i Weekly Tibet News Digest ISSUE 22 | Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Weekly Tibet News Digest ISSUE 22

26 April 2013, Issue 22

INSIDE TIBET:
Fact Sheet on Tibetan Self-Immolation Incidents in Tibet since February 2009
1. Tibet’s Stolen Spiritual Leader Turns 24: China must end enforced disappearance of Tibet’s Panchen Lama
China sentences Tibetan students over protest
3. Concerns Arise Over China’s Dam Building Drive in Tibet
4. Tibetan Protester Returns Home After Five Years in Jail
5. Tibetan hospitalized, Woman Self-immolates in Zamthang
6. Monk another has lost mental stability on release from prison
7. Marginalized and Unemployed, Youth in Machu Area of Tibet Stage Protest Against Chinese Government Policies
8. Four Tibetans sentenced to varying prison terms
9. 21 Tibetans Arrested in Protest Against Rampant Land Grabbing in Kyegudo

IN EXILE:
1. Panchen Lama turns 24, clamour grows for his release
CTA hopes EU High Representative Raise Tibet Issue
3. CTA is firmly committed to Middle Way policy
4. Sikyong Honoured at French Senate
5. His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Swiss Parliament and Bern University
6. TPI Organises Summer School on Human Rights, Minorities and Federalism
7. Sikyong Writes to Secretary John Kerry
8. His Holiness the Dalai Lama Bestowed Minority Award in South Tyrol
9. CTA sends condolences on the demise of former British PM Baroness Margaret Thatcher

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT:
1. France Raises Issue of Tibet with China
German Parliament urges China to safeguard human rights in Tibet
3. US urges China to hold unconditional dialogue on Tibet Issue
4. 21 US Senators urge Secretary of State to encourage China to solve Tibet issue
5. French Parliamentary Group asks President Hollande to raise Tibet issue with Chinese leaders
6. Canadian MPs urge PM to make Tibet Issue a Policy Priority
7. Seminar on Tibet hosted in the European Parliament for the third consecutive year

ANALYSIS:
1. An Unanswerable Question From My Native Land
Tibet’s Conflict Minerals
3. Ablaze in The Land of Snow
4. Changing From a Military Uniform Into a Police Uniform
5. Documents open window on early US Tibet policy, and its mistakes

EVENTS:
1. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Schedule
2. Delhi Programs

INSIDE TIBET
Fact Sheet on Tibetan Self-Immolation Incidents in Tibet since February 2009
SOURCE: CTA

http://tibet.net/factsheet-immolation-2011-2012/

Tibet’s Stolen Spiritual Leader Turns 24: China must end enforced disappearance of Tibet’s Panchen Lama
TCHRD, 24 April 2013

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tibet’s XIth Panchen Lama, one of the most important Tibetan spiritual leaders, turns 24 today under house arrest. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was born on 25 April 1989 in Lhari County in Nagchu, Tibet. It is his 18th year in Chinese custody at an undisclosed location after he and his parents disappeared in 1995. He was only six years old when he was disappeared by the Chinese authorities.

MORE IN: http://www.tchrd.org/2013/04/tibets-stolen-spiritual-leader-turns-24-china-must-end-enforced-disappearance-of-tibets-panchen-lama/

China sentences Tibetan students over protest
CTA, 17 April 2013

The People’s Court in Chabcha (Ch: Gonghe) in Tsolho, northeastern Tibet, sentenced Sangay Bum, Kunsang Bum, Taten, Jampa Tsering, Wangdue Tsering, Choekyong Gyal, Tsering Tashi and Dolar on 10 April.  These eight Tibetan students have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 4 years by a Chinese court for their role in a peaceful demonstration last year.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/17/china-sentences-tibetan-students-over-protest/

Concerns Arise Over China’s Dam Building Drive in Tibet
RFA, 17 April 2013

China’s construction of a series of dams on the Tibetan Plateau has raised concerns both among neighboring countries downstream and among experts, who fear adverse environmental impacts including the interruption of water flows on shared rivers and the possibility of earthquakes.

