November 2021

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

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A Digest of Tibetan Issues and News from Inside and Outside Tibet RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 | Volume: XXIII Issue:05| November 30, 2021

No Beijing 22

Olympic Challenge

by Mary Trewartha Protest in Switzerland Tibetans and Tibet supporters staged a protest outside the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday 26 November, holding a “mock funeral” for the IOC. The protest was led by United Kingdom-based Free Tibet in collaboration with the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe and the local Canton de Vaud Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association. It was staged as part of the No Beijing 2022 campaign, a coordinated campaign with a coalition of over 200 global rights groups that are calling for a boycott of Beijing 2022.

The protestors say that the IOC has betrayed Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, Southern Mongolians and Chinese dissidents through its inaction, corruption and willingness to side with the Chinese Communist Party, despite clear evidence that the Olympics are being used to “sports wash” the Chinese leadership’s human rights atrocities.

The protest was organised, says Free Tibet, following the IOC’s complicity in the attempts to silence tennis player Peng Shuai’s accusations of sexual assault, and the IOC’s continued ignoring of human rights abuses in favour of profitable partnerships.

The IOC’s decision to award the 2022 Winter Games to Beijing is particularly painful to Tibetans, as it echoes the 2008 Olympics,

Photo: Free Tibet

a decision that directly led to Tibet being closed off from the world and becoming the least free place on Earth, which in turn led to over 150 Tibetans setting themselves on fire in protest.

Tibetan-Canadian Chemi Lhamo, who recently disrupted the Beijing 2022 Olympic Torch Ceremony in Olympia, and Tibetan filmmaker and former political prisoner Golog Jigme led the action by expressing their complete dismay at the IOC’s blatant disregard of China’s human rights abuses; they went on to announce the “death of the Olympic Committee” and then offering hope that they Continued on page 3

COP26 Roundup The message of the importance of the Tibetan Plateau to the global climate debate was brought in front of the eyes of the world during the COP26 Summit due to the hard work of so many Tibetan activists and supporters. You can read our articles about the Summit - the United Nations climate conference held in Glasgow, UK earlier this month - on pages 6 and 7.

COP26: Tibetans Lobby World Leaders

by Tenzin Samten A team of Tibetan environmentalists have been in Glasgow, UK, representing Tibet. They have been urging world leaders gathered for the COP26 United Nations Climate Summit to make the Tibetan Plateau central to any global climate change discussion.

Continued on page 6

Photo: Tibetan Community UK Facebook

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Contact magazine | November 2021 | Page No 2

Editor’s Word Tibet Hits the International Stage The Tibetan message is hitting the world on three fronts at the moment: at the COP26 Summit earlier this month Tibetan activists can very rightly claim a huge success putting their message right on the front line, few who tuned in to the debate can have missed that message of the significance of the Tibetan Plateau to the world’s climate. Read our roundup of COP26 on pages 1,6 and 7.

And now all eyes are on the Olympics with campaigns underway to get the world to boycott the Winter Olympics in Beijing next February - and with some success as world leaders decide on whether or not to stage a diplomatic boycott. UK-based Free Tibet is in the forefront of a campaign bringing together more than 200 global rights groups calling for a boycott, and more specifically, to persuade the British Olympic Association to take a stand.

And Tibet groups in Switzerland have succeeded in persuading the OECD to investigate their complaint against the International Olympic Committee. You can read about all these campaigns on pages 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Still on the international stage, see page 9 for the story of the worldwide complaints about INTERPOL’s decision to include a top Chinese official on its Executive Committee - citing their human rights record, and again, Tibetans are specifically mentioned in those complaints.

Contact Magazine Managing Director : Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief : Jenny James Editor : Tenzin Samten Circulation Manager : Tsering Wangdue Designed by : Karma Ringzin Topgyal Published by Lha Charitable Trust Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Instagram : tibetan_news_brief Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone:01892 -222390 Email: ippdsala@gmail.com

News Features No Beijing 22 Continued from page 1

will one day be reborn as something better.

Tashi Shitse of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe said, “We welcome our fellow Tibetan activists from around the world for this important action. Peng Shuai and thousands of others have been silenced by the Chinese Communist Party and it is unacceptable that the IOC awarded them the Winter Olympics for 2022.”

Say No to Beijing Campaign The Say No to Beijing Campaign is asking how China’s mass arrests, torture, attacks on Tibet’s culture, language and religion and the genocide of the Uyghur people, as well as the shredding of civil liberties in Hong Kong, meet the Olympic values and principles of respect, friendship, diversity and autonomy? The Campaign’s message continues, “In 2014,a letter to prospective bidders for the 2022 Winter Olympics informed them of changes to the contract, which acts as a binding agreement between the International Olympic Committee and the winner. This new clause read, ‘Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement’.” Say No to Beijing is calling on the British Olympic Association to take a stand for human rights and for the true spirit of the Olympics, and to boycott Beijing 2022.

Petition Say No to Beijing has set up a petition which will be given to the British Olympic Association (BOA) in London on December 10, saying “Given the numerous and severe human rights concerns being carried out by the Chinese government, we urge the British Olympic Association (BOA) to re-evaluate its participation in the Games […] In January 2021, Tibet was listed as the worst place in the world for civil and political rights […] The Chinese government’s treatment of the Uyghur people is increasingly being recognised by governments, and the UK parliament, as genocide […] With the International Olympic Committee remaining silent, it falls to the BOA to take a firm stance.

The most impactful and bravest course of action would be a boycott of the 2022 Winter Games, accompanied by a public statement that the BOA is boycotting because of the host’s extensive human rights abuses, including genocide.

This would make a real difference to millions of lives and would be looked back on as a courageous, historic act by future generations.”

Swiss Complaint Against IOC Accepted Tibet support groups in Switzerland have filed a complaint

with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) against the International Olympic Committee for violating the OECD guidelines by having awarded the 2022 Winter Olympics Games to China.

OECD has accepted the complaint and it will now go for the mediation process by the Swiss National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (SNCP). The notification that the complaint has been accepted was issued after an examination by the SNCP to determine whether the matter was material, whether it was within the scope of the SNCP’s remit and whether the SNCP could provide effective assistance.

The complaint was submitted jointly by the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association, Tibetan Youth Association in Europe, Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and the Tibetan Women’s Association in Switzerland. SNCP will undertake the mediation process between the Tibet groups and the International Olympic Committee.

The complainants allege that the IOC had awarded the hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 2015, knowing of the widespread and grave human rights violations in Tibet, East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang], Hong Kong, Southern Mongolia and other areas of China, including mainland China. They also state that the IOC was already aware of the massive human rights violations before, during and after the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and was witness to them, and despite this it has again awarded the Olympic Games to the People’s Republic of China.

