About TCHRD

TCHRD staff members

Executive Director Mr. Urgen Tenzin	Assistant Director Mr. Jampa Monlam	UN Affairs Personnel Mr. Tenzin Norgay
Researcher Mr. Tashi Choephel	Researcher Mr. Tsering Agloe	Information Officer Mr. Tashi Phuntsok
Field Officer Mr. Dawa Tsering	Accountant Ms. Phurbu Dolma	Field Officer Mr. Lobsang Tsultrim
General Assistant Ms. Tenzing Migmar	Office Driver Mr. Palden Tsering	Office Assistant Mr. Bugahgah

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

TCHRD is the first Tibetan non-governmental human rights organization to be established in exile in India. Founded in 1996, TCHRD is registered as an NGO under Section 2 of the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is based in Dharamsala, North India.

TCHRD Logo

TCHRD logo features the image of a white dove rising out of flames. The dove and olive branch are the universal emblems of peace. The flames, drawn in traditional Tibetan style, represents the suffering of Tibetan people, as well as the devastating and purifying force of Truth.

TCHRD's Mission

1. To promote and protect human rights of the Tibetan people in Tibet
2. To educate the exile Tibetan community on human rights principles and democratic concepts

Spreading Truth to End Suffering

TCHRD conducts regular, systematic investigations of human rights situation in Tibet and monitors human rights policies of the People's Republic of China (PRC). On issues of human rights concerns that confront Tibetans inside Tibet, TCHRD every year brings out an annual report, thematic reports, profiles of former political prisoners, monthly newsletters, and press releases and news briefs.

Educating the Exile Tibetan Community

TCHRD organizes workshops, talk series, public discussions and campaigns to engender a culture of human rights and democracy within the exile Tibetan community. Two workshops are held a year for college students and different target audience while TCHRD staff visits schools, institutions and settlements to give talks on human rights and democracy. TCHRD also launches various public campaign activities and also organizes in-depth awareness programs to broaden their awareness and support.

Engaging the Global Community

TCHRD regularly attends the UN Commission on Human Rights (to be replaced by UN Human Rights Council) as well as other regional, national and international conferences. Such participation is aimed to highlight human rights situation in Tibet and to lobby and to network on the promotion and protection of human rights in Tibet. TCHRD conducts campaigns of international scope such as letter writing and signature appeals, and submits memoranda to visiting delegations and media on actual human rights condition in Tibet.

Training Ourselves

The struggle to improve human rights in Tibet can only be won if we develop those skills necessary to achieve our aims. Therefore, TCHRD staff are sent for international human rights training courses, educational seminars and conferences to educate and empower ourselves.

TCHRD's Uniqueness

TCHRD is unique in the fact that it enjoys direct and immediate access to information from Tibetan refugees escaping via Nepal to Dharamsala. Besides, TCHRD has an all-Tibetan staff organization that recognizes the reality of the situation of living under occupation, of being born in exile and of having that access to provide accurate, up-to-date insights into life in occupied Tibet.

Funding

TCHRD receives its core funding from the Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBF) based in Germany. TCHRD is dependant on other funding agencies as well as donations from individual sponsors for its smaller projects and activities such as workshops and campaigns.

Membership

Membership fees are kept to a minimum in an effort to encourage people to join TCHRD and to enable them to know and receive information on human rights situation in Tibet. The annual membership fee is Rs. 100/- for members within India and for members from abroad, USD 20 for student members and USD 40 for non-student members. Members are entitled to receive monthly human rights update and other publications free of cost upon request.

Donation

TCHRD stretches its limited resources to produce and participate in as many research projects, publications, workshops and conferences as possible.

To donate, please contact Executive Director at

How We Function

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the patron of TCHRD. The international advisory board is comprised of prominent personalities from around the world.

TCHRD functions under the auspices of a Board of Directors comprising of seven to twelve members from various sectors of society who act as trustees of the Centre.

The Executive Director, as the principal executive officer, oversees the entire responsibility of the Centre

Board of Directors

Chairman: Mr. Lobsang Dhargay
Vice Chairman: Ven. Kalsang Damdul
Members: Prof. P.N. Sharma, Mr. Tempa Tsering, Mr. Penpa Tsering, Mr. Karma Yeshi, Ms. Youdon Aukatsang, Mr. Sonam Topgyal and Mr. Urgen Tenzin

TCHRD is also supported by volunteers from time to time in its work.

Our postal address

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Top Floor, Narthang Building
Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala
176215, H.P., India

Tel: + 91 1892 223363
Telefax: + 91 1892 225874
Email:
Website: www.tchrd.org

"The Tibetan cause is a cause for truth, and when you are fighting for the Truth you cannot wait for someone to tell you to fight."