59th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day

In Solidarity with a Free Tibet.

Today my thoughts and prayers are with the brave people of Tibet who have spent decades resisting the occupation of Communist China over their homeland.  While at the same time showing their solidarity with other captive peoples, including Cubans and for that I will be eternally grateful and in solidarity with their freedom struggle. 59 years ago today a rebellion began in Tibet against the Chinese communist occupation of their homeland. Tens of thousands were slaughtered and is recognized as Tibetan National Uprising Day. Below is today's statement by Tibet's Prime Minister.

Fifty-nine years ago, on this day in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, thousands of Tibetans formed a massive human chain around Norbulingka, the summer palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to protect him and their country. Tibetans from across the social spectrum, united by the indomitable Tibetan spirit staged a defiant, yet peaceful and historic uprising against the forceful and illegal occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese military in the following days and weeks brutally suppressed the peaceful uprising resulting in the death of thousands of Tibetans.
We stand here today in the same spirit to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day and to remember and honor all the Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for our nation’s struggle for freedom.

Despite the continued and increased repression, Tibetans in Tibet have with unwavering conviction voiced their resistance against the repressive policies of the Chinese government. We have witnessed a continued spate of peaceful protests in the last five decades, the highlights of which are the protests in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 2008.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the 1988 protest and the 10th anniversary of the 2008 pan-Tibet uprisings in which Tibetans made a clarion call for freedom, thus expressing their genuine and legitimate grievances against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Recent reports indicate massive military and security buildup in Tibet, particularly in the capital city of Lhasa.

Since the occupation of Tibet, the Chinese government has continually subjected Tibetans to extensive repressive policies. Freedom House report of 2016 and 2017 ranked Tibet as the second least free country after Syria and worse off than North Korea, South Sudan and Eritrea. Reporters Without Borders also stated that Tibet is harder to get access to than even North Korea.

Given the hardline policies of the Chinese government, 152 Tibetans, young and old, monks and nuns, nomads and farmers, from all three provinces of Tibet have self immolated since 2009 calling for freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Just three days ago Tsekho Tugchak, a Tibetan in his 40s from Ngaba, Amdo self immolated in Tibet. His voice echoed the aspirations of the Tibetans in Tibet. The unrelenting protests in Tibet are the result of the violation of political, religious, cultural and environmental rights of the Tibetan people.

Last month, the Chinese government implemented the so-called revised ‘Regulations on Religious Affairs’ that sought to control the overall religious freedom in Tibet.

Human Rights Watch recently reported the appointment of some 200 Communist Party cadres and atheist lay officials to control the management of Larung Gar. Since 2016, Larung Gar, the largest Buddhist academy in Tibet, has been demolished and the size of monks and nuns were reduced by half. Yachen Gar, the biggest nunnery in Tibet, is demolished and nuns are being evicted as we speak.
The recent tragic news of the fire breakout on 17th February at the Jokhang, Tsuklagkhang, the holiest shrine in the Tibetan Buddhist world and a UNESCO world heritage site is of great sadness to Tibetans and Buddhists around the world. There are reports of extensive damage and loss owing to the burning of dozens of precious statues, hundreds of artifacts and thangkas, and murals. Jokhang is still closed to the public. Clearly this is an irreplaceable loss of a sacred treasure of an ancient Tibetan civilization. Now, even after a fortnight, the Chinese government’s refusal to clarify the cause of the fire and the damage that it has caused is disturbing and raises more questions. I, therefore, urge UNESCO to send a mission to investigate into the matter and to send journalists to Tibet for an independent investigation.

The recent circular on “Reporting Leads on Crimes and Violations by Underworld Forces” released by TAR’s Public Security Bureau indicates the continuation and further restrictions in Tibet. The circular has listed 22 illegal activities that Beijing wants the Tibetan people to report, three of which directly mentioned His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The detailed guideline has particularly stated that the Tibetan public should provide information on the activities of what they labeled as “criminal gangs connected to the separatist forces of the Dalai Lama.”

This circular is a pattern of misguided practice, which clearly is based on the lack of understanding of the Tibetan mindset and culture. Tibetans inside Tibet revere His Holiness the Dalai Lama with their hearts and minds. Instead of acknowledging the faith and devotion of the Tibetan people, Chinese government have instead resorted to the criminalization of expressions of faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is the fundamental reason for the lack of ‘harmony of nationalities’ which the PRC relentlessly propagates to achieve.

Also de-linking His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Buddhism in Tibet is another root cause of resistance among Tibetans. To artificially say that you can practice Buddhism but not follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama is akin to saying you can be a Catholic but not follow the Pope. This is a fundamental misreading of the very foundation of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet as a nation. Tibet and Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara: Buddha of Compassion) are one and the same, and the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people are inseparable. Trying to separate the two deeply hurts the sentiments of the Tibetan people and violates the core of the Tibetan spirit.

We strongly condemn the circular for criminalization of advocacy and protection of the Tibetan language and culture, and also for terming the Middle Way Approach “ a reactionary and narrow nationalistic idea.” In reality, Tibetan language is protected and encouraged under Article 4 of the Chinese constitution. Similarly, the Middle Way Approach is a win-win proposition for both the people of Tibet and China.

