous strength as you recovered from the injuries inflicted by those who violently disagreed with you. That you have continued, unbowed, to promote the basic right to education earns only admiration.”

While to the 60-year old Yousafzai who is Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, His Holiness remarked: “Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation and someone I consider to be a personal mentor, has been of widespread inspiration across the world, for his dedication to peaceful, non-violent change.

I see the award of this prize to you, his follower, as an acknowledgement of him as well.”

Tibet News 15 October 2014 3 Sikyong congratulates 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winners

TPI NEWS

His Holiness expressed to both awardees his feeling that the decision to award the Peace Prize to a man and a woman, an Indian and a Pakistani, together emphasizes that only as human brothers and sisters will we create a more peaceful, happier world.

His Holiness commended them both for working to support children who are among the most innocent and vulnerable in society, but who are also the seeds of the future, stating that that future will only be secured if we ensure that children receive a full and equal education.

He concluded both letters with the same words: “The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to both of you serves as reminder of the fundamental importance of education if we are to improve ourselves and create a better world. It is an inspiration to children, girls and boys, everywhere.”

In announcing the winners Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said the prize was awarded for “their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to an education.”

In his speech Friday, Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland said the joint prize was symbolic because it was important for “a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism.”

Malala said her message to children around the world is that they should stand up for their rights.

She said she accepted her award on behalf of “all those children who are voiceless.”

“The scale of the problem is still huge- hundreds of millions of children are deprived of their childhood, freedom and education,” Kailash Satyarthi said, adding: “the fight to free child laborers and give them education has to continue.”

Several media outlets reported on Saturday that Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai were receiving congratulations from many leaders and Nobel Laureates all over the world “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”

The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was awarded jointly to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” Photo: Claude Truong-Ngoc/WC

By Yeshe Choesang: 14 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of Tibetans on Monday congratulated Indian Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai – both human rights activists – who were named co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize on last Friday.

Malala, the 17-year-old Pakistani child education activist, and Kailash, an Indian child rights campaigner, were awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for their “struggle for education and against extremism.”

Thorbjorn Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said, “Children must go to school, not be financially exploited.”

Applauding Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi on getting the recognitions, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said “the Central Tibetan administration admire their contribution and struggle for the basic rights and education of children.”

Schoolgirl activist Malala’s courageous fightback from being shot by the Taliban transformed her into both a symbol for human rights and a campaigner in global demand. “Malala Yousafzai’s fight and struggle for girl’s right to education and her determination is heroic and iconic to the rest of the world,” Dr Sangay said.

Meanwhile, Kailash, named co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is credited with freeing tens of thousands of youngsters working as cheap labour in homes, factories, construction and other jobs. Sikyong also strongly praised Satyarthi for his unwavering fight against child trafficking and child labour in India.

“His non-violent protests and demonstrations are an inspiration to many,” Dr Sangay added.

The Tibetan political leader offered heartfelt congratulations to both the individuals and emphasised the need to continue their “struggle for the elevation of basic human rights and freedom.”

Several media outlets reported that Satyarthi and Malala were receiving congratulatory messages from leaders and Nobel Laureates all over the world “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”

Congratulating Malala and Kailash for this year’s Peace Prize, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said the laureates are “two of the world’s greatest champions for children.”

“Malala is a brave and gentle advocate of peace” who has shown “what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book,” Mr Ban added.

“Kailash Satyarthi has been at the forefront of a worldwide movement for justice, global education and a better life for millions of children trapped in exploitative child labor,” the UN Cheif said.

European Union leaders as well as political groups in the European Parliament congratulated Satyarthi

Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the opening ceremony of Tibet Policy Institute in Dharamshala, H.P, India, on 15th February 2012. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

and Malala. “Today’s decision pays tribute to the undisputable right to education for all children, equal rights for women and the important campaign against their oppression,” said European Council president Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso in a joint statement.

“The decision equally sends a strong message to those who try to impeach on the fundamental right to education, by violence, suppression and cowardly threats,” the two leaders stated.

US President Obama said the two activists have faced down threats and intimidation, risking their own lives to save others and build a better world for future generations.

“They come from different countries, religious backgrounds, and generations--a Muslim and a Hindu, a Pakistani and an Indian - but they share an unyielding commitment to justice and an unshakable belief in the basic dignity of every girl and boy,” the US President said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Indian and Pakistani activists on being chosen for the the Nobel Peace Prize. “Malala Yousafzai’s life is a journey of immense grit and courage,” he said.

“Kailash Satyarthi has devoted his life to a cause that is extremely relevant to entire humankind. The entire nation is proud of his momentous achievement,” the Prime Minister Modi said in his message.

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is the U.N. special envoy for global education, described the two winners as “the world’s greatest children’s champions.”

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said the award sends an important message of support to all those working for children’s rights and rewards “two extraordinarily inspirational human rights defenders” who “have demonstrated tremendous

courage in the face of powerful adversaries.” the United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF) also congratulated both winners and said that this award will be “an inspiration” to millions of unnamed and unknown children around the world who battle silently in their own lives for the right to education and the right to be heard and protected.

Four previous Nobel peace laureates- Mairead Maguire, Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi strongly urged the UN and EU to pressure China for the release of 2010 winner Liu Xiaobo from prison and expressed their “strong indignation regarding the continuous imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo.”

“On December 25, 2009, the Chinese government sentenced Dr Liu, a highly respected intellectual and famous dissident, to 11 years in prison for ‘inciting subversion’” they said in an open letter to the UN and EU, sent to coincide with the announcement of this year’s Nobel prize.

