Tibet Post International Digital-Newspaper

Skyong

2016

Vol. 04, Issue 152, Print Issue 76, March 31, 2016 Vermont State expresses support for Middleway

By Jane Cook: March 29, 2016

Dharamshala - The House of Representatives of the state of Vermont, United States, adopted a resolution on 10 March encouraging the resumption of negotiations between China and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based on the Middle Way Approach of the CTA, Tibet Net reported.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep Maida Townsend and supported by 39 other representatives of the assembly.

It states “This legislative body supports the U.S. government’s promotion of improved access to Tibet for U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens, including Tibetan Americans; encourages the government of the People’s Republic of China and representatives of the Dalai Lama to resume negotiations, discontinued in 2010, for a middle way approach that would provide true autonomy for Tibet within the People’s Republic of China; supports the U.S. government making human rights a high priority in its relationship with the People’s Republic of China, including the rights of Tibetans and other non-Chinese people; supports programs that assist sustainable development and cultural traditions on the Tibetan plateau; supports humanitarian assistance for Tibetan refugees; and supports acknowledgment of Tibet’s critical environmental significance.”

The resolution also acknowledged that Tibet has a long and proud cultural, religious, and political history and that the PRC invaded Tibet in 1950. Since then, the people of Tibet have experienced continuing threats to every aspect of their autonomy and historic heritage.

Tibetan political prisoners released in poor health

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

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B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin

His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns in good health

A Voice For Tibet Bi-monthly

P-5 ... www.thetibetpost.com

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His Holiness graces Men-Tsee-Khang’s centenary

By Jane Cook: March 23, 2016

Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama graced the 100th anniversary celebration of MenTsee-Khang (MTK) in Dharamshala, India, on March 23, 2016.

Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters assembled early morning, at the main Temple in McLeod Ganj to mark the occasion. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was the guest of honour. Other guests included the Forest Minister Sri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Ayurvedia Minister Sri Karan Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly Sri Ravi Thakur, Mr Irinchey Matkhanov with wife Ms Darima Matkhanova, Chairman of Friends of Men-Tsee-Khang Dr P K Sandell and Ms Julia Zhironkina, Executive Director of Save Tibet Foundation in Russia.

This day also marks the 55th year since His Holiness the Dalai Lama re-established the Men-Tsee-Khang in exile. In addition, it is 320 years since the 5th Dalai Lama established a medical college on Chagpori in Tibetan capital Lhasa.

In accordance with the 100th anniversary of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological institute celebrated Wenesday, Director of the institute, Mr Tashi Tsering told the gathering that the MTK’s goal is to preserve the Tibetan art of healing, Sowa Rigpa, to contribute to the benefit of humanity.

“The medical college on Chagpori in Tibet was destroyed and although the Lhasa Men-Tsee-Khang was spared many of its chief doctors were imprisoned,” he said.

He mentioned the conference that convened at Samye in the 8th century by Emperor Trisong Detsen and was attended by physicians from Tibetan, Indian, Chinese and Yunani traditions.

What was learned on that occasion was later set down in the Four Medical Tantras by Yuthok Yönten Gonpo the Younger (1126-

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the other guests at Men-Tsee-Khang’s centenary celebration at Tsuklakhang in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India, March 23, 2016. Photo: TPI/Dawa Phurbu

1202). Mr Tsering concluded with a quotation from His Holiness: “Humankind needs a healthy mind and a healthy body and we Tibetans can contribute to that need even though we are living as refugees.”

Former Tibetan political prisoner dies at age 85

Mr Thakur Singh Bharmori, Minister for Forests of the Himachal Government praised His Holiness’s vision in re-establishing the MTK so soon after coming into exile, noting how important that had been for the status of the Tibetan medical tradition today.

He recommended that traditional medical systems should consult and support each other. Noting that the Transhimalayan region is rich in medicinal herbs, he cautioned that we need to be judicious in using the bounty Mother Nature provides us.

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Final session of the 15th Tibetan parliament begun Samdup, a Tibetan monk who survived after his self-immolation attempt on November 7, 2012 was released after serving a three year prison term. Photo: TPI

By Jane Cook, March 10, 2016

Dharamshala - Samdup, a Tibetan monk from Ngoshul Monastery, and who survived after his self-immolation attempt on November 7, 2012 was released after serving a three year prison term. The 16 year old had attempted to carry out a triple self-immolation along with Dorjee 15, and Dorjee Kyab 16, to protest China’s repressive policies towards Tibetans.

Another Tibetan monk, Khedup Gyatso was released on March 23 after serving his prison term, but years of torture in prison has left him in poor health.

This latest incident brought the total verified number of selfimmolations in Tibet to 143 since February, 2009 and and of them 123 were reportedly passed-away while the status of the rest remains unknown or critically injured and to demand freedom for Tibetans and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Mexico regional meeting of Int’l Tibet Network

The 11th session of the 15th TPiE in Dharamshala, India, on March 21, 2016. Photo: TPI

By Yangchen Dolma: March 29, 2016

Former Tibetan political prisoner Gyaye Phuntsok (1931-2016). Photo: RFA/Mandarin

By Yeshe Choesang: March 27, 2016

By Yeshe Choesang: March 22, 2016

[Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico] — International Tibet Network concluded its 6th Mexico Regional meeting in the city of Cuernavaca from March 25-27, 2016. Previous meetings were held in the cities of Mexico City, Queretaro and Morelia.

The meeting brought together participants from 5 different cities (Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Morelia, Queretaro, Puebla) representing the three primary Tibet groups in Mexico – Tibet Mx, Casa Tibet and Dharma Ninos.

Tereluz Flores, International Tibet Network’s Latin America Coordinator said: “Through these meetings Tibet Groups in Mexico have been able to come up with opportunities to work together, thereby building strengths and understanding the essence of making further efforts to highlight the issue of Tibet in Latin America.”

Over the course of three days, participants were briefed on the important campaigns of the Tibet Network and reflected on the events and campaigns Tibet groups in Mexico had taken part and organized. Challenges and solutions to effective collaboration, Humour in Resistance and Digital security were some of the highlights of the meeting.

Participants were prioritized on three important campaigns: Advocacy for Shokjang - All the groups agreed to take part in the campaign to highlight Shokjang. See www.freetibetanheroes. org for profile and resources.

Raising awareness on the Tibet’s environment through the Tibet Third Pole Campaign. Visit www.tibet3rdpole.org for further details. Organize more culture events across Mexico to highlight the issue of Tibet.

Dharamshala — Source coming out of Tibet stating that former longtime political prisoner, Gyaye Phuntsok, 85 years of age, died Monday in his home in Gyaye village, Amdo Tsolho, North-eastern Tibet.

“He was briefly hospitalized in Chabcha County with serious illness two weeks ago. However, the hospital officials sent him back to his hometown and told his family that there was no hope of his recovery,” Yeshe Tenzin, a Tibetan living in India told TPI Tuesday, citing local sources.

He said that Phuntsok’s death was caused by a serious illness as a result of severe torture during his imprisonment in 1960s. He passed away at approximately 1 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2016.

Chinese authorities arrested him in August 1998. He was 68 yearold at the time of his arrest. Phuntsok was born into a nomadic family in 1931, in Gyaye village, Rigmon Township, Ghongo County, Amdo Tsolho, North-eastern Tibet (Ch: Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.)

At a young age he joined Dibser Monastery where he studied Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan language, and mathematics. Phuntsok was detained during the 1949 Chinese invasion and subsequently during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. He suffered severe physical torture including “hard-reform-through-labour”. After the Cultural Revolution, when the political climate was relatively more tolerant, he was released.

Upon his release, Phuntsok initiated some constructive work for the improvement of the Tibetan people. He described the problems and difficulties faced by the Tibetan people in his area to former Communist Party Secretary, Hu Yaobang during the Secretary’s visit in June 1980.

Gyaye village is situated closed to Tsongon-po (Lake Kokonor), and the surrounding area has rich green pasture and fertile land.

Most of this land was reportedly occupied by the Northwest Landrou military battalion, which has resulted in a scarcity of agricultural land for the local nomads.

After Phuntsok learned about the deteriorating situation, he and a group

of nomads approached the officials of the Landrou military battalion to present a case for the return of the land. His efforts resulted in the return of half of their lost land, and an expansion of water and electricity facilities.