We stand firm in our commitment to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet through the Middle Way Approach. As President Xi Jinping sets out to begin his second term, I urge him to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the representatives of the Chinese government.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always advised us to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, the Kashag has developed the Five-Fifty Vision that seeks to realize genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people based on the Middle Way policy. This vision also sets out to strengthen and sustain the Tibetan freedom struggle and the Tibetan community for another fifty years if needed.

In order to assert firm control of Tibetan people and regions, the Chinese government has subjected Tibetans to discrimination. A case in point is, despite having the same educational qualification and experience as the Chinese counterparts, the highest posts of the Party Secretary and other branches with real power of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) are held by Chinese officials. Similarly even at the prefecture and county level, qualified Tibetans are mostly denied the post of Party Secretary, whereas even lesser qualified Chinese is able to hold this leadership post.

The rising tide of China’s economic growth and prosperity has not lifted the Tibetans as Tibet remains one of the poorest region and ethnic Chinese who have flooded into Tibet in recent years have been the prime beneficiaries.

A letter received recently from inside Tibet mentions the case of the expansion of the Gongkar Airport in Lhasa under the TAR’s 12th Five-Year Plan:

“In less than five years there has been an influx of 25,000 ethnic Chinese migrants into Gongkar district alone in Lhoka and have taken over most of the local business and employment opportunities.

If such is the case in a small district like Gongkar, it is unimaginable to think of the situation in cities such as Lhasa, Tsethang, Shigatse, and Chamdo. Chinese government often speaks of development and investment in Tibet, but has never revealed the data of Chinese migration and settlement in the 74 districts in TAR and other parts of Tibet.” Such demographic dominance is the root cause of resistance and instability in Tibet.

Furthermore, to make Tibet into a Chinese region and Tibetan people into Chinese, for more than fifty years, the Chinese government has deliberately renamed the ancient Tibetan mountains, rivers, and places in Chinese language. Signboards are mandated in Chinese and even Tibetan people are incentivized to marry Chinese and take Chinese names.

I would like to say unequivocally that such sinister designs will not succeed and the cause of Tibet will prevail. Even after decades of Chinese occupation and rule, Tibetans have persisted and the Tibet cause has gained support and recognition from around the world mainly due to the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the indomitable spirit and resilience of the Tibetans inside Tibet and the unfaltering efforts of the exile Tibetans.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has propagated an educational pursuit based on the analogy of a “bird with two wings” whereby Tibetans can pursue modern education while preserving Tibetan identity.

As Tibetan millennials inside and outside Tibet strengthen their footing in the modern world, we encourage them to do so with a firm commitment to the cause of Tibet, and also to take pride in their identity and connection to their traditional Tibetan values. Their courage and conviction is and should remain as strong as that of the elder generation.

The sense of unity and courage shown by the Tibetan people have always been a source of great strength and pride, however, some elements of regionalism in exile is not only a hurdle in the course of the Tibetan freedom struggle, but it also disappoints and dampens the hopes of Tibetans who have strived towards realizing the common cause. We cannot allow regionalism and sectarianism to divide us. I, therefore, humbly and strongly urge Tibetans in exile to bridge our differences and strengthen unity, which has and will always be our ultimate strength.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the global and high level support and solidarity for Tashi Wangchuk, a Tibetan language advocate currently in prison. The European Parliament recently passed an urgent resolution. The Latvian parliament issued a joint statement calling for his release. German parliamentarians and French senators also issued similar statements calling on the Chinese government to implement fair legal process in his trial. I thank the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights for voicing concern on Tashi Wangchuk at the 37th UN Human Rights Council session that opened last week.

I also thank the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs for calling on China to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion to visit Tibet’s missing Panchen Lama, a UN recognized case of enforced disappearance for more than two decades.

The Tibetan non-violent struggle for freedom and peace spearheaded by His Holiness the Dalai Lama has gained support and solidarity from all over the world. I pay my respect and thank all the world leaders, governments, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and individuals who have and continue to empathize and tirelessly support the Tibet cause. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Tibet Support Groups and Parliamentary groups for Tibet, such as the 90-member Japan’s All Party Parliamentary Tibet Support Group, the largest parliamentary support group for Tibet, for their continued effort in shouldering the Tibet cause.

Today, as we commemorate 60 years in exile, I would like to especially thank India and the countries around the world that generously continue to host and support Tibetans. To acknowledge their solidarity, the Central Tibetan Administration will mark this year as a Thank You Year and accordingly CTA will be organizing a series of special events around the globe.

Lastly, I pray for the long life of His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and for the well being of Tibetans inside Tibet. I pray and hope that the reunion of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet will be realized soon.

The President
Central Tibetan Administration
10th March 2018

Source: Central Tibetan Administration

Marching for a Free Tibet in London on March 10, 2012

 

Where is the Panchen Lama? Chinese agents kidnapped a 6-year old child.

Where is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima?

