Where
New Political
Is the
Leader Of
Panchen Lama?
Tibet Page 01. Vol. 01, Issue 40, 30 April 2011 China Arrests A Nun In Tibet
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I n t e r n a t i o n a l B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin
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Dr. Lobsang Sangay is the New Political Leader of Tibet By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post
Jampa Tso, a Tibetan nun who arrested recently in Tibet for free Tibet protest. Photo: TCHRD By The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala: - Jampa Tso, a nun from Badak Phuntsok Choeling Nunnery, Drangko County, Kardze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture", Sichuan, has been arrested after she shouted slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and distributed leaflets on 16 April 2011. According to a confirmed information sent to the Continues on Page 5....
Prostration Campaign for Panchen Lama
Rinpo Lama making prostrations. Photo: TPI By The Tibet Post International
St. Paul, Minnesota: - Friday, April 22nd, for the 3rd time, Rinpo Lama has elected to employ the traditional Tibetan form of pilgrimage: prostration, unfamiliar to most Minnesotans but well-known to all Tibetans in the hope of awakening the people of his adopted state to the cause of Tibet and the cause of rescuing the Panchen Lama. His first two were in 2008 and 2009. Rinpo will journey, laying his body down, one body length at a time, for part of each day starting Friday,
Dharamshala: -The next Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Central Tibetan Administration was announced in Dharamshala on Wednesday, April 27. At a press conference at the Lhakpa Tsering memorial Hall of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) all the results from the recent election were made public, revealing the Indian born, US-based Tibetan scholar and Harvard laureate, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, to be the winner of this 15th general election election with 55% of the total votes cast in his favor. Runner-up Tenzin Tethong's supporters granted him just above 37% of the votes while the last of the three candidates for Kalon Tripa, Tashi Wangdi, only received approximately 6,5% of the total votes. Speaking to a jam-packed audience of Tibetan, Indian and foreign journalists, the election committee chairman, Jampal Choesang, said that in this third Kalon Tripa election the voter turnout was the highest so far, reaching a total of 59% of the 83.399 eligible voters to have exercised their franchise. The election commission also announced the 47 newly elected members of the Tibetan Parliament; 30 members for U-Tsang, Do-tod and Do-med the three traditional provinces of Tibet which
hief Election Commissioner, Jampal Choesang, two additional commissioners, Ven. Rigzin Choedak, and Mr. Yangkho Gyal breifing at a press conference in Dharamshala, India on 27th April 2011. Photo: TPI
have ten members each - and the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon religion who elect two members each. A further four members are elected by Tibetans in the West - two each from Europe and North America.
Rallying Prayers and March to Save Kirti Monastery
Had the Nepalese Government also allowed its Tibetan community to participate in the election the number would have presumably been even higher. "We tried our best (...) but in the last Continues on Page 10
Stop Crackdown in Ngaba, East Tibet
Members of Taiwan Friends of Tibet with the 2 visiting former Tibetan prisoners briefing about the current situation of Kirti monastery, Ngaba region of eastern Tibet on 26 April 2011. Photo: TPI
Continues on Page 10....
Hunger Strike Begins in Dharamsala
By Keary Huan, The Tibet Post
Taipei: - Taiwan Friends of Tibet (TFOT) Tuesday publicly asked the Chinese authorities to stop the blockade of Sichuan Ngaba Kirti monastery with immediate effect, and to stop the killing and arrest See on Page 7....
Over 300 Monks Arrested
Youth Cong. Begins Hunger Strike for Kirti Monastery of Tibet. Photo: TPI By Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala- Members of the Tibetan Youth Congress based in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala have started hunger strikes in protest against Chinese inhuman treatment in Kirti monastery of Ngaba region of Tibet and in solidarity with monks. The peaceful hunger strike, organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress will launch a 24 hour relay strike, beginning on April 17th outside the Main Temple in Dharamshala; India. The TYC are performing the protest in demand of the immediate withdrawal of Chinese military personnel from Kirti Monastery, Tibet. They want to allow monks to have basic human rights at the monastery, including religious freedom, and freedom Continues on Page 8.....
The monks of Kirti Jeypa Monastery, in Dharamsala North India, and Sukhe Kirti Monastery in Darjeeling, are organising an all monk Peace March from Dharamsala to Delhi,26th April 2011. Photo: Sangay,TPI By Samuel Ivor Tibet, The Tibet Post
Dharamsala-The Prime Minister of the Tibetan Governent in Exile today addressed the international community, appealing for the Chinese government to "stop the ongoing siege at Kirti Monastery". PM Samdhong Rinpoche's speech merged with a mass prayer ceremony this morning, led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Dharamsala, North India. The Main temple in Dharamsala was filled with around 1500 local Monks and Nuns, praying for those caught in the conflict at Kirti monastery. His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeted monks as he entered this morning, and led the prayers for peace in the region. Outside, the relay hunger strike continued; led by the Tibetan Youth Congress in Dharamsala. In recent weeks, the monastery has witnessed a
violent crackdown by Chinese armed Police. Ever since the poignant death of Phuntsok the monk, who was a memeber of Kirti and self immolated on the 3rd anniversary of the 2008 uprising, security has been stepped up. The monastery has been hastily cordened off by Chinese armed police, and they continue to hold an overwhelming presence in the area, despite claiming the situation is 'normal'. Violent conflicts ensued between the Chinese armed security forces, and local residents, and on the morning of the 22nd of April, around 300 monks were forcibly removed from the Monastery. During the incident, two elderly Tibetans were beaten to death while attempting to protect the monks. The severe clampdown continues in the region, as Continues on Page 6.......
Plain-clothed police carrying wooden and iron sticks, march on Ying Xiong Avenue near the main market in Ngaba Town around 5pm, 16 March 2011 just after protests took place following the self-immolation of Phuntsok. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - Around 9 pm on April 21, armed soldiers, police officers and ‘special police' (Duijing) deployed around all of the monastic Continues on Page 9......
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30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
TPI INTERVIEW & RECAP
Tibetan Exiles Across the World Demonstrate for Missing Panchen Lama Article by Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post
JJI Exile Brothers performing at the Tibetan Institute of Preformance Arts (TIPA), Dhramshala, India. Photo: TPI
Dharamsala-Demonstators from Tibet held vigils in front of Chinese embassies around the world on Monday to mark the 22nd birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama; Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. His wherabouts remains unknown to the internaional communiuty, and many deem him to be the world's youngest
political prisioner; just six when he was abducted by Chinese authorities. Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, recognized him as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1995. Since then, there have been uncornfirmed sightings of the Lama, who is now 22 years old.
The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, recently stated that China's detention of the Panchen Lama is one of the oldest involuntary disappearance cases in the country. China has said several times over the years that he is safe and in Tibet, and "does not want to be disturbed". Beijing argues that the Dalai Lama is seeking to create an independent Tibet, and in 1995 Chinese authorities named their own Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, to counter the Dalai Lama's influence. Gyaltsen Norbu has been made a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, one of the country's highest political bodies. The protests co-incide with the news that five Tibetan NGO's have demanded China to provide evidence on the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama. The NGO's began collecting signatures in a petition calling Chinese authorities to disclose information on the Panchen Lama's existence. The rallying statement was released on the Panchen Lama's 22nd birthday; who was born on April 25th 1989.
A Forgotten Tibetan Freedom Fighter Ngawang Needs Your Help
Ngawang Gelek, A Former Freedom Fighter For Tibet. Photo:Sangay,TPi By Adam and Sangay, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Ngawang Gelek was born in 1944 to Darpa Kunjung and Tsewang Dolma in Chara Penpa County of Kham Region. In 1969 he joined an uprising against the Chinese government. He was active in this battle for nine months, six of which in armed combat, before being arrested. He spent eighteen months in jail. He fled his home of Tibet in 1991 and now struggles against the elements and hunger in Dharamsala. His tiny one room shack is in a state of disrepair. The following interview took place between Ngawang Gelek and Sangay Dorjee on April 22, 2011. Sangay Dorjee: Please introduce yourself. Ngawang Gelek: My name is Ngawang Gelek. I come from Chara Penpa County of Kham Region. I am 67 years old and I arrived in India in 1991. S: When you arrived in India, were you able to attend school or receive training of any sort? N: No, when I came to India I was 47 so I was not allowed to attend the TCV Suja School. And the Tibetan Transit School had not been founded yet. So the Tibetan Reception Centre sent me to Dhalhousie. There I worked weaving carpets for one year. I didn't feel comfortable staying there longer. One
reason is because I didn't have a refugee card and so the police always harassed me. So I returned to Dharamsala. S: What did you do after you came back? N: When I came back I worked for almost seven years in the Tibetan Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. I worked as a cook, cleaner and I took care of the cows. But then I had a problem with my stomach and so I couldn't work very much and so I had to leave. I worked at Namgyal Monastery for two years, sweeping and cleaning the temple. S: Then what did you do? N: After that I rented a room near Jogiwara Road and worked one or two days a week, as much as I could with my stomach problems, at the Department of Health and the Department of Information and International Relations within the Tibetan government; cleaning, packing documents and other odd jobs. S: How long have you been in this room? N: Six or eight or nine years. Today we have no concept of time. I only know by looking at electricity bills how long I've been here. S: Do you have any family or relatives here? N: No. S: How about in Tibet? N: Yes, I have one son and two daughters. My wife passed eight years after I came here. S: Do you keep any contact with them? N: Sometimes I phone them, but nothing else. S: Can you tell me your life story when you lived in Tibet? N: Oh, of course. My life story is so long. I can't finish it once I begin. In my homeland in 1969, we organized an uprising to fight against the Chinese government. At that time we all joined the organization and signed our names
to become a part of it. We wanted our commitment to be official. I was twenty five years old. Our main purpose was to battle against the government but first we organized ourselves for three months. We listened and acted like we followed Mao's words during this time. The horse of the Chinese officials ate barley and wheat while the people ate only vegetables. One day the Tibetan people went into the county and took guns and weapons from the army camp. In the county were two hundred members of the Chinese army. After three months we began fighting and we fought for six months. It was very hard and tiring. Then we lost and were imprisoned. I was held in jail for one year and six months. During the fighting, we didn't sleep, just fighting all the time. S: Did you tell this story to the Tibet government? N:When I arrived at the Tibetan Reception Centre in Nepal, nobody asked about my fighting, and I didn't feel I should say anything. But later I told this story to the Tibetan Department of Security in Dharamsala. S: How much rent do you pay for this room? N: Each month I pay 700 rupees. And extra for the electricity, sometimes 100 or 150. S: Do the Tibetan Departments of Security and Health assist you, being a political prisoner? N: Yes, yes. They help me each month with 3500 rupees. And also the Tibetan Welfare office gives me around 4 or 5 bowls of wheat every month and some oil. S: What is the greatest problem you face now? N: My biggest problem is my stomach and also my blood level is very high so I need to always take medicine. Another problem is when storms come the rain comes through my roof and floods my
The Tibet Post
Independence Is the Best Option for Tibet: Taiwanese Delegation Dharamshala: - A delegation of ten members of Taiwan Friends of Tibet visited the Himalayan town of Dharamshala for one week from April 5, meeting with Tibetan NGOs including the Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for A Free Tibet and the Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet. They discussed issues including the struggles for Tibetan and Taiwanese independence, the current situations in those countries, and other global issues. The delegation also visited local schools and the offices of the Central Tibetan Administration. The delegation stated that His Holiness the Dalai Lama's position will remain in the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people, and that independence is the best option for Tibet, but not the simplest. The Tibet Post International interviewed
appreciate this community in Dharamshala - to understand the real aspects of life. But the majority of messages about Tibetan society come from the media, which is very one-sided - giving their personal views - and it's hard to understand first-hand. Local Tibetan NGOs are an important influence to help society understand the status and future of Tibet. Through the development of NGO groups, we can better understand the real situation and outlook of local society. Apart from the government, civil power is an important, influential factor for the future of our group. TPI: I know your delegates met with members of the Tibetan Youth Congress [who have a policy of independence for Tibet]. You might also know about His
Members from Taiwan Friends of Tibet meeting with Tibetan NGOs in Dharamshala, India on 17th April 2010. Photo: TPI By Samuel Ivor and Keary Huan, The Tibet Post
Ms Wen Hui from Taiwan Friends of Tibet, Mr Adam Chih-Te Lee, a Mandarin reporter for Radio Free Asia Taipei, and Tang Zenling, a Buddhist schoolgirl. The Tibet Post International (TPI): What is the main purpose of your delegation's visit to Dharamshala? Wen Hui: Our most important purpose is to enable people from Taiwan to really
house. And when it is windy the roof blows up and down and around and I worry that it will fall off and the wind will blow over my house. S: Have you been helped by Gu Chu Sum? N: Yeah. They helped me for two years. S: Did you apply for immigration to Australia; they accept Tibetan political prisoners? N: No. S: What is your future hope? N: My future hope is for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet as soon as possible. That is my hope. As a political prisoner, Ngawang Gelek receives a little help from the Tibetan Department of Health. But inflation has been very high in Dharamsala and he pays over 800 rupees for accommodation. His income of 3500 rupees (roughly US$85) per month must finance his dilapidated housing, his food bill and his growing medical bill. He has no funds to weather proof his home and must bear the cold winter months - snow and heavy rain - in a shanty spotted with holes, and during wind storms he must worry that his house might be carried away. He endures in these poor conditions, unable to protect himself from the seasonal elements, as his health continues to deteriorate.