The complainants also pointed out that several of the sponsors, partners and suppliers of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing are allegedly connected directly or indirectly to the forced labour or internment camps which, they say, the PRC calls “re-education camps” or “vocational training camps”, in East Turkestan, and benefit from products manufactured using forced labour.

The complaint detailed IOC’s negligence by failing to conduct its activities with due diligence, and in violation of OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which are obliged to respect internationally recognised human rights.

They say the mediation will focus on: • How can the negative human rights impacts raised by Tibet organisations as a result of the award of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing be mitigated and remedied during these games?

• How can human rights be respected in the organisation of future Olympic Games?

• How can this mediation help in the analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the individual actors (e.g. sponsors, suppliers for the Olympic Games) according to the various guidelines of the OECD?

Contact magazine | November 2021| Page No 3

News Features Former Tibetan Political Prisoner’s Olympic Campaign

by Tenzin Samten Dhondup Wangchen, a former Tibetan political prisoner and well known activist, is on a speaking tour of 15 countries to raise awareness about China’s ongoing human

the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games organised by Tibetan organisations in France.

Visiting European Union countries from November 17 to 23, he met journalists, politicians and individuals, narrating his personal experience of the suffering of Chinese prisoners, and of the suffering of Tibetan people living under Chinese rule inside Tibet in the aftermath of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He said he hopes that his narrative and emotional experience will bring Tibet to the forefront of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games debate.

He met the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and handed over a letter stating his demand that the 2022 Beijing Olympics not to be held in China.

“I am touring European countries to shine the spotlight on China’s continued human rights abuses, particularly in Tibet. In the runup to the 2008 Beijing Games, China promised that its human rights record would improve.

Back then, I believed in the International Olympic Committee and trusted them to live up to their promises,” rights violations in Tibet and to urge the International said Dhondup Wangchen.

Olympic Committee (IOC) not to hold the 2022 Winter He continued, saying that for making the 25 minute Olympics in Beijing.

Leaving Fear Behind, China tortured him and gave him Dhondup publicised life under Chinese rule in the a six year prison sentence; “China does not deserve the runup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics with his documentary honour of hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics and the Leaving Fear Behind, IOC should withdraw a compilation from 40 all athletes,” he said, hours of raw footage of adding: “As the 2022 interviews and film of 108 Games approach, I want Tibetans from different to share with you my parts of Tibet, which he personal Olympic oath. I made with Golog Jigme. promise to strive for the The film was released fundamental rights of worldwide by the Zurichall people. I do this for based company Filming the honour of my own for Tibet, with Dhondup people and all oppressed Wangchen’s cousin, persons, in respect Gyaljong Tsetrin. This for the fundamental precipitated Dhondup’s principles of the Olympic arrest by the Chinese Tradition, and to strive to Dhondup Wangchen in Paris authorities and subsequent make the world a better Photo: tibet.net six year prison sentence place”. where he was subjected to torture, forced labour, systematic He concluded by saying, “In 2008, China broke every discrimination and denied health services and family visits. promise it made to uphold Olympic ideals. As a result, On his release he escaped to the United States and was blood was shed. Let history not repeat itself. At great risk, reunited with his family in December 2017.

I escaped from Tibet in 2017. China tried to silence me Now in the lead up to the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, then, but they cannot now”.

Dhondup is once again campaigning. He started his Over the next three months, Dhondup Wangchen will speaking tour in Paris, France, where he screened Leaving be visiting other countries, screening his film, sharing his Fear Behind, sharing his experiences while making the experience as China’s prisoner and urging the International film, and the suffering sustained during his time in prison. Olympic Committee, government officials and the While in Paris he participated in a protest rally against international media to support his campaign.

Contact magazine | November 2021| Page No 4

News Features World Leaders Consider Olympic Boycott

by Tenzin Samten The United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia and Lithuania have all announced that they are considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Human rights groups across the world have been calling for the boycott since the announcement that the Olympics would be held in China. The call, initially to draw attention to the inappropriateness of supporting China’s human rights abuses, particularly towards Tibetans, the Uyghur population of East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang] and the people of Hong Kong, has gained more attention and support from the world sports community with the recent incident of the disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after she said publicly that she had been sexually exploited by a top Chinese leader.

On November 18, US President Joe Biden said that he is considering diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics; this would mean no US officials would attend the games. “That is something we are considering,” said Biden to reporters before his meeting with leaders from Mexico and Canada.

Joining the US, a Canadian foreign affairs spokesperson said that Canada will continue to discuss with its partners a potential diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, reports CTVNews.ca. “Canada remains deeply disturbed by the troubling reports of human rights violations in China,” said Syrine Khoury, Press Secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, in a statement to CTVNews.ca.

According to the Business Standard, responding to the US President’s possible boycott of the game, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the US “falsely accuses” China of committing genocide and

forced labour in East Turkestan. “Any politicisation of sport violates the Olympic spirit and harms the interests of athletes of all countries,” he added.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also reported to be considering a diplomatic boycott in protest against China’s record on human rights, Reuters reported on November 20 that Johnson had confirmed that “active discussion” is going in the government. The report said that five Conservative politicians wrote to Johnson urging him to ban any official UK diplomatic representation at the Winter Olympics.

In Lithuania, a group of members of the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) have signed a joint appeal letter to their government, politicians and athletes, urging them to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics. MP Andrius Navickas, Chair of the Lithuanian All Party Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, signed the letter, together with 17 members of the Lithuanian Parliament. The appeal letter expressed concerns over China’s human rights violations and aggression against Uyghurs, Tibetans inside Tibet, and the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan. “We appeal to the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee and leaders of all sports federations operating in Lithuania, calling on them for maintaining a position of principal that prestigious international sports tournaments and championships cannot take place in authoritarian states where human rights are not respected and where regimes try to employ sports for the promotion of their own image”, said the letter.

Rights groups across the world have been calling for the boycott in response to China’s treatment of Tibetans and Muslim Uyghurs, and its political actions in Hong Kong.

V-TAG Launch in Switzerland

by Tenzin Samten The Voluntary Tibetan Advocacy Group (V-TAG) was launched in Switzerland by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on November 7 at a public meeting with the Tibetan community of Switzerland and Lichtenstein. V-TAG has the objective of reinforcing existing advocacy campaigns across the world by providing a platform for every Tibetan to contribute in their own way towards the larger cause of Tibet.