 Agents of the People's Republic of China kidnapped a small child named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. He was 6 years old in 1995 when he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet's most important religious leaders. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was born on April 25, 1989 in central Tibet. As soon as he was recognized as the 11th Panchen Lama, Chinese authorities took him and his family into custody. A few other people, among them Chartral Rinpoche, the head of the search party were arrested and sentenced for leaking this information to the Dalai Lama.



For the past seventeen years, concerned people and human rights entities the world over have urged the government of the Peoples Republic of China to release the Panchen Lama to no avail. The whereabouts and well being of the Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is a serious concern and the regime in China should release him immediately.

Today is his 23rd birthday. His 17th birthday under detention with his whereabouts unknown.

Please speak out on his behalf and take action demanding his freedom.

Free the Panchen Lama!

Cuba and Tibet's shared calendar of hope and tragedy

Free Tibet demonstration on March 10, 2012 in London, UK

Cubans and Tibetans share two things in common despite our profoundly different histories and religious traditions that bring us together in shared misery. We both have suffered under tyranny since the early 1950s and over a half century later continue to struggle for the restoration of our freedom. China became a communist regime in 1949 and immediately began asserting territorial designs on Tibet. Communist China invaded and occupied Tibet in 1950. Cuba was a free and independent republic with a constitutional democracy until March 10, 1952 when Fulgencio Batista overthrew the democracy in a coup d'état against the last democratically elected president Carlos Prio Socarras.

Both Cubans and Tibetans looked to 1959 as an opportunity for democratic restoration and liberation. Instead tyranny entrenched itself. The Cuban nightmare began amidst the hope on January 1, 1959 that the departure of Fulgencio Batista into exile would mean a democratic restoration and an end to authoritarian tyranny instead it was the beginning of a new totalitarian communist tyranny headed by Fidel Castro. Cloaking itself in the legitimacy of nationalism and anti-Americanism it justified the systematic denial of human rights in the rhetoric of anti-imperialism and the “Yankee threat.”



Tibetan hopes that a national uprising that erupted in Lhasa on March 10, 1959 would drive the Chinese occupiers out of their homeland. Instead His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee to India to avoid imprisonment or assassination as the Chinese communists crushed the uprising.

However, as first witnessed with the regime’s support of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and later its invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 their so-called anti-imperialism demonstrated ideological exceptions. The same holds true for Tibet. Fidel Castro in his March 31, 2008 “reflection” titled “The Chinese Victory” denies that Tibet was ever independent justifying and defending the Chinese occupation of that small country. It is a shameful rewriting of history.

It is time to hold both Fidel Castro and the Chinese communists accountable to the truth.

On February 24, 2011, Students for a Free Tibet at Florida International University co-sponsored with the Free Cuba Foundation the 15th anniversary silent vigil of the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shoot down. Today, March 10, 2012 in London we participated in a march from White Hall 10 Downing Street to the Chinese Embassy protesting 62 years of Chinese occupation and repression.

Will you stand up for Tibet?

Today, November 2, 2011 is a Day of Action by Tibetans and Tibet-supporters being held the day before world leaders meet in Nice, France for a G20 Summit. Around the world demonstrations and actions are being carried out on behalf of the people of Tibet. Sadly, the regime in Cuba has been complicit in the suffering of the Tibetan people. All the more reason for Cubans and people of Cuban descent to demonstrate their solidarity with Tibet. Will you take a few moments to sign a petition and take a stand for Tibet? Additional information is available below.

Ten young Tibetans have set fire to themselves in eastern Tibet since March 2011; eight since 26 September. At least five have died including a nun. These unprecedented and truly desperate acts are a cry to the outside world for help.

Seven of these self-immolations are linked to Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, one of the largest and most influential monastic institutions in Tibet. China’s merciless and violent crackdown in Ngaba and throughout Tibet is intensifying Tibetan grievances and exacerbating the resentment and desperation felt across Tibet

This growing tragedy, if left unchecked, could spiral even further into a nation-wide crisis, unless the world acts now.

The international community, both citizens and governments, must Stand Up for Tibet. Global diplomatic intervention now will save Tibetan lives.

We demand a coordinated international response by world leaders to condemn China’s repressive measures in Ngaba and across Tibet, and to institute multi-lateral mechanisms to advocate for the Tibetan people. Most immediately, we call on China to withdraw its security forces from Ngaba and across Tibet now, and stop the ongoing harassment and torture of monks.

Global Tibet movement condemns China's crackdown on Tibetan Monastery

Kirti Monastery

Statement, 21 April 2011

The worldwide membership of the International Tibet Network (1), consisting of almost 200 Tibet campaign organizations on six continents, condemns China's continuing crackdown on the monks of Kirti Monastery and Tibetans living in Ngaba, Amdo in Eastern Tibet (Ch: Sichuan Province). This crackdown has resulted in at least 34 detentions, beatings, restrictions of movement, food shortages and an intensive "patriotic re-education" campaign following the death of a 20-year old monk named Phuntsok from self-immolation on 16 March (2). The Tibet Network calls on governments around the world to issue a public statement of concern about the crisis and to immediately convey to China's leaders the message that its security forces must withdraw from Ngaba, all detainees must be unconditionally released and unfettered access must be granted to international observers and media.

