Tibetan Headlines
Jul 12: Tibetans Beaten
Chinese police attacked over 100 Tibetan villagers in the Yushu prefecture in Qinghai province with tear gas for protesting against a mining operation in the region carried out by private firms in collaboration with local Chinese officials. The villagers gathered at Upper Dechung on July 7, the area where the mining operations were underway. Many protesters were left unconscious by the tear gas attack while others were severely beaten by the police.
Jul 11: Book Launch
Namgyal Lhamo Taklha, author and former secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) released her book, Costume and Jewellery of Tibet, the first-ever documentation of Tibetan costumes and jewellery. The book was launched by Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of CTA, at the Tibet Museum in Dharamsala. The author hopes her book will serve as a source of information for younger Tibetans about Tibet’s rich traditional heritage.
Jul 10: Mount Kailash Post
A post office has been opened at the foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet’s Ngari Prefecture to provide better services to its ever increasing visitors in the region. The post office aims to enable traditional product to be sent overseas. Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake are considered sacred places by Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and Bons. Last year, the region received 660,000 visitors, according to the China Daily.
Jul 10: HH Express Sympathy
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressing his sympathy over the loss of lives, destruction of properties and hardship caused by the floods. His Holiness also recommended that reciting the Heart Sutra would be of benefit at this sad time. Over 100 were people killed and many are still missing after the record amount of rainfall caused floods in the western Japan.
Jul 9: CTA President in Ladakh
Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is in Ladakh to join His Holiness’ birthday celebration. During his visit, Dr Sangay met the Chief officers of Ladakh. The meeting discussed 13 key challenges Tibetans faced in Ladakh and Dr Sangay appealed the council to review and address them at the earliest opportunity. The concerned officers also raised issue of the illegal selling of land given to Tibetans in Ladakh.
Jul 8: Thank You Japan
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’s health minister Choekyong Wangchuk met executive members of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet at Parliament Hall in Tokyo, Japan and had an hour-long meeting with them. The health minister’s visit is part of the CTA’s yearlong campaign to express gratitude to countries for their support of Tibetan people.
Jul 7: Feed the Hungry
Tibetans across India organised a Feed the Hungry campaign as part of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 83rd birthday celebration and the Central Tibetan Administration’s yearlong Thank You India campaign. Tibetans in the following locations across India: Mundgod, Paonta, Kalimpong, Dhondeling Kollegal, Miao Choepheling, Kamrao, Chief Representative’s office, Shimla, Bangalore Norgeyling Bhandara, Sikkim, Lugsum Bylakuppe, Delhi, Sonada and Shillong distributed free food to the homeless in their regions.
Jul 6: His Holiness Turns 83
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibet turns 83 today. Tibetans, Buddhist devotees and supporters across the world are celebrating the day. The joyous occasion was marked in Ladakh with the presence of His Holiness, joined by Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of Central Tibetan Administration and thousands of devotees. His Holiness was born in 1935 in Amdo, Taktser.
Jul 5: Birthday Celebration Banned
Chinese authorities in Tibet’s traditional province of Amdo have deployed the military prior to the Dalai Lama’s birthday. Tibetans have been warned to expect severe punishments without trial for sending birthday wishes or disseminating any information about the celebration of His Holiness’ birthday. Malho county is a restive area where a large number of self-immolation protests have taken place. HH the Dalai Lama turns 83 on July 6.
Jul 4: His Holiness Reaches Ladakh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reached Ladakh, with thousands of devotees welcoming him for his 19-day visit. The Tibetan community and other Buddhist groups in Ladakh look forward to the celebration of His Holiness’s birthday on Saturday at Shiwatsel Phodrang. He is scheduled to give several teachings, and participate in the Yarcho Chenmo, the annual Summer Buddhist Council of philosophical debate and discussion.
Jul 3: Happiness Curriculum
His Holiness the Dalai Lama launched the Happiness Curriculum, a supplementary education based on morals and ethics. Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked His Holiness for accepting the Delhi government’s invitation, and said that His Holiness is the best person to launch the Happiness Curriculum. Kejriwal described the new curriculum as a step towards shaping happier human beings with improved values.
Jul 1: 38th HRC Session
During the ongoing 38th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the European Union and Germany raised the issue of the human rights situation in Tibet, reiterating their call for the immediate release of Tashi Wangchuk, a Tibetan language rights advocate who was wrongfully sentenced to five years in prison in June by the Chinese government. The UN Human Rights Council session is scheduled to finish on July 6.
Jun 29: Two Detained
Two Tibetan businessmen were detained early June in Rimakor in Draggo county in Kardze, for being found in possession of photos of HH the Dalai Lama. Two men are restaurant owners, one is called Yama Tashi, the other is unknown - both are still in detention. The images were found during a police raid on their homes - these raids are becoming commonplace under the current crackdown.
Jun 27: Support Torture Victims
The Gu Chu Sum Movement, an association for former Tibetan political prisoners observed International Day in Support of Torture Victims at the Tibetan Children’s Village school (TCV), expressing their solidarity with political prisoners. Gu Chu Sum held a talk with students at TCV, where the children expressed their support through drawings. Former Tibetan political prisoners have revealed that they suffered physical and mental torture in Chinese prisons.
Jun 26: Sangay’s First Visit
Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) made his first official visit to Israel. Dr Sangay addressed the 2018 ROI Summit in Jerasulam, an annual meeting of 150 young Jewish minds across the globe. He also gave a public talk called Awakened Political Leadership: Myth or Reality. CTA’s president also said that Tibetans can take hope from Israel who regained their home after 2,000 years.