V-TAG will be headed by Dukthen Kyi of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR)’s Human

Rights and Advocacy desk. Dukthen said that young Tibetans are urged to join this platform as the older generations are passing on and added that this programme will enable them to contribute from wherever they are living in the world.

The launch came at the end of Sikyong’s visit to Switzerland, where he met representatives of the Government Council of Zurich and senior officials from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as well as the Tibet support groups and institutions in Switzerland, returning his office in Dharamshala on November 8.

Contact magazine | November 2021| Page No 5

News Features COP26: Tibetans Lobby World Leaders glaciers are warming faster than the global average, posing They were highlighting the ecological importance of the a threat to the billions of Asians living downstream.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama published a message Tibetan plateau as the world’s “Third Pole” and drawing attention to Tibet’s fragile ecosystem which is under threat in advance to the climate delegations gathered for the summit saying, “the Tibetan plateau, the largest reservoir from China’s exploitation of its resources.

The all-women team included Dechen Palmo, a of snow and ice outside the North and the South Poles, is researcher from the Central Tibetan Administration called the Third Pole and Tibet is the source of some of (CTA)’s environment desk, Dr Lobsang Yangtso, the world’s major rivers, among them the Brahmaputra, Environmental Researcher and Asia Regional Coordinator the Ganges, the Indus, the Mekong, the Salween, the Yellow River and the Yangtze. at the International Tibet These rivers are the source of life Network, Palmo Tenzin, because they provide drinking Advocacy and Research Officer water, irrigation for agriculture and at the International Campaign for hydro power for nearly two billion Tibet, Pema Doma, Campaigns people across Asia. The melting of Director at Students for a Free Tibet’s numerous glaciers, the Tibet, and Tenzin Choekyi, Senior damming and diversion of rivers, Researcher at Tibet Watch. They and widespread deforestation, were collectively pushing for the exemplify how ecological neglect protection of the world’s highest in one area can have consequences and most glaciated plateau. The COP26 Tibetan Environmentalists team almost everywhere”. team spoke to delegates at COP26 Photo: tibet.net A report published by Radio and have been participating in a number of side events, speaking about the environmental Free Asia stated that Tibetan plateau is known among tourists as the “Roof of the World” and to scientists as issues of the Tibetan plateau.

The CTA reports that the team was able to raise the issue the “Third Pole” because of the global significance of its of Tibet’s climate crisis with delegations from Bangladesh glacial ice pack – a quarter of which has been lost since and South Africa. They met and briefed Scotland’s First 1970, with more glaciers under threat of disappearance by Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, former United States Vice 2100.

China’s exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources President Al Gore, Hollywood actor and environmental campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio, and United States Special through logging, mining and dam-building has systematically undermined Presidential Envoy for Climate Tibetan traditions, culture and John Kerry. They also handed a lifestyle which has nurtured out copies of the factsheet, the environment for centuries.

5-Point Call to Action for Tibet, China’s activities in Tibet to prominent delegates and have devastated an ecosystem participants. that supports a third of The 5-Point Call to Action humanity as the source of for Tibet includes five demands Asia’s major rivers, said the to enable understanding of the RFA report. “China’s policy issues, and for the protection of, responses for climate change the Tibetan plateau. The primary mitigation and adaptation demand is “recognition of the undermine sustainable global ecological importance of Photo: Tibet.net development and traditional the Tibetan Plateau and need for its inclusion as a primary topic at global climate summits”. livelihood sources on the Tibetan Plateau,” continued RFA, Dr Lobsang Yangtso (International Tibet Network) and quoting a recent report by the Tibetan Centre for Human Tenzin Choekyi (Tibet Watch) participated in the United Rights. “Relocating and resettling nomadic pastoralists Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from highlands to heavily surveilled urban fringes means (UNFCCC) side event Achievements of the Facilitative an end to collective ownership of upper pastures as working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous common pool resources managed by customary decision People by asking direct questions about the fact that Tibet’s making,” they added.

Continued from page 1

Contact magazine | November 2021 | Page No 6

News Features COP26: The Campaign Continues

by Tenzin Samten The Tibetan team of environmentalists have followed up their participation in COP26 with a continuing awareness raising programme which has included virtual discussions and in-person climate talks to youngsters.

The Office of Tibet, London, and the Tibetan Community in Britain held a talk Introduction to Tibetan Environment and Climate Change targeted at Tibetan students and other young people in the UK, to give them the opportunity to hear directly from Tibetan climate researchers and advocates. The organisers said the aim of the event was to increase awareness about the importance of the Tibetan Plateau and its global implication, together with the need for young Tibetans to take part in the campaign to promote the importance of Tibet’s environment.

Dechen Palmo, Research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) at the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA); Tenzin Choekyi, Senior Researcher at Tibet Watch, the UK based sister organisation to Free Tibet which works to promote the human rights of the Tibetan people through monitoring, research and advocacy; Lobsang Yangtso, Research and Campaign Assistant at the International Tibet Network (ITN) and Ms Pema Dolma, campaign director of Students for Free Tibet (SFT), were all invited to speak.

Dechen Palmo’s talk The Tibetan Plateau, Why It Matters highlighted the impact of climate change on the Tibetan Plateau. Tenzin Choekyi spoke of the human rights situation inside Tibet through her presentation Poverty, Protest and Prison: A case study of Dzawonpo, Karze Kham in Tibet. Lobsang Yangtso spoke on the significance of COP26 to Tibet and shared her experience of attending Glasgow COP26. Pema Dolma spoke on climate justice and role of young Tibetan activists in spreading the word about Tibet’s climate crisis at global climate discourses.

Two separate panel discussions were held, focussing on the role of Tibet in the global climate system, with panelists including experts from different backgrounds.

The Tibetan team carried out many awareness-raising side events. Dechen Palmo, Dr Lobsang Yangtso and Tenzin Choekyi were invited to speak at the Universities of East Anglia, Oxford and Westminster.

The Asia Scotland Institute held a webinar The Third Pole: How Climate Change is Affecting the Tibetan Plateau on November 11, with a panel discussion on the topic of Asia being the centre for some of the most serious problems, but also the solutions, for climate change.

The COP26 Tibet team, along with a large number

of Tibetan community members and supporters in the UK, joined 100,000 protestors at the People’s March in Glasgow on November 6, demanding climate justice for Tibet.

Mr Sonam Tsering Frasi, Representative of the Office of Tibet in London, along with a member of his staff, Ms Tsering Tsomo, attended COP26, representing the Tibetan people and participated in many side events and live talks.