Due to the difficulties local children faced in gaining education, Phuntsok sought permission from the relevant authorities to set up a school. He finally obtained it and built a permanent lower school in the area. Most of the school’s funds are received from private donationsand German aid. Phuntsok looked after the overall administration of the school with its six permanent staff members.

The school has over 60 students who are taught Chinese, Tibetan, English, and math. There is one German man who teaches English in the school. This school is the first of its kind to have English as one of the subjects. The students who attend this school are from the area’s poorest families and lack Tibetan language education.

For all of these reasons, local people in the area greatly revere Phuntsok and have high praise for his contribution to the community.

They elected him as their popular representative. He was also appointed by the Chinese authorities as the Gong-hai County’s political consultative member of Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province.

In March 1992, Phuntsok visited India on a pilgrimage with valid Chinese travel documents. Upon his return from India in June 1992, he was interrogated several times. He remained under strict surveillance from the intelligence wing of the Public Security Bureau. In August 1998, his house was raided, searched and some booklets containing speeches by His Holiness the Dalai Lama were confiscated. Phuntsok was then arrested and taken away in a truck by Chinese authorities.

According to sources inside Tibet, Phuntsok was reportedly detained in a Qinghai prison, but his exact location was not known.

After his arrest, some of the nomads from his area tried to trace him but to no avail. When they inquired about Phuntsok the authorities threatened them by saying they could also be imprisoned if they persisted. In his absence, a number of his projects such as the school he set up, has faced deteriorating conditions.

D h a r a m s h a l a , M a r c h 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 – T h e 1 5 t h Ti b e t a n Parliament-in-Exile Monday began its final, usually biannual, session on Mar 21, with the agenda of debating and adopting the annual 2016-17 budget of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India.

On its opening day, the parliament adopted motions to mourn for the passing away recently of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism; former Tibetan Parliament Speaker and MP Mr Karma Chophel, MP. The Parliament also passed a resolution of solidarity with all the Tibetans under the Chinese rule and those who have self-immolated for the Tibet cause.

The Speaker of the Tibetan parliament urged the members of the house to respect the forum by avoiding any election related issues. “During the Tibetan general elections, several things were said. But, since it is over, I see any reason for anyone to raise about it or anything related to it. Therefore, I request everyone to respect the forum and avoid building a confrontation,” Mr Penpa Tsering said in his opening remark.

The Finance Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration, Kalon Tsering Dhundup presented the proposed budget of 2238 million rupees after the Budget Estimate Committee examined the consolidated proposed budget for the fiscal year 2016-17.

“Compared to last year’s approved budget of 2018 million rupees, it has increased this year due to implementation of new programs and policies including Tibetan Medicare System, Increment of CTA staff salary and new programs of different departments,” said Karma Yeshi, Secretary of the budget committee and a sitting Member of Parliament.

He also said that the proposed amount would change after putting it on the floor for further discussion.

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OPINION

Tibetans around the world cast their votes to elect Sikyong

By Yeshe Choesang: March 20, 2016

Self-immolations in Tibet terms China worst violator of human rights March 31, 2016 Dharamshala — The root causes of protest by Tibetans in Tibet against the Chinese communist regime, including self-immolations, stem from a wide range of factors such as, violent political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalisation, ethnic discrimination, nomadic displacement and environmental destruction.

Everyone knows the government of China has and continues to implement such hardline and cruel policies in Tibet. The peaceful Buddhist country was invaded

by Communist China in 1949 and since that time over 1.2 million or one in six Tibetans have been killed, over 6,000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned.

In occupied Tibet, prominent leaders, intellectuals, writers and civil society members have deplored the worst human rights situation in the territory, demanding that the international community to intervene without any further delay. Violations include, no freedom of speech, religion, or press and routine arbitrary detention. However, recently there has been little response internationally and the authorities in Beijing have responded by tightening their grip, isolating Tibet even more from the outside world. All it would take is a concerted effort from the citizens of Earth to stand up and say “NO!” to the corporations and governments that continue to abuse Tibet’s people and misuse it’s resources. The struggles in Tibet are symbolic for every human rights struggle.

During the recent annual festival almost all areas of Tibet, particularly the capital Lhasa, still remain under virtual martial law and today, just as in the past, China refuses to acknowledge its human rights abuses. Even North Korea recently told the world that it will “respond sternly to pressure and attempts to change its regime using the pretext of protecting human rights.” China is not only the world’s worst offender for human rights but it is also topped a list of countries jailing journalists in 2015 with a total of 199 journalists in prison due to their work last year, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Going into 2016, President Xi continues to use the pretext of national security to clamp down on dissent.

It is clear that human rights abuses by the Chinese continue under the CCP and worryingly, appear to be growing - a situation which cannot be left unabated. Internationally, the response has been silence, even from professional United Nations bodies, which are entrusted to maintain law and order and ensure the highest standards of respect for the rule of law, basic human rights and democratic values, amongst others.

One of the most tragic repercussions of Tibetan oppression is self-immolation. This shocking form of protest, which happens mostly within Tibet, symbolises the desperation and feeling of powerlessness felt by Tibetans. It has also caused many government representatives, activists, academics and editorialists to urge international institutions to put pressure on the Chinese government to provide justice to the heirs of the tragedy.

Tibet has recently witnessed the biggest wave of self-immolation protests in history. In this year alone, roughly thirty-five Tibetans have set themselves on fire with the overwhelming majority of selfimmolators residing within Tibet, almost exclusively in the regions of Amdo and Kham. Since 2009 143 self-immolations have occurred with Tibet and out of those 143, 124 have died. The remaining 19 are either critically injured or their status is unknown. Nearly all of these self-immolators have called on the Chinese government to allow the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

Political protest by self-immolation followed the barbaric acts committed by the Chinese government in 2008. As Tibetans marked the anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama leaving Lhasa, demonstrations erupted into violence and more than 220 Tibetans were brutally killed and over 1,294 were seriously injured.

Over 5,600 were arrested, 290 sentenced and more than 1,000 simply disappeared.

Many of those who were detained were tortured, a practice that continues to this day and one China repeatedly denies. Prisoners are regularly subjected to brutal torture, citizens who are seen to break rules endure brutal beatings and Tibetan women face forced abortions and sterilization. Even within China itself, massive human rights abuses are widespread with an estimated 20 million Chinese citizens working in prison camps.

Sadly even after the passing of six and a half decades and cries of desperation from the people, no progress has been made. China’s occupation of Tibet is one of the worst examples of state terrorism and human rights violations that has ever

been witnessed. Victims and family members have reported that none of their heirs of the tragedy have ever received a judicial commission report and the courts consistently fail to provide justice.

To fulfil its purpose the UNHRC must review the cases of self-immolation, examine the evidence of violence from 2008 and demand an end to arbitrary detentions and torture. They should also arrange for an independent, impartial, and fair fact-finding mission to Tibet to investigate what is happening on the ground, rather than rely on biased reports written by Chinese state officials.

However, the communist regime exerts pressure on the UN to deny accreditation to high-profile activists outside Tibet and China. It is the responsibility of the international community to call upon the UNHRC for equal participation from human rights victims and demand more transparency in operations. There’s a very clear signal that Chinese authorities regularly influence the UN to bar Chinese, Uyghur, Mongolian and Tibetan activists from attending the Human Rights Council sessions and despite a wide-spread crackdown since president Xi Jinping took office two years ago, there has been little objection to these people being labeled “separatists, terrorists or criminals.”

One of the positive steps recently taken by the UN was recognition by the Committee Against Torture (CAT) of widespread torture and ill treatment of prisoners in China, is followed this with a call for broad legal reform. The panel of 10 independent experts highlighted particular concern over the Chinese government’s reluctance to provide information on few Tibetan cases, each involving allegations of torture, deaths in custody, arbitrary detention and disappearances.

They also showed concern over allegations of deaths in custody as a result of torture or lack of medical care. They called for an independent investigation into a number of these cases including the death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a highly revered Tibetan Buddhist leader who died in a Chinese prison in July after his health deteriorated as a result of harsh prison conditions. His death sparked international condemnation and protests.

The use of torture is dishonourable. It corrupts and degrades the state that uses it and the legal system that accepts it. Tibetans are tortured until they abandon their own views and beliefs. China wants to eliminate the cultural identity of Tibetans and force them to become supporters of the Chinese regime. Sadly despite the findings of the CAT, China is feeling less pressure from Western governments at the UN these days.