“The charges were based on his political essays and co-authorship of ‘Charter 08,’ which called for peaceful political reform in China based on the principles of human rights, freedom, and democracy.”

“We remain confident that under the current circumstances, the world, the United Nations and the European Union cannot remain silent and leave without defense a Nobel laureate, the civil society in China and the Chinese activists struggling for fundamental rights and universal principles,” the letter said.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee sai it has received a record 278 nominations for the 2014 prize, 47 of which were for organizations. Each prize carries with it a monetary reward of 8 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million) to be divided among the winners.

“Ama Wäger’s humanitarian work has played a pivotal role in the sustenance of the Tibetan community in exile. She was truly a beacon of light that changed many lives for the better. Ama Wäger’s legacies will be remembered by Tibetans in the generations to come. Tibetans will remain forever indebted to her generosity. Her humanitarian work has played a pivotal role in the sustenance of the Tibetan community in exile,” he added.

Expressing its deep sadness over the passing away of Mrs Wäger, the Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration said “her legacy will be remembered in the hearts of Tibetans all over the world.”

Mrs Wäger, fondly called by Tibetans as Ama (mother) Wager la, breathed her last at the age of 95 in Munich on 2 Oct. “It is very sad to learn that Ama Wäger la passed away on 2nd October midnight. On behalf of all Tibetan children, we express our deepest sorrow at the demise of our beloved Ama Wäger la,” the Department of Education (DoE) wrote in a letter to Deutsche Tibethilfe e.V.( German Aid to Tibetans).

She had served as chairperson of German Aid to Tibetans since 1983, which has led an outstanding mission for the education and welfare of Tibetans in exile.

“She has made an outstanding contribution for the education of Tibetan children and dedicated her entire life for our community. With her initiative and support we have been able to educate many Tibetan children in exile,” DoE said, adding: “Her work will be remembered in the hearts of many Tibetan children all over the world. We are proud to say that many of the beneficiaries are serving our community in various fields.”

“She has been an extraordinary woman lovingly called Ama la by Tibetans. We extend our sincere condolences to her family, relatives and friends,”

the condolence message noted.

Born in East Prussia in 1919, Mr Wäger became a refugee during the Second World War. “Always put the others first was her father’s motto, and it was to define her entire life. In every difficult situation she has faced, Wäger has always trusted her inner voice. When she travelled to India for the first time in 1975, the distress of the Tibetan refugees evoked memories of her own escape and she immediately resolved to help them,” Franz Binder, a German journalist and author, wrote in the biography of Mrs Wäger titled “Amala: My Life for Tibet”.

Franz stated: “She threw herself into raising funds and ran Deutsche Tibethilfe (German Aid to Tibetans) from her small two-bedroom apartment in Munich. In 2003, the Dalai Lama visited her personally. Her whole life story is proof of what one single person can achieve,” Franz Binder, a German journalist and author, wrote in the biography of Mrs Wäger titled “Amala: My Life for Tibet”.

Franz said what he most admired about Mrs Wäger was her philosophy that it was better to help a single child than to complain endlessly about what is wrong with the world.

“The life of Ama Wäger, as I lovingly call her, illustrates how one engaged individual can make a great difference in terms of improving society…

Her endeavour has always touched me deeply and my conversations with her have always been hugely illuminating,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in the biography.

In 2006, His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferred her with the International Campaign for Tibet’s Light of Truth award for her “outstanding contribution to public understanding of Tibet and its current plight”.

On 31 May 2003, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the home/office of Mrs Wäger to convey his appreciation for the wonderful humanitarian work of the organisation in helping Tibetans in exile.

His Holiness and Tibetans offer condolences to ‘Ama Wäger’ family

By Jane Cook: 06 October 2014

Dharamshala: -The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration offered their sincere condolences over the passing away of Mrs Imtraut Wäger, better known as ‘Ama Wäger’ for her tireless efforts to help Tibetan people and their cause.

Ama Wäger, who was a long-time Tibet supporter and also well known for her social activism, especially concerning education for the poor and needy Tibetan children in exile.

In a letter to the family of the Wäger Family in Munich, Germany, the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness at the passing away of Ama Wäger and offered his condolences to members of her family, friends and colleagues.

“Among the many who have provided generous assistance to Tibetans, both young and old, in exile, Ama Wäger was perhaps unique. Not only was she generous herself, also directing the support of many other individuals in Germany to where it was most needed, but she personally visited those she helped in different Tibetan settlements and schools in India and Nepal,” His Holiness stated in his condolence message.

“In her passing away, Tibetans have lost a friend who, until her last breath, kept the well-being of needy Tibetans close to her heart,” His Holiness said in the condolence message, adding: “He will remember Ama in his prayers.”

“The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply saddened by the passing away of Mrs Wäger, who is fondly known by Tibetans as Ama Wäger,” Tibetan political leader Dr Lobsang Sangay said in his condolence letter to the Wäger’s family.

“With her demise, Tibetans lost a true friend who had worked tirelessly throughout her life for the education of the poor and needy Tibetan children and assisted in welfare projects in India and Nepal,” Sikyong added.

4

TPI NEWS

CLASSIFIED Nobel Laureates send message of hope to Tibetans in Tibet 15 October 2014

By Yeshe Choesang: 01 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Expressing their strong supports for the cause of freedom and justice for the people of Tibet, two Nobel peace laureates Friday joined thousands of Tibetans at the Tibetan main temple in Dharamshala to celebrate the 25th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace prize.