Holiness the Dalai Lama's middle-way approach [which advocates autonomy for Tibet within China]. Independence or autonomy - which is best for the Tibetan people and why? Wen Hui: Independence is the best option for Tibet, but not the simplest. I have been to Tibet. When I returned to Taiwan, I went to school and gave a speech about the difference between being inside and outside Tibet. Afterwards I came to Dharamsala. Indeed this place is relatively free. You can say out loud what you want to say, do what you want to do. Many friends here work very hard to preserve Tibetan culture, whether NGOs or individuals such as Kelsang Chukie, Tethtong and Tenzin Tsondue. Maybe I don't understand well the whole history of the world, but I know Dharamsala is the world's most successful refugee community. It has its own government, its own schools, with a very complete form of society. But life would be very hard without the personal charisma of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibetans in exile have a common sense of solidarity. I can see that the second and third generations of Tibetans who were born in India may never have the opportunity to return home. They do not have a concept of home. But because of their refugee status and their education, their Tibetan identity is very strong. They pursue an independent perspective to promote the unity of everyone, whether inside or outside Tibet. They are really united. TPI: The Tibet issue has reached a level of international awareness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has already announced that he will hand over his political responsibility to an elected body. What is your opinion on this? Continues on Page 8....
The Tibet Post
TPI H.H THE DALAI LAMA
30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
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His Holiness the Dalai CTA Officials Offer Long Life Prayers Lama Continues Sweden to His Holiness Visit in Lund By The Central Tibetan Administration: Tibet Net
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with IM board, staff and special guests after lunch reception to His Holiness the Lund on 16 March 201/Photo by Lotta Gyllensten/Office of Tibet By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net
Lund, Sweden: Having touched down at Malmö airport in the Scanian lowlands of south Sweden the plane taxied in, the door was opened and His Holiness the Dalai Lama stepped out under the grey clouds with his kind smile spreading a good atmosphere. His Holiness was met by Mr Håkan E Wilhelmsson, president of SOIR-IM (the Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief /Individuell Människohjälp). Ms Annika Annerby Jansson, Mayor of Lund, welcomed His Holiness to the city of Lund by inviting him to lunch. Among the distinguished guests for lunch were the leading politicians of the municipality as well as leaders and board members of SOIR-IM. A special guest and a dear friend of His Holiness was Ms Anina Fenneberg, daughter of Brita and John Fenneberg, the legendary Danish-Swedish couple who in 1959 on the initiative of Prince Peter of Denmark started to receive Tibetan youngsters in exile to their home in Denmark. The Fennebergs made contacts with IM-SOIR in Sweden, and soon Tibetan youngsters started to come to Sweden also. In the mid sixties IM-SOIR started operations in India to assist the stream of refugees from Tibet with the Fennebergs as leaders. Today SOIR-IM is cooperating with the Central Tibetan Administration within the fields of education, health and environment. During a press conference approximately 50 journalists were assembled. His Holiness stated that the free world has a moral obligation to give moral support to those persons in China who have the courage to raise their voices against the Chinese government, "China needs a political reform". His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who had recently "voluntarily, happily and proudly" stepped down from the political responsibility, keeping the religious responsibility explained the importance of a separation between political and religious leadership. A two hour event in a sports arena in Lund gathered an audience of over 3000 persons. As in the Stockholm event, the day before, the program started with an introduction from the representatives of IM-SOIR and the singer Mr Lars Winnerbäck. The interviewer, Mr Johan Wester, a well known Swedish comedian, is described as a humorous man with depth. His task was to have dialogue
with His Holiness the Dali lama, described as a deep man with a sense of humor. On the question of what to teach children His Holiness said that "our real hope lies in the younger generation. No one wants the troubles of the world. Instead we want a calm and compassionate world. The proper way must be in a compassionate way with maximum affection and care." In his own case, a certain amount of His Holiness' compassion came from his mother. She was the wife of a farmer and illiterate but very compassionate. Therefore all her children grew in full affection. This is what His Holiness would like to share with the children of today. His Holiness said that it must sound strange that he so forcefully tells others that religious and political institutions must be separate whilst he himself for many years both had the religious and political responsibility. "I am fully for democracy, also when I was in Tibet. In 1953 I set up a reform committee. But the Chinese wanted a reform according their system. Our ideas could be a hindrance to their reform." So eventually, in 1959 he fled together with 150 000 of his fellow Tibetans to India. He described how the exile Tibetans took care of themselves, but with immense help from others such as from groups and individuals in Scandinavia. His Holiness specially mentioned the Fenneberg family and Prince Peter of Denmark, "I will not forget their kindness". Together with his people they started to work for democratization. In 2001 the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama became "semi-retired". 10 years as a semi-retired leader was enough. He asked rhetorically, "I also have human rights?" So he formally asked the parliament to be released from the political responsibility and the 19 March 2011 the decision was taken. Thus a four century tradition had come to an end and was replaced by a fully democratic system. His Holiness with a smile told the audience that he slept very well and deeply that night. His Holiness mentioned that peace will not come through prayers but through actions. He stated that we must start by changing ourselves, each individual, each family, in school etc. Also media had a very important role. His Holiness also recommended more interfaith meetings, e.g. the Assisi
Dharamshala: - The Central Tibetan Administration today organised a grand long life prayer ceremony, beseeching His Holiness the Dalai Lama to live long and pledging to work with greater dedication and sincerity to fulfill his visions. Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche was the master of ceremony at Tenshug, which was attended by the entire staff of the administration. In his brief address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called on the Tibetan civil servants to wholeheartedly dedicate their service for the public welfare with utmost integrity and greater efforts. His Holiness said the administration has made no failures in the past ten years and it would continue to progress in the future despite the fact the he is in a semi-retired position. Explaining about his decision on the devolution of formal authority, His Holiness reiterated that he had taken the decision not out of giving up or losing hope for Tibet's struggle but for the long-term benefit of the Tibetan people. His Holiness said his decision which aims to further democratise the Tibetan society is being commended by the international community. He told the staff members to try to explain this to
Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche making offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long life ceremony held in Dharamsala, India, on 22 April 2011. Photo: Tibet net
Tibetan people living inside Tibet whenever opportunity arises. His Holiness reiterated that the MiddleWay Approach is the best and mutually beneficial solution to resolve the issue of Tibet, which has earned strong support from the international community including the Chinese people. The staff members of the Central Tibetan Administration have pledged to His Holiness that they would put their best efforts in studying, encouraging
and fulfilling His Holiness the Dalai Lama's commitments to promote human values, religious harmony, non-violence and the Middle-Way policy to resolve the issue of Tibet. They promised to work with utmost honesty, truth, loyalty, justice, equality and to abstain from immorality and corruption. The staff members offered sincere apology for their inability to work in accordance with the profound visions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tibet's Leader Travels to Denmark on Last Leg of European Visit By James Dunn, The Tibet Post
London: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama will conclude his two-week tour of European countries today with a day of lectures in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. During his visit the Dalai Lama has visited other European countries including; Ireland and Sweden. Yesterday His Holiness spent his final day in Sweden addressing a crowd of 250 students in the City Hall of Lund and attending a Christian church service at the city's Cathedral. Over 1,000 people gathered in Lund Cathedral for the service, where the assistant vicar, Lena Sjostrand, welcomed him, "Peace and love, the essence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama´s message, is something that unites us, no matter what we believe in or where we live". The Sermon was held by the bishop Ms Antje Jackelén, who finished the sermon by saying "In this Holy Week, the passions flow together into
meeting. He described how he himself got immense understanding by meetings with practitioners of other faiths such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hindu religion. He felt that this was a way to naturally develop genuine understanding for others and he was happy to see that there now are many interfaith services. His Holiness was very much appreciated by the Lund audience and he was interrupted many times by warm applause. The event was finished off by a song about youngsters leaving their parents in Tibet for the dangerous exodus over the Himalayas to India, written, composed and sung by Mr Thomas Wiehe.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the 250 selected 13 - 19 year old students at a question & answer session at the Lund City Hall/Photos by Lotta Gyllensten/Office of Tibet, London
compassion; compassion that gives birth to strength, love and happiness. The guest we are glad to have with us today, the Dalai Lama, has thought about compassion more than many of us". She then invited His Holiness to greet the congregation with a message on compassion. His Holiness the Dalai Lama stood up, in front of the altar and said: "Respected spiritual sisters and brothers, I feel a great honour to participate in this special sermon, since it promotes religious harmony". He also told the congregation that the faith should not remain just in the church, where it would not have much effect, but be spread everywhere. After concluding the day in Sweden His Holiness made the short trip across the road bridge to Denmark where he is set to host two events in Copenhagen. His Holiness will give teachings on Seven Point Mind Training (lojong donduna)
in the morning at the Tivoli Congress Centre. In the afternoon His Holiness will give a public talk on What Life Is All About also at the Tivoli Congress Centre. The Dalai Lama has experienced issues with the Danish government, during his 2009 visit, the Dalai Lama met for an "unofficial" meeting with Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, sparking temporary rage in China, which perceives the Dali Lama as a political troublemaker. China punished Denmark by cancelling a number of official visits, and eventually succeeded in pressuring the Danish parliament to promise to actively oppose Tibetan independence. The organisers of this visit have made it clear that there will not be any political meetings during the Dalai Lama's stay in Denmark. Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also said that he does "not have any special need to meet the Dalai Lama again."