Many regimes have brought no resolutions against China since the Human Rights Council was formed in 2006, while the council’s predecessor body, the UN Commission on Human Rights, brought however few resolutions against the country from 1990 to 2005. Beijing used money to block them all, except in 1995, when a resolution was brought to a vote but rejected. Many argue that the UN bodies do not want to be committed to the principles of the Rule of Law, democracy and human rights. Notwithstanding that, there is certainly room for debate over whether the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is probative and equal for all.

When the world came out en-masse to celebrate the appointment of Xi as China’s President by the National People’s Congress in March 2013, they were taken by his “Four Comprehensives”, which included promises of “Reform”, fulfilment of “the Chinese Dream,” and “the great renewal of the Chinese nation.” He also followed the mantra of previous Chinese leaders who promised to eradicate corruption. However, none have approached the issue with as much urgency as President Xi who used it as a political tool and twisted anti-corruption probes to target peaceful activists, political dissidents, religious believers and minority groups, which he labeled as potential “threats” to social stability.

In a letter purportedly from Chinese communist party members called for Xi’s resignation from all state and Party leadership positions, posted to state-linked Wujie News website on March 4. The letter further stated: “We also see the main goal of the anti-corruption campaign to be merely a power struggle.” A few years later, independent media and social media served as a platform for debate after the prominent Chinese lawyers and Human rights defenders, sparked conversation over whether or not the president’s anti-corruption fight was a political distraction rather than good governance. The debate showed that a large number of the population believed it was a political ploy.

The Tibet Post International

A Tibetan woman prays as she cast her vote during the final round elections for the Tibetan government-in-exile at a polling booth in Dharamshala, India, March 20, 2016. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

Dharamshala — Tens of thousands of Tibetan exiles on Sunday voted around the world to elect their nominees for the post of ‘Sikyong’ or political leader and the 45 members of the Tibetan parliament-in-Exile, in a bid to maintain their non-violent struggle for freedom, which based on truth, justice and non-violence.

Tibetan monks and nuns in crimson robes lined up along with thousands of men and women in schools, government buildings and the courtyard of the main Tibetan Temple in Dharmshala, India where the Central Tibetan Administration is based, to cast their votes for political leader and parliament. Polling was carried out at 85 different places around the world.

This is the second such election since His Holiness the Dalai Lama retired as political leader of the Tibetan government inExile four years ago, handing over power to a democratically elected leadership.

Dr Lobsang Sangay, the incumbent Sikyong and Mr Penpa Tsering, the Speaker of the Tibet Parliament in-Exile, arrived at the Gangchen Kyishong polling place on Sunday morning, in order to cast their votes. The story of the elections was covered by the Indian, Tibetan and foreign reporters.

Both candidates reiterated their commitment to the Middle Way Approach and resumption of meaningful dialogue with the Chinese government would be their main priority.

“The dialogue with China will be the main initiative,” Dr Lobsang Sangay, who is running for re-election, told reporters.

“I hope Chinese President Xi Jinping in his second term in 2017 will relook at the Tibet issue. If you look at the past history, when Deng Xiaoping fully consolidated his position in the late 70s and early 80s, he initiated the dialogue. Under Jiang Zemin, he touched the Tibet issue late in his second term and hence our envoys went to China. So hopefully Xi Jinping will take the initiative but the ground reality is repression still continue,” he said.

Speaking on the development of Tibetan democracy in exile, Dr Sangay said “It is possible for China to embrace democracy. Kindly see our good example of Democracy. If implemented, it will benefit both China and Tibet.”

Speaking on why Tibet is an important issue in IndiaChina relations, he said that Indian government sees Tibet as an issue, not just on human rights front but also from geopolitical, environmental and climate change point of view.

“The reason why we are in exile today, is because of the political situation inside Tibet, so we have to find all ways and means to to reach out to the Chinese leadership, to resume negotiation,” the incumbent speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Penpa Tsering said. He further added that “I will try every possible means and ways to resume dialogue

22nd Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup in Mundgod, South India

Dharamshala — Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) in a statement said that it is organizing “the 22nd Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC) Football Tournament in Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, Mundgod DYSA ground from 2nd to 14th April 2016.”

“This tournament dedicated and is held in loving memory of the Great late Mother of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. It began in the year 1981 and thereafter continued till date with much fervor and enthusiasm within the Tibetan community,” it said.

“Eighteen Tibetan football clubs across India and Nepal have registered for this year’s tournament in Mundgod. The tournament will be played off on league cum knockout system. For the first time, each team will get minimum of three games to play,” the organiser said in the statement.

S.NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

NAME OF CLUB Dhargyaling Sports Club Dhondupling F C Gangjong F C Dhondenling F C Goa Tibetan F C TDL Sports Club DYSA (A) DYSA (B) TCV United Choelsum United Phendeling Sports Asso Gulladhalla Rabgyling Phuntsokling TSAM Jampaling Kulu Manali Delhi F C

Men Tsee Khang...

“An organizing committee under the chairmanship of Mr Phuntsok Tsering, Doeguling Tibetan Settlement Officer was formed. The committee comprises of Executive Committee Members of TNSA, Doeguling Youth, Sports Association (DYSA) members, Chakzos of major monasteries, camp leaders and other Non Governmental Organization of Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, Mundgod,” it added.

The TNSA further sai that “the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony will be the H.E Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche and Kalon Gyari Dolma will be the Chief Guest during the closing ceremony scheduled on 14th Apirl 2016. “ TNSA also said For the first time they have arranging live streaming of entire tournament through internet.

PLACE

Tezu Clement Town Shillong Kollegal Goa Bylakuppe Mundgod Mundgod Bangalore Kathmandu Mainpat Bylakuppe Hunsur Odisha Chennai Pokhara Manali Delhi

Lahaul-Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur, a long term supporter of Tibetans expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for the teachings in Lahaul & Spit during past visits. He also wished His Holiness a long and healthy life.

Addressing the gathering, His Holiness underlined the importance of preserving the unique Tibetan language and culture. His Holiness also feels that the unique Tibetan culture should be a matter of pride for all Tibetans.

“This has been one of the most difficult periods of Tibetan history, but we’ve worked hard and the re-establishment of the Men-Tsee-Khang was part of our efforts. We arrived as strangers, but many different organizations that care for refugees were kind to us,” he said.

“After more than 50 years in exile, Tibet is known to have its own language which is the medium for the preservation of our rich culture. This is sometimes described in terms of the five major and five minor sciences, which include Sanskrit grammar, medicine, Buddhist philosophy, logic and epistemology and arts and crafts,” His Holiness said.

He stressed how important logic and epistemology were to Indian masters of the Sanskrit tradition. They employed them, as the Buddha advised, to test and evaluate his teachings. This enabled them to distinguish those teachings that could be accepted literally, because they accorded with reason and logic, and those that were subject to interpretation.

Regarding arts and crafts, His Holiness said they were not extensive but included the fashioning of statues of

Arunachal Uttrakhand Magalaya Karnataka Goa Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka Nepal Chhitisgarh Karnataka Karnataka Odisha Tamil Nadu Nepal Himachal Delhi

STATE

(continued from front page)

Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Lamas, skills preserved locally at the Norbulingka Institute. He mentioned Khunnu Lama Rinpoche’s telling him that arts and crafts could be regarded in either external or internal terms. The Buddhist practice of inner transformation would be part of the latter category. His Holiness extolled the Tibetan tradition of rigorous study, practice and engendering of experience as something quite amazing.

“From my own experience I’ve come to appreciate the value of the traditions we’ve kept alive. A comprehensive system of Buddhism spread throughout Tibet and yet the majority of Tibetans remained illiterate and uninformed about it. If we wish these traditions to survive now we have to engage them with our intellect. If we only have blind faith without understanding or employing logic and reason, Buddhism won’t last.

“Regarding Sowa Rigpa, if a great conference could have been convened in the 8th century when facilities were so poor, today when we have facilities and opportunities we should be able to repeat it. Our tradition derives from Tibetan, Ayurveda, Chinese and Yunani systems. We should meet with practitioners of these traditions, discuss and exchange what we know.

“We shouldn’t rely only on the Four Tantras, but should also take other findings into account. It’s not a time to be complacent. We should extend our interest; find out what we can contribute and what we can learn. For urgent ailments allopathic treatment is often more suitable, but in the long term Tibetan medicine has great healing qualities.”

and resolve the Tibetan issue as soon as possible.”

Mr Tsering said that the only possibility for Sino-Tibetan dialogue is to engage through His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal representatives. “Since the incumbent Tibetan government has made clear that Beijing won’t engage with CTA’s representatives, the only other way is through His Holiness’s representatives.”