Video footage released yesterday by Voice of America's Tibetan Service, viewable at http://www.youtube.com/user/VOAKunleng#p/u/0/zwmstGsFlJc (currently in Tibetan only) clearly refutes China's claim that the situation in Ngaba is "normal." The footage includes an interview with the head of Kirti Monastery in Dharamsala, India who said,
“[On Monday] a Foreign Ministry spokesman told a press briefing that there were still religious observances going on, worshippers coming and going, and monks free to leave to conduct pujas (a daily ritual of prayers and offerings) in local households. The fact is that the monastery is encircled by armed soldiers 24 hours a day, while inside government officials intimidate and harass the monks under the guise of a ‘Patriotic Religion’ re-education campaign. They have fenced off all the prayer wheels around the perimeter to prevent people from worship, and blocked off all the gaps in the perimeter wall, turning the compound into a prison, and now that the monks don’t even have food to eat day by day. How can the government talk about security and normality? If the government’s account is correct, then foreign reporters and observers should be allowed in to see for themselves.” (Translation by the International Campaign for Tibet) (3)

On 15 April His Holiness the Dalai Lama appealed for restraint, saying,
"The current situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet is extremely grim because of the stand-off between the Chinese military forces and the local Tibetans. The monastery, housing approximately 2500 monks, is completely surrounded by Chinese armed forces, who at one point prevented vital food and other supplies from entering the monastic compound. […] I am very concerned that this situation if allowed to go on may become explosive with catastrophic consequences for the Tibetans in Ngaba.” (4)

In the coming weeks the US/China and EU/CHina Human Rights Dialogues are expected to take place, as well as visits to China by a number of leaders including Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and European Commission President Herman van Rompuy. Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide urge all those involved in these diplomatic exchanges to robustly express their concern for the safety of monks and Tibetan lay people in Ngaba and to call for an end to the human rights abuses being inflicted by Chinese security forces.

Notes
1. The International Tibet Network is a global coalition of 183 Tibet related non-governmental organizations, which works to maximise the effectiveness of the worldwide Tibet movement. Network Member organizations hold varied positions on Tibet's future political status, but all regard Tibet as an occupied country and are dedicated to ending human rights violations in Tibet, and to working actively to restore the Tibetan people's right under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status. For more information contact Tenzin Jigme + 1 703 424 0015 (English/Tibetan, USA) or Alison Reynolds + 44 7711 843884 (English, UK)

2. Tibetan monk Phuntsok, aged 20, immolated himself in the market area of Ngaba on 16 March, the third anniversary of protests at Kirti Monastery in 2008 when police opened fire on and killed at least ten Tibetans. Phuntsok died in hospital on 17 March. For a chronology of events see http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/tension-ngaba-county-escalates. For a list of those known to have been detained, see http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/list-prisoners-and-%E2%80%9Cdisappeared%E2%80%9D-tibetans-ngaba-crackdown-situation-provokes-us-government

3. A detailed analysis of the Voice of America Tibetan Service's video has been published by ICT, see http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/dramatic-new-footage-reveals-ngaba-crackdown-refutes-chinese-claims-normal-life. To contact VoA about the footage, email contact-tibetan@voanews.com. Photos are available from http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/ngaba-photographs.

4. To read His Holiness' statement in full see http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/663-appeal-by-hh-the-dalai-lama.

Signed by Members of the International Tibet Network

Western Europe:
Aide aux Refugies Tibetains
Association Dorje
Association Drôme Ardèche-Tibet
Association Rencontres Tibetaines - C.S.P.T. Midi-Pyrenees
Associazione Italia-Tibet
Austrian Committee for Tibet
Briancon05 Urgence Tibet
Caisse d'Aide aux Prisonniers Tibetains
Casa del Tibet - Spain
Comite de Apoyo al Tibet (CAT)
Comite de Soutien au Peuple Tibetain (Les Lilas)
Comite de Soutien au Peuple Tibetain (Switzerland)
Corse - Tibet
Eco-Tibet France
EcoTibet Ireland
France-Tibet
Free Tibet
Groupe Non-Violent Louis Lecoin, France
Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete, Portugal
International Campaign for Tibet Deutschland
International Campaign for Tibet Europe
International Society of Human Rights, Munich Chapter (IGFM)
Jamtse Thundel Association
La Porte du Tibet, Geneva
Les Amis du Tibet - Belgium
Les Amis du Tibet Luxembourg
Lions Des Neiges
Lions Des Neiges Mont Blance, France
Maison des Himalayas
Maison du Tibet - Tibet Info
Nice Tibet - (former: Vercors Tibet Resistances)
Nos Amis de l'Himalaya
Objectif Tibet
Passeport Tibetain
Phagma Drolma-Arya Tara
Reseau International des Femmes pour le Tibet
Save Tibet, Austria
Society for Threatened Peoples International
Solidarite Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet - France
Students for a Free Tibet - UK
Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association
Tibet 59 / 62
Tibet Democratie
Tibet Initiative Deutschland
Tibet Liberte Solidarite
Tibet Libertes, France
Tibet Society, U.K.
Tibet Support Group - Ireland
Tibet Support Group - Netherlands
Tibet Unterstutzung Liechtenstein
Tibetan Association of Germany
Tibetan Community Austria
Tibetan Community in Britain
Tibetan Community in Ireland
Tibetan Youth Association in Europe
Tibetan Youth UK
Tibetisches Zentrum Hamburg
TSG Free Tibet And You
Tsowa-Maintenir la Vie, France
Vrienden Van Tibet