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30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
TPI INTERNATIONAL
The Tibet Post
US Urges China to Respect Religious World Community Urged to Raise Voice on Tibet Freedom in Tibet Crackdown
Apr. 14, 2011, acting Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner delivers the U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing at the State Department. Photo: US Department of State By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - The United States on Thursday (14th April) criticized China after violent incidents at the Kirti Monastery in Ngaba region of eastern Tibet and called on Beijing government to respect religious freedom and Human Rights of people in Tibet. "We have seen that Chinese security forces have cordoned off the 'Kirti monastery in Sichuan Province' (Ngaba region of eastern Tibet). They've also imposed onerous restrictions on the monks and the general public," US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
"Many hundreds monks were taken in the early hours of the 12th of April. The news had spread among the local community over the past few days, that the Chinese were going to forcibly take Monks from Kirti Monastery," Ven. Kanyak Tsering, a Buddhist monk from exile based Kirti monastery told the The Tibet Post International (TPI) "We believe these are inconsistent with internationally recognized principles of religious freedom and human rights. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are obviously concerned by it, Mark added. According to Tibet sources, a serious
situation has escalated recently in Ngaba county, Amdho region of eastern Tibet as the Kirti Monastery in the region has been sealed off by armed Chinese security forces. The five major exile Tibetan NGOs based in India on April 14th, have condemned China use of armed military forces against peaceful people and called on the international community to speak out against China's current crackdowns on Buddhist monks from Kirti monastery. "I believe we've raised it with the Chinese, as we would raise any human rights concerns," Mr Mark told reporters when responding to questions over a serious restrictions Imposed on the Tibetan monks. The situation worsened over the past few days, when the Chinese Government announced that; "Monks between the age of 18 to 40 must be taken to a different location, for ‘patriotic education'. Two old women over 60 years old are reported to have died during the confrontation with the army on 12th, but we are still trying to establish their names and places of origin etc. The situation at the influential monastery has deteriorated since the self-immolation of Phuntsok on 16 March 2011 at Ngaba County, Sichuan, coinciding with third anniversary of the 2008 uprising in Tibet and to protest against continued repression by Chinese authorities in Tibet.
The World's Biggest Propaganda Agency 'Xinhua' Lies Again By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - A media briefing was held at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala on April 25, regarding China's continuing crackdown on the monks of Kirti Monastery and Tibetans living in Ngaba, Amdo in Eastern Tibet. "The Chinese authorities have launched a series of false and groundless allegations about the circumstances of the death of the young monk named Phuntsok, who self immolated on March 16, as well as on the state of affairs at the Kirti monastery in general," said Ven. Lobsang Yeshi, one of two media coordinators of the Kirti monastery in exile who has responded to the recent reports made by the state controlled Chinese media 'Xinhua'. "Chinese authorities are trying to blame the monks, who took away Phuntsok from the hands of the police at the time of the self immolation, for being his accomplices in planning the fatal protest action," Lobsang said during the press briefing this morning in Dharamshala. The authorities also claimed that if the monks had not taken Phuntsok away, then they might have been able to save his life. "We are now very afraid and worried for those monks who helped Phuntsok get away from the police" Lobsang added. The police is said to have not even tried to douse the flames on the body of the self immolating monk, but rather kept beating him instead. The authorities on April 19 maintained that all is "normal" and they also claimed that the relations between the eight hundred personnel marching about the
Lobsang Yeshi and Kanyak Tsering briefing about the current situation at the Kirti monastery of Ngaba county of eastern Tibet in Dharamshala, India on 25th April 2011. Photo: TPI
grounds and the monks is "harmonious". The monks, however, prefer to use "threatening" to describe the way they feel about the large number of armed forces that has taken over their home. "If the situation really is so peaceful then why deploy such huge numbers of military personnel, there should be no need for that" said Lobsang at the press briefing and added that what he was relaying from Kirti monastery was far from plain hearsay as documentation such as video footage, pictures etc. has been transmitted to the two media coordinators in Dharamshala, all of it pointing to a different truth than that of the Chinese authorities' statements. Chinese authorities have also accused the Kirti monastery monks of using prostitutes, getting drunk and gambling.
The so called government of Aba county said it had decided to give monks "legal education" due to the "problems" there and "illegal activities" committed by some monks, the government controlled Xinhua news agency said. According to a circular released by the local government, "some monks in the monastery had visited prostitutes, got drunk and kicked up rows and engaged in gambling. And some disseminated pornographic videos." "While the two of us lived in the Kirti monastery for almost 10 years we never saw such things happening" he continued. "It is simply impossible for this to have taken place as the monks are not even allowed outside the monastery except on Sundays, and there they have to be back at the
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Photo: file/TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama expressesed concern about grim situation at Kirti Monastery, Ngaba county of eastern Tibet; has urged restraint in a stand-off between security forces and Tibetans in the Himalayan region. "The current situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet is extremely grim because of the stand-off between the Chinese military forces and the local Tibetans. The monastery, housing approximately 2,500 monks, is completely surrounded by Chinese armed forces, who at one point prevented vital food and other supplies from entering the monastic compound," His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in a statement late on April 15th, Friday. "The local Tibetans fearing that this siege on Kirti Monastery is a prelude to large scale detention of the monks have surrounded the soldiers blockading the monastery and have filled the roads so as to prevent Chinese trucks and vehicles from either entering or leaving Kirti," Tibetan leader said in his statement. The statement said "the local Chinese blockade of Kirti Monastery began on 16 March 2011, when a young Tibetan monk at the monastery tragically set himself on fire as a way of observing the third anniversary of the widespread peaceful protests that shook Tibet in
2008. Instead of putting out the flames, the police beat the young monk which was one of the causes of his tragic death. This act created huge resentment among the monks, which resulted in this massive blockade of Kirti Monastery." "I am very concerned that this situation if allowed to go on may become explosive with catastrophic consequences for the Tibetans in Ngaba. In view of this I urge both the monks and the lay Tibetans of the area not to do anything that might be used as a pretext by the local authorities to massively crackdown on them," Tibetan added in the statement. His Holiness the Dalai Lama further said in the statement that, "he also strongly urged the international community, the governments around the world, and the international nongovernmental organizations, to persuade the Chinese leadership to exercise restraint in handling this situation" His Holiness the Dalai Lama also said in the statement that "for the past six decades, using force as the principle means in dealing with the problems in Tibet has only deepened the grievances and resentment of the Tibetan people. I, therefore, appeal to the Chinese leadership to adopt a realistic approach and to address the genuine grievances of the Tibetans with courage and wisdom and to restrain from using force in handling this situation."
monastery grounds before 6pm". Commenting on allegations that a group of monks were to have incited mobs to riot in March 2008 and keeping weapons and other tools for disrupting social order, Lobsang said that the Governor of Sichuan Province and the authorities in general were yet to provide the public with proof of these claims. According to AFP, Kate Saunders, spokeswoman for activist group International Campaign for Tibet, said the allegations were an attempt by officials to "distort and influence perceptions (...) of the deepening crackdown at Kirti". "The Kirti monks... are on the front-line of a dangerous struggle to keep Tibet's culture and religion alive, and no amount of attempted smears about sex and gambling will change that reality." Foreigners, including journalists, have now been banned from the part of southwestern Sichuan province where the Kirti monastery is located and the phone and information communication
channels are also being blocked. According to the China Post, a notice issued on April 21 by provincial public security authorities to relevant travel agents said foreigners were prohibited from entering the Tibetan populated prefecture of Ganzi and several counties in neighboring Aba prefecture. "Foreigners already in the aforementioned areas are to be urged to leave," the notice read and adding that "when the ban is lifted there will be another notice", offering no clue as to why the ban had been effectuated According to the international press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 'Xinhua' - the world's biggest propaganda agency belonging to the Chinese Communist Party's Propaganda Department employs more than 10,000 people. The head of the Xinhua has the rank of a minister. Since October 1949, this state-run newsagency has been completely subordinate to the Chinese Communist Party and remains the voice of the sole party.