“I thank the two women Nobel laureates – Jody Williams of the US and Shirin Ebadi of Iran – for being trusted friends and their unwavering support for the just cause of Tibetans,” said the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his address to the crowds as for festivity as part of the Year of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama event organised by the Central Tibetan Administration. The day also marked Mahatma Gandhi’s 145th birth anniversary.

Praising Mahatma Gandhi’s messages of peace, non-violence and simple living in our daily lives, His Holiness said the best way to remember Mahatma Gandhi is to follow his messages of peace, non-violence and simple living in our daily lives.

The non-violence freedom struggle led by the Mahatma Gandhi was seen as meek and ineffective during that time. Mahatma Gandhi’s legacies are very much relevant today as the whole world take inspiration from his principles of peace and non-violence, His Holiness added.

America’s civil rights champion Martin Luther King was also greatly inspired by Gandhi’s principles and way of living,’ His Holiness said, adding: “Following the Gandhi’s way of living and principles will bring inner peace and contentment in our daily life”.

“Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile should know that we always support you,” said Nobel peace laureate Jody Williams, founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, adding that the “non-violent struggle of Tibetans led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a model of peaceful conflict resolution.”

“Our protest was not against our friends of the host country who had invited us, but it was a message of protest against China,” she said, adding that it was message of protest against the government (South African) who sold their soul and sovereignty to China.

“We want China and countries that succumb to its pressure and restrict Dalai Lama’s freedom of movement to hear that we firmly stand with His Holiness and Tibetans living in occupation and in exile,” she said.

Expressing her sadness on not being able to go to South Africa, Williams said “it would have been awesome to celebrate the legacy of ‘Super Laureate’ Nelson Mandela,” Expressing admiration for the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people to gain genuine autonomy through dialogue with China, Dr Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer who founded Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran said she cherishes the way Tibetans in exile have preserved their culture under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “We need to preserve the language and culture of Tibet to keep Tibet alive,” she said emphasising the role of culture and language in a freedom struggle.

Tibetans call for release ......

...... continued from front page

a Tibetan monk living in exile told The Tibet Post International (TPI) on Tuesday.

“Residents gathered at a site containing prayer flags and stupas and displayed two huge portraits, one of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the other of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, and made offerings and prayed for Rinpoche’s release,” Ven Sermey Loga told TPI, citing local contacts.

“Remembering Rinpoche’s kindness toward the people, many of the participants broke down in tears when speakers at the gathering described how Rinpoche had been wrongfully accused and sentenced,” the monk added.

He described the gathering as “large,” without specifying how many people had attended. Photos indicate dozens of villagers were present.

Speakers at the event openly blamed former top Chinese security chief Zhou Yongkang—now among top ruling Chinese Communist Party officials being investigated for corruption—and local county, prefecture, and provincial-level officials for Rinpoche’s ordeal, he added. Local Chinese authorities were “aware of the event,” which is now observed annually, but did not intervene, Loga said.

One of the finest Indian, Chinese,Continental,Thai Speciality in Mutton; • Rogan Josh, • Mutton Saagwala, • Mutton Rahra, • Mutton Do Pyaza, • Mutton Kadhai, • Mutton Seekh, • Babri Seekh Kabab, • Gulati Seekh Kabab.

The Tibet Post International

BELLA HEIGHTS Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj

Please order 2 hours in advance Hotel Fine-Dine Restaurant Coffee Shop Call: +91-9857-555333 +91-9857-666333

www.bellaheights.com

CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA Tibetans celebrating the 25th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Dharamshala on Oct 2, 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

“These are difficult days for you people living in exile. Fortunately, you have His Holiness who teaches peaceful resistance,” she said, adding the respect she has for the Dalai Lama has grown after seeing his world and his people preserving their culture and tradition.

“A day is not very far when we will be celebrating today’s occasion in Tibet in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And on that day you will see Tibet is alive because His Holiness has encouraged you to keep the culture alive,” she added.

Urging China to respect rights of Tibetan and other ethnic minorities, Ebadi said violence was like a virus and it would be difficult for any government to continue with such virus. “I hope China will learn what I have learned from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and free Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo from prison,” she said.

She added: “The Chinese government should respect the rights of Tibetan and the ethnic minorities including Uyghur Muslims who have are leading a peaceful freedom struggle like Tibetans.”

Shirin Ebadi said “the people of the world and Iran have learned a lot from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on how not to lose hope under difficult circumstances. I am sure nondemocratic countries will learn from His Holiness and change their behavior.”

Reiterating the 2014 as the “Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” to express deep gratitude to his remarkable achievements for the cause of Tibet, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said: “Today is a very special day for the Tibetans inside Tibet. Every day they look forward to good news about freedom as they suffer political and religious repression on daily basis. Your presence here sends a message of justice, truth and freedom to them, which will give them hope and inspiration.”

‘Mahatma Gandhi was one person who truly deserved Nobel Peace prize, but missed it, Sikyong said, adding: ‘Given his contribution for non- violence and peace, he is the true Nobel Peace Laureate.’

The speaker of Tibetan Parliament in exile, Mr Penpa Tsering, urged Chinese president Xi

Tibet’s glaciers at their ......

...... continued from front page

“Over the past 50 years, the rate of temperature rise has been double the average global level,” it said, according to the report on the website of Science and Technology Daily, the state-run newspaper.