In Sunday’s final round of voting, nearly 90,000 exiled Tibetans in about a dozen countries from Australia to the United States are registered to cast ballots for a Sikyong and for a new exiled 45-member Parliament. The voter turn out was approximately 53% of registered voters.

Voters have turned out in large numbers for primaries last year to exercise their democratic right to select their leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner. Some of the other countries where the elections are taking place included Japan, Russia and Australia. A total of 47,105 Tibetans voted in the preliminary round in October last year.

Estimates show that nearly 60% of the approximately 150,000 Tibetans worldwide are above the age of 18 and are eligible to vote. A total of more than 90 candidates are in the fray. The official results from Sunday’s voting are expected on April 27.

A foreign delegation comprising members of the European Parliament is here in Dharamshala as part of the Tibetan election observation mission. Last year, a foreign delegation representing the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) observed the preliminary elections.

The five-year term of incumbent Sikyong Dr Sangay will expire in August. He took over the reins of the governmentin-exile from Tibetan-scholar Samdhong Rinpoche, who held the post for 10 years.

Liaison Officer, Tibet supporters visit TPiE

Mr Gurusharan Singh, Liaison Officer, Dr Michel Christian Van Walt Van Praag and wife Ms Johanna Catharina Boltjes and Mr Wolfgang Grader, Chairman, Tibet Initiative Deutschland with Mr Christian Beyer, filmmaker and Ms Erika Eliner, Tibet Initiative Deutschland during the parliament proceedings. Photo: CTA/DIIR

By Tibet Net: March 27, 2016

Dharamshala - Mr Gurusharan Singh, Liaison Officer, Dharamshala along with five other Tibet supporters, including Dr Michel C Van Walt Praag visited the Tibetan parliament yesterday to witness the ongoing proceedings of the budget session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the Tibet Net reported.

Dr Michel Christian Van Walt van Praag, an eminent Human Rights lawyer has served as a legal advisor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Office on international matters. He and his wife Ms Johanna Catharina Boltjes are on an official visit to Dharamshala from 27 March – 2 April.

Other guests at the proceedings of the budget session were Mr Wolfgang Grader, Chairman, Tibet Initiative Deutschland, accompanied by Ms Erika Ellner and Film maker Christian Beyer.

His Holiness acknowledged that the Tibetan Medical and Astrological institute has done a great deal to preserve Tibetan medical, astronomical and astrological traditions, but when he comes across chronically sick people in the settlements he wonders if something hasn’t been neglected.

“You may think things will be all right if you just carry on as you are, but there is also a need to listen to criticism and examine our shortcomings and find ways to resolve them. For example, there is an important role for taking preventive measures. Let’s see how we can improve. That’s all.”

Other dignitaries who attended the event include guest Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Penpa Tsering, health Kalon Tsering Wangchuk along with other Kalons and senior members of the Tibetan administration. The celebrations concluded with traditional songs and dances and the serving of lunch at the main Tibetan temple.

The Tibetan Medical and Astrological institute was founded by the 13th Dalai Lama, in Lhasa in 1916. In the aftermath of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama came to India where he re-established the institution on 23 March, 1961. The Institute initially started with a doctor and an astrologer with ten students in two separate campuses in Dharamshala.

In 1967, the two schools were merged together as MenTsee-Khang, Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute in Mecleod Ganj and shifted to the present location in 1982 where the Headquarter of the institutes operates.

At present institute is a full-fledged institute with a work force of 140 doctors, 17 astrologers, 274 staff members.

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

Another Tibetan political prisoner released in serious health condition

Chukha Ngoega at his home in erchu village in Karze county, eastern Tibet following his release from Chinese prison, on March 20, 2016. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: March 24, 2016

Dharamshala — Chinese authorities have released another Tibetan political prisoner, Chukhatsang Ngoega, who is being described in serious health condition, from a Chinese prison in Kham Karze, eastern Tibet, on March 20.

The 61-year-old Tibetan activist was released at the completion of his eight year prison term. Eyewitnesses have said that Ngoega is in serious health condition with injuries to his lower spine as a result of severe torture during his imprisonment.

Reports from Tibet indicate that Ngoega has been severely weakened physically by his imprisonment, “as he is prone to serious illness, can not stand-up and walk without others’ help,” Pema Wangyal, a Tibetan from South India told TPI, citing sources in the region.

Ngoega, who comes from Serchu village in Karze county, eastern Tibet, was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison along a number of other Tibetans who were sentenced for between 3 and 10 years, in October, 2008, for “endangering state security” or “disrupting public order and other crimes” for having taken part in protests and related actions on March 18 and 26, 2008.

During this time, hundreds of Tibetans from different villages took part in the peaceful protests at the county headquarters against the Chinese government’s rule in Tibet. During the protests, armed Chinese military surrounded the demonstrators and opened fire.

Harboring resentment and inflamed by desperation, hundreds of Tibetans demonstrated against the Chinese government on the main street in Karze County on March 18, 2008. They shouted slogans such as “Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” “Free Tibet,” “Tibetan people

deserve Human Rights,” “release Panchen Lama and all political prisoners!”

Ngoega among five people in Kardze have been given sentences up to 10 years for such offences as raising the Tibetan flag or distributing leaflets. He was 53 year-old at the time of his arrest.

According to earlier reports, “Both Ngoega and Norbu Tsering were brought to the Court with around 20 people gathered for the court verdict. Apart from an assigned Tibetan translator, rest were mostly Chinese.”

Ngoega retorted the judges’ verdict by saying, “we did not commit any crimes of destroying or burning public properties rather we were involved only in distributing pamphlets on Tibetan cause. For that act I suffered torture, inhuman and degrading treatment at the hands of security personnel that I regain my body sensation only days after I was transferred to the prison.”

Report of Ngoega’s release comes days after the release of two other Tibetan prisoners in poor health condition at the completion of their lengthy prison terms.

Sonam Gonpo, 25, a monk of the Wongpo monastery in Karze (Ch: Ganzi) county, was released recently after serving a four-year term and arrived home on March 12, but exact release date unknown.

Jolep Jigme, 40, returned to his home in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) county, north-eastern Tibet after serving a sevenyear prison term. He was warmly greeted by friends and supporters, on March 21.

Reports previously said hundreds of Tibetans were being held without charge while at least 105 had been tried and sentenced across the Tibetan Plateau for involvement in protests since Mar 10, 2008.

Construction confirmed on second railway across Tibet

By Steve Shaw: March 18, 2016

Chengdu-Lhasa railway construction (2016-2020): Source: No. 2 Breau of China Railway Engineering Group. Graphic by Kinyen Pong

Dharamshala — China has confirmed that it is accelerating the construction of a new railway that will stretch from Chengdu to Tibet, expanding China’s ability to exploit Tibet’s natural resources.

The new route was officially confirmed at the China’s National People’s Congress in Beijing this month.

An official described the line, which traverses some of the most culturally significant areas of Tibet, as being “like the largest rollercoaster in the world”.

Matteo Mecacci, president of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) group said in a statement: “In environmental, demographic and cultural terms, the impact of this new railway on Tibet’s landscape and Tibetan lives is likely to be even more significant than the link from Golmud in Qinghai to Lhasa, which opened in 2006.

“Traversing an area that is rich in forests and mineral resources, it will facilitate further largescale exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources as well as enabling greater population migration into Tibet, both seasonal in terms of tourists and migrants, and permanent settlers.”

Officials confirmed that work on the railway would be accelerated this year, according to ICT, beginning with work on the first stage of the route between Lhasa to Nyingtri. This stage of construction has potential to lead to regional security issues between India and China because it will take place near to the disputed Arunachal Pradesh region of India, an area China claims is part of the PRC. Chinese state media praised the new railway saying it would cut journey times from Chengdu to Lhasa from 42 hours by train and three days by road to less than 15 hours. Lin Shijin, a senior civil engineer at China Railway Corporation, was quoted by China Daily as saying: “It’s like the largest rollercoaster in the world. With a designed service life of 100 years, it is believed to be one of the most difficult railway projects to build on Earth.”

The new railway could raise a number of safety concerns due to its route crossing fragile terrain that is reported to be warming nearly three times faster than the rest of the earth. It was just weeks after the Qinghai-Tibet railway went into operation in 2006 that Chinese state media began reporting of cracks developing in the concrete structures due to its permafrost foundation sinking and cracking.