Northern Europe:
Association of Free Tibet
Friends of Tibet in Finland
Swedish Tibet Committee
The Norwegian Tibet Committee
Tibet Support Committee Denmark
Tibetan Community in Denmark
Tibetan Community Sweden

Central & Eastern Europe:
Fair Society o.s.
Friends of Tibet Slovakia
Friends of Tibet Society St. Petersburg, Russia
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights - Tibet Desk
International Youth Human Rights Group - Human Rights in Tibet
Lithuanian Tibet Culture Foundation
Polish Movement for a Free Tibet
Society for Croatia-Tibet Friendship
Students for a Free Tibet, Poland
The Foundation for Civil Society, Russia
Tibet cesky (Tibet in Czech)
Tibet Support Association - Hungary
Tibet Support Group - Krasnodar Region, Russia
Tibet Support Group - Romania
Tibet Support Group - Sochi Region, Russia
Tibetan Programme of The Other Space Foundation
TSG - Slovenia (Formally Foundation Dharmaling)
Union Latvija Tibetai (Latvia for Tibet )
Zida Cels, Latvia

North America:
Association Cognizance Tibet, North Carolina
Bay Area Friends of Tibet
Boston Tibet Network
Canada Tibet Committee
Colorado Friends of Tibet
Committee of 100 for Tibet
CTC - Calgary
Dhokam Chushi Gangdruk
International Campaign for Tibet
International Tibet Independence Movement
Los Angeles Friends of Tibet
Monadnock Friends of Tibet
Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association
Rangzen Alliance
San Diego Friends of Tibet
Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet
Seattle Friends of Tibet
Sierra Friends of Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet – Canada
The Tibetan Alliance of Chicago
The World Tibet Day Foundation
Tibet Committee of Fairbanks
Tibet Justice Center
Tibetan Association of Ithaca
Tibetan Association of Northern California
Tibetan Association of Philadephia
Tibetan Association of Santa Fe
Tibetan Association of Southern California
Tibetan Cultural Association - Quebec
TIBETmichigan
Toronto Tibet Youth Congress
U.S. Tibet Committee
Western Colorado Friends of Tibet
Wisconsin Tibetan Association
United Nations for a Free Tibet (UNFFT)

Central and South America
Amigos del Tibet, El Salvafor
Asociacion Cultural Peruano Tibetana
Casa Tibet Mexico
Centro De Cultura Tibetana
Grupo De Apoyo a Tibet Chile
Grupo Pro-Cultura Tibetana, Chile
Le Club Francais
Pensando En Tibet - Mexico
Tibet Group-Panama
Tíbet Patria Libre, Uruguay
Fundacion Pro Tibet
World League for Freedom and Democracy - Costa Rica Chapter

Asia
Bharrat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, India
Circle of Friends (Philippines)
Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India
Foundation for Universal Responsibility of H. H. the Dalai Lama
Friedrich-Naumann Foundation
Gannasamannay
Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet
Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet
India Tibet Friendship Society
Japan Association of Monks for Tibet (Super Sangha)
Lung-Ta Project
Mahatma Gandhi Tibet Freedom Movement
National Campaign for Tibetan Support, India
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Raise Tibetan Flag Campaign
Roof of the World Foundation, Indonesia
SFT Japan
SFT-India
Students for a Free Tibet - Bangladesh
Taiwan Friends of Tibet
Taiwan Tibet Exchange Foundation
The Youth Liberation Front of Tibet, Mongolia and Turkestan
Tibet Lives, India
Tibet Solidarity Forum, Bangladesh
Tibet Support Group Kiku, Japan
Tibet Support Network Japan
Tibetan Student Association, Madras (TSAM)
Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre
Tibetan Rights and Freedom Committee (TRFRC)
Tibetan Women's Association (Central)
Tibetan Youth Congress
Japan Committee of 100 for TIbet
Ns3 Rigpa Community Builder’s Foundation
Anterrashtriya Bharat - Tibbet Sahyog Samiti

Australasia
A.C.T. Tibet Support Group
Australia Tibet Council
Australian Tibet House Inc.
Friends of Tibet New Zealand
Students for a Free Tibet New Zealand
Tibet Action Group of Western Australia
Tibet Support Group - Australia
Tibetan Community of Australia (Victoria)
Tibetan Women Association and Friends Australia
Sakya Trinley Ling
Australian Tibet House Inc.