They met Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Ross John Greer of the Scottish Green Party and MSP Mercedes Villalba of the Scottish Labour party at the Global Green Hub in Glasgow. Mr Frasi thanked them for their continued support and for hosting meetings with other members of their Parties to discuss ways of raising the Tibet issue in Parliament.

The Scottish Parliamentary Cross-Party Group on Tibet (CPGT) issued a statement,“As COP 26 draws to a close in Glasgow, the cross-party group is disappointed by the lack of official Tibetan representation at the conference, the lack of sufficient progress or a convincing sense of urgency, and the lack of any real solutions for the climate crisis in this strategically critical part of the world. However, the group was delighted to see a strong Tibetan advocacy delegation working in partnership with each other and with the Central Tibetan Administration. We commend the briefing paper issued by the Tibetan delegation”. CPGT issued the following policy recommendations for climate justice in Tibet: • Recognise the strategic and ecological importance of Tibet and the wider Tibetan Plateau, acknowledging its unique biodiversity, its impact on regional weather patterns and its place at the heart of food and water security in Asia • Improve access and transparency in scientific research on climate change, with particular focus on encouraging the inclusion of Tibetan experts in collaborative work • Adopt a rights-based approach which empowers and engages frontline communities and respects the value of traditional knowledge Background to the CPGT Briefing In the run-up to COP26, early in 2020, the CPGT initiated the Third Pole Climate Inquiry and commissioned the Scottish Centre for Himalayan Research (SCHR) to look into the causes and impacts of climate change in Tibet and the wider “Third Pole” region. The SCHR compiled their research in a working paper and later produced a full report. The cross-party group then issued a statement highlighting the importance of the issue and calling for Tibet’s climate crisis to be on the agenda at COP26.

Contact magazine | November 2021 | Page No 7

News Features His Holiness Teaches Love, Compassion and Educating the Heart

by Tenzin Samten This month His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetans, gave two virtual teachings, Compassion and Love in the Context of Disaster Management and Educating the Heart for the New Millennium, both from his residence in Dharamshala.

On November 17, Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal of the National Institute of Disaster Management, India invited His Holiness to speak on Compassion and Love in the Context of Disaster Management.

Referring to his studies and trainings since childhood as a Buddhist monk, His Holiness said “because our training is based on logic and reason, we have been able to hold useful conversations with scientists. Among the topics we’ve discussed have been the workings of the mind and how to transform destructive emotions. I’m proud of being able to combine Buddhist philosophy with a scientific outlook. The time has come to combine modern education with ancient Indian knowledge, on the basis of which we can make a significant contribution to knowledge on this planet.”

Speaking about compassion and love in the context of disaster management, His Holiness said, “with regard to disaster management, whether our actions are positive or not depends on our motivation. The key factor is whether we have a compassionate attitude. India has longstanding traditions of ahimsa, doing no harm, and karuna, compassion. The crucial question is whether they can be combined with a modern outlook.”

His Holiness spoke of Mahatma Gandhi, saying that he showed that ahimsa, as non-violence, could be applied in practical terms. “Doing no harm and non-violence are not only morally correct, they are practically appropriate too,” added His Holiness, going on to say that after spending the majority of his life in India, his brain is filled with ancient Indian knowledge. He said he is happy to be able to share what he understands of ancient Indian knowledge, and that it can contribute to creating a more peaceful world by helping people discover peace of mind. He emphasised that we have to transform the world on the basis of reason and education.

Commenting about how modern education pays less attention to how to develop peace of mind, His Holiness recommended taking steps to promote karun and ahimsa.

“One aspect of karun, or compassion, is to recognise that other people are just like us. As social animals, we have a natural tendency to help each other. Nevertheless, I really admire those people and organisations who step in to help

Contact magazine | November 2021 | Page No 8

people overwhelmed by disaster,” said His Holiness.

His Holiness concluded by saying,“I lost my country, my freedom, and witnessed so much destruction and yet I still feel that my Middle Way Approach, seeking genuine autonomy that allows us to preserve our culture, is a realistic option. What’s more, increasing numbers of Chinese brothers and sisters are taking an interest in Buddhism and can learn from our traditions.”

The second teaching took place on November 24. His Holiness was welcomed by Professor Lia Diskin of Palas Athena in Brazil to speak on Educating the Heart for the New Millennium.

His Holiness started the teaching by saying, “Our intelligence is a distinct human quality. Over the last few thousand years, the world has seen a great number of teachers and thinkers, including the Buddha, who displayed a wonderful human intelligence.” However, he said, if that intelligence is with combined with hatred, anger and fear, it can be very destructive and it must be combined with warm- heartedness instead. He continued, “By itself, intelligence will not have much impact on our physical health, but when it is combined with compassion and warm-heartedness, it brings peace of mind and improves our physical well-being”.

His Holiness further spoke on the importance of cultivating warmheartedness, saying this is not just a religious matter – it helps in creating peace of mind and it is a necessity as we live in a community and need each other’s help. He went on to add that education today should include instruction on the role warm-heartedness plays in an “individual’s good health, as well as in peace within families, communities and the world at large.”

Speaking about the amount of money and energy spent on making weapons in the world His Holiness said, “we can start by acknowledging that the reason we manufacture so many weapons is because we are angry and afraid. If we can recognise the entire human family as one community, we won’t need these instruments of destruction.”

His Holiness also reiterated the importance of protecting our environment, saying “this world is our only home”.

He concluded by saying “My favourite subject is warmheartedness. Compassion and warm-heartedness are not confined to religious practice. We are all human beings.

Our mothers gave birth to us and we survived because of their care and affection. Warm-heartedness is not only the key factor for human survival, it is also the basis for being able to live as peaceful, happy human beings.”

News Features Tibetan Language Ban Intensifies

by Tenzin Samten The Chinese authorities in Tibet continue to intensify their ban on the Tibetan language, with the latest report of blocking Tibetan students from taking informal Tibetan classes during the school winter holidays; this applies to all of the traditional Tibetan province of Amdo [Ch: Qinghai].

Other acts of targeting institutions which focus on Tibetan culture, language and religion include the demolition of a Tibetan school and there is another report of 80 young monks being expelled from monastery schools and sent home.

Gaden Rabten Namgyaling, a school administered by Drago Monastery in Kardze prefecture, was criticised by the local Chinese authorities, and then in October monastery officials were warned that if the school was not demolished in three days, government officials would destroy it and confiscate the property. The report by Radio Free Asia quoted their source as saying that school staff and volunteers hastily took down the school. He said that the centre is targeted because it provides education in Tibetan culture and religion.