ICT warned that climate change and human activities in the Tibetan plateau could lead to a reduction in the future water supply to China and South Asia, and scientists have said that the combination of warming temperatures, major infrastructure construction and urbanization, is leading to irreversible damage to the ecosystem.

It is predicted that large areas of grasslands, alpine meadows, wetlands and permafrost may disappear from the Tibetan plateau by 2050.

Tibet

March 31, 2016

3

Two Tibetan political prisoners freed, one still held after sentence ends

By Yeshe Choesang: March 22, 2016

Dharamshala — Two Tibetans jailed by Chinese authorities for allegedly engaged in separatist activities against Chinese rule have been freed after they completed their prison terms. According to the sources, a Tibetan political prisoner is still being held by Chinese police even after completion of his prison sentence.

Jolep Jigme, 40, returned to his home in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) county, north-eastern Tibet where he was warmly greeted by friends and supporters, on March 21, Ven Sonam, a Tibetan living in Switzland told TPI, citing sources in the region.

Former Tibetan political prisoner Jolep Dawa and Tibetan writer Tashi Rabten were among those who greeted him. Rabten also known as Theurang was given a four-year prison sentence in connection with his critical writings about the 2008 protests.

Jigme was handed a seven-year prison term in 2009 by the People’s Intermediate Court in Ngaba following his conviction on a charge of revealing state secrets. He was arrested on 7 February 2009.

He was also detained without trial until 9 April 2010, when he was charged with leaking national security information since 2009.

Jigme who hails from Jolep Village of Ngaba County, Amdo Region of north-eastern Tibet, was detained in 1992 for a year, after alleged proindependence involvement.

Sonam Gonpo, 25, a monk of the Wongpo monastery in Karze (Ch: Ganzi) county, was released recently after serving a four-year term and arrived home on March 12, Ven Jampa Yonten, a Tibetan living in India told TPI, citing sources in the region. No details were immediately available on Gonpo’s physical condition and his release.

Gonpo was handed a seven-year prison term on September 9, 2013 by Chinese authorities after being detained on December 15, 2012 in Wonpo Village in Dzamey Township of Dzachukha area in Sershul County, Kham Karze region of eastern Tibet.

Gonpo was sentenced along with Choedar, to four years in prison after being arrested on 15 December 15, 2012, for allegedly pulling down a Chinese flag

Jolep Jigme with local Tibetans including Tibetan writer Tashi Rabten and former political prisoner Jolep Dawa, at his home in Ngaba following his release from Chinese prison, on March 21, 2016. Photo: TPI

and throwing leaflets calling for Tibet’s freedom.

Both monks belong to the Wongpo Monastery in Sershul County.

According to the information received by TPI, the Tibetan political prisoner Choedar is still being detained in prison even after his prison term got over this year by Chinese authorities. Choedar was 22 years old at the time of his arrest.

Before his arrest, Chinese authorities issued a warrant for his capture, and offered between 200,000 and 300,000 Yuan as a reward for information leading directly to his arrest.

The County has been under intense surveillance and restrictions since 2008 uprising. On February 4, 2012, local Tibetans pulled down a Chinese national flag from a government school building in Wonpo area, one day after three self-immolation protests took place in the region.

On September 7, 2012, Tibetans pulled down a Chinese flag and hoisted a Tibetan flag on top of a school building in Dzachuka area. Leaflets calling for freedom were left scattered at the flag-raising site.

Sonam Gonpo 22 and Choedar, 47. Photo: TPI

Tibet is like a large open-air-prison under occupation: Tortured monk

By Molly Lortie: March 17, 2016

Brussels — Golog Jigme, a former Tibetan political prisoner, told the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) on Tuesday that Tibet has become like a large open-air-prison under Chinese occupation. Ven Jigme was severely tortured for assisting Dhondup Wangchen in making the documentary “Leaving Fear Behind” in 2008.

Ven Jigme testified before the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights in Brussels, the de facto capital of Europe, on March 15, 2016.

The Tibetan filmmaker and human rights activist was invited by the Committee to testify on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.

“I was born in a nomad’s family in Eastern Tibet. I am a non-violent freedom fighter. I am a human rights defender. I am a filmmaker. I made a documentary called Leaving Fear Behind. Because of this, the Chinese authorities arrested and tortured me,” he said as he began his testimony.

He was imprisoned three times and tortured by the Chinese authorities for making the documentary Leaving Fear Behind and for involvement in March 2008 peaceful protest in Labrang. After his first arrest in 2008, he was tortured by the Chinese authorities for 51 days.

“Once, they hung me forward with my back against the chair,” he said. “Both my ankles were shackled below the chair’s seat and wrists shackled on the chair’s small metal table. My feet were not touching the floor. It was like hanging on the chair. The weight of my whole body was borne by my shackled ankles and wrists. This made me feel that my chest was going to split into two and all my intestines were going to fall onto the floor. I became very dizzy and could not see properly.”

The Chinese security officials beat him on his back with tiny metal sticks, kicked him and gave him electric shocks in his mouth. “The pain the chair caused when they hung me was too extreme to feel any of the pain caused by the metal sticks or the kicking. When they gave me electric shocks, I could feel nothing. I could only smell the burning of my own flesh,” he said.

The pain of thirst was the second worst torture for him. Due to heavy loss of blood during torture, “I felt like I was dying from thirst. I was only given a very small amount of water. Over time, I got used to hunger and sleep deprivation, but never to being thirsty,” he said.

He was arrested for the second time in 2009 and again in 2012. Fearing for his life during the detention in 2012, he managed to escape in the middle of the night. While he was hiding in the mountains, he

Golog Jigme, former political prisoner and human rights defender at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, March 16, 2016. Photo: CTA/DIIR

learned that the Chinese police had put out a warrant for his arrest for murder, which he never committed.

“Tibet has become like a large open-air-prison under Chinese occupation,” he said. “I escaped from this prison. I came to a free country. My body is in a free country but my heart will always remain with the suffering of my Tibetan brothers and sisters. When I think about what they go through, there is not a single day I feel happy being in a free country.”

He thanked the European Parliament and requested the Parliament to call on China to impose a moratorium on the settlement of Tibetan pastoral nomads and to allow diplomats, parliamentarians and journalists, free access to Tibet. Finally, he called on China to improve the living conditions of the over 2,000 Tibetan political prisoners currently in Chinese prisons who have been detained and sentenced for peaceful expression of views or non-violent dissent and for their immediate release.

He also appealed for the release of his friend Shokjang, a young Tibetan writer and blogger sentenced to three years in prison on 17 February 2016 after he wrote a blog post about an intense build up of Chinese security forces in the Rebkong area.

Speaking on China’s new counter-terrorism law, he said it gives an even larger scope for the penalization of almost any peaceful expression of Tibetan identity, acts of non-violent dissent, or criticism of ethnic or religious policies.

Mr T?kés László, a senior member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights chaired the

hearing. Dr Joëlle Hivonnet of the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in his statement, “We were humbled by his (Golog Jigme) testimony. It is important for us to hear first hand information.”

Since his 2014 escape from Tibet, Jigme is meeting with parliamentary members and NGO leaders in the European countries, highlighting the need to continue raising awareness over human rights situation in Tibet.

On March 14, Jigme had met the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) and the Asia-Oceana Working Party (COASI) Chairs, as well as officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS).

“I know what it is to live under Communist rule because I grew up in Romania,” said Mr. László in his concluding remark.

Jigme had a detailed meeting with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and International Federation for Human Rights Tuesday morning. In the evening he spoke to the member of the Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament and “Leaving Fear Behind” documentary was screened.

He is visiting Brussels to share first-hand account of his experience in a Chinese prison and his way to freedom. His visit was jointly organised by the International Campaign for Tibet and Bureau du Tibet, Brussels.

Jigme was listed by Reporters Without Borders among the list of “100 Information Heroes” on World Press Freedom Day, in 2014.

4

TPI NEWS

March 31, 2016

Kashag provides clarification in parliament

By Tibet New: March 29, 2016

Dharamshala — Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay Tuesday (March 29, 2016) provided a detailed clarification on behalf of the 14th Kashag on the floor of the Tibetan parliament.

The clarification primarily focused on the advisory issued

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the centenary celebration of Mentseekhang on 23 March. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed concern over the decaying morality of the Tibetan people and the deplorable health situation particularly the lack of preventive measures in the Tibetan settlements.