Africa and Middle East
Friends of Tibet - Isamailia (Egypt)
Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People
South African Friends of Tibet
Tibet Support Group Kenya

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Miami

A visit from the Tibetan Exile to the Cuban Exile Quarter


The Dalai Lama visited Miami, Florida last week and spoke at Florida International University on the significance of world religions and at the University of Miami he spoke about the quest for happiness in challenging times. Both lectures are archived online and available for listening.

CNN Interview in Miami on October 26, 2010

These are challenging times not only for Tibet but for human rights activists everywhere. In May of 2010 Amnesty International issued an urgent action for Tibetan scholar Tagyal describing him of being at "high risk of torture and mistreatment." Thanks to the world's attention he was released on bail on October 14, 2010. Sadly, these examples of international solidarity are not repeated often enough. For example when the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon fails to mention the plight of prisoner of conscience and Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and human rights in general in China while meeting with the regime leadership what kind of message is he sending?

Yet the principles of nonviolent resistance to evil espoused by Mohandas Gandhi over a century ago are today taught by moral exemplars such as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
who on twitter observes that "Living a truly ethical life, putting the needs of others first and providing for their happiness, has tremendous implications for society," and that "Compassion and love constitute non-violence in action."

AI Urgent Action: Tibetan scholar & prisoner of conscience Tagyal at risk of torture

20 May 2010

UA 120/10 - Risk of torture/Prisoner of conscience

CHINA Tagyal (m)

Tibetan scholar and writer, Tagyal, was detained on 23 April under suspicion of "inciting separatism". He is a prisoner of conscience, at high risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

Tagyal is a well-known Tibetan scholar, aged 47, who writes under the pen name Shogdung. On 23 April, security officials took him from his workplace, the Nationalities Publishing House, in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in China. Later the same day, the officials went to his home and confiscated two computers. Around 2.30 am the next morning they returned to his home, informing his family that he was being held under suspicion of "inciting separatism".

Tagyal is believed to be held in No.1 Detention Center in Xining (also known as Ershilipu Detention Center). Despite several attempts, no one has been able to visit him. Tibetans in police custody, particularly those detained on charges of "inciting separatism", are frequently tortured and otherwise ill-treated. Tagyal suffers from poor eye-sight and digestive problems.

Tagyal's detention was first publicized on a blog that has since been blocked. The blog suggested that his detention was prompted by the publication of an open letter that he wrote on 17 April, which was signed by seven other Tibetan scholars and artists. The letter expresses condolences to the victims of an earthquake that struck Qinghai on 14 April. No other signatory is known to have been detained. Tagyal's recently published book, The Line between Sky and
Earth, which describes Tibet in the wake of the unrest in 2008 as "a place of terror", may also be a reason for his detention.

The authorities closed down his family-run bookshop on 12 April, leaving the family without a source of income.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On 14 April, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in southern Qinghai was hit by an earthquake. According to newspaper reports, more than 2,000 people died and more than 170 are missing. 12,135 people were injured, 1,434 severely. More than 100,000 were left homeless, many of which are now living in temporary shelters and facing difficult weather conditions.

Domestic and international aid has been poured into the region following the earthquake in April. Tibetan monks and civilians have played a vital role in relief efforts because, unlike emergency workers from other parts of China, they are accustomed to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau. Tibetan monks began arriving in Yushu shortly after the earthquake struck, but the government has recently asked them to return to their monasteries. The Dalai Lama has asked to visit Qinghai Province to mourn the victims of the region and comfort their families, but his request has been ignored. The government has however allowed a visit to the area by Gyaincain Norbu, chosen by Beijing as the 11th Panchen Lama.

Three days after the earthquake, Tagyal attempted to go to Yushu County to help, but he was denied the permit to go there. Together with a group of prominent Tibetan intellectuals, he signed, on April 17, an open letter to the victims of the disaster, expressing condolences and criticizing the Chinese government for its handling of earthquake relief efforts.

Yushu, which is part of the Tibetan Plateau, has a population that is 97 percent ethnic Tibetan. There has been considerable ethnic unrest in the region in recent years.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
* Calling on the authorities to release Tagyal immediately and unconditionally as he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression;
* Urging the authorities to guarantee that Tagyal will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated while he remains in custody;
* Urging the authorities to ensure that Tagyal is allowed access to legal assistance of his choosing, his family and any medical treatment that he may require.

APPEALS TO:

Director of the Qinghai Provincial Department of Public Security
He Zaigui Tingzhang
Qinghaisheng Gong'anting
1001 Fang, 10 Ceng
Gong'antingdalou
Xiningshi 810000
Qinghaisheng
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Salutation: Dear Director

Director of the Qinghai Provincial Department of Justice
Wu Faxiang Tingzhang
Qinghaisheng Sifating
11 Nanshanlu
Chengzhong district
Xiningshi 810000
Qinghaisheng
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Salutation: Dear Director

COPIES TO:

Director of the No. 1 Detention Center
Xiningshi Diyi Kanshousuo
73 Ningzhanglu,
Ershilipu Paichusuo
Xiningshi Gonganju
Chengbei Fenju
Qinghaisheng
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Salutation: Dear Director

Ambassador Yesui Zhang
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
3505 International Place NW
Washington DC 20522
Phone: 202 495 2000
Fax: 202 465 2138
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 1 July 2010.