TPI TIBET
The Tibet Post
30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
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China Claims "Harmonious", China's Crackdown intensifies in Kirti Monks Say "Threatened" Monastery of Tibet: Updates By
16 March 2011, People's Armed Police march on Ying Xiong Avenue near the main market in Ngaba Town around 5pm, just after protests took place following the selfimmolation of Phuntsog. Photo: TPI/FIle By Adam Sirrah and Sangay Dorjee, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - Seeping from the heart of China's tireless campaign to gain control over Tibet and its people are continued reports of contentious activities originating from the hills of eastern Tibet. The situation at and around Kirti monastery, the area's largest monastery and home to over 2,500 monks, has been escalating since the self-immolation of a resident monk on March 16th who was protesting Chinese rule and genocide of Tibetan culture. The most recent news from the monastery, provided by Kanyak Tsering to The Tibet Post International. supplement earlier reports of arbitrary detainment and torture of monks, food shortages, and a security presence which has transformed the monastery into a de facto prison. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities maintain that all is "normal" and that their authoritative presence is merely a means to "prevent unidentified people from entering." Increased security includes a newly constructed fence around the monastery. Also, police and military personnel, some eight hundred of them, march about intimidating the monks with their so-called "patriotic re-education" campaign. Supplemental forces arrived on Monday from Ngaba and nearby Dzorge county. The following day they visited every dorm and, in groups of ten officials, bombarded the monks with questions. When answers were not conducive to the campaign, the monks were abused. On Wednesday morning more security forces from surrounding counties arrived and in the afternoon they searched the dorms and harassed the monks. They demanded the monks' opinions of the current situation. Unsatisfactory opinions were met with physical abuse. Some were tied to a tree in the courtyard and left there for unspecified lengths of time. After the dorms were searched, some monks reported that recording devices had been placed inside their rooms. More reports of specific arrests have surfaced. On April 8th, 27-year-old Lobsang Gelek was arrested and taken from the monastery. His whereabouts is still unknown. Parents of another monk have shared their concern. Aga and Mari from the Miruma nomadic zone claim that their 24-year-old son, Tsering, was arrested and brought to an unspecified location. They have been denied any information pertaining to his whereabouts or reasons for his arrest. Other monks were recently released
from custody. They provided accounts of their experiences. Some were tied to pillars, some were tortured with electric shock treatments, and others were burned with sticks. Some lost consciousness during the treatment. Upon release, several of the victims were in such a state as to be unable to care for themselves. The conflict has sparked public interest and support. Locals have been gathering since April 12th to monitor the situation and do what they can to divert any detentions and arrests. Hundreds have gathered, most of whom are over sixty years of age. The security forces crassly insist that the supporters return to their homes, but such requests are ignored by the dedicated vigilantes who keep watch day and night. The people and areas around the monastery have also felt the wrath of the security forces. On April 17th, a large group of officials arrived at the nomadic areas of Miruma and Raruwa (near the monastery) and set up a camp, the characteristics of which indicate a lengthy stay. On the same day, nomadic peoples were forced to sign documents, the content of which was not discussed and the people are still unsure about what they were made to sign. The following day, April 18th, forces visited Jolek Village and searched every home of the bewildered locals. The Chinese are steadfast in their claims that everything is as it should be at and around the monastery. They claim that the relations between the eight hundred personnel marching about the grounds and the monks is "harmonious". The monks prefer to use "threatening" to describe the way they feel about the imposing group that has taken over their home. The Chinese Xinhua News Agency declared that the supplies are "sufficient" and that the monks have food supplied by the monastery. But the monastery has in fact never provided food. Rather, the monks are individually responsible for procuring their food. This requires constant flow, which is currently denied. Kanyak Tsering, speaking on behalf of the Kirtimonastery-in-exile, poses some frustrated questions to the apparently ill-informed officials responsible for such observations. "Are they aware that food has never been provided by the monastery? If they are aware of this, why and how did the monastery all of a sudden begin providing food?" At a press conference held on April 19th, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman
Samuel Ivor and Sangay Dorjee, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - Reports emanating from Ngaba region of Tibet in recent days suggested that the situation of Kirti monastery is very tense between the Chinese military and Tibetans. On the 15th and 16th of April, the Chinese government ordered that every official, and teacher of Ngaba County, should attend the ‘patriotic re-education' of the monks of Kirti Monastery. Kanyak Tsering from exile based Kirti monastery told The Tibet Post International that Many Chinese officials came from Dzorge County of Tibet to attend and assist those in Ngaba County. During the meeting, Chinese officials sat upstairs, and the Monks downstairs. The main speaker; -the head of the so-called ‘United Work Front Department'- of Ngaba Autonomous Prefecture, said to the audience of Monks "Whether the Monastery will close or should be destroyed is in your hands, that is dependent on your behaviour". He added darkly that some Monks have given information to the outside world regarding the protests at the Monastery, and that they will be punished. "Since 2008, because of the actions and continuous illegal activity of Monks from Kirti Monastery, every community or society of Ngaba County has had no peace, and the disruptions have destroyed the security of the area". After 8 o'clock a curfew has been imposed, and no monks are allowed out from their dormitory. If monks break the curfew, they will be beaten by Chinese security, which has an enormous presence in the Monastery. A case has been reported by a contact that one dormitory with seven monks, received
Hong Lei reported that "According to our knowledge, the monks in the Kirti Monastery enjoy a normal life and normal Buddhist activities, and the local social order is also normal." His "knowledge" is much different from the knowledge of the monastery's residents. The next day, officials aimed to put this normal image of every day life on display. They opened the doors of the Mani Prayer wheels around the monastery and invited locals for a photo shoot. All offers were denied until cash offers were made. The scene was photographed by the organizers who claimed this to be all part of a routine day. While the Chinese authorities continue to suggest a picture perfect scene at the Kirti monastery, reports from its residents contradict these proposed realities. Without intervention, the outcome could be yet another devastating clash between Chinese enforcers and Tibetans. The power clearly rests in the hands of the Chinese. The head of the official Chinese Work Committee (the administration responsible for the "re-education" campaign) gave an explicit reminder to this effect when he addressed the monks on April 19th. He warned them to be careful because he and his people "have the power and authority to kill all of [them]."
no food for three days. Later, other monks collected food and gave it to them. On the evening of April 15th , some military personnel and some Police officers collided with a fence belonging to a local Monk, in a vehicle. On the 20th of March, the Clinic of Kirti Monastery was closed by Chinese Officials, leading to a lack of provisions for unwell Monks. Sometimes military and Chinese Police officials enter the dormitory, asking questions as to who people are. When monks reply that they do not know the individuals in questions, the Chinese officials accuse them of being
the 16th of March, around 100 monks have disappeared from Kirti Monastery. The monks cannot be found in the inner sanctum of the Monastery, or in the local area. There is no information as to their whereabouts. When Phuntsok the Monk who self immolated himself in March, a writer named Gho Sherab returned from Xinning to to Ngaba County was arrested. It is not know where Gho Sherab is imprisoned, and there has been no official response from Chinese officials. On the 17th of April, at meeting, many highlighted that around 800 Chinese officials came to Kirti Monastery. The
A demonstration erupted in Labrang, Sangchu County, Kanlho "TAP" Gansu Province in the eastern part of the Tibetan area as a follow-up demonstration staged by monks of Tashikyil Monastery which was later joined by thousands of Tibetans in the area in 2008. Photo: TPI
dishonest, and use threatening techniques towards the monks. On the 12th April, an incident involving the people of Ngaba County and the Military highlighted the bravery of the local community. The local Tibetans said to the Chinese officials, ‘if the Monks are facing imprisonment, we will protect them, even if we die'. The Chinese police said ‘whoever is willing to die for them, give your signature'. Around 300 local people signed a paper, which argued that if the Chinese Government take Monks from Kirti Monastery, the locals are willing to give their lives to protect them. At the time, there was a large crowd, which is why the Chinese stopped the petition at around 300 people. The Chinese police documented the evidence with photographs; to use against protesters in the future. Since
Monks at the meeting stood up and replied to questions given by the officials. They did not give answers as the Chinese wished. The Chinese response was that the Monks behaviour had ‘not improved'. They added that the re-education was essential. The fence that the Chinese had built around the Monastery has only 3 exit gates, which makes it easier to keep close security. On the 17th of March, the students of Ngaba Autonomous Prefecture HighSchool, peacefully protested with a hunger strike. For almost one month, on the 17th of April, contacts in the region were told the information about the students on hunger strike not being allowed outside of the school. It had been withheld by officials. There is no further information on the welfare of the students.
China Arrests A Tibetan Nun for Free Tibet Protest Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), Jampa Tso staged her demonstration at a bridge leading to the market place in Derge County. Soon the police came to know about it and immediately arrested her. After being arrested by Derge police, her family at Dangkho County was informed. When the family arrived at the Derge County Public Security Bureau Detention Centre they were denied a meeting. The family was told that Jampa Tso has committed a grave crime and
they were intimidated from coming back. Jampa Tso, 28, was born at Chuwa Village, Drangko County. During 2008 around hundred nuns from the Badak Nunnery protested against repressive rule of the Chinese government. The authorities threatened that if they find any more political activities from the nunnery, the government will close the nunnery. The TCHRD calls for immediate release of the nun as she simply express her opinion which is a fundamental human right.
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do mass arrests and violence. Those at Kirti Jeypa Monastery; Dharamsala, belive that: "The current security campaign by the Chinese government is aimed to annihilate the very existance of Kirti Monastery, which is a great loss not only to the monks of the monastery, but to all the Tibetans and Buddhist community worldwide". They also declared that: "We, the monks at Kirti Jeypa Monastery, in Dharamsala North India,
TPI TIBET IN EXILE Coalition of 5 Groups Urge China to Release Panchen Lama
crackdown in Ngaba. 2). We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Tibet including the Panchen Lama and in particualr recently detained Tibetans from Ngaba including Lobsang Tsundrue and Lobsang Dhargay from Kirti Monastery 3). We urge the Chinese Government to respect human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion of all Tibetans inside Tibet. In particular the monks should be allowed to freely pursue their spiritual studies and be allowed to conduct the monastic
His Holiness the Dalai Lama leads a mass prayer service for the victims who died as. 26th April 2011. Photo:Sangay,TPI
and Sukhe Kirti Monastery in Darjeeling, are organising an all monk Peace March from Dharamsala to Delhi. This march is aimed to express support to our bretherens and fellow monks in Kirti Monastery in Ngaba,Tibet". "Through this march, we are putting forward three point demands to the international community and the Chinese governement: 1). We appeal to the peace and justice loving people, governments, parliamentarians, NGOs and particuarly out Buddhist brothers and sisters all over the worl, for extensive campaigns and to pressurize the Chinese government to immediatley stop the ongoing brutal Continued from front page ......
moment the government of Nepal said that organizing election by the Tibetans in Nepal is against the law. They also said it would jeopardize the interest of Nepal's neighbor countries". However, the Tibetan constituents in Nepal will
administrative affairs in a free atmostphere for the wellbeing of resident monks and spiritual heritage of the monastery". Scarves and blessings were issued to the 80 strong group of peaceful marchers, from groups including the TYC, and the Gu Chu Sum movement of Tibet. The group set off at around 11am this morning, carrying Tibetan and Indian flags, hoping to raise awareness for their cause. The monks of Kirti Jeyap Monastery of Dharamsala highlighted as they left: "We urge all the just and peace lovong people and governments worldwide to support our cause".