Addressing the parliament, Sikyong admitted the declining of morality among Tibetans, which came into particular prominence in the days leading to the recently concluded Tibetan election. He said: “Declining morality is a serious issue in almost all communities these days. However, it is really unfortunate that the Tibetan community is also witnessing a similar trend when we have a leader like His Holiness the Dalai Lama who always advise moral upbringing and compassion.”

“It is even more unfortunate that the Chinese government used election related issues to criticise the Central Tibetan Administration. Even the New York Times has run an article recently denouncing the issues that were mainly focused during the election. All these are a dangerous development for the Tibetan movement and we should be very careful,” Sikyong said, adding that all those who participated in the Tibetan election should bear it in mind.

Speaking about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s concern

over the situation of health in the Tibetan community, Sikyong said: “The Kashag accords highest of the highest importance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s observation of deplorable health condition and the lack of preventive measures in the Tibetan settlements. Since the advice from His Holiness on 23 March, the Kashag held a series of discussions and provided unanimous directives and advisories to the health Kalon.”

Sikyong affirmed a vigorous health campaign in the next three years and assured concrete results in ensuring robust public health in the Tibetan community.

Besides these two focal issues of concern, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay further spoke about the Kashag’s efforts to alleviate poverty in the Tibetan community with particular emphasis on older Tibetans who are under the care of old age homes.

Sikyong also highlighted the changing political and economic situation in China, India and other neighboring countries, and its impact on the Tibetan movement. He expressed his solidarity with the sufferings of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, particularly the self-immolators and the Tibetan political prisoners.

He explained that there is no change in the repressive policies of the Chinese government in Tibet and that the Tibetans living in the free world should exert more effort to alleviate the sufferings and fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people inside Tibet. “It is only because of the valour of the Tibetans inside Tibet that Tibetans outside Tibet can walk with their heads held high,” Sikyong said.

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Sikyong 2016: Final round results (Unofficial)

By Tibet Post International: March 31, 2016

Dharamshala, India — Exile Tibetans around the world cast their ballots on March 20 to elect a Sikyong and 45 members of the Tibetan Parliamentin-exile on Sunday. Polling was carried out at 85 different places around the world. The following is the Sikyong results that TPI collected after they had been announced at the respective locality. The official election result will be announced by the Election Commission on April 27, 2016.

NOTE: The numbers in this news release were based on unofficial sources from various polling stations abroad. Based on final election results, the unofficial voter turnout should be between 54-58 % (50,000-55,000 voters). The official turnout figure is based on the total number of voters participating in the final election, which will be known in late April once all local election officials have filed statistical reports with the Tibetan Election Commission.

TPI does not bear any responsibility for the authenticity of these results.

Summary results- Sikyong Election 2016 Updated: March 27, 2016: A total of 47,105 Tibetans voted in the preliminary round last year. (Voter turnout was 53 %)

Name Dr Lobsang Sangay Mr Penpa Tsering Grand Total Primary round result ( 2015) Dr Lobsang Sangay Mr Penpa Tsering

Results 33,155 25,374

% 56.64 43.35

Total

58,529 30,508 10,732

66.70% 23.46

4493

9.53

41,240 Other candidates Grand Total

45,733

Name of Country (Abroad)

Name Lobsang Sangay Penpa Tsering

Australia Europe Japan Nepal New Zealand US & Canada (North America) South Africa Taiwan Name of Place (India) Bangalore Bhandara Bylakuppe Bir Settlements Bodh Gaya Bomdila & Tenzin Gang Chauntra Chennai Dalai Lama Institute Dalhousie

410 2118 34 3086 11 5059 3 63

436 1263 19 2543 4 3482 5 30

846 3381 53 5629 15 8541 8 93

234 182 2965 883 60 278 327 6 91 95

240 162 2260 268 45 152 34 26 82 77

474 344 5225 1151 105 430 361 32 173 172

Darjeeling Dharamshala Dekyiling Dehra Dun Delhi Dimapur Dolanji Tibetan Settlement Gangtok Goa Herbertpur Hunsur Kalimpong Kohima Kollegal Kullu-Manali Kumrao Ladakh Lakhanwala Maio Mainpat Mandi Mangalore Mundgod Mysore Nainital Ooty Orrisa Paonta Sahib Puruwala Ravangla Sataun (KKTS) Shillong Shimla Solan Tashi Jong Tezu Tso Pema & Pandoh Tuting Varanasi Other Tibetan media Phayul Tibet Sun

538 2627 99 1566 971 61 98 604 6 217 498 245 20 839 328 42 1780 217 671 210 257 13 2931 33 45 33 238 148 212 214 57 136 245 98 236 228 258 150 81

478 3116 759 1088 814 49 58 650 26 159 597 454 8 602 271 33 844 158 127 214 97 8 1840 42 41 32 418 127 184 250 7 70 227 58 11 70 97 51 111

1016 5743 858 2654 1785 110 156 1254 32 376 1095 699 28 1441 599 75 2624 375 798 424 354 21 4771 75 86 65 656 275 396 464 64 206 472 156 247 298 355 201 192

Lobsang Sangay Penpa Tsering

33,234 33,511

24,752 24,358

57,986 57,869

E XILE TPI NEWS The 17th Karmapa trains Buddhist His Holiness returns monastics in disaster management

March 31, 2016

The Tibet Post International

By Yeshe Choesang: March 14, 2016

The first day of the 7th Khoryug Conference for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries and Nunneries. Photo: khoryug.info

By Yangchen Dolma: March 22, 2016

Dharamshala — His Eminess the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, yesterday convened the 7th Khoryug Conference for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries and Nunneries, aiming to train monks and nuns in the Himalayan region in disaster management and risk reduction and to provide monastic communities with disaster response plans and expertise.

Khoryug, which means “environment” in Tibetan, is an association of more than 50 Tibetan Buddhist monastic communities in Bhutan, India, and Nepal that work on environmental issues under the auspices of His Holiness the Karmapa. This year’s conference, titled “Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction,” brings together more than 70 monastic delegates representing 29 monasteries and nunneries at the Vajra Vidya Institute in the town of Sarnath in the northeastern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh from 21–24 March.

Over the course of the four-day gathering, the Karmapa aims to prepare monks and nuns to lead local communities in response and recovery activities in the event of potential disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, and to train them to become riskreduction educators to ensure the safety of communities, calling on the insights and lessons learned from monastic communities that responded to last year’s devastating earthquakes in Nepal.

The conference will include expert presentations directed by Prof. Rakesh Kumar Singh and Prof. Chandrani Bandyopadhyay from the National Institute of Disaster Management of the Government of India, group discussions, and hands-on training.

The Himalayan region has experienced a number of severe earthquakes in the past five years: the 2011 Sikkim quake, which had a recorded moment magnitude of 6.9 and in which 111 died, the 2015 Nepal quakes, which had a recorded magnitude of between 7.3 and 8.1 and killed more than 8,800 people, and the 6.7 magnitude Manipur quake in January this year, which killed at least 11 people. Disaster management experts and seismologists have warned that the recent earthquakes have weakened tectonic plates that were already cracked, raising the

likelihood of more severe earthquakes in the region.

In the days and weeks following the catastrophic Nepal earthquakes, eight Khoryug monasteries and nunneries provided assistance to more than 12,000 families in 15 districts of Nepal. More than 100 families were offered shelter in monastic compounds in the immediate aftermath and a further 2,200 people received medical treatment from doctors hired by the monasteries and nunneries. Members of these monastic communities also joined rescue teams, helped to clear rubble from communities and roads, donated blood, volunteered at hospitals and schools, and organized activities for children whose schools had been destroyed.

During the first day of the conference, Khenpo Chokey of Pullahari Monastery in Nepal provided firsthand experience and advice on disaster relief from the Nepal quakes for the assembled monastic representatives. He explained that while the first instinct of many people may be to rush to the aid of those in need, the 2015 earthquakes had taught them the benefits of an organized relief effort. “We must not just rush into the situation without proper planning and preparedness. We must embrace compassion, wisdom and patience in our rescue and relief actions,” he said.

Sacred Earth founder and director Dekila Chungyalpa highlighted other recent Khoryug activities, including the planting of more than 100,000 saplings in 2015, while presentations from the Khoryug Country Coordinators for Bhutan, India, and Nepal illustrated Khoryug projects in these countries over the last year, including organic gardening, rainwater harvesting, and waste recycling.