----------------------------------
Tip of the Month:
Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible
to the date a case is issued.

** POSTAGE RATES **
Within the United States:
$0.28 - Postcards
$0.44 - Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Canada:
$0.75 - Postcards
$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Mexico:
$0.79 - Postcards
$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To all other destination countries:
$0.98 - Postcards
$0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)

Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.

This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------

GENEVA DECLARATION ON INTERNET FREEDOM

Adopted by the Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Representatives assembled at the 2nd Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy, March 9, 2010.

Preamble

We, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society from all regions of the world, having assembled here at the Second Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy,

Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,

Recognizing that the Internet is a universal space for communication and the exchange of ideas that can promote freedom and mutual understanding among all people, regardless of race, religion, geography or economic status,

Mindful that the Internet has become a primary vehicle for communication in all sectors of life in a globalized economic and civil society, requiring its transparency and openness to function properly,

Believing that the preservation of a free Internet is essential to the full enjoyment of human rights, civil liberties and a free and democratic society,

Alarmed that the situation of Internet freedom in many regions of the world is increasingly perilous and under assault,

Acknowledging that the intimidation and the use of technologies aimed at the restriction and monitoring of Internet creates an environment of repression,

Affirming that suppression of independent thought by filtering, monitoring and censoring of websites, online content, blogs and messaging services constitutes a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recognizing that all countries have obligations to guarantee Internet freedom,

Emphasizing that countries which enjoy secure and open Internet technologies are obliged to prevent exported communications technologies from being used as a vehicle for suppression and censorship, and that Internet companies should take reasonable steps to avoid complicity with, and liability for, violations of human rights,

Recognizing that the struggle for freedom of expression has today largely shifted online as the Internet has become the means of choice for political dissidents, democracy activists, human rights defenders and independent journalists worldwide,

Considering that there are particular countries in which the situation of Internet freedom is under a grave and gathering threat, with imprisoned political dissidents, journalists and bloggers who are in urgent need of protection by the international community,

Recalling the proposed 2008 Directive of the European Parliament concerning the EU Global Online Freedom Act, in particular its finding that authoritarian states such as Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam censor the internet by blocking websites and filtering search results and intimidate internet users through cyber police and obliged registration,

Deeply concerned that authorities in China have seized computers, imprisoned individuals for sharing information online, blocked and deleted blogs and other online services, and incarcerated journalists and social activists for online activity,

Alarmed that authorities in Iran have acted to suppress the free flow of information by blockading Internet traffic and suspending email providers and messaging services, and have created a special police division to hunt down Internet users suspected of so-called “insults and spreading of lies” against the regime,

Deeply disturbed that authorities in Cuba imposed near-total restrictions on access through prohibitive user fees, few public access points and slow connection speeds, and restricted distribution of service to a state-controlled provider,

Decide to hereby adopt this Declaration on Internet Freedom, in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 9, 2010;

Urge the United Nations Human Rights Council, now meeting in its 13^th Regular Session, to endorse this Declaration and support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression;

Urge all other relevant United Nations and international bodies to endorse this Declaration and support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression;

Urge all like-minded supporters of freedom, human rights and democracy to adopt similar declarations, resolutions, or other statements to support the cause of Internet freedom in the face of repression, and urge that these be submitted to the United Nations.

Article 1

Everyone has the right to equal access to the Internet, regardless of race, religion, ethnic or geographical origin.

Article 2

Everyone has the right to the free flow of information and freedom of expression without fear of discrimination.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to a transparent and open Internet without the subjection of individual licensing or prohibitive, discriminatory requirements such as heavy tolls.

Article 4

Everyone has the right to preserve and protect their intellectual property, kept private and confidential from invasion, seizure or monitoring.

Article 5

Everyone has a right to protect Internet access, Internet infrastructure and communication technologies from government seizure.

Article 6

Everyone has a right to anonymity and online privacy, free from intrusive monitoring by the state or third parties.

Article 7

Everyone has the right to encrypt or otherwise secure their identities and the security of their information as it travels across the Internet, to protect themselves and their information from unwarranted monitoring.

Article 8

No one should be allowed to export or sell technologies, equipment or software that enables the restriction of Internet use or access for the purpose of violating human rights.

Article 9

Internet providers should not be allowed to provide governments, corporations or third parties any information about their users without their legal consent.

Article 10

Any attempt to restrict or intimidate people from free, uncensored, and secure access of the Internet constitutes a fundamental abridgement of human rights and undermines the promotion of peace and world order.

Article 11

The rights and freedoms set out in this Declaration are guaranteed subject only to such reasonable limits, prescribed by law, as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Adopted by consensus, Geneva, March 9, 2010

http://www.genevasummit.org/media/20

Reflections on Nonviolence and the Situation in Tibet

Reflections on Nonviolence and the Situation in Tibet
by John Suarez

Originally published on March 16, 2008 the escalating repression and violence against the nonviolent democratic opposition in Cuba led me to return to my thoughts last year when the Chinese communists intensified their brutalization of Tibetans and reproduce the essay below.