MORE IN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/concerns-04172013125938.html

Tibetan Protester Returns Home After Five Years in Jail
RFA, 12 April 2013

Lhatsog, a resident of Lungkar village in Chigdril (in Chinese, Jiuzhi) county in the Golog (Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was released on Thursday after serving five years in jail for protesting against Beijing’s rule in Tibetan areas.

MORE IN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/returns-04122013164332.html

Tibetan Woman Self-immolates in Zamthang
CTA, 17 April 2013

Jugtso, a 20 year-old Tibetan woman died after setting herself on fire in Zamthang, Ngaba in north-eastern Tibet (incorporated into China’s Sichuan Province) around 3 pm local time on 16 April.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/17/tibetan-woman-self-immolates-in-zamthang/
SIMILAR: http://www.tchrd.org/2013/04/tibetan-mother-dies-of-self-immolation-denied-proper-cremation-by-chinese-authorities/

Monk hospitalized, another has lost mental stability on release from prison
TCHRD, 15 April 2013

Lobsang Ngodup, 34, and Soepa, 35, two Tibetan monks have been released after they completed their five-year prison terms in Chushul (Ch: Qushui) Prison located in the outskirts of the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, in Tibet Autonomous Region.

MORE IN: http://www.tchrd.org/2013/04/monk-hospitalized-another-has-lost-mental-stability-on-release-from-prison/

Marginalized and Unemployed, Youth in Machu Area of Tibet Stage Protest Against Chinese Government Policies
CTA, 14 April 2013

A large number of youth in Machu area of Tibet on April 10, staged a protest outside a local administrative building demanding immediate stop to policies that have marginalized local Tibetan youth in education and job opportunities in the area.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/14/marginalized-and-unemployed-youth-in-machu-area-of-tibet-stage-protest-against-chinese-government-policies/

Four Tibetans sentenced to varying prison terms
CTA, 12 April 2013

Yangkyab Gyal, Chakthar, Namkha Jam and Gonpo were sentenced in varying terms for allegedly committing separatist activities and sending news and photos of Tibetan self-immolators abroad.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/12/four-tibetans-sentenced-to-varying-prison-terms/

21 Tibetans Arrested in Protest Against Rampant Land Grabbing in Kyegudo
CTA, 12 April 2013

More than 21 Tibetans are arrested after hundreds of local Tibetans in Kyegudo region of Kham protested against the local Chinese authorities on 9 April.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/12/21-tibetans-arrested-in-protest-against-rampant-land-grabbing-in-kyegudo/

IN EXILE
Panchen Lama turns 24, clamour grows for his release
CTA, 25 April 2013

Tibetans in exile have strengthened their calls for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whose whereabouts remain unknown after the Chinese government installed its own choice in 1995.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/25/panchen-lama-turns-24-clamour-grows-for-his-release/

CTA hopes EU High Representative Raise Tibet Issue
CTA, 25 April 2013

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed hopes that EU High Representative Catherine Ashton will take up the issue of Tibet when she visit’s China from 25-28 April. He lauded earlier statements made by Ms Ashton urging the Chinese leadership to resolve the Tibet problem through dialogue.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/25/cta-hopes-eu-high-representative-raise-tibet-issue/

CTA is firmly committed to Middle Way policy
CTA, 22 April 2013

Kalon Dicki Chhoyang emphasised that Central Tibetan Administration is firmly committed to the Middle Way Approach in her address to the conference of the presidents of Tibetan communities in Europe.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/22/cta-is-firmly-committed-to-middle-way-policy/

Sikyong Honoured at French Senate
CTA, 18 April 2013

French senators received Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected leader of Tibetans and political successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, at the Senate to honour of his visit to the country.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/18/sikyong-honoured-at-french-senate/

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Swiss Parliament and Bern University
CTA, 17 April 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received by HE Maya Graf, President of the National Council. They held consultations before she escorted him into the Parliamentary Chamber and meetings with members of parliament. Prior to that, His Holiness visited the University of Bern.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/17/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-visits-swiss-parliament-and-bern-university/