from the forum of international parliamentarians, made after the election had taken place: "We have been impressed by the way in which the organization of the election has taken place over the last month. With His Holiness the Dalai Lama to
The Tibet Post
By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - A coalition of five Tibetan NGO's has issued a press statement demanding China to provide evidence on the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The NGO's state that they will begin collecting signature petitions calling Chinese authorities to disclose information on the Panchen Lama's existence. The statement came on the Panchen Lama's 22nd birthday, April 25, as one of many protests among exiled Tibetans on the situation of the missing Panchen Lama. According to the statement the Chinese-appointed Governor of the so called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Padma Choling, in March 2010 told reporters that "Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are now living a good life as ordinary citizens in Tibet". To this remark Chime Yungdung, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet, comments that; "After 16 years, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is still nowhere to be found (...) We demand the Chinese leaders to provide evidence of his whereabouts." Several notable human rights institutions have voiced concerns over the matter of his disappearance including the UN Committee Against Torture, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. "On behalf of the Tibetan parliament in exile, representing the people of Tibet, I would like to express my firm hopes that Panchen Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and
still be represented as one of the sitting MP's, a woman living in Nepal, has been reelected for the coming Parliament. The International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet, which is comprised of MP's from around the globe had early in the election process requested that they monitor the election as it unfolded in India. "We had no objections for them to come and see the process of our election" said Choesang, and quoted a statement
relinquish his temporal role it will make this election not only historic but contribute further to the development of the Tibetan Democratic electoral process" Lobsang Sangay will be the first Kalon Tripa to have been born outside Tibet, his birthplace being Darjeeling, India. To many Tibetans Lobsang represents the younger generations of Tibetans with his rhetoric of "innovation, selfreliance and equality" as well as the fact that he himself will be among one
his family are now living a good life as TAR Governor, Padma Choling has said," said Dolma Gyari, the deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament. Tenzin Choedon, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet said that; "China has violated the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance" and concluded; "We urge the International community to hold China accountable and pressurize them for the immediate release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima". Other protests on the issue of the missing Panchen Lama include US based Rinpo Lama's 3 day long pilgrimmage of prostrations from the State's Capitol in St. Paul to the Gyuto Monastery in Minnesota, a bicycle ride protest from downtown San Francisco to the Golden Gate bridge, as well as a candle light vigil in Salt Lake City also
in the US. The signature petition in Dharamshala was announced at the Tibetan Main Temple and coordinated by the International Tibet Network who also set up the related internet campaign http://www.freepanchenlama.org. The five NGO's behind the press release are National Democratic Party of Tibet, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet INDIA, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Regional Tibetan Women's Association. The 11th Panchen Lama was born April 25, 1989 in central Tibet and disappeared on May 17, 1995, only a few days after being recognized officially as the 11th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Panchen Lama and his family has therefore not been seen for nearly 16 years to date.
Nepalese Police Humiliate A Tibetan Woman in Kathmandu By Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post
Kathmandu: -'The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Kathmandu' have staged a hunger strike this week to raise awareness for those suffering in Kirti Monastery; Tibet. Angered by the violence of the Chinese officials towards the monks of Kirti, in Ngaba region of Tibet, the members of TYC in Kathmandu rallied for the 24 hour hunger strike on April 18th. Regarding the peaceful protest, the TYC issued the statement: "We would like to request you please stand for us. Please contact the Chinese embassy and alert them to the news of Dr. Lobsang Sangay. Photo: TPI/file
Dolma Gyari, the deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile speaking during an event called "where is Panchen Lama" held in Dharamshala, India on 25th April 2011. Photo: TPI
of the younger politicians of the Central Tibetan Administration with his 42 years of age. The current government's mandate runs until August 14 and presumably the inauguration ceremony will take place on August 15, 2011. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had, in accordance with the Central Tibetan Administration's charter, been briefed before the public announcement of the results, but due to his busy schedule he had no time to make any comments, informed the election committee chairman.
On 18th April 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepalese police personels forced a Tibetan woman to take-off her T-shirt, because of the slogan on it stating "Save Tibet", which humilated her as only her bra was covering her dignity from the surrounding people and security personnel. Photo: TPI
Phuntsok's protest and the following peaceful protests by hundreds of monks and lay people which were violently suppressed. Please ask Chinese embassy officials to contact the Chinese authorities to ascertain the current situation in Ngaba". J.J. Tenzin told The Tibet Post International that Nepalese police personnels forced a Tibetan woman to take-off her T-shirt, because of the slogan on it stating "Save Tibet", which humiliated her as only her bra was covering her dignity from the surrounding people and security personnel."
Kirti Monastery has been under the media gaze recently ever since the self immolation of Phuntsok , a resident Monk, who died by self-immolation to raise awareness for the Tibetan struggle, on the anniversary of the 2008 Tibet uprising. It is estimated that around 800 members of Chinese armed security are present at the monastery. The have been recent reports of clashes with local residents and monks against Chinese armed forces, who attempted to enter the inner sanctum forcibly, and have vowed to ‘re-educate' the residents of Kirti Monastery. Trained dogs were used against the protesters, and over 33 people have been arrested. The Monastery is currently cordoned off, with reports of little food entering or leaving the Monastery. Fears are growing for the health of the 2500 monks currently in Kirti, who face starvation if food continues to be blocked from the premises. The TYC implored this week "Please seek full and detailed information about the individuals detained, with assurances that those needing medical attention receive it immediately and please pressure the Chinese government to respect the rights of Tibetans to peaceful protest and to give religious freedom".
TPI INTERNATIONAL 7 Tibet Born Famous Sherpa Prayer Service for Kirti Monastery Mountaineer Passes Away Held in Taiwan The Tibet Post
30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net
Famous mountainer Nawang Gambu, photo: File By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - Tibet born Sherpa mountaineer Nawang Gombu passed away at his home at the base of the Himalayas in Darjeeling on April 24. Nawang was the first person in the world to reach the Mt Everest summit twice, the first in India to conquer Nanda Devi (24,645ft) and the youngest ever to climb to a height of 26,000 feet. According to www.wikinews.org, Nawang scaled many other Himalayan peaks including Makalu, Nanda Devi and Cho Oyu, and he is credited with discovering several new mountain routes. Nawang Gombu was part of an elite group of Sherpa mountaineers who pioneered climbs on the Himalayas and made the Sherpa a word of worldwide fame. For his work, Nawang received many awards, including medals from Queen Elizabeth II and the National Geographic Society, and he was invited to the White House by President
Kennedy. "He was not only an outstanding climber, Gombu was a fine person who guided Indian mountaineering to a greater height," said Mohan Singh Kohli, a retired Navy captain and leader of the 1965 Indian expedition to Mount Everest. He was also important in the formation of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), along with other Sherpas. The creation of the Institute was supported by Nehru. Gombu served as Director of Field Training there, eventually retiring from HMI after more than forty years of work for the Institute. He was born in Southern Tibet near Rongbuk Monastery, but later moved with his family to a small village in Nepal near Mount Everest. Born to father Nawang Gyaltzen (a former Tibetan monk) and mother Lhamu Kipa, he was the elder of two siblings. Nawang Gombu He reached the age of 79 years.
TFOT Urges China to Stop Crackdown in Ngaba, East Tibet of monks and local Tibetan people. TFOT appealed to the people of Taiwan to understand that the nature of the Chinese communist regime's violence against unarmed monks and demanded that Taiwan's government openly express concern about religious persecution. TFOT also named the head of China's Bureau of Religious Affairs, Wang Zuoan, and Sichuan Provincial Party Secretary, Liu Qibao, as persecutors of human rights. At TFOT's press conference Tuesday, 26 April 2011, the orgnanisation's president, Ms Zhou Meili, stated, "The whole world is concerned about this. Of course Taiwan can not stay out of it. We call on Taiwan government to express its concern publicly." His Holiness the Dalai Lama has openly urged the Chinese government and monks to avoid more casualties, as Communist Party of China police continue to blockade the monastery. Monastery officials have been forced to take part in 'patriotic education' and the entire monastery's rooms have been blocked up with cement. Pro-Tibetan organizations around the world are appealing for international intervention, in order to avoid even greater disaster. TFOT has launched a petition, making
three calls: 1.For Taiwan's government to publicly express concern and demand that China stop any further military and police atrocities being committed against the monks. 2.For Buddhists in Taiwan to appeal to the Chinese communists to stop their cruel behavior in Tibet - this being a matter not only of religious freedom, but also physical violence against monks and attempts to destroy Buddhism. 3. For all the people of Taiwan to consider and recognise the brutality of a regime that will harm even monks. At Tuesday's press conference, Tsewang Dondup also described how, in March 2008, he tried to rescue an injured monk who had been shot and wounded by Chinese officers. The monk was taking part in a demonstration when he was shot in the abdomen and left wrist by two guns. He then hid in a forest, with no hospital treatment, and miraculously survived. Tsewang Dondup complained that, "I did not do anything wrong - not even asking President Hu Jintao to step down. [I] did not participate in demonstrations just tried to save a monk who had been hit, [but I am] also wanted by the Chinese Communists."