Before entering into a meditation on the ongoing events in Tibet it is important to place it in context. Tibet was invaded by Communist China in 1949 and ten years later a nationwide uprising was crushed and since then there has been a process of ethnic genocide carried out against the Tibetan people. Attempts at dialogue and nonviolent resistance over the past 49 years have been met with more repression and more violence. Today, protests in Tibet and international protests in solidarity are appearing in news headlines all over the world. Some in the international media have irresponsibly referred to this as a " Tibetan Intifada " and focused on isolated acts of violence. What has been seen on television is property destruction and overturned cars. Although within strategic nonviolence property destruction is not viewed as necessarily violent it does open itself up to that interpretation. This has played into the hands of the Chinese occupation authorities to defend their use of violence to extra-judicially execute scores of Tibetans, and to make claims of murderous violence by Tibetans. The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, has called the alleged violence carried out by Tibetans an " act of suicide ." The world is seeing once again Mahatma Gandhi's observation that "violence always thrived on counter violence." For the past 50 years the Dalai Lama has embraced nonviolent resistance as the means to confront the Chinese occupier. He understood that Mahatma Gandhi, in the twentieth century, "produced a very sophisticated approach because he implemented that very noble philosophy of nonviolence in modern politics, and he succeeded. That is a very great thing. It has represented an evolutionary leap in political consciousness, his experimentation with truth ."

But what is Gandhi's noble philosophy? To sum it up in one word it is satyagraha. According to Gandhi " its root meaning is holding onto truth, hence truth-force. I have also called it love-force or soul-force. In the application of satyagraha , I discovered in the earliest stages that pursuit of truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one's opponent but that he must be weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For what appears to be truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. And patience means self-suffering. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of truth, not by infliction of suffering on the opponent, but on oneself ." Applied to politics it is manifested as civil disobedience . Gandhi described civil disobedience as "not only the natural right of a people, especially when they have no effective voice in their own Government, but that it is also a substitute for violence or armed rebellion."

The trouble with the events in Tibet is that no matter how minimal the violence it will contaminate the resistance as a whole and diminish its effectiveness and legitimacy while at the same time offering the oppressor a free hand to up the repression. Those voices and activists supporting the burning of cars and looting of stores in defense of Tibetan independence are doing great harm to the cause. The Dalai Lama has appealed " to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence ." The Dalai Lama is not calling on Tibetans to cease their protests but to protest and resist non-violently . The media seems to find the two ideas (nonviolence and resistance) to be in contradiction. Mahatma Gandhi on the other hand finds no contradiction stating that "civil disobedience does not admit of any violence or countenancing of violence directly or indirectly."

To those advocating a Tibetan Intifada today they should recall Gandhi's observations during the Indian struggle for independence from Britian that "popular violence is as much an obstruction in our path [to independence] as the Government violence" and "what senseless violence does is to prolong the lease of life of British or any foreign rule." As it applied to India then so does it apply to China's occupation of Tibet now. Finally they should recall that the Palestinian Intifada has not achieved the goal of an independent Palestinian state. Permitting violent rock throwers to associate with the larger non-violent movement as was done in Palestine is a strategic mistake of the first order. Do not allow justified frustrations with the evil actions of the Chinese occupation to explode into violence that will only serve the interests of an extremely well armed adversary.

As observers to this ongoing conflict we should call on China to recognize the right of the Tibetan people to maintain their customs and traditions and to denounce the cultural and ethnic genocide being committed by the Chinese communist occupation in Tibet.

Communist China's Shameful Record Cannot be Hidden Even by the Empire State Building

Communist China's Shameful Record Cannot be Hidden Even by the Empire State Building

It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
~Mark Twain

The Empire State Building Company L.L.C. has honored that which is dishonorable and in the process dishonored itself. The People's Republic of China is responsible for over 65million deaths and counting over its 60 year rampage over China.
It is a testament to the insecurity of the Chinese communist dictatorship that it seeks to legitimize itself using national landmarks such as the Empire State Building or flying the Chinese communist flag over San Francisco's City Hall. I wonder how much Chinese officials had to pay to get the the Empire State Building lit up and how much to get the flag flying over San Francisco's city hall. Sad days for America.

In the interests of remembering the victims of this six decade and ongoing horror I am posting the following videos and links which I invite you to visit and reflect on as we observe this important anniversary:

Be sure to visit Frontline's website for The Tank Man and watch the full documentary there or here or here which is the most complete version online and offers an expose on how this regime impacts Chinese.

Tibet has been under occupation for fifty years and has suffered under a genocide committed by Chinese communists beginning with Mao Ze Dong.



This has been going on for a long time. The following images are from 1988:



Today Students for a Free Tibet demonstrated in front of the Empire State Building and explained why this 60th anniversary was a tragedy not something to be honored.



I look forward to the day that Chinese Communism joins Soviet Communism on the ash heap of history.