TPI Organises Summer School on Human Rights, Minorities and Federalism
CTA, 15 April 2013

In a joint project of the European Academy of Bolzano, Italy (EURAC) and the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) of Central Tibetan Administration, a week-long summer school on human rights, minorities and federalism was organized at the India International Center, New Delhi.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/15/tpi-organises-summer-school-on-human-rights-minorities-and-federalism/

Sikyong Writes to Secretary John Kerry
CTA, 12 April 2013

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay thanked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for being a long-term friend of Tibet and urged the Secretary to prominently raise the Tibet issue and the current critical situation in Tibet in his discussions with the Chinese leadership during his maiden visit to China as Secretary of State.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/12/sikyong-writes-to-secretary-john-kerry/

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Bestowed Minority Award in South Tyrol
CTA, 11 April 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received by President Luis Durnwalder and they held discussions together for nearly half an hour. President later presented His Holiness with the Minority Award in the form of written citation.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/11/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-bestowed-minority-award-in-south-tyroll/

CTA sends condolences on the demise of former British PM Baroness Margaret Thatcher
CTA, 11 April 2013

The Central Tibetan Administration expresses its deepest condolences at the passing away of former British Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/11/cta-sends-condolences-on-the-demise-of-former-british-pm-baroness-margaret-thatcher/

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT:
France Raises Issue of Tibet with China
CTA, 26 April 2013

French President Hollande, who is on China visit, told a press conference that during his talks with Chinese leaders he also raised the issue of Tibet and human rights, with all topics discussed in a “frank and respectful manner”.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/26/france-raises-issue-of-tibet-with-china/

German Parliament urges China to safeguard human rights in Tibet
CTA, 25 April 2013

Expressing deep concern over the high number of self-immolations in Tibet, the German Parliament’s human rights committee on Wednesday urged the Chinese leadership to safeguard the human rights of Tibetans including their religious and cultural identity.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/25/german-parliament-urges-china-to-safeguard-human-rights-in-tibet/

US urges China to hold unconditional dialogue on Tibet Issue
CTA, 16 April 2013

“We call on the Chinese Government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama, with his representatives, and without preconditions,” State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters in Washington. He said this has been the US’s longstanding policy.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/16/us-urges-china-to-hold-unconditional-dialogue-on-tibet-issue/

21 US Senators urge Secretary of State to encourage China to solve Tibet issue
CTA, 12 April 2013

Twenty-one US Senators have written to Secretary of State John F. Kerry, urging him to make Tibet an integral issue when he visits China on 13 April.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/12/us-senators-urge-secretary-of-state-to-encourage-china-to-solve-tibet-issue/

French Parliamentary Group asks President Hollande to raise Tibet issue with Chinese leaders
CTA, 12 April 2013

Study Group on the Question of Tibet, a Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the French National Assembly, the lower house, has called on the President Francois Hollande to raise issue of Tibet with his Chinese counterpart when he visits China soon.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/12/french-parliamentary-group-asks-president-hollande-to-raise-tibet-issue-with-chinese-leaders/

Canadian MPs urge PM to make Tibet Issue a Policy Priority
CTA, 12 April 2013

Members of Parliament from three major political parties of Canada – the New Democratic Party, Liberal Party, and Conservative Party – have urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Tibet a priority for Canadian foreign policy in light of the recent rise in self-immolations in Tibet.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/10/canadian-mps-urge-pm-to-make-tibet-issue-a-policy-priority/

Seminar on Tibet hosted in the European Parliament for the third consecutive year
CTA, 11 April 2013

On the initiatives of Estonian MEP Kristiina Ojuland and Lithuanian MEP Leonidas Donskis, the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), group hosted a seminar on Tibet for the third consecutive year in the European Parliament.