Dharamshala: - The Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Taipei yesterday organised a prayer service for the wellbeing of the Tibetans enduring hardships under the ongoing repression at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba in the northeastern Tibet's Amdo province. The prayer service was held in the prayer hall of Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Prayers were also offered in memory of the tragic death of Phuntsok, a 21year-old monk of Kirti monastery, who self-immolates on 16 March this year to mark the 3rd anniversary of the Tibetan people's peaceful protests which shook Tibet in 2008. Instead of putting out the flames, the police beat the young monk which was one of the causes of his tragic death. This act created huge resentment among the monks, which resulted in this massive blockade of Kirti Monastery. Venerable Dubthop Rinpoche from Nepal who is currently on his religious tour in Taiwan was requested to lead the prayer service. Geshe Jampal Choezin, the religious teacher of the foundation, in his brief address expressed hope that the prayers would help alleviate the sufferings of the Tibetan people in Amdo Ngaba. About 100 students of the foundation and other Taiwanese Buddhist devotees gathered in the prayer hall and offered prayers and lit candle lamp from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Meanwhile, the restrictions in Ngaba has been intensified with Tibetan government officials and schoolteachers forced to attend "patriotic re-education" session since 15 April, Kanyag Tsering, a monk at Kirti Monastery in Dharamsala said quoting sources from Ngaba. A group of government officials from neighbouring Dzoge region, located
some 150 kms from Ngaba, arrived at the monastery to conduct the session, which was presided over by the head of the United Front Work Department in Ngaba. The UFWD chief has warned of stern action against the monks of Kirti Monastery who have relayed information to the outside world. The authorities, with the help of police and military, have imposed strict restrictions on the monastery, not allowing a single monk to go outside
government officials from the neighbouring Dzoge region were brought in at Kirti Monastery to conduct the re-education session. The re-education session carried out on that day was different from the previous ones as individual monks are forced to stand in front of the gathering and answer questions from the authorities. The monks have been warned that the severity of the reeducation session would be prolonged
Tibetans and Taiwanese supporters take part in prayer service for Tibetans undergoing suffering in Ngaba/Photo: OoT, Taiwan
after 8 p.m. Those who venture in the courtyard after the prescribed time and encounter guards patrolling the monastery face severe beatings. Seven monks in a monastic quarter were left without food for three days due to the severity of the blockade imposed on the monastery. After knowing about their dire condition, other monks gathered small amount of food and delivered to them. There are also reports of police conducting arbitrary raids at monks' residential quarters and the monks' belongings were stolen as a result. Later on 17 April, around 800
if they do not mend their behaviour and thoughts in accordance with the official stand during the course of the session. Moreover, since 20 March the monastery's clinic has been shut down due to which the monks could not get necessary medical treatment. The restrictions imposed in and around the monastery still remain intact. The three main approaches to the monastery have been blocked with the completion of a concrete wall construction on the northern side of it. --Kalsang Lhundup from OoT, Taiwan, contributed to the report
Tibetans Urge World Intervention Against Chinese Crackdown By The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala, April 24: In the aftermath of the deepening crackdown in Kirti Monastery and the ensuing arrest of hundreds of monks, the Tibetan Women's Association and Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet organized a mass protest rally in Dharamsala Sunday to condemn the ongoing crackdown in Tibet. Hundreds of Tibetans; monks, nuns, school children and lay people along with Tibetan supporters marched from Tsuglakhang temple in Mcleod Ganj to Kachari Square in Lower Dharamshala demanding global vigilance and arbitration over the heightened Chinese repression in Amdo Ngaba. On Thursday (April 21) two elderly Tibetans, Dongko (male, aged 60) and Sherkyi (female, aged 65) were killed after enduring excessive beatings from the Chinese police. The two people died in their attempt to prevent the three hundred Kirti monks from forcibly being hauled into the trucks driving them to an undisclosed location. Eyewitnesses claim that "people had their arms and legs broken, one old woman had her leg broken in three places, and cloth was
Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche making offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long life ceremony held in Dharamsala, India, on 22 April 2011. Photo: Tibet net
stuffed in their mouths to stifle their screams." On Wednesday (April 20), several hundred officials from nearby counties gathered at Kirti Monastery to conduct ‘patriotic education'. According to International Campaign for Tibet, "in scenes that appear to be reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution, when monks gave answers that the officials did not approve of, the monks were severely beaten." Since the last many weeks, Kirti Monastery has been turned into a virtual prison with foods being impounded, movements restricted and the 2500 monks being made to starve.
According to Kirti Rinpoche living in exile India, "the Chinese authorities have concrete plans to debase the monastery and make livelihood difficult for the inhabitants of the monastery." Kirti Rinpoche has appealed for international support to save Kirti monastery in the wake of the crisis facing the monks and the local people in Ngaba. "The brutal clampdown on the monks of Kirti Monastery in particular and the Tibetan people in Tibet in general are deplorable and intolerable" said Dolkar Lhamo Kirti, President of Tibetan Women's Association. Contrary to the Chinese government's claim that the condition in Amdo Ngaba is normal, the video footages and the still images that came out of Tibet showed that following the unrest, Ngaba has been under severe lockdown with heavy presence of paramilitary and armed forces. "The crackdown on the Tibetans by the Chinese authorities impedes the international human rights conventions that China signed and ratified especially the Right to freedom of religion' and the Right to freedom of thought" said Lukar Jam, the vice President of Gu Chu Sum Continues on Page 8...
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30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
Continues from Page 2 ........ Wen Hui: I have seen that traditional culture and customs in Tibet have been destroyed. Many other things are also prohibited. When Tibetans flee into exile, they just want to strive to retain their traditional culture. Although there is currently unprecedented unity, the preservation of traditional culture is difficult - maybe because of the impact of Western culture. Tibetans go to India for refuge, but the idea of [Indian] charity may be withdrawn at any time. Here, the young Tibetans in exile keep saying they want independence, but they are very confused. With few employment opportunities, and competitiveness, life is generally very difficult. This is difficult and painful - to enter into a lower-class life is a very real problem. I am personally most concerned about the issue of cultural preservation being diluted down from generation to generation. I have great admiration for the Tibetan people living here, but the young Tibetans don't even write in Tibetan, yet speak for Tibetan independence. TPI: After His Holiness the Dalai Lama's political handover to a new elected body, do you think the new leadership will continue to gain international media coverage? Wen Hui: For modern society, His Holiness' choice to retire was a very good decision, and also a very important one. His Holiness has helped Tibetan society build democratic institutions. But, for the people of Tibet, his Holiness is the symbol of empowerment. Secular empowerment has existed for a long time, so his Holiness has chosen to retire in order to give more space for the newly formed Government to develop. The Chinese government knows that His Holiness will remain in the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people, so they keep saying that there is no Tibetan issue - only a Dalai Lama issue. Because for a long time the Tibetan people have thought that any decision taken by the Dalai Lama is the final decision. As long as the Tibetan people exist, the Tibet issue will not disappear. His Holiness will take another form - another way to international awareness - which also highlights the sensitivity of the Tibet issue. TPI: What is your opinion of His Holiness' intention to hand over political responsibility? Adam Chih-Te Lee: Tibetans will have to face things without the Dalai Lama one day. On the political level, His Holiness' choice to retire will prevent the situation of two Dalai Lamas existing simultaneously - similar to the Panchen Lama issue at present. His Holiness the Dalai Lama does not want to cause political confusion, and wants to prevent the Tibetan issue from disappearing from international awareness after he passes away. So, in order to achieve democracy for Tibet, to gain Tibetan independence, this is the correct choice. TPI: Do you really think and agree the new leadership will continue to gain international media coverage? Adam Chih-Te Lee: Not so much will change suddenly, because Tibetan Buddhism brings a different experience to Western people's minds. But if Tibetans returned to the level of the independence movement in Tibet after the Dalai Lama's retirement, the whole Tibetan exile community will have to face the harsh test of the international community. TPI: As a Taiwanese journalist, do you think the Tibetan struggle from 2008 to present has intensified or subdued?
Adam Chih-Te Lee: Since 2008, China's problems have not been confined to Tibet, but have been across all of China. Tibetan exiles insist on non-violent struggle, and that struggle has become the most successful movement in the world. TPI: Whether you agree or disagree, Taiwan's economy depends on China, or at least benefits economically from China. Do you think Tibet has the same economic benefit? Adam Chih-Te Lee: Communist China has repeatedly stressed that they liberated Tibet, and that they liberated the serfs. They offered economic development in exchange for political power, but ignored human rights. Food alone is not enough for the people. They need dignity, respect and rights, so the Communist Party should change their minds. TPI: What differences are there between your expectations and the realities of Dharamsala? Tang Zenling: This is my first visit to Dharamsala, although I had some understanding of Tibetans before I came. Everything is so real in front of me! It is difficult to express my feelings. I want to reflect when I return to Taiwan, and to address the Taiwan issue. TPI: I know you are a Buddhist, and have strong faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Have you been encouraged to see the small exile community, or have you been discouraged by your past few days' experience here? Tang Zenling: I have always had in mind the image of the Dalai Lama in the Potala Palace. I do not care about Dharamshala - it's a small town. Adam, Chih-Te Lee: The first time I came here, I felt the high lamas lead the monks and tens of thousands of lay Tibetans, which turns the Chinese communists' world upside down. In the meantime, I felt this was shameful for Taiwan, which has a population of 23 million. Dharamsala is not a big town - it has only two streets. Such people make Beijing restless.
Youth Cong. Begins Hunger Strike for Kirti Monastery of Tibet of movement. Kirti Monastery has faced the media spotlight over recent weeks. Phuntsok, a 20 year old monk from Kirti, selfimmolated himself on the third anniversary of the historic uprising in 2008; and subsequently died. In response, the Chinese Government have launched the ‘patriotic re-education' campaign. They simultaneously deployed hundreds of military personnel into the monastery; despite protests from the local community and the residents of the monastery itself. The situation in Ngaba is currently still highly tense. Military personnel have surrounded the Monastery, and erected a fence along with a high military presence. Monks are not allowed to leave, and pilgrims or visitors cannot enter. This has caused food shortages. Between March 16th and April 12th, 17 monks, and 17 local residents have been arrested by Chinese authorities. The Tibetan Youth Congress also voiced that international pressure was needed to aid the situation. The TYC said: "We strongly appeal to the United
TPI
The Tibet Post
Tibetan Charter Drafting Committee Issues Draft Preamble
The members of Kashag (Cabinet) and Parliament in exile. Photo: File By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - The exiled Tibetan Charter Drafting committee, today released 'draft preamble and related article, as the committee has been asked to submit its report to the Parliamentary Secretariat by 11 April 2011. A five member "Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee" was formed to represent both Kashag (Cabinet) and the Parliament in exile last month as per a resolution passed unanimously on the last day of the 14th Tibetan parliament's regular session. The following is the full text of the 'draft preamble and related article' issued by newly formed 'Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee'. From the time of its founding, commonly placed in the early 2nd Century BC, Tibet has existed as a sovereign nation for almost its entire history. When the Great Fifth Dalai Lama assumed the supreme spiritual and temporal leadership of Tibet in 1642, the Gaden Phodrang government he established became the legitimate government of the whole Tibetan people in the three regions of Tibet. Since then successive Dalai Lamas maintained the spiritual and temporal leadership of Tibet in this manner. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama assumed the political leadership of Tibet, thus becoming both its spiritual and temporal leader, in 1950. The People's Republic of China invaded Tibet and coerced its government into signing the 17-Point Agreement in 1951, in which the Gaden Podrang government was designated as the "Local Government of Tibet." However, its legitimacy as the government of Tibet was maintained and under the terms of the said Agreement the established status, functions and powers of the Dalai Lama were guaranteed to remain unaltered. When the People's Republic of China's authorities in Tibet violated the Agreement and resorted to the use of brute violence and repression against Nations and governments around the world to intervene and pressure the Chinese government to immediately withdraw its troops from Kirti Monastery; a place of worship". "We will also write to the Embassies in New Delhi and other International NGOs. All the regional chapters of (TYC) are being instructed to organize a uniform campaign the world over". Earlier this week the Dalai Lama urged for restraint in the standoff at the monastery, warning of ‘catastrophic consequences' which could lead to a clampdown from Beijing.