A separate report published on November 9 by Free Tibet, a UK-based non government organisation advocating for freedom in Tibet, says that Chinese officials have expelled 50 young monks aged between 11 and 15 years from Dhitsa Monastery in Amdo and sent them home. 30 more teenage monks from Jakyung Monastery, also in Amdo, were also expelled. It is understood that other monasteries may have also had similar instructions.

Speaking to Tibet Watch, Free Tibet’s research partner, a source who spoke anonymously out of concern for their safety, told of security officers informing these young monks that “they could no longer wear monks’ robes, nor could they attend school.” It is unclear whether they will now attend government schools where they will be taught entirely in Chinese. The new enforcement was announced earlier under a Religious Affairs Regulation issued on October 1.

Tibetan parents and rights activists have expressed concerns over these directives to keep young Tibetans from learning and using their language, religion and culture and fear that there will be negative consequences in the future.

INTERPOL Slammed for Electing Chinese Official to Executive Committee

by Mary Trewartha The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), the international cross-party group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China, has issued a statement condemning INTERPOL, the international criminal police organisation which facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control, for electing Hu Binchen, a senior Chinese government official, to their executive committee.

IPAC’s statement reads, “The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China is deeply concerned by the election of senior Chinese government official Hu Binchen to the INTERPOL Executive Committee at today’s General Assembly meeting. “The government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has repeatedly abused the INTERPOL Red Notice to persecute dissidents in exile.

Hu’s election gives the PRC government a green light to continue using INTERPOL as a vehicle for its repressive policies globally and places thousands of Hong Konger, Uyghur, Tibetan, Taiwanese andChinese dissidents living abroad at even graver risk.

“The PRC cannot be allowed to continue its long-arm policing abroad. In light of these abuses, we reiterate our call for all governments to revoke extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong. Activists, dissidents and exiles living abroad must be protected from harassment and intimidation from the PRC authorities.”

INTERPOL’s Executive Committee is the governing

body charged with the execution of the General Assembly’s decisions and its administration. The 13 committee members are from different countries with a “balanced geographical distribution”.

The appointment of Hu Binchen has hit the global media, with the British Guardian saying it is “prompting concerns from human rights activists and international politicians that China could misuse the global criminal police organisation’s capabilities to track down overseas dissidents”. The Guardian continues, “There are long-running concerns over governments or authorities misusing the system to track down dissidents […] Activists and advocacy groups [including IPAC] have lodged their objections at Hu’s potential election to the committee, noting alleged attempts

by China to use the red notice system to target exiled Uyghur activists”. CNBC reports the appointment under the headline “China’s nominee for Interpol role meets international opposition, sparks fears for dissidents”.

TYC Campaign The Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest Tibetan activist non government organisations in exile, is running their own campaign, drawing attention to the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration has used INTERPOL to track down, harass and bring back to China “high-profile political dissidents”. They are calling on INTERPOL not to appoint the Chinese candidate Hu Binchen to their executive committee, and appealing to “leaders and nations to vote against him”.

Contact magazine | November 2021 | Page No 9

News Features Walking the Himalayas

by Mary Trewartha up along the way. In Darjeeling, he said that “the name Tenzin Tsundue, the writer and activist, is on the last leg Darjeeling itself, which has become an inimitable brand, of his three-month journey along the Tibetan border with has historically a Tibetan origin. The name Dorje Ling, India, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. He set out on meaning land of ‘Dorjee’ or thunderbolt became anglicised August 17, walking and using local transport, saying, into ‘Darjeeling’.” He tells of another “good local source” “Chinese aggression on the borders has left people in the saying that it was named after the Tibetan Buddhist guru Himalayas shocked and worried […] Tibet’s independence Terton Sogyal Dorjeelingpa who stayed on the hills once. is in the long term interest of India, how long can India Tsundue goes on to tell of Darjeeling being the asylum suffer China?” for the previous Dalai Lama, the Great Thirteenth, and that He is now in Arunachal Pradesh, where he was the refugee centre has erected a statue to commemorate interviewed on arrival by Tawang News, Tawang’s main TV his exile abode. Also not far from Darjeeling is Mané channel. He has passed through Banjang, a small border Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, village between Nepal and Lucknow, Banares, Patna and India where he describes a Siliguri. He visited Kalimpong, 40 km stretch as “one of the Darjeeling and nearby areas, and most dangerous routes I have toured different parts of Sikkim ever seen, the broken asphalt before arriving in Arunachal road relentlessly rises up steep Pradesh. like a gyre to heaven, making Tsundue has held press the ascent incredibly risky conferences, creative writing […] some places like Guras, Photo: Tenzin Tsundue, Facebook workshops, screenings of the Tumling, and Chitrey fall in film Escape of the Dalai Lama from Tibet in Hindi, and Nepal territory which has small and scattered Tibetan spoken to thousands of people along the way, from people communities still living there on almost noman’s land”. on the street to audiences in large venues, to schools, to Arriving in Ravangla, near Namchi, “We went straight poetry readings in cafés, spreading the message about to the town to set up the film screening” where they met the strategic importance of Tibet to India. He says his opposition. “A local sub district officer suddenly conjured plan was to “journey through the five up an ‘international controversy’ Indian Himalayan states to create around the Dalai Lama film we had more awareness about the 70 years been screening for 70 days all across the of Chinese occupation of Tibet and Himalayas, and disallowed it. We had its impact on the Indian Himalayas, to go back to our Tibetan refugee camp and also the growing Chinese security and quickly put together the show, then threats to India”. we realised the refugees had no proper The film, which he has screened electricity and we had to work in dark over 80 times during his journey, […] using our phone lights. We had has made it possible, he says, for to arrange a long wire to bring in an him to “connect with the Himalayan electricity connection from the nearby Indians on the issues of language, culture and the people army cantonment. By the time the guests poured in from to people relationships, stories of old trade routes, customs Ravangla town, including the Member of the Legislative and marriages. Although the government and the Indian Assembly we were ready. We had a big show for about Army are doing everything necessary I observed on this 200 people.” journey that the common people in the border areas have At every step of the way he pays tribute to the people little to no awareness about China’s expansionist policies who helped with organisation and set up, many Tibetans and its current activities in the borders”. He says that his stepped up, and worked together with Indian friends to audiences have been “deeply touched” by the film, and ensure the success of the trip, and to the goodwill and that people in Spiti and Kinnaur said that the Dalai Lama’s encouragement he received along the way. presence in India has helped them keep their language, The publicity on his journey has enabled him to culture and religion alive. voice his message to large audiences through the media Tsundue’s account of his journey, spread through of television, radio and newspapers, as well as his huge his Facebook page, includes anecdotes he has picked following on social media.