MORE IN: http://tibet.net/2013/04/11/seminar-on-tibet-hosted-in-the-european-parliament-for-the-third-consecutive-year/

ANALYSIS:
An Unanswerable Question From My Native Land
HIGH PEAKS PURE EARTH, 26 April 2013

A Tibetan blogger recounts a trip back to their home village and gives an insight into the lives of the people there and the issues that are discussed during informal gatherings. The main topic of conversation amongst villagers is a government loan that can be paid back over three years. It is unclear to the blogger exactly what this loan is and what lies behind it.

MORE IN: http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/a-tibetan-blogger-writes-about-an-unanswerable-question-from-my-native-land/

Tibet’s Conflict Minerals
By Gabriel Lafette, RUKOR, 17 April 2013

As mining of Tibet scales up, the world’s factory in China moves ever closer to Tibet. As labour costs on China’s wealthy coast rise, heavy industries are moving inland, especially to Chongqing, the far point deep inland reachable by large ships, thanks to the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. This means there will soon be a real likelihood that your next mobile phone, or computer, or even car, could be made of copper, lithium, molybdenum, gold and other metals mined in Tibet. This is not a hypothetical. It gets personal.

MORE IN: http://rukor.org/tibets-conflict-minerals/

Ablaze in The Land of Snow
By Sonam Wangmo, THE RAVEN, 18 April 2013

Bhutan as neighbors cannot ignore Tibet’s struggle that has continued for decades now. As fellow Buddhists, it is hard to look away from the plight of a suffering people. Just to the north of us, Tibetans have been self-immolating.  They- mostly monks, but also nuns, mothers, wives, daughters, husbands and sons – have been dousing themselves in gasoline and setting their bodies aflame, while uttering the name of Dalia Lama; a beckoning for his presence back to their homeland.

MORE IN: http://theravenmag.com/ablaze-in-the-land-of-snow/

Changing From a Military Uniform Into a Police Uniform
By Woeser, HIGH PEAKS PURE EARTH, 17 April 2013

Over the past few days in Lhasa, another batch of Armed Police and People’s Liberation Army soldiers took the exam for grassroots police positions in the Tibet Autonomous Region. This must be the second time that a group of soldiers that are about to retire from their former posts are being recruited.

MORE IN: http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/changing-from-a-military-uniform-into-a-police-uniform-by-woeser/

Documents open window on early US Tibet policy, and its mistakes
By Todd Stein, ICT, 15 April 2013

A new database of cables from U.S. State Department from the 1973-1976 period done by the Wikileaks organization and called the “Kissinger Cables,” after the U.S. Secretary of State during that period reveals that, indeed, the Tibet issue has come a long way from the days of being shoved under the rug, to where it is now brought up in every major U.S.-China bilateral meeting.

MORE IN: http://weblog.savetibet.org/2013/04/15/documents-open-window-on-early-us-tibet-policy-and-its-mistakes/

EVENTS:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Schedule
Click here: http://www.dalailama.com/teachings/schedule

DELHI PROGRAMS:

FILMS ON SPIRITUALITY & FAITH
A series of monthly screenings by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in collaboration with the India International Centre shows ‘UNHEARD VOICES AND NOTES TO MYSELF’ a film by Dev Agarwal on 8th May 2013, 6:30 pm at Auditorium, India International Centre, Max Mueller Road, New Delhi – 110003

WEEKLY BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY TEACHINGS
Tibet House, New Delhi organizes Sunday Teaching by Geshe Dorjee Damdul, the Director on ‘Supplement to the Middle Way’ by Acharya Chandrakirti (Sanskrit: Madhyamakaavatara) (Tib: Uma La Jukpa) and Buddhist Tenet Class ‘Ratnavali’ – Tenet Systems by Ven. Konchok Jigmey Wangpo (Sanskrit: Ratnamala Siddhanta) (Tib: Drubtha Rinchen Trengwa) at Tibet House, 1 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi from 03:30 pm – 06:00 pm 28 April 2013. Teaching is in English.

The Weekly Tibet News Digest is a collection of different articles, columns and Tibet related news published in websites. The views expressed are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect endorsement by Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi.

This Online News Digest is an initiative of Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi.

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