Tibetan Headlines
Jan 24: Khenpo in Critical Condition
A popular Tibetan religious leader who has been held in jail for over a month is said to be in a critical condition. Khenpo Kartse is seriously ill with an inflamed liver. His lawyers and relatives have not been allowed to see him since his detention on December 6. Earlier, in a letter, he wrote that his health was good and asked his followers to avoid clashes with the police.
Jan 24: Prisoner Honoured
The Central Tibetan Administration has honoured Takna Jigme Sangpo who was the longest serving prisoner in Tibet. He was released on medical parole in 2002 after serving more than three decades in prison. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has launched a biography of the 86-year-old Takna Jigme, written by Lhachab Jinpa and Ven Thubten Yarphel.
Jan 22: Winter Warmth
Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, India is distributing free blankets to needy local Tibetans and Indians. The project, an undertaking of the Kirti Charitable Trust, aims to help the poor, including beggars in McLeod Ganj, stay warm in the winter. The monks personally distributed blankets to those who were unable to come to the monastery..
Jan 21: Human Rights Reports
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has released its Annual Report for 2013, which focuses on the human rights situation in Tibet, and a special report Gulags of Tibet on the re-education through labour system in Tibet. The theme of the annual report is the implementation of the nomad resettlement and relocation policy. It also reports on religious repression, human rights, China’s development strategy, and self-immolations.
Jan 20: Kalon in Australia
The Department of Information and International Relations’ Kalon Dicki Chhoyang began her visit to Australia. She will be participating at the Festival of Tibet in Brisbane and meet members of the Tibetan and Chinese communities. Kalon Chhoyang will also meet Australian Tibet supporters, academics and journalists to highlight the urgency of the Tibet issue.
Jan 18: Kagyu Monlam Chenmo
The 31st Kagyu Monlam Chenmo (the Great Kagyu Prayer) concluded on January 16 in Bodhgaya, India. Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje performed the Tsechu Cham for the first time in exile, on Garchen Tsechu, marking the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. Karmapa will preside over the first annual Winter Gathering for Kagyu nuns from January 20.
Jan 17: Sit-in Protest
Around 500 Tibetans staged a silent sit-in protest in Nangchen County, Kyegudo, to demand the release of popular religious leader Khenpo Kartse and other monks detained from Japa Monastery. They ended the protest temporarily after authorities promised to allow the monks in the crowed to visit some of those held. Khenpo Kartse and the monks were detained over a month ago.
Jan 16: Back in Dhasa
Hundreds of people welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he arrived in Dharamshala. His Holiness returned after attending a national seminar on Nagarjuna’s philosophy in Raipur, Chattisgarh. Addressing the seminar, the Dalai Lama said, “Love, compassion are the only things that a human being should develop to become a good individual. Ultimate source of happiness is inner strength and self-confidence.”
Jan 16: McLeod Ganj Court Case
The National Green Tribunal in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh has set March 27 as the next hearing date for the case of alleged illegal occupation of forest land by 210 families in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. Home Kalon Gyari Dolma left for New Delhi to appeal to concerned authorities of the Indian government to repeal the case against 210 families for encroaching on forest land.
Jan 15: Writer Released
A Tibetan monk was released on January 12 from a Chinese prison in Lanzhou city. Kunga Tsangyang was sentenced to five years in November 2009 by the Tsoe city court in Gansu on the charges of “splitting the nation”. He had written articles on restricted political topics under the pen name Gangnyi. Hundreds of local Tibetans welcomed him after his release.
Jan 14: Bandara Visit
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has concluded his three day visit to Bandara and the Bandara Norgyeling Tibetan settlement, Maharashtra. His Holiness gave a teaching at the settlement and visited the old people's home. He also spoke to local Indians there. The Dalai Lama is now scheduled to give a public talk in Raipur, Chattisgarh.
Jan 13: Fire
A massive fire in the ancient Tibetan town of Gyalthang (incorporated in China’s Yunnan province) destroyed over 300 homes late on Saturday. Although no casualties were reported, sources say that the fire damaged almost two thirds of the town. Just two days ago, another fire broke out at a nunnery in Kham Serta County’s Larung Monastery.
Jan 12: Environmentalists Arrested
Two Tibetan environmentalists, Tseten Dhondup, 35, and Zumgah, in his 50s, were arrested by Chinese authorities in September and December 2013 for their involvement in various environmental campaigns in Yushul County. They were arrested by two head police officers who the local Tibetans allege are corrupt. Sources say that Zumgah had prevented illegal activities by miners who had collaborated with these two police officials.
Jan 10: Delhi Peace March
Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence Tibetan group in exile, has announced that it will hold a peace march from Dharamshala to Delhi from February 8 to March 10 to mark the 55th Tibetan National Uprising day. A group of 55 people will participate, one for each year, and will present five demands to China which will include the release of all political prisoners and allowing international media in Tibet.
Jan 9: Three People Sentenced
On January 2 three Tibetans were sentenced by a Chinese court in Amdo Tsoe city on charges of involvement in self-immolation protests. Dorjee Rabten was sentenced to two years for his alleged connection with Thupwang Kyab’s self-immolation in October 2012. Kalsang Jinpa and Dorjee Tashi were each sentenced to 18 months for their alleged involvement in Sangay Tashi’s self-immolation protest in November 2012.