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News Features Geneva Forum Calls for International Support for Tibet

by Tenzin Samten The fourth Geneva Forum, an annual event which brings together diverse groups of human rights experts, practitioners, academics, activists, governments, diplomats, think tanks, civil society groups and affected groups to monitor and evaluate the human rights situation in regions under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was held during Sikyong PenpaTsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s visit to Europe and concluded on November 2. This year’s Forum focused its discussions on economic, social and cultural rights violations by China.

Photo: CTA The Forum held a special panel discussion on the 11th Panchen Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Chinese government at the age of six in May 1996 after being recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama.

Since then, no information of his wellbeing or whereabouts has been released by China despite international pressure. Kai Mueller, Executive Director of the International Campaign for

Tibet Germany, said the case of the Panchen Lama is a legal case of enforced disappearance and that it is a “continuous crime”.

Zeekyab Rinpoche, Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery based in Bylakuppe, South India, described the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama as “one of the darkest periods in Tibetan history” and appealed to the United Nations and global leaders to urge China to release the Panchen Lama.

Dr Micheal van Walt van Praag, the Executive President of Kreddha, and Senior Fellow of the Sompong Sucharitkul Centre for Advanced International Legal Studies, said that his research had found that at no point in history was Tibet ever part of China, and that China’s rule of Tibet is illegal under international law.

The Forum concluded with the issue of a joint statement containing a call for international support for the Tibetan cause and recognition of China’s human rights violations, its repression and cultural genocide, and its continued holding of the Panchen Lama.

The two-day Geneva Forum 2021 was jointly organised by the Tibet Bureau Geneva and the Tibetan Government-inExile’s Department of Information and International Relations.

UK Government Jeopardises Security

by Mary Trewartha Free Tibet, the United Kingdom based Tibet advocacy and campaigning group, has found that at least three UK government departments are using CCTV cameras made by Hikvision, a Chinese company controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and implicated in the oppression of Tibetans and Uyghurs.

Using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to every government department, Free Tibet discovered that the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Justice all make use of Hikvision cameras, and in addition hundreds of these cameras are installed in job centres used by the public every day.

Security concerns about HIkvision include recent revelations that their cameras may be transferring information to computers in China, and the discovery of a massive security flaw allowing remote access to the equipment.

Free Tibet’s investigation also found that the Ministry of Defence had advised the UK Cabinet Office not to use Hikvision equipment. This means that several government departments have ignored the advice of those responsible for keeping the UK safe from outside threats. Neither the Cabinet Office nor the Ministry of Defence provided further details of the advice.

Free Tibet can supply details of the FOI responses, including the locations of DWP’s Hikivsion cameras.

Free Tibet’s report continues, saying that Hikvision has been found to be supplying surveillance equipment for use in Tibet and

in Uyghur internment camps. Free Tibet says that UK taxpayers’ money is being spent on Hikvision equipment, thus supporting a company that helps create a surveillance state in Tibet and helps them develop technologies like facial recognition that can distinguish between Uyghur and Han Chinese people. Hikvision is 42 percent owned by Chinese state enterprises, effectively making the Chinese government the controlling stakeholder. This means that some of the money made by Hikvision is likely to reach the Chinese government, and that such purchases in turn fund human rights abuses against Tibetans.

Free Tibet is calling on the UK Foreign Secretary to ban Hikvision from the UK and stop funding Chinese government oppression.

John Jones, Campaigns, Policy and Research Manager for Free Tibet, said, “Money spent by the UK government on Hikvision cameras funds the oppression of Tibetan and Uyghur people by the Chinese government. Government departments are ignoring their own experts and putting the people of the UK at risk, while enriching a company that enables the genocidal aims of the Chinese dictatorship.“The Prime Minister and his cabinet must stop allowing China’s economic might to push them into ignoring massive human rights abuses. Hikvision sales must be banned in the UK immediately and its cameras removed as soon as possible.”

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Tibetan Headlines Nov 29: World Heritage Site The Sakya Water Storage Irrigation System in Tibet is among three ancient irrigation sites to have been newly recognised by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS), reports Chinese state media Xinhuanet. The Sakya system is the highest WHIS site and is still in use, benefitting approximately 10 percent of the population of the Tibet Autonomous Region, says the Xinhua report.

Nov 26: Gender Issues All staff and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) attended an event to mark International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women organised by the Women’s Empowerment Desk. The event focussed on genderbased violence and abuses in the exile Tibetan community.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed the Tibetan administration’s firm commitment towards creating a just and equitable society irrespective of gender and background.

Nov 26: HR Message to China Four Tibetan activists interrupted the Europa Forum Lucerne, the forum looking at Switzerland’s role in European business and economics, to protest that human rights organisations were not represented at the forum, saying “Human rights are one of the fundamental values of Switzerland. Human rights are not negotiable”. They made their protest during a speech by an invited Chinese business representative, and used slogans including “Free Tibet”.

Nov 24: No Jobs Tibetan university graduates in Lhasa are struggling to get jobs in the face of an influx of Han Chinese to Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia. They report that an online platform which invited feedback on job opportunities for Tibetan school leavers found a worsening situation for Tibetans in the job market, saying that the authorities’ promises to create more jobs for Tibetan graduates have gone unfulfilled in recent years.

Nov 22: Audience with His Holiness The three newly appointed members of the Tibetan Parliament- in-Exile’s Kashag [Cabinet] have been granted a virtual audience with HH the Dalai Lama, along with Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the TPiE. His Holiness said, “I try to make a concerted effort to promote peace in the world drawing from the wisdom of ancient Indian knowledge and it’s important that everyone also follow suit”.

Nov 22: Vindication The Czech police acted illegally when they stopped a protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016, a court has ruled.

Police prevented several hundred Tibet and other activists from holding peaceful protests during Xi’s visit; some of the protestors subsequently filed the suit against the police - it was initially dismissed but was admitted at the appeal hearing. The plaintiffs have been awarded compensation and costs.

Nov 19: Tracking Former Prisoners The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has published a report saying that Tibetan political prisoners released since 2014 in Kham and Amdo [Ch: Sichuan and Qinghai], are required to wear GPS monitored ankle bracelets to enable surveillance of their movements. This on top of the recent revelation that they are also required to carry a government-issue mobile phone which enables tracking.

Nov 18: Restrictions Eased?

