Tibetan Headlines
Sep 21: Anti-Xi Protest
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying countries should treat each other as equals. Activists had gathered in front of the UN headquarters on the opening day of the Assembly to protest, branding Xi as “Xitler” and “Xi-the Pooh”. Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia and Hong Kong, Taiwan as well as pro-democracy groups were all represented at the protest.
Sep 21: Gaddi Festival
The Local Gaddi people living around Dharamshala held their annual festival. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, launched the traditional wrestling match (Kushti) and invited everyone to join the Thank You Himachal Pradesh event in Simla next month. He said “When Tibetans are free to return to our homeland, we would invite all our Indian brothers and sisters to celebrate with us in Tibet”.
Sep 20: Foundation Stone
Work has begun on the new auditorium for the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharamshala, with a purifying ceremony and dance performance. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, laid the foundation stone, saying that with effort and hard work TIPA has become a successful organisation, known around the world. TIPA was set up in 1959 by HH the Dalai Lama.
Sep 20: Award for His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is to be awarded Gandhi Darshan International Award 2018 by the Gandhi Global Foundation. Foundation President Mr S.Vijayan said the award comprises Rs 3 lakh (US$4,200 / £3,200), a citation and a sculpture. His Holiness, an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, is seen as the global ambassador for peace and reconciliation and advocates a non-violent resolution for Tibet’s political freedom.
Sep 19: On Stage
HH the Dalai Lama took part in a public conversation with Hollywood superstar Richard Gere on stage in the Netherlands. His Holiness explained that the Tibetan struggle is not just political. Richard Gere appealed to the audience of 12,000, “Please remember the people of Tibet and look into how you can help them.” The event was organised by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Sep 18: Monks Detained
Four Tibetan monks, Nyida, Kelsang, Nesang and Choeje, all from Goman Monastery in Ngaba, have been held in detention since September 11 for launching a public protest against the construction of a housing project near their monastery, reports Radio Free Asia. Shakya, a fifth monk, was also taken into custody but released after two days. The protest concerned the Chinese authorities’ plan to build a housing estate nearby.
Sep 17: Passports for Tibetans
Following an appeal by five Tibetans, the Delhi High Court has ordered the Government of India to take immediate action to formulate a process for the surrender of Tibetan RC and IC identity documents to enable Tibetans to apply for an Indian passport, reports the Tibetan Journal. For the last year eligible Tibetans have the right to apply for Indian passports but there was no process in place.
Sep 16: Protests at UN
A demonstration took place outside the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva. Around one hundred Tibetans from Switzerland and Liechtenstein were protesting against the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and calling for the international community’s support for Tibet. A letter of appeal to the international community was submitted to the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Sep 15: Abuse Uncovered
A group of people who say they have been victims of sexual abuse by Tibetan Buddhist teachers met HH the Dalai Lama in Rotterdam in the Netherlands to discuss their experiences. The group of four presented written testimonials from twelve people who come from Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United States. An online petition, #MeTooGuru, asked His Holiness to meet them. At least five Tibetan Buddhist teachers are implicated.
Sep 14: Propaganda Move
The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu has appeared in a photo opportunity at the mega Zam Hydropower Project in Lhokha, the largest hydropower station in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). This move is being interpreted as an opportunity for China to flaunt their religious control as well as their industrial developments in Tibet which are causing so much concern to people living there.
Sep 14: Boxing Success
Miss Tenzin Pema, 24, who is known as the “first Tibetan female fighter”, has won the Hosharafu Fighting Championship in New Delhi, winning the Atomweight boxing contest. She is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) player who, since turning professional two years ago has won gold, silver and bronze medals in state and national level fights and has represented India as a kickboxer.
Sep 13: Pilgrimage to China?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that he wants to make a pilgrimage to the Wutaishan mountains in China. He was speaking to the Dutch daily newspaper De Volskrant while on a visit to Sweden. "I have two conditions”, said His Holiness, “I want to have the freedom to give a religious teaching, and I want to visit top universities in Beijing”.
Sep 12: Honoured in Italy
Professor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, a leading Tibetan Buddhist master, has been honoured with the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – Italy’s highest recognition. The award was presented in recognition of Rinpoche’s “activities carried out for social, philanthropic and humanitarian purposes. [He] has dedicated his whole life to culture, philanthropic and social activity, spending himself personally to keep the torch of peace always lit.”
Sep 12: Early Release
Gonpo Tseko, 39, has been released from jail three years before his 14-year prison sentence was due to end. Radio Free Asia has reported that he had been held in jail in Lanzhou in the Gansu province and has now returned home to the Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Machu county. He was arrested in October 2008, accused of being a ringleader in the 2008 protests.
Sep 11: Winners!
Kunchok Dolma, a Tibetan woman, has won the women’s section in the world’s highest altitude marathon, 72 kilometres in length, which takes place in Ladakh. She completed the race in just over 11 hours, while Karma Soepa came third in the men’s category in just over seven hours. The race runs from Leh city to Khardung pass and back, reaching an altitude of 11,200 feet.