His Holiness the Karmapa founded Khoryug in 2009 to address environmental challenges. Since then, the number of participating monasteries and nunneries from various Tibetan Buddhist traditions in the Himalayan region has grown from 22 to 55. This year’s conference was organized in partnership with the National Institute of Disaster Management of the Government of India.

Students host Sino Tibet dialogue

Question answer session with the Speaker Dibyesh Anand at the dialogue between Chinese and Tibetan students in Minnesota, U.S.A. Photo: TPI

By Tendar Tsering: March 27, 2016

Minnesota, US — A couple of Tibetan students in Minnesota Saturday hosted a three hour-long dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese students at University of Minnesota.

London based Professor Dibyesh Anand and Minnesota based Professor Norman Piatti were guest speakers of the dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese students at the university.

Professor Dibyesh Anand spoke about the two narratives of Tibet; one from Chinese side and one from Tibet side, and professor Norman Piatti spoke about the middle way approach that was initially introduced by the Dalai Lama.

Following the talks by the two professors, the participants of the dialogue were divided in groups of tens and had a meaningful discussion about the middle way approach, and about the ongoing situations inside Tibet as well as in China.

“I am from China and I was in China for more than 16 years, and I never felt the threat to my freedom of speech. Maybe that is because I am an average person,” said a Chinese student who is an

international student at the University of Minnesota.

“Maybe there is more freedom in mainland China than in Tibet,” added a Tibetan student at the event.

According to Norzin Wangpo, one of the main organizers of the event said that there are around 30 Tibetan students and over 3000 Chinese students at the University of Minnesota. Sources said many of these Chinese students’ families have good ties with the Chinese politicians in China, and many of the participants at the dialogue requested to make sure that their faces were not photographed.

Sources also said that few Chinese students even suggested to host such events somewhere else other than on the campus of University of Minnesota saying that there might be spies among themselves as the number of students from China is high at the above mentioned university.

The event was hosted by Tibetan American Students Association of the university and Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.

Tendar Tsering is a U.S.A. based freelance for the Tibet Post International.

Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has returned to Dharamshala, his residence in exile in northern India, on March 13, in good health after successfully completing the medical programme at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Thousands of people, including Tibetans and other devotees with traditional scarves, incense and flowers lined on the roadsides of the Himalayan hill town of Dharamshala welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his return to Dharamshala on Sunday, after successfully concluding a three-week visit to USA and Switzerland, from February 22 – March 12, 2016.

On his arrival at Gaggal Airport, His Holiness was received by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Mr Penpa Tsering and other top officials and representatives of Tibetan community and to catch a glimpse of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

On completing his treatment at Mayo clinic, His Holiness conducted a series of teachings and public talks from February 22 – March 12, 2016 including a public teaching in Minnesota, USA, a public talk on ‘Compassion in Medicine’ at Mayo clinic, the ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’ teaching and Panel discussion in Madision, Wisconsin, ‘The World We Make’ panel discussion in Madison, WI and the ‘Nobel Laureates on Human Rights

5

in good health

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, India, on March 13, 2916. Photo: TPI

– A view from civil society’ panel discussion in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the panel discussion in Geneva, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of love, compassion and oneness of humanity has touched the heart of hundreds of audience of students and diplomats from US and Canada and other countries.

His Holiness’ upcoming schedule includes a Public

Talk in Salt Lake City, USA, on 21 June, a two and a half day Mind & Life Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium from 9 – 11 September, a one-day teaching on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) and an Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wang) on 17 and 18 September, in Strasbourg, France followed by a public talk on Ethics beyong Religoin.

Tibetans have embraced democracy once again: int’l observers

By Jane Cook: March 21, 2016

Dharamshala — The international observer missions members have praised the conduct of Tibetans’ just concluded general elections and said say ‘Tibetans all over the free world have once again strongly embraced democracy.’

The delegation comprising lawmakers, from the U.K, Canada, Australia and the EU held a press conference Monday in Dharamshala, India on the Tibetan Elections in exile, which took place on March 20 in over 30 countries for the election of the Sikyong (head of the Central Tibetan Administration) and for 45 Members of the Parliament in exile.

“We are pleased to see how Tibetans all over the free world have once again strongly embraced democracy as the best way to achieve the aspirations of a better future for the Tibetan people, which unfortunately continues to be denied to 6 millions Tibetans in Tibet.” the The International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPAT) said in a statement issued on the same day.

“We wish to praise the Tibetan people for their commitment and enthusiasm in participating both in the campaign and in the voting process.

The lawmaker went on to say that “Voting in these elections, Tibetans in exile are reaffirming their support for a political solution, while the Chinese Government continues to impose severe authoritarian policies, which undermine the very existence of Tibetan identity.”

In the statement, they said: “We call on the international community, national Parliaments, Governments and NGOs to stand behind and support an exiled community who seeks a political solution to a six decades long conflict, through the means of nonviolent actions and negotiations.”

“The Tibetan elections in exile were organised by the Central Election Commission in two rounds over the course of 6 months in over 30 countries (the first round was held on October 18) and were conducted peacefully and overall in an orderly and calm manner on election day, despite logistical challenges,” they said.

The statement said: “The election of the Sikyong was competitive and Tibetans had the opportunity to choose between the incumbent, Lobsang Sangay, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Penpa Tsering.

The two candidates became more active after the primaries held in October 2015 and campaigned extensively in India and all over the world, where Tibetan communities are located, until the very end of the campaign period.”

Supporters of both candidates have been vocal during the campaign with an extensive use of social media and the organisation of large public events.

Although the campaign was hard fought and at times personal, both candidates told us that the elections took place on a levelled playing field and that no major irregularities of the elections rules took place.

“We welcome that independent groups, including Tibetan language media services, which broadcast them both online and via satellite and organised three debates between the two candidates during the last three weeks of the campaign.” they stated.

“We wish to stress the critical role played by independent and free media to effectively empower the public to make an informed choice at the time of

The delegation comprising lawmakers, from the U.K, Canada, Australia and the EU held a press conference Monday in Dharamshala, India on March 21, 2016. Photo: TPI/Dawa Phurbu

the elections; this is particularly true for an exiled community dislocated in so many nations,” the observer mission further said.

They said that “The elections of Parliamentarians also saw competition with an increased number of candidates for the different regions. We observed no major irregularities of the election rules.”

During the course of the campaign some issues were raised both by candidates and NGOs, concerning the transparency and adequacy of some of the election rules as enacted by the Central Election Commission.

However, election observers said they will publish a final report after the announcement of the final results on April 27, saying, “we will provide an assessment with recommendations on issues including the following.”

– campaign finance regulation with a particular focus on cap limits for electoral expenses; – participation of women; – regional voting system and the representation of religious sects in the Parliament;

– the need to ensure all Tibetans in the free world are able to vote; The delegation thanked the Indian Government for the generous hospitality it provides to the Tibetan people enabling them to preserve and promote their culture and way of life.

“The INPAT stands ready to conduct further elections observation missions outside Tibet and we look forward to the opportunity to undertake such a role within Tibet itself.”

The election observer team comprises Thomas MANN, MEP, Germany, André Gattolin, Senator, France, Lisa Singh, Senator, Australia, Consiglio Di Nino, former Senator, Canada, Norman John Baker, former MP, UK, and Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, staff of Laszlo Tokes MEP, Hungary.

They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Central Tibetan Administration and in particular the Tibetan Parliament in exile and the Central Election Commission for enabling us to conduct this Tibetan Election Observation Mission.

Anti-Dalai Lama group disbands, Chinese exposed

By Molly Lortie: March 22, 2016

Dharamshala — After years of speculation and denial, the Buddhist sect leading international protests against His Holiness the Dalai Lama has finally disbanded all activity and websites, according to a statement on its website.

The announcement came after a Reuters investigation revealed that China’s Communist party backs the International Shugden Community and is responsible for the protests that have followed the Dalai Lama internationally.

The message on their website reads reads, “The Directors of the ISC previously announced that from Dec 1, 2015 they had decided to completely stop organizing demonstrations against the Dalai Lama.

Now, from the March 10, 2016 the ISC itself will dissolve, including its websites.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama told Reuters, “I am

aware of the decision by the ISC to disband.”

“Your article was something complete, holistic sort of presentation, it was very helpful,” referring to the Reuters investigation on Shugden’s ties with China.

Protestors are members of a sect that worships Dorje Shugden, a deity in Tibetan Buddhism. “I myself also worshipped that,” the Dalai Lama said, referring to the deity. “Out of ignorance,” but he came to the realization that the deity was “very negative, very harmful,” he said.