Restrictions on American journalists visiting China are to be eased following the recent summit between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, however there is no suggestion that US journalists will be able to visit Tibet freely. This development has been welcomed by the US state department as “progress”, and described as “initial steps”. The US has long been calling for access to Tibet for journalists.

Nov 23: New US Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup has been appointed as the new Representative of HH the Dalai Lama for the Office of Tibet in the United States. The Kashag Secretariat announced the appointment, saying he will take office on December 1 and will be based in Washington DC.

Nov 18: Land Grab Controversy Clashes over the Chinese authorities’ failure to pay compensation for land they have acquired for a construction project from Tibetan villagers have erupted in Domda village in Yushul [Ch: Yushu] in Amdo [Ch: Qinghai]. No injuries have been reported following the brawl; construction work has been halted and villagers are demanding their promised compensation.

Nov 22: Disrespect A burger restaurant in Ballarat, Australia has offended and outraged Tibetans by launching a new food menu entitled “Dalai Lama”. The Tibet Office in Canberra is planning to file a complaint, as are the local Tibetan Community of Victoria and other supporters. Tenzin Doring, the Tibetan Parliament representative in Australiasia has already emailed the owner.

Nov 18: Tourist Surge in Lhasa Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is seeing an influx of Chinese tourists. A rise in COVID-19 cases in Chinese provinces has prompted a tourism ban in many areas, but Tibet is open and tourists are crowding in, to the concern of local residents, Radio Free Asia quotes a local source as describing the large crowds as “frightening” in the face of the pandemic.

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Tibetan Headlines Nov 17: Biden-Xi Summit United States President Biden’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken place online. The White House report said President Biden expressed concern about China’s practices in East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang], Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as human rights in general. Tibetan, Hong Kong and Uyghur activists held a vigil outside the White House before the summit, calling on President Biden to raise these issues with Xi Jinping.

Nov 17: Strategy Committee Meets The first meeting of the new Permanent Strategy Committee, established to move forward on Tibet-China dialogue, is underway in Dharamshala. Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, is presiding over the meeting. Speaking to Phayul a spokesperson said, “The main purpose of the committee is to apprise Sikyong of the issues [...], and also to advise him on matters related to strategic planning and advocacy”.

Nov 16: Chief Justice Commissioner Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo has retired Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-inExile, paid tribute to his “40 years of committed service in various roles and positions within the exile Tibetan community”. Justice Commissioner Karma Dadul has been appointed pro-tem Chief Justice Commissioner; he took charge as Acting Chief Justice Commissioner on November 15.

Nov 16: Pro Tibet Exhibition Chinese artist Badiucao has opened a solo exhibition in Brescia, Italy; this despite protests from China who say his art is “full of anti-Chinese lies”. Badiucao painted the “Free Tibet” shoe worn by National Basketball Association player Enes Kanter, a professional basketball player with United States Boston Celtics, who publicly criticised China for their treatment of the Tibetan and Uyghur people living under their régime.

Nov 15: More Surveillance Former Tibetan political and other prisoners living in Tibet are being issued with state-provided mobile phones; they are required to use these phones and not to own or use any others. The phones are used by the Chinese authorities to track people’s location and the identity of anyone they meet, as well as bugging conversations. This policy has been in place since 2014.

Nov 15: Tibetan Recruits China is recruiting local young Tibetans living in the Chumbi Valley near the Tibet-Bhutan-Sikkim borders for the Army. One youngster from each household is compulsorily conscripted by the People’s Liberation Army and sent for training. The location is strategically important for India’s communication and transport and there is speculation that this drive is to recruit Tibetans who are physically well suited to the harsh Himalayan conditions in the area.

Nov 12: Talks With China?

China has indicated it will reopen dialogue with HH the Dalai Lama, but only to discuss his future, not Tibetan autonomy. Responding to comments made by His Holiness that “Chinese Communist leaders, they do not understand the variety of different cultures”, Chinese

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused His Holiness of “splitting the motherland” and the Tibetan Government-in-exile of being an “out and out separatist political group” and an “illegal organisation”.

Nov 10: Oath-taking Kalon Dolma Gyari, Kalon Tharlam Dolma and Kalon Norzin Dolma, the three Kalons approved recently by the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, have been officially sworn in at a ceremony held in the Sikyong Auditorium at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, administered the oath of office.

Nov 10: Settlement Officers Conference The annual three-day Tibetan Settlement Officers conference is underway in Dharamshala, organised by the Department of Home, with 43 Settlement Officers in attendance. It was noted that facilitating basic necessities for Tibetans in settlements, particularly those living in poverty, is the primary objective of the Home Department. The importance of the population census and the need to address problems faced by Tibetans in India were also discussed.

Nov 10: Border Tensions China has reported that it has held military drills in western Tibetan Plateau areas. A report in Chinese state media globaltimes.cn said these operations follow a major Indian military exercise along the border at the start of the month and that the Chinese response “displayed the capabilities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in safeguarding national sovereignty and security ‘as it faced India’s provocations’.”

Nov 8: Solidarity with Tibetans Retired Indian army officer Major General Gagan Deep Bakshi visited the Tibetan community in Dharamshala and expressed his solidarity with Tibetans for their fight against the Chinese régime.

He spoke about border disputes due to the Chinese invasion of Tibet, China’s atttempts to control Asia’s water by constructing dams and he condemned China for using COVID-19 as a biological weapon.

He urged fellow Indians to support the Tibetan cause.

Nov 5: Samdhong Rinpoché Professor Samdhong Rinpoche’s 82nd birthday was celebrated with an event at Younglen School in McLeod Ganj. It was organised by The Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, Utsang Association, Domey Association, Global Tibetan People’s Movement for Middle Way Approach, and the Tibetan Women’s Association. The Speaker of the Tibetan Government-inExile paid tribute to Rinpoché enormous contribution to Tibetans in exile, especially in education, which has benefitted so many people.

Nov 2: Monk Released Gendun Dapaka, 45, detained in 2015 from Thangkor Socktsang Monastery on charges of “inciting separatism”, has been released, reports Free Tibet. They report that he returned home in August but is now in hospital. He is on indefinite parole, required to report monthly to the police, and his family subject to surveillance. His trial was held in secret and he was allowed no legal representation.

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People story Choezin’s Story

by Tenzin Choezin Growing up, I realised that being able to help people gave me joy and a renewed sense of passion. When I was younger, I wanted to become either a nurse or a teacher because I adored the idea of being available to others.

I pursued my education in English Literature from Madras Christian College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, followed by two internship stints teaching at Tibetan Children’s Village School, Upper in 2014 and 2015. My experiences at the school, although very short, affirmed a sense of purpose in me. It made me curious about the thought of being able to serve a wider group of people through community education.