Glacier retreat could disrupt water supply to several of Asia’s main rivers that originate from the plateau, including China’s Yellow and Yangtze, India’s Brahmaputra, and the Mekong and Salween in Southeast Asia.

In May, Chinese scientists said Tibetan glaciers had shrunk 15 percent - around 8,000 square km (3,100 square miles) - over the past 30 years.

The new report said a combination of climate change and human activity on the plateau was likely to cause an increase in floods and landslides there. However, rising temperatures had also improved the local ecosystem, it said.

The scientists urged the government to work to reduce human impact on the region’s fragile environment.

But Chinese government is building a series of large hydropower projects there, with construction of several mega-dams expected to start by 2020. The regime has built thousands of dams in the past few decades in a bid to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Jinping to give freedom to Tibetans and other ethnic minorities in China. He also called on China to release imprisoned Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo.

“Give your people freedom and see how much people will love you and some day you could also be Nobel Peace laureate,” The speaker added.

A colorful and diverse cultural programme presented by Students and Tibetan artists on the occasion, showcasing the rich and vibrant traditions of Tibet.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel prize in 1989, for his struggle for the liberation of Tibet by opposing violence and advocating peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.

C OM PU T ERISED EYE TESTING

BHARAT OPTICALS Dealers in branded frames,

sunglasses and contact lenses.

DEALS IN:

Outlook Tibet welcomes opinion articles on any subject related Tibet and Tibetans.

Submissions must be exclusive to us. Most articles are about 750 words in length, though some are shorter, and on sometimes we can sometimes run pieces as long as 1,200 words.

“Your Health is our Happiness” MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, CONTINENTAL & THAI FOOD • Healthy and hygienic - no MSG • Everything washed with sterilized water • Homemade muesli and homemade curd • Large variety of fresh juices • Wood-fired pizza oven and clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere including roof-top tables and Japanese style seating area • Live music every Sunday Located on Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, across from the Tibetan Reception Centre (down from Post Office)

www.outlooktibet.com Sponsor an issue of The newspaper Your support will help us continue our service to journalism in exile!

Tashi Delek If you would like to sponsor an issue of The Tibet Post International newspaper, Please contact us via email; news@thetibetpost.com or call us anytime on; +91-9882423566 We would like to present a brief profile of your company or your own profile and any message to share with our readers, online and in print.

Thank you so much for your interest in being a The Tibet Post sponsor!

Horoscopes for the month of October, 2014

• LENSES:Crizal Lenses Zeiss Lenses Ao Lenses Suprol Lenses

• CONTACT LENSES:-

Sorces: Always Astrology Computerised Eye Testing

• Hearing Aids.

Bausch & Lomb Lenses Colour Contact Lenses Johnson & Johnson lenses

Specialization in progressive spects.

The only genuine and professional opticians in Dharamshala and McLeodganj.

Special discount for all Tibetan students and senior citizens Special discount in Diwali Festival

A GR OU P OF O PTICIANS DHARAMSHALA DEHRA MCLEODGANJ DISTT. KANGRA. (H.P.) 176215

Tel: 01892-224629; 94180-17245 E-mail: mkangharia@gmail.com

WE YOUREYES EYES WE CARE CARE FOR FOR YOUR

NEED A DENTIST??? Then visit...

PERFECT 32 DENTAL CLINIC

On Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj, near the Post Office

Dr Natasha Mehra specialises in

COSMETIC DENTISTRY: Veneers, Metal-free Crowns, Smile Designing

LATEST TRENDS IN GENERAL DENTISTRY: Painless Extractions, Root Canal Treatments, Fillings (Metal/Mercury-free), Crowns and Bridges, Dentures, Gum Treatments & Oral Hygience Procedures ALL YOUR DENTAL SOLUTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF

Our sterile, state-of-the-art clinic places special emphasis on INFECTION AND CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL COMPETITIVE RATES COME AND VISIT US FOR A CHAT OR CALL 09218-742046 FOR AN APPOINTMENT E-mail: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Driving too fast or double parking will result in difficulties with officials. Investments concerning your residence will be profitable. Entertainment could be pleasing if it is of an energetic nature. Fitness or weight loss pro grams will help your self esteem.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) You can discuss your intentions and ideas with your colleagues or friends this month. Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. Confronting a situation will only result in indignation and misunderstandings. Romance will develop through work.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Get out and enjoy some entertainment. Romance will develop through work. Don’t make accusations unless you are completely sure that you are correct. Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations. Social events should be the highlight of your day.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can make financial gains if you are prepared to take a risk. Lovers may no be truthful. Accommodate others but not before you do your own thing. Do the proper safety checks before you go out. Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your temper could be short if someone criticizes your efforts. You can make money if you are wise in your choices. Take some time out. You’re in the mood for love.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don’t let friends convince you that you should contribute to something you don’t believe in. You can meet potential new mates, but make sure that they aren’t already committed to someone else. Try to be patient with their inability to accept your new beliefs. This is a turning point.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may want to have a heart-to-heart talk with a close and trusted friend. Take your time; do not make any decisions in haste. Work on legitimate financial deals that may enable you to bring in some extra cash. Make sure that all your legal papers are in proper order.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can make positive changes in your home. Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. Avoid lending money or belongings to friends. You should put a little extra effort in at work.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don’t share your dilemma with those you work with. Unfortunately, your personal life may suffer from a lack spare time. Your emotional partner will push all the right buttons this month. Delve a little deeper if you really want to know the score.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You can learn a great deal if you listen to those who are older or more experienced. Your ability to converse with charm will entice someone you may have had an interest in for some time now. Upheavals may occupy your day. Think of joining a health club that will benefit your physical appearance.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Opportunities to upgrade your living standards will come through your lover or through joint financial investments. Real estate investments could be to your ad vantage. Romantic encounters will develop through colleagues. Take time to do some writing, whether it’s correspondence, poetry, or keeping a journal.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your sensitive, affectionate nature will capture the heart of anyone you are attracted to. Difficulties with children will surface if you try to break a promise you made. You will have the stamina and the know how to raise your earning power. This is a great day for a family outing or just a drive.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