Dorje Shugden devotees accuse the 80-year-old Nobel Laureate of persecuting them and dividing Tibetan Buddhism, going as far as calling him a fake and bigot.

The Tibetan spiritual leader has said repeatedly that it was his duty to explain why he had stopped worshipping the Dorje Shugden deity. “Whether people listen or not is up to them,” he added

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TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International Back Page Focus Three arrested in Tibet over recent Tibetan general elections Two repordedly killed, several injured stating, “they were arrested due to a group chat they were added to the social media in Tibet as police open fire on Tibetans platform “WeChat”. Inside the group they March 31, 2016

The three arrested Tibetans are Samdup 40s, Lhakdon, and Rongsher, 29, from Martoe, Golok, north-eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Molly Lortie, March 31, 2016

Dharamshala — Chinese authorities have arrested three Tibetans, for alleged links with the recent Tibetan general elections, which took place at 85 locations around the world.

The three were detained by Chinese police in the town of Chugo Desar village, Kyaring Yultso, part of Matoe County in Golok, north-

eastern Tibet, on March 30 at around 10am.

“Three locals, including Samdup, a local leader, Rongsher, and Lhadon were forcibly arrested without explanation by four Chinese policemen,” sources told the Tibet Post International Friday.

An anonymous source from Tibet supplied a witness report and pictures to the TPI

were connected to debates regarding the recent Sikyong election in exile, which took place at 85 locations around the world.

They are being detained in the People’s Court of Matoe County and until now their family members have not been allowed to meet or contact them.”

Samdup, a 40 year old local of Chugo Desar village has acted for many years as a leader of the sixth camp of the settlement, and junior head of 140 households in the first, third and fifth camps.

Lhadon, family name Namgyal, is the mother of one son, Tsegyamlo, and one daughter, Darkar, ages 8 and 11.

Rongsher, a 29 year old local is married without children to Yangkyi.

Most parts of Tibet have suffered severe crackdowns and been under heightened restrictions and controls in the past six decades, that China calls it a “peaceful liberation”. But Tibetans describe a systematic repression, excluded from positions of power and imprisoned.

China’s invasion of Tibet and its continuous implementation of harsh policies to crackdown the freedom of Tibetans living inside Tibet have triggered Tibetans to resort to more extreme forms of resistance.

Hundreds of supporters protest Xi’s Czech visit, call for free Tibet

Over 500 people protesting the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, near the square in front of Prague Castle, on March 30, 2016. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang, March 31, 2016

Prague — Hundreds of supporters rallied in central Prague”to protest against Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit, waving Tibetan national flags and they took up a number of chants including “Long live Havel,” “This isn’t Beijing,” “We don’t want a panda,” “We break with Miloš,” and “Freedom for Tibet.

Many in the crowd had been in an earlier rally at Kampa Park, near a palace where Xi Jinping met with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, (CSSD).

Over 500 people attempted to protest Xi’s visit at the square in front of Prague Castle but were turned back by police.

Several Czech politicians include the OP 09 chairman Miroslav Kalousek and Member of European Parliament Jaromír Štetina (TOP 09) were among those at the front of the crowd of people waving Tibetan flags and carrying pictures of former Czech president Václav Havel with His Holiness the Dalia Lama.

Most of the protesters then went to Park Maxe van der Stoela in Prague 6, where Bursík and Kocáb addressed the crowd with amplification.

They called for the Czech Republic not to weaken its strong human rights record.

Other speakers included National Gallery director Jirí Fajt, Prague 6 Mayor Ondrej Kolár (TOP 09), and Ivan Havel and his wife, Dagmar, the brother and sister-in-law of former president Václav Havel.

The lawmakers for the Czech conservative opposition TOP 09 also put up two Tibetan flags from the windows of the Chamber of Deputies today, former TOP 09 leader and foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg has told journalists.

The Tibetan national flag is a potent symbol for all Tibetans, and to see the flag flying high across the world shows support for and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile. It is currently banned in Tibet.

President Xi arrived on a three-day visit to the Czech Republic on Monday, March 28, Czech media “Ceske Noviny” reported. Zeman and Xi signed a strategic partnership agreement on Tuesday. China has such deals with about 15 European countries.

It is right to demonstrate against the dictator who allows mass executions and who has introduced the cult of his personality and strict censorship, Schwarzenberg said.

“However, there is even a strong reason to protest against the approach of our big shots.

I have never come across such a servility as I can see now,” Schwarzenberg said.

“Even Hacha never invited Hitler there (to the presidential chateau in Lany, where Zeman met Xi on Monday),” he added.

Emil Hacha was president of Czechoslovakia in 1938-1939 and the president of the wartime Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (1939-1945).

The Lany chateau became a presidential country seat when Tomas Garrigue Masaryk became first president of the independent Czechoslovak Republic in 1918.

President Milos Zeman received Xi Jinping at the presidential chateau in Lany, central Bohemia, on Monday.

When Xi Jinping was driving from the Prague airport to the city center after his arrival, his route along the Evropska (European) Street was lined with Chinese flags, which provoked

mass protests.

Current TOP 09 leader Miroslav Kalousek said protests should not target a state visit.

“However, people are angry at the big shot aesthetics, the moment when European Street became again Lenin Street (as it was called under the communist regime). All of us remember how comrade Brezhnev was welcomed there,” Kalousek said, adding that the Czech Republic did not deserve this.

Over 500 Czech supporters gathered in the Czech capital to protest against the visit of the president Xi, carried Tibetan flags and posters, including a giant photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, alongside one of former president Vaclav Havel (1936-2011), a former dissident and human rights activist.

Schwarzenberg said it was bad that the Czech Republic was abandoning its foreign policy and its foundations.

Before Xi’s arrival in Prague, Zeman said that the Czech Republic is an independent country once again now and it forms its own foreign policy based on its own interests. “It was our own policy that we defended the human rights, also in Tibet, but we were never under any pressure,” he added.

Zeman was the only European Union leader to attend China’s celebrations of the end of World War II last year and said he hoped his country becomes “an entry gate” for China to the European Union.

Tibet was invaded by Communists China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monastaries have been destroyed, and thousands of TIbetans have been imprisoned.

Photographs that received the TPI showed Tibetans with serious wounds on the leg and other parts of the body after the Chinese shooting incident in Serta County, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Molly Lortie, March 31, 2016

Dharamshala — Chinese police have opened fire on a group of Tibetans in Serta County, eastern Tibet, reportedly killing two and wounding several others, after Chinese police helped a thief stealing 20 yaks from local Tibetans in his truck.

Chinese police, in alleged partnership with thieves, shot and severely wounded local homeowners in town of Horshul in Karze, Sertha County, Eastern Tibet, on Wednesday evening, March 30, a former political prisoner, Ven Golog Jigme, now a resident of Switzerland, reported to the Tibet Post International.

Ven Jigme told the TPI, “a local of Horshul township witnessed a Muslim driver taking 20 yaks from locals in his truck. He asked the driver who had sold him the yak, and when the driver failed to reply was able to overcome the vehicle and save the livestock before being taken.”

Shortly after, the Sertha County police arrived to retrieve the vehicle, however when locals explained the situation to the police, acting apparently in partnership with the thieves, the police allegedly opened fire on the locals, putting some in critical care.

He further explained, “police opened fire on the neighborhood, severely injuring and possibly killing two locals who have been taken to a

Chinese hospital after the local hospital was unable to treat their wounds.”

It is still unknown exactly how many people were killed or injured when the Chinese police attacked local Tibetans, causing further complicated the the incident.

Photographs received by the TPI also showed local Tibetans with serious wounds on the legs and other parts of the body after the incident.

Karze County (Ch: Ganzi) has seen some of the most violent clashes between Tibetans and Chinese authorities. According to the sources, two Tibetans; Ngage and Sophel were shot in the chest and leg at least many others seriously wounded after police opened fire on unarmed Tibetans who had gathered to save their animals.

Most parts of Tibet have suffered severe crackdowns and been under heightened restrictions and controls in the past six decades, that China calls it a “peaceful l i b e r a t i o n ” . B u t Ti b e t a n s d e s c r i b e a systematic repression, excluded from positions of power and imprisoned.

China’s invasion of Tibet and its continuous implementation of harsh policies to crackdown the freedom of Tibetans living inside Tibet have triggered Tibetans to resort to more extreme forms of resistance.