Tibetans, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Kashag (council of ministers) were compelled to escape from Tibet into exile. Immediately upon arriving in India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama repudiated the 17 Point Agreement on 18 April 1959. Whereas the Tibetan people recognise and look to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his Kashag as their legitimate government regardless of where it may be, His Holiness established the new seat of the central Tibetan administration in India to safeguard, represent and pursue the interests of the Tibetan nation and its people without interruption. Soon thereafter, His Holiness the Dalai Lama acted upon his long cherished desire to democratise the Tibetan governance system and institutions, and in 1960 created the Commission of Tibetan People's Deputies as the elected representative assembly of the people. The Eleventh Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies adopted the Charter of Tibetans in Exile, ratified by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 28 June 1991, to be the constitutional law governing the Central Tibetan Administration in conformity with modern norms of democracy. The Charter provided that the successive Dalai Lamas shall exercise their responsibilities as head of the Tibetan nation and as chief executive of the Tibetan administration. To complete the democratisation process and ensure that the future of the Tibetan people not be unduly dependent on one individual, and in full consideration of the challenges and goals before the Tibetan people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 14 March 2011 formally announced to the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies his intention to transfer all his administrative and political powers and responsibilities to the elected leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration. In deference to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's irrevocable decision to relinquish Continues from Page 5.... Movement for Tibet. Tension is rife in the region with foreign journalists being barred from entering the restive region and with the phone and information communication channels also being blocked. The absence of international intervention and lack of adequate legal protection and free media coverage will only exacerbate the situation. We urge the United States Government to raise this crucial issue during the annual meeting on human rights
his administrative and political roles and in the face of His Holiness' rejection of pleas to reconsider that decision, the Fourteenth Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies, in its additional session, adopted necessary amendments to the Charter to give effect to His Holiness' directive to appropriately amend the Charter while safeguarding the continuity of the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate governing body and representative of the whole Tibetan people, in whom sovereignty resides. By the act of ratification of the said amendments on [29 May 2011] in accordance with the present Chapter 11 of the Charter, His Holiness the Dalai Lama fully vests the Central Tibetan Administration and in particular its democratic leadership organs with the powers and responsibilities formerly held jointly by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to represent and serve the whole people of Tibet. The thus amended Charter, ratified by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, enters into force on this [29th day of May] 2011. ARTICLE 1: PROTECTOR AND SYMBOL OF THE NATION His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, human manifestation of Avaloketeshvara, is the guardian and protector of the Tibetan nation. He is the guide illuminating the path, the supreme leader, the symbol of the Tibetan identity and unity, and the voice of the whole Tibetan people. His authority is derived from centuries old history and heritage and, above all, from the will of the people in whom sovereignty is vested and therefore comprises the following inherent rights and responsibilities: 1. To provide advice and encouragement with respect to the protection and promotion of the physical, spiritual, ethical and cultural well being of the Tibetan people, to remain engaged in the efforts to reach a satisfactory solution to the question of Tibet and to accomplish the cherished goals of the Tibetan people; 2. To provide guidance in various forms to the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies and Kashag in matters of importance to the Tibetan people, including the community and its institutions in exile, at His Holiness' own initiative or at the request of those bodies; 3. To meet with world leaders and other important individuals and bodies to speak on behalf of the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA)
between the United States and China scheduled to be held next week in Beijing. We call for the urgent intervention of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion, International Human Rights organizations, the Global Buddhist Associations and the world leaders to pressurize the Chinese government to immediately stop the crackdown, end the siege in Ngaba and to release the arrested monks of Kirti monastery.
TPI PRESS & STATEMENTS
The Tibet Post
Dharamsala Appeals to Beijing to Lift Blockade of Monastery in Tibet
Kesang Yangkyi Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala. Photo: TPI/File By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - "We deeply regret the tense stand-off between the local Chinese authorities and the monks of Kirti Monastery and the local Tibetan population of Ngaba in northeastern Tibet," said Kalon Kesang Y Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala. Kalon Kesang Y Takla further said: "In the strongest possible terms we urge both the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans in Ngaba to exercise utmost restraint. At the same time we urge the local Chinese authorities to immediately stop its blockade of Kirti Monastery." Kalon Kesang Y Takla is reacting to the tense situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery, which is cordoned off by hundreds of Chinese armed forces who at one time prevented food and water being supplied to the 2,500 or so monks
of the monastery. This situation rose when Phuntsog, a 21-year-old monk of Kirti Monastery, set himself on fire on 16 March this year to protest the massive repression that was launched to crush the wide-spread peaceful protests in 2008, three years ago. Shortly after Phuntsog lit himself on fire, eye-witnesses say the Chinese police beat him while extinguishing the flames. A group of Tibetan monks retrieved the fatally wounded monk from the police captivity and took him inside the monastery. At the same time, hundreds of monks and local Tibetans took to the streets to express their resentment over the Chinese authorities' heavy-handed approach over the incident. A large contingent of security forces were brought in to disperse the Tibetan protesters, many of whom were beaten indiscriminately with electric batons and
iron clubs before being taken into police custody. Meanwhile, Phuntsog, who remained holed up for hours inside the monastery cordoned off by armed military forces, succumbed to his grievous burn injuries in the early hours of 17 March at a hospital. Hospital authorities demanded police clearance for treatment. As part of the broadening crackdown, the Chinese government had enforced "patriotic re-education" campaign at Kirti Monastery since 20 March. The authorities have imposed an indefinite ban on the religious activities at the monastery. The situation worsened on 11 April as the local Tibetans gathered at Kirti monastery in an attempt to protect monks from being taken away for "re-education" at a detention centre. Several Tibetans were beaten and injured after the police set trained dogs on the crowd. The Chinese government has started building concrete walls to close the gaps between the barbed wire fence to reinforce the blockade imposed on Kirti Monastery, restricting 2,500 monks from leaving the monastery. An estimated 800 additional armed security personnel were deployed at the monastery on last Saturday. The security clampdown in Ngaba was further intensified on 20 March as the Tibetans attempted to celebrate the democratic elections in the exile community. Despite a heavy buildup of troops in the area, some people in Ngaba conducted prayers inside their homes and set off fire-crackers to mark the day. Some Tibetans were detained in the crackdown. Sporadic arrests of Tibetans were also reported in Tawa, Kanyag Dewa and Cha township in Ngaba from 22 - 24 March.
Police Harassment on Tibetan Woman in Nepal Unacceptable
On 18th April 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepalese police personels forced a Tibetan woman to take-off her T-shirt, because of the slogan on it stating "Save Tibet", which humilated her as only her bra was covering her dignity from the surrounding people and security personnel. Photo: TPI By Tibetan Women's Association (TWA)
Dharamshala: Tibetan Women's Association (TWA), an exile women's group Wednesday is appalled by the unacceptable harassment of 42 year old Tibetan woman activist Sonam Choedon as she was publicly violated by Nepalese police. Ms. Choedon was harassed, coerced and ordered by Nepalese police to remove her top in public because of a slogan on her tshirt which read: "save Tibet and stop the killing in Tibet". In Kathmandu on Monday, April 21, Nepalese police disrupted a hunger strike which consisted of approximately 30 Tibetans advocating in solidarity for the Tibetans in Ngaba and the monks of Kirti Monastery who have been
under increased crackdown by the Chinese Military over the past weeks. When the Tibetan woman activist objected to the unduly harassment and refused the order by Nepalese police to remove her top in public, the Nepalese police threatened to take all Tibetan hunger strikers to prison. The harassment and unacceptable use of power by the Nepalese police, who demanded public exposure of the Tibetan woman, is not only shameful but also completely unprofessional. The situation in Kathmandu raises great concern of the direct pressure from the Chinese government on Nepal's government position which has stated that "pro-Tibet" activities will be prohibited in Nepal. This further ignites the growing concern of human rights violations. The harassment clearly violates a number of articles within the Convention on the "Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women" which Nepal signed and ratified in 1991(Article 1, 3, and 7). These articles which are most applicable pertain to human rights and fundamental freedoms with regards to an individuals' political freedom. In addition, the "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", which notes Nepal's accession in 1991 states specifically in Article 7 "that no one shall be subjected to inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment". Ms. Sonam Choedon was subjected to the degrading harassment and order to remove her shirt in public. Other articles within the covenant that were violated are noted as violations against threat of arbitrary arrests, violation of freedom of expression, right to peacefully assembly, and protection against discrimination (Articles 9, 19, 21, 22, 26). In addition, other violations of basic rights afforded by The Declaration of Human Rights are noted: Article 5, 9, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 28, and 29. TWA calls on the Nepalese police responsible for this harassment to provide a public apology to Ms. Sonam Choedon. TWA has drawn the attention of Ms. Kyung-what Kang, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, National Human Rights Commission (NGRC)-Nepal, National Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice, -Nepal, and The Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HRON) to immediately consider an urgent action intervention to the Government of Nepal to address this issue and have the Nepalese police responsible for this discriminatory act apologize to the victim. TWA garnered the support of the Human Rights groups in taking a stand for Human Rights and support of the Tibetan activist community in clearly speaking out against such harassment and violation.
30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
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Exile Parliament Seeks UN's Help in Stopping Tibet Crackdown
Dolma Gyari, the deputy speaker of exile Tibetan parliament based in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/File By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Parliament in exile has appealed for the United Nations to intervene in stopping repression imposed by the local Chinese authorities on the monks of Kirti Monastery and the local Tibetan population in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet. The Tibetan Parliament has also sought help from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International London, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights without Frontiers International and international parliamentarians. "On behalf of Tibetan Parliament-inExile, I beg to draw your attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet," said deputy speaker Dolma Gyari in a letter to the UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon yesterday. The deputy speaker apprised the UN chief that the monastery in Ngaba has been virtually turned into a prison with heavy deployment of Chinese military force and barbed wire fencing and concrete walls around it.