15 October 2014 INTERNATIONAL 5 Nobel Laureates condemn S. Africa His Holiness the Dalai Lama concludes teachings to Taiwanese

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International

visa denial to Tibet’s spiritul leader

By Yeshe Choesang: 02 October 2014

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay with Nobel Laureates Shirin Ebadi of Iran (L) and Jody Williams of US (R) at a press conference in Dharamshala, India on oct 1, 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

Dharamshala: - Two prominent Nobel laureates Wednesday expressed their strong support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a press conference in Dharamshala and criticised South Africa’s refusal to give fellow Nobel peace laureate, a visa to attend a peace conference.

Speaking at a press conference with several reporters organized by the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, Jody Williams of the US and Shirin Ebadi of Iran said they were unhappy with South Africa’s decision, particularly given its history of fighting against apartheid and expressed their deep concern over the denial of visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by South Africa to attend the Nobel summit in Cape Town.

“We immediately sent a note expressing our deep concern that South Africa has been chosen as the venue of the Nobel summit given its history of bending to Chinese pressure and refusing to allow His Holiness to visit. A level of confusion was made for many us when he was even not allowed a visa to join the celebration of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday.

How that could possibly be a threat to the government of China was extremely confusing for us?,” said Jody Williams, an American antilandmine campaigner.

“We are here to show to the Chinese government

China detains a businessman ......

...... continued from front page

“Holding a white banner that reads: “human rights, and freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland, Wangchuk shouted slogans against Chinese rule,” the sources told TPI, adding: “The man, who is a father of three and a businessman.”

According to local sources, ‘Wangchuk was arrested by the police after marching about ten minutes in the street, where the last decades have seen continuing peaceful protests by Tibetans.

Sources continued that his current condition and whereabouts remain unknown.

The protest however lasted only a short while. But, the sources in contact with locals in the area said his protest drew a large crowd of local Tibetans, was noticed by Chinese police who immediately arrest him and took him away.

‘He is one of the great patriots, who normally cares about Tibetan people while engaging in various charity activities. He is an outspoken critic on the lack of freedom in Tibet and he never feared to express himself,’ sources said.

Born in 1977, Wangchuk or Ngodru is a famous businessman from Buchu Yarkhab village in Serchu Township in Kham Karze County. He has a wife called Sonam, two daughters and a 5-year old son. They currently live near a Tibetan temple called “Degonpo Tsuglagkhang” in Karze town. His father’s name is Chowang Gyatso and mother’s name Ringa.

Conditions for foreign journalists reporting Tibet have gone from bad to worse over the past years as the authorities have imposed a heavy restriction on them to enter the Himalayan region.

It is also extremely difficult to receive local reports from Tibet and the fate of many more remain unknown due to the restrictions on communication lines in most parts of the region.

The authorities in Beijing reportedly seeking to influence coverage by intimidating reporters and their interview subjects, barring journalists from large portions of China or by withholding visas and blocking the websites of overseas news outlets.

The government has made it increasingly difficult for the reporters to conduct interviews in the so called Tibet autonomous region, as well as to Tibetan areas in Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces.

that the Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama are not alone in their fight for justice, righteousness and human rights. And that’s why the world supports you. There is a history of fighting against racial discrimination in South Africa and that’s why we don’t accept this country refusing the visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” said Shirin Ebabi, Iranian lawyer and human rights activist.

“Nobel Women’s Initiative sent two letters to the organizers and we did media interviews expressing our dismay and decision to boycott the summit in Cape Town. In our letter, we underlined that His Holiness the Dalai Lama advocates the Middle Way Approach and not the Chinese government’s propaganda that His Holiness is seeking Tibet’s separation from China,” said Jody Williams. “ A s t h e m i s s i o n o f t h e N o b e l Wo m e n ’s Initiative is to stand with people, we believe that we are not in good conscience to go to South Africa when the human rights of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people are being violated,” she added.

“The venue of the summit has been shifted out of South Africa. The new venue for the summit would be announced later. We feel proud that the summit has been cancelled after we lodged protest over denial of visa to the Dalai Lama. Even other Nobel laureates have lodged their protest over the issue,” Jody Williams said.

Shirin Ebadi further said “I am not here only to visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but I am here to learn from him how one can continue one’s struggle in a peaceful manner for over fifty years. I am here to learn from your people how to be in exile for over 50 years and not lose hope.”

“I hope that the people of the Tibet both in Tibet and in exile understand that they really do have our support”, said Jody Williams.

South African Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tu t u h a s c r i t i c i s e d h i s g o v e r n m e n t f o r “kowtowing” to China by barring His Holiness from attending a global summit of fellow prize winners in Cape Town.

Mr Tutu said in a statement. Mr Tutu said the move sullies the memory of Mr Mandela, who would not bend to the will of powerful states in his time as president. He said he was “ashamed to call this lickspittle bunch my government”.