I felt that community education on various social issues can have a direct impact and influence on our younger children, who will grow up to be future contributors for community development. That made me redesign my career plans, and since then my entire goals shifted toward the field of social services.

I am currently working as the Executive Director of the Active Nonviolence Education Centre (ANEC)*. Prior to that, I worked with the Central Tibetan Administration as the Head Consultant for the Tibetan Career Centre.

I have also worked in the non-government sector as the project officer of the Central Tibetan Women’s Association.

My three immediate areas of interest for community development are women’s empowerment, youth empowerment and workforce development.

Within the last few years, I have had the opportunity to serve as a counsellor, trainer, and an educator in the exile Tibetan community. I was able to provide training and counselling services to people from schools, vocational institutes and organisations in Tibetan settlements across India. I gained a lot of education and exposure through the journey, mostly from the training I led. It was rousing for me each time I led training, it felt satisfying.

Among all the trainings that I led, I have developed a special interest for the Buddhist Nuns Empowerment Programmes because I started my first training for the nuns

Contact magazine | November 2021| Page No 14

empowerment programme held at Dolma Ling in 2016, followed by a training in 2017 at Jangchub Choeling in Mundgod and at Menrik Gompa, Solan in 2018. Apart from this, I led training on gender, entrepreneurship development, leadership development, team building, project management and soft skill development.

Through the process, one thing I’ve learned is how being knowledgeable, and having the skill to impart knowledge to others, are two different things. I would often revise my teaching/training methodologies and took part in a lot of training of trainers.

Recently I graduated from a short-term course on women’s leadership for community development from the Coady International Institute in Canada.

Being a trainer or a facilitator is not a conventional profession in the Tibetan community but through the years I have realised that this is what I would like to do. So, I decided to work at ANEC because it is an educational organisation that provides workshops and develops educational programmes to promote peace and nonviolence. In October 2021 we conducted an online training Participatory Approach to Nonviolence and Human Rights Education for nearly 500 young Tibetan from schools, college and a vocational training institute.

Online training is something I would have never thought of as important years ago when people were more comfortable with inperson sessions, but with the challenges brought by the pandemic, it has helped many of us explore the advantages of technologies in saving time, and easing the constraints of logistics. However, I would still go for in- person training if given a choice to because it allows me to connect with people in real time. *ANEC is a Tibetan non-government organisation who’s mission is to promote messages of love, compassion, peace and non-violence through education on secular ethos and the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and to serve as a platform for the Tibetan and non-Tibetan communities and all Tibet supporters to discuss ideas and develop realistic goals and strategies towards the course of the Tibetan struggle.

obituary

Riki Hyde-Chambers

by Jenny James Riki worked for Parliament for many years, without Longtime friend of Tibet, Riki Hyde-Chambers OBE, died losing his connection with the Tibet Society; he said his on October 31 in hospital in London aged 77. Riki has experience with Tibetans had inspired him to become been a champion of the Tibetan cause for over 50 years passionate about democracy and his work in Westminster and is well known and loved throughout the Tibetan exile enabled him to help people, eg with immigration problems, community for his staunch support of Tibet and work with and also worked with parliaments in transition in small the Tibet Society. countries. His connections in Westminster paved the way Riki grew up destined to follow his family into the movie for reciprocal visits between British members of parliament business and started life as a child actor but said he felt he and members of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. must have had a karmic connection with Tibet; as a young He was part of the movement to nominate His Holiness man he was interested in religion and, inspired by what the Dalai Lama for the Nobel Peace Prize, working over he had read about Tibet, and his correspondence with his a number of years in liaison with other countries. Riki penfriend in Darjeeling, commented that he has his first job was working been very impressed by for the Tibet Society in the Tibetans’ determination London in the 1960s. to follow a path of nonRiki said that then, and violence. ever since, he has been Riki visited Tibet once inspired by the Tibetans and said that his overriding he has known and how memory was that of they have come to the peoples’ fear. His visit took west and integrated, and place in the aftermath of made a very significant big uprisings in Tibet and contribution to the people would press notes countries where they into his hand. He wrote have settled. He said that a report and was invited his contact with refugees to give evidence to the has had a very big impact European Parliament but Riki welcomes HH the Dalai Lama to the stage at the Royal Albert on his life. And that was very saddened to know Hall in 2008 his involvement with that people inside Tibet Photo: Tibet Relief Fund Tibetans inspired him to thought that if the outside become a Buddhist. world understood their situation, that things would change, He described the early days of advocacy for Tibet: the and that he knew it would not happen that way. flow of information was all on aerograms – single sheet He wrote several books about Tibet, wanting to get airmail letters – or hand written letters. It was slow compared across the story of what happened there. with today, but very effective. A lot of his work was with Riki’s advice to Tibetans, given during an interview for immigration tribunals and enabling young Tibetans to stay A Mission for Tibet in January 2018, was that Tibetans, and in Britain rather than get sent back to India. And in those in particular the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, should stop days China “didn’t bother – they were too busy with the depicting themselves as victims and to focus instead on the cultural revolution” which made advocacy easier. He said considerable contribution the Tibetan diaspora makes in the that there was a general perception that Tibetans had magical world. powers and part of his job was managing expectations and He is much missed throughout the Tibetan world. Sikyong convincing people that Tibetans were ordinary people, often Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in a very difficult situation. David Bowie was a regular said, “I’m extremely saddened by the demise of Fredrick visitor to the Tibet Society office and did a benefit gig in the R Hyde-Chambers. He stood for the Tibetan people since Albert Hall.

1960s when very little was known of Tibet and has carried Riki was very involved with the Buddhist Society – the the voice of the Tibetan people since then. His contributions Tibet Society office was in the Buddhist Society basement. will remain unparalleled. Our prayers and condolences.”

He was also involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Quotations and anecdotes from Riki’s interview with first ever visit to the UK and has been involved with the Dechen Pemba for A Mission for Tibet in January 2018. organisation of subsequent visits.

The interview is available on YouTube.

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MAP OF MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSHALA

DHARAMSHALA CONTACTS Delek Hospital Gangkyi, Central Tibetan Administration Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily Phone: 222 053,223 381

Mcleod Ganj Police Station: 01892 221 483 Kangra Airport: 01892 232374 Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892 221034 Tourism Office: 01892 224430 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892 265026 Police Superintendent: 01892 222244

McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd Before the Peace Cafe Hours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only Phone: 01892-221 924

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