The tense situation at Kirti Monastery arose when on 16 March, Phuntsok, a monk of the monastery, set himself on fire to protest the massive repression of the widespread peaceful protests across Tibet in 2008. The Tibetan Parliament expressed its deep concern about the safety of monks locked up inside Kirti monastery as the Chinese government has ordered the detention of those between the age of 18 - 40. Many Tibetans stand guard on the roads to prevent military trucks from taking away the detained monks. The police brutally beat the Tibetans and unleashed dogs on them when they attempted to block the forces from entering the monastery on 12 April, reported Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy based in Dharmsala. "The security, dignity and the human rights of over 2,500 monks of Kirti Monastery, one of the most important monastery, stand critically threatened," Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari said in the letter. Ms Gyari also apprised the UN about the arrest of Phuntsok's younger brother Lobsang Tseten and his maternal uncle Lobsang Tsundue first on 22 March and later on 12 April. The deputy speaker informed the UN that arbitrary arrests and suppression continue in Ngaba. The Tibetan Parliament has sent to the UN a report compiled by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy on the prevailing situation of human rights violations inside Tibet.
Tension Mounts in Ngaba Tibet, Over 300 Monks Arrested residences in the Kirti compound to seal them off, and then arrested over 300 monks, following a preconceived plan. They put them into 10 trucks of the largest size, and took them away. According to what local people have heard, they have been taken either to Dujiangyan or to Tashi Ling (Li Xian). According to a report by Ven. Kanyak Tsering, the media coordinator of Dharamshala based Kirti Monastery, From about 4 pm Beijing time on the 21st for the next 24 hours, there were no telephone signals whatsoever. At about 5 pm Beijing time on the 22nd, five large trucks of the type used in the previous night's arrests pulled into the monastery. Their registration plates and other writing on the sides had been covered up, so it is supposed that they plan to arrest more monks tonight. The doors to the rooms of the monks arrested last night have been sealed, or marked with notices saying it is forbidden to open them. It is particularly disturbing that as the monks were driven away, the group of over 200 mainly old people who had been waiting around the entrance of the monastery since April 12 out of concern that something like this was going to happen were mercilessly beaten when they tried to prevent it. People had their arms and legs broken, one old woman had her leg broken in three places, and cloth was stuffed in their mouths to stifle their screams. Among them Dongko of upper Tawa, aged 60, and 65 year old Sherkyi of the Rako Tsang house in Naktsangma, Cha
township were both killed. The people were put into four goods trucks, two went to the army camp and two went to the ‘Raybong' cemetery, and there they were released. Most of them were released b 9 am on morning of the 22nd, but a group of younger people was detained. A girl from the Nakle Losang house has been reported missing since last night, but there are no further details of their names and so on. On April 22nd, all shops and restaurants in the county town remained closed, and only military and official vehicles were on the roads. In fact, the monks had got wind that something like this was going to happen by midday on 21st, and around 6 pm a large group of monks gathered, protesting that they could not do such a thing, and that if any of them were arrested (the rest) would stand in their way. They remained there until about 8.30 pm, when the senior official leading the present reeducation campaign came and told them emphatically that there was no such intention and that the monks should return to their rooms. He was backed up by the monastery Khenpos and members of the Democratic Management Committee saying the same thing, and saying that if the monks did not go back to their rooms, there could be a confrontation with the army, and the monks themselves would be responsible for the consequences. The monks returned to their rooms, and a only short while later their dormitories were surrounded by special police (Duijing), and the arrests went ahead as described above.
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TPI INTERNATIONAL Mourns the Demise Anxiety and Trauma Issues for His Holiness of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Tibetan Arrivals in Nepal 30 April , 2011 Dharamsala
Mr. Dorjee Damdu, was interviewed by UNFFT Monika Svehlova in a communication point in the Tibetan reception center in Katmandu. By Monika Svehlova, The Tibet Post
Kathmandu: - Mr. Dorjee Damdul, the director of the Tibetan reception center in Kathmandu, was interviewed by UNFFT Monika Svehlova during the 52nd anniversary of Tibet Uprising day this March. The aspiration for Tibet Freedom has got its price. Over a million of Tibetans have been killed, thousands of monasteries destroyed, and the entire country has been wiped from the map of the world. Why and how could it happen during the 20th and now 21st century? The answer is obvious: Communist China has overtaken most of the world's economic power and the former leaders. USA, UK, Germany and Australia are now left to bite their nails while struggling to find a way to avoid the possible control from China in trade, currency, even politics. The recent news from Nepal is scary. The Maoists attacked the main positions in the government. The growing influence of its northern neighbor is another dangerous threat to Tibetans. Nepal is the transit country for the Tibetan refugees, who escaped from the genocide in Tibet. There are some safe places for the Tibetans as their first stop to Dharamsala in Nepal. One of such places is the Tibetan reception center in Kathmandu. The director of the reception center, Dorjee Damdul said:
"For Tibetans, who managed to survive the dangerous journey through the Himalayas to Nepal, it is the first place to stay. It becomes increasingly dangerous for them as Nepal police and secret agents are monitoring the route Tibet-Nepal constantly. The refugees must pay a huge amount of money in Tibet to the guides taking them to Nepal and the result of this risky decision is not certain... If they are caught while escaping, they are put straight into jail and their families persecuted. The Chinese officers would stop the supply of the basic necessities for the family, they and their families would lose the jobs they might still have and their life would become unbearable. Those lucky ones, who make it to our center, are safe behind its walls. We give those immediate medical help, food and shelter. The good point is they do not come to us in such horrible physical state as it used to be several years ago. However, all of them are deeply traumatized, they live in fear. Frankly, anxiety and trauma are the main problems for Tibetans after reaching our center." M: Do you cooperate with any health professionals? How can you help them, how do they help you? D: Yes, we do have our doctor who
Prostration Campaign for the Release of the Panchen Lama April 22nd, from the footsteps of the State's Capitol in St. Paul and end his campaign at the Gyuto Monastery on April 25th, to coincide with the22nd birthday of the once world's youngest politic prisoner, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. Rinpo Lama is known nationally for his long-distance bicycle rides for the Tibetan cause, from a solo journey from Minnesota to Washington in 2000 to a group ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. In 1995, at age 6, GendunChoekyiNyima was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, Tibet's second most important spiritual leader. Shortly thereafter, the young child and his family were detained by the Chinese authorities. The Chinese government's motives for keeping GendunChoekyiNyima under house arrest are purely political and a
means for further controlling Tibetans' religion and culture. China's atheist government has installed a different child, GyaltsenNorbu, in his place. Historically, the Panchen Lama has played a pivotal role in identifying the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and vice versa. The Chinese government continues to meddle ruthlessly in Tibetan Buddhist affairs in an attempt to exert political and social control over Tibetans through the religious institutions at the center of Tibetan life. To date, China has denied all requests from the international community to see GendunChoeykiNyima, the real Panchen Lama; his whereabouts remain unknown. Every year, on April 25th, birthday of the Panchen Lama, Tibetans and supporters worldwide call for his immediate release and return to his rightful seat at the TashiLhunpo Monastery.
The Tibet Post
comes to us once a week to provide the checkups. If there is any serious case, we send this patient directly to the hospital for further and specialized treatment. Minor injuries and illnesses can be handled in our own hospital which is based in the Center. The refugees get the basic vaccination and medication and also, we have a trained psychotherapist who comes to help them to deal with the traumatic experience and the consequences of leaving Tibet. M: How many people can you accommodate and for how long? D: We usually have here around 200300 people and they stay with us for about a month. We do our best to send them quickly to India who accept them with no delay or any problems. The average age of the refugees is between 18 and 40, around 20 percent of them are children between 6 and 17 years old. M: Do the refugees need any permission from Nepal's government? D: When the Tibetans arrive here, they do have neither passports nor the status of refugee. So, we apply for a permission to leave Nepal at a specialized office here and also for the Indian visa. Usually, there are no problems with visas but sometimes the Nepali permission for certain people is refused. In such case, I communicate with UN, UNCFR or the American Embassy to make it happen. They are very helpful and we are usually successful. Then, when the basic paper work is done, we hire a bus and send a group of around 40 people to Delhi. They get the passports and the status of refugee there within a short time, so then they go straight to Dharamsala to receive a blessing from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Afterwords, they are sent to different monasteries, nunneries and schools around India according to their individual preferences, needs and skills. M: Your center is right in the middle of Kathmandu. In the current political climate in Nepal how can the TRC stay protected? D: We have good contacts with the local community and the authorities, they are very understanding. Despite of having our own water supply, we negotiated with the officials to have guaranteed water regardless of our own reservoir. And we continue to provide help for all Tibetans till they can go back to their home..in this case Dharamsala* At the end, even though I was not allowed to take any photos, Dorjee la let me have a look at their hospital, so I managed to speak to nurses about the care for the refugees, also chat with women prepared for a transit to India. All of them were very shy but kind, with no signs of any anger, just hoping for a better future. In their hearts there is big sorrow, having gone through the trauma of leaving Tibet and family, knowing they might never return. But nobody is prepared to give up. "We want a free Tibet and hopefully, one day, have a cup of tea in Lhasa without being watched by Chinese soldiers," - they told me. Mr. Damdul's parents were in a group accompanying His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his escape from Tibet in 1959. As a son of such parents, he has no hesitation in standing up what is important and right thing to do: the survival of Tibetans.
Baba, who is revered by millions of followers in India and abroad as a living god. In his condolence message issued today (25 April), His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: "I am saddened by the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the respected spiritual leader. I would like to convey my condolences and prayers to all the followers, devotees and admirers of the late spiritual leader." He was hospitalized on March 28 with respiratory problems and passed away on Sunday around 7.40am following multiple medical complications. The spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, 85, had millions of followers around the world. Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his organisations support a variety of free educational institutions, hospitals, and other charitable works in India and abroad.
In this April 10, 2010 file photo, Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba looks on at a function to meet his devotees in New Delhi. Dr. A.N. Safaya says Sathya Sai Baba died Sunday morning, after more than a week on breathing support and dialysis at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. (AP/File) By The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala: - Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has condoled the demise of Sri Sathya Sai
Heavy Snow Paralyzes Traffice on Road in Eastern Tibet
Vehicles move slowly on the ice and snow-covered national road linking Garze County and Dege County in eastern Tibet. Photo: Xinhua
to help those stuck in their vehicles, by delivering food and drinks. It took eight hours to clear the snow and for traffic to resume," Xinhua further reported. The snow has covered national road linking Karze County and Dege County in Kham region of Tibet (Chi: Southwest China's Sichuan Province), April 23, 2011. Due to the continuous snowfall, the Karze-Dege section of National Road 317 which was covered with snow of over 50 cm in thickness, causing many vehicles stranded for hours.
By The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala: - A heavy snow fall in eastern Tibet region Saturday (23rd April) caused traffic to come to standstill on Saturday with thousands of drivers trapped their vehicles. According to Chinese state controlled media 'Xinhua', Up to 80 centimeters of snow fell in Karze, (Chi: Ganzi), and around 20 centimeters of ice was found on the highways. "Two hundred soldiers were deployed
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