“When the Americans told Mandela he couldn’t continue his friendship with presidents Gaddafi and Castro, he told them to go and jump in the lake,” Mr Tutu said, adding: Mr Mandela’s heirs in the ruling African National Congress party under president Jacob Zuma had now “spat in [Mandela’s] face”.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay thanked the two Nobel laureates and Nobel Women’s Initiative for visiting Dharamsala to show their solidarity with the Tibetan people’s non violent struggle and especially to pay respect to His Holiness as This year is marks the 25th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel peace prize on His Holiness.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for leading a non-violent struggle to restore freedom in Tibet.

I

n

t e r

n

a

By Jane Cook: 09 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Concluding His teachings on ‘’Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom Treatise of the Middle Way” given at the request of Taiwanese disciples, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet culminated the fourth day with a series of meditations, blessings and future guidance to the gathering of devotees.

Fundamental Wisdom Treatise of the Middle Way by Nagajuna, the great Indian philosopher and master of the 2nd century AD, has twentyseven chapters. His Holiness the Dhalai Lama reiterated the importance of our human minds to understand the true nature of things.

Addressing the audience of over 6,000 in the main temple of the hill-station of North India, the final day of teachings were rounded off on 9 October 2014 amid a jubilant atmosphere. His Holiness cross-examined and explained key points during the teaching.

During the teaching, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated the importance of cultivation of Bodhisattva. The practice of compassion and wisdom is useful to all sentient beings and essential to develop a good heart - love and respect for others, as well as a true sense of community.

A Bodhicitta ceremony, which involves the intention to achieve omniscient Buddhahood, was carefully led by His Holiness as the morning drew to a close. His Holiness stressed that it is important to cultivate Bodhicitta and the cherishing of others among ourselves.

Dealing with the profound view of emptiness, it is every important to have an understanding of emptiness, and also to experience emptinessto be aware of all points of negative emotions within ourselves,’ he said.

‘Furthermore, in order to overcome our cognitive obscuration, we need to have these views of emptiness, to cultivate Bodhicitta and practise perfections,’ said His Holiness while moving on to the Shantideva text.

Therefore, Shantideva famously said that “all suffering in this world comes from selfcherishing and all happiness in this world comes from cherishing others.”

‘Dedicate your body, speech and mind to serving others,’ he said, adding that if one examines not having a self-centred attitude it is also vital

Man self-immolates ......

...... continued from front page

This is the second self-immolation protest in Tibet in the past month alone. This incident brought the total verified number of self-immolations in Tibet to 132 since February, 2009 and and of them 113 were reportedly passed-away due to their severe injuries.

The Tibetan self-immolators have demanded for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people. Most parts of Tibet have suffered severe crackdowns and been under heightened restrictions and controls.

The Communist regime in Beijing has blamed the self-immolation protests on hostile foreign forces that want to separate Tibet from China. Many Tibetans allegedly associated or linked with the self-immolators have been detained. Some have been sentenced to long prison terms or death.

The Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, India, has made several appeals urging Tibetans inside Tibet to refrain from taking drastic actions such as self-immolations.

t i

o

n

a

l

Adviser Dr Franz Pahl Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy Adviser Mr Thomas Kemeil A software engineer, Austria Adviser Mr Shalinder Kumar A professional graphic designer, India Adviser Ven Thupten Yarphel A Tibetan writer, India Editor in Chief Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Choneyi Sangpo Project Manager Matthew Singh Toor Dawa Phurbu Reporter Photographer Artemas Liu Layout & Design Choneyi Sangpo Circulation Jigme Gyatso Office Assistant Gelek Gyatso

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the fourth day of teachings at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, India, on October 9, 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

regarding the maintaining of the meditation.

Meditation instructions were directed by His Holiness to the audience as the teachings concluded, to assist the cultivation of Bodhisattva in oneself. His Holiness enlightened the audience and said ‘the most important thing to keep in mind is not to harm any sentient beings.’

The morning session concluded with prayers after a successful ceremony. A question and answer session for the Taiwan delegation was also held in the afternoon, to the delight of the devotees.

His Holiness drew the second day of teachings

on the ‘Benefits of Bodhichitta’ to a close after offering a long life prayer to him, having thoroughly educated and inspired his guests on Wednesday morning.

‘Whether believer or non-believer, as long as we are a part of the 7-billion human beings, it is very essential to have a genuine sense of concern for others well-being, because we are heavily dependent upon each other,” His Holiness said.

The teachings on Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Treatise of the Middle Way are available in video and audio format on: http://dalailama.com/livewe

Tibet’s spiritual leader commences teachings for Taiwanese devotees

By Yeshe Choesang: 29 September 2014

Dharamshala: At the request of a group of Taiwanese Buddhist devotees, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, commenced the first of four days of teachings on ‘Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom Treatise of the Middle Way’ to an audience from 62 countries at the main temple in Dharamshala, India.

Amid a buoyant atmosphere on the morning of Monday October 6th, the spiritual leader of Tibet” and the Nobel Peace Laureate led the teachings with a brief, yet insightful introduction into Buddhism itself. The main Tibetan temple, which numbered crowds surpassing 5000, was packed with a colourful array of Tibetans wearing traditional attire with all age groups, as well as foreign visitors, Indians and a group of 800 Taiwanese Buddhists devotees.

Welcoming the guests eagerly, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama drew smiles and adoration from the spiritual gathering. Drawing upon His profound knowledge of Buddhist teachings, especially the great Nalanda tradition of India which spread to China in the 7th Century.

“Tibetan Buddhism is the pure Nalanda tradition, generally sub-divided into four principal sects or schools: Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug.

There may be minor differences in rituals and the transmission of teachings. However, the root essence of all these sects are one and the same,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“Due to over indulgence in one’s own sect and rituals, we tend to forget the common essence of our practice sometimes. As a result, we see huge differences in our practice. Therefore, if we all focus on the Nalanda tradition, which is the root

of Tibetan Buddhism, our common goals would be more unified,” His Holiness said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama urged Taiwanese devotees to deepen their understanding of the roots of Buddhism rather than cling on to the branches of Buddhist practices.

“We all are followers of Nagarjuna. We are all one in that sense. Even in the various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, though there may be several minor differences in the branches, the foundation is the same. So, we should emphasise more on the principles to attain a deeper and purer level of understanding.”

“We are going to start teaching on the Middle Way treatises. The Middle Way treatises was available in Chinese language even before Buddhism flourished in Tibet. It is a scripture that has been passed on from generations in China. The Chinese are actually senior students and Tibetans are junior students of Nagarjuna.

But due to circumstances, today, the junior students are more reliable and better equipped,” His Holiness said.

Speaking on the common essence of all the major religions of the world, His Holiness said that consequently, all major religions talk about compassion, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline.. “However, most of these religions command a strict adherence to their beliefs. In the case of Buddha’s teaching, it allows us to form our own opinions based on reason and logic.”

The second in the series of four day teachings will continue on October 7th 2014 in the Main Temple; Dharamshala. A live webcast, followed by translations into English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian languages available on: http://www. dalailama.com/liveweb

Contributors to this editon Keary Huang Taiwan Jane Cook UK Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer US Steve Shaw UK Tenzin Desal India Gin Chen Taiwan Yeshe Choesang India Choenyi Sangpo India Dawa Phurbu India Jigme Gyatso India Gelek Gyatso India Himalayan Literacy Trust Room #, Top Floor, New Varuni House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India

E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com Skype: dhardhophonya1959 Mobile: +91-9882423566 www.thetibetpost.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tpinews

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the first of his four day of teachings for Taiwanese devotees at the main temple in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, India, on 6 October 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

6

TPI NEWS

15 October 2014

Back Page Focus

What we need is basic freedom and moral support says Sikyong of Tibet

The Tibet Post International

Tibet’s leader in ‘informal’ talks with China for spiritual pilgrimage ByYangchen Dolma: 03 October 2014

Hon’ble Sikyong speaking at the panel discussion on “the significance of Vaclav Havel’s value based foreign policy” at Prague, Czech Republic on October 10, 2014. Photo: Media File

By Steve Shaw: 14 October 2014

Dharamshala: - Calling Václav Havel a “moral warrior”, the democratically elected leader of Tibet Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said Tibetan people want basic freedoms and they expect moral supporters from around the world.

Speaking at the 18th annual international conference Forum 2000, in Prague, Czech Republic on Monday, Dr Lobsang Sangay underscored that given a choice nations should choose morality and democracy over money as the cornerstones of their policies.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay participated in a panel discussion on “The Significance of Václav Havel’s Value-Based Foreign Policy” on the second day of the Forum. The panellists included Andrew Schapiro, Ambassador of US to Czech Republic, Carl Gershman, the President of National Endowment for Democracy, US, Ales Bialiatski, President, Viasna Human Rights Centre, Belarus and Yoani Sanchez, Blogger and Activist from Cuba.

Dr Lobsang Sangay praised Mr Havel’s bravery in defending moral values and his vision in forging a new democratic system. He said when he considers the enormity of Tibet’s struggle with China he is inspired by Havel’s example,“one seemingly impossible action can be possible in the long run.”

Dr Lobsang Sangay noted that no one had imagined non-violent, democratic movements like Charter 77 and the Velvet Revolution, led

by Mr Vaclav Havel and other European leaders, would lead to the end of 41 years of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. These movements preceded the disintegration of Soviet Union and the fall of Berlin Wall.

Václav Havel became the first world leader to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his nation as a visiting head of state soon after he became President in 1990. Sikyong said Havel took a “pioneering step” in support of Tibet and his actions inspired other Western countries, including the United States and England, to receive His Holiness the Dalai Lama as head of a nation.

Speaking on the Tibetan democracy and freedom struggle, Sikyong said, “what we need is basic freedom; what we expect is moral supporters from around the world.”

In response to queries on the reluctance of government representatives of European countries from meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong said that European countries appear to have chosen money over morals.

In May this year His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a Nobel Peace institute event in Oslo but the representatives of the Norwegian government decided not to meet during his visit. Sikyong said despite Norway being one of the most self-sufficient countries in Europe, “the power of money and China is so enormous that even the Norwegian government buckled under pressure” adding such action comes from the same country that awarded His Holiness with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sikyong spoke about the aberration in view of the Czech Republic’s growing ties with the Chinese government for economic interests which, he said, does not conform to the principles which late president Havel fought for, morality, democracy and human rights.

He spoke on the resurgence of democratic movements in the form of Arab Spring across the Middle East and North Africa triggered by the self-immolation by a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia in 2010 in protest against the authoritarian rule.

The Tibetan political leader said since 2009 over 132 Tibetans have set themselves on fire as a nonviolent campaign to protest against the repressive policies of the Chinese government. “The Chinese government’s continued occupation of Tibet and policies of political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction are solely responsible for pushing Tibetans to take drastic forms of protests, including self-immolations,” he added.

“The Central Tibetan Administration has consistently urged Tibetans not to resort to drastic actions, including self-immolations.

We need your Support!

The Tibet Post International is looking for volunteers to help to write and edit the news, opinions, stories, interviews, and features related Tibet and Tibetan living in exile.

Please contact us: E-mail: news@thetibetpost.com Mobile: 09418143289

Find out how you can get involved.

Whether it’s through donating money or items, running, raising money, campaigning, volunteering, or joining the Tibet Post group, all your generous support makes a great difference to the cause of Tibetan people.

Tibet Post International Room #1, Top Floor, New Varuni House, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala District Kangra, H.P., INDIA

However, the vicious cycle of self-immolation protests have taken place in Tibet because Tibetans are denied basic human rights,” he said.

The panel moderator and President of central European university in Budapest, John Shadduck, said Dr Lobsang Sangay summarised the panel by questioning nations which have become overwhelmed by other interests, particularly material interests. “If that’s what humanity is all about,” Sikyong said, ”I think we are betraying the aspirations of all those people who led the struggle in the Czech republic, in eastern European countries, in the Arab world now, we are betraying their belief and aspirations and then you almost force people to take up guns to get attention, to gain support.”

He also spoke on the importance of rule of law, fight against corruption and education to further democracy.Around 200 global leaders from the areas of politics, academia, civil society, media, business and religion are attending the conference. They reflect on the last 20–30 years of democratic transitions, assess the current state of democracy, and explore aspirations for the future of democracy.

The four day conference (12 to 15 October) in accordance with the wishes of the late Václav Havel, focused on “Democracy and Its Discontents: A Quarter-Century After the Iron Curtain and Tiananmen.” The Forum 2000 was founded in 1996 as a joint initiative of the late Czech President Václav Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel.

The Forum 2000 Foundation pursues the legacy of Václav Havel by supporting the values of democracy and respect for human rights, assisting in the development of civil society, and encouraging religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance. It provides a platform for global leaders, as well as thinkers and courageous individuals from every field of endeavour, to openly debate and share these critical issues.

Early Monday morning, Sikyong briefly met Mr Marek Benda, a member of Czech Parliament, on his arrival at the airport in Prague. He then gave interviews to the Czech language Magazine Respekt and Czech news agency.

Later in the evening, Sikyong launched “We Tibetans”, the Czech edition of book written by Rinchen Lhamo, the first Tibetan woman who came to the West at the beginning of the 20th century as wife of a British diplomat. He spoke on the need to preserve Tibet language, culture, religion and way of life.

Sikyong also expressed gratitude to government and people of the Czech Republic for their longstanding support for the Tibet issue and asked for their continued support.

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, indicated on Thursday that he had had discussions with Chinese government about making a pilgrimage to Wutai Shan mountain, a Buddhist sacred site in northern China’s Shanxi Province.

In an interview with AFP in Dharamshala, the India’s Himalayan hill town that is now headquarters to the Central Tibetan Administration, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “It’s not finalized, not yet, but the idea is there.” He said the conversations were taking place “not formally or seriously, but informally.”

“I express, this is my desire, and some of my friends, they are also showing their genuine interest or concern,” he said. “Recently, some Chinese officials, for example the deputy party secretary in the autonomous region of Tibet, he also mentioned the possibility of my visit as a pilgrimage to that sacred place.”

No official dialogue has taken place between China and the Tibetan exiles since 2010, though leaders in Dharamshala say they receive visits from businessmen and academics who may serve as interlocutors for the Chinese government. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who will turn 80 next year, has expressed hope for progress under the new Chinese president, Xi Jinping, whose father was a close friend.

When Mr. Xi visited India this month, His Holiness the Dalai Lama went out of his way to praise him, telling reporters that “Xi Jinping is more open-minded; his thinking is more realistic.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s comments are only the latest indication that such a trip is under discussion. Late last month, Wu Yingjie, a high-ranking official from the Tibetan Autonomous Region, told journalists that talks were going on through “personal envoys,” and that they were limited to the possibility of his return to Tibet.

“All Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama and the people around him, can return if they accept Tibet and Taiwan as part of China, and give up ‘splittist’ efforts,” he said, in comments reported by The Hindu, an Indian daily newspaper.

Mr. Sangay, the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, cautioned against

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on the occasion of 25th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize on him, in Dharamshala on Oct 2, 2014. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

reading too much into the chatter, saying, “There is no formal dialogue as such, there is a lot of speculation.

“This theory is an old theory, that His Holiness would visit Wutai Shan mountain,” he said, noting that allowing such a trip could also be seen as a way to dilute the Tibetan independence movement.

“Hundreds of Buddhists come to Dharamshala, some claiming to have some contacts, but we cannot verify it,” Mr. Sangay said. “They say maybe Xi Jinping could be different. We are hopeful, but we have 50 years of bad experience.”

Kalachakra Tour 2014 Ladakh, India

A journey into the heart of Kalachakra His Holiness Dalai Lama’s teaching, initiation, and personal pilgrimage!

15 days / 14 nights 2nd to 16th July 2014 Tendrel Travel Dharamshala Dal Lake, Dharamshala Cantt 176216, H.P. Tendrel Travel Ladakh Ayu-Sabu, Leh 194101, LADAKH Phone: +91 9805163232 Email: info@tendreltravel.com Website: www.tendreltravel.com