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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| XIth Panchen Lama |
Today, 25 April 2007, marks the 18th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima- the XIth Panchen Lama of Tibet who along with his parents has been missing for the past twelve years.
In the last decade numerous governments and independent organizations have pressed the authorities in Beijing to disclose the whereabouts and well being of Panchen Lama and his family. Regrettably, the authorities have so far given various excuses for denying access to the Panchen Lama and his family. Last year in reply to questions submitted by Reuters, the State Council Information Office said China had not arranged meetings between the boy and foreign organizations or media out of respect for the family's wishes not to be disturbed. Similarly, since 1997, China has failed to provide written document as demanded by the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances of the Commission on Human Rights to support China’s claim that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family wished not to be disturbed by outsiders. Moreover, in September 2005, Chinese authorities informed the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is in "good health and just like any other children is leading a normal, happy life and receiving a good cultural education". A year later, in an official communication from China claimed to a UN rights expert that Gedhun Choekyi is not the Panchen Lama but "merely an ordinary Tibetan child" but China has persistently refused an independent expert to visit him in order to confirm his welfare and well-being.
In the latest initiative, human rights group, Amnesty International raised concern about the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama with the Chinese government and asked the Chinese authorities to allow him freedom of movement. In addition, this year during the UN Human Rights Council meeting a joint statement was made by 15 NGOs describing the disappearance of the XIth Panchen Lama of Tibet a continuous crime.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour, raised the case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima to the Chinese authorities during an official visit to China from 29 August- 2 September 2005.
Likewise, the UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom and Belief, Ms. Asma Jahangir, on 9 January 2005 raised her concern, "about the grave interference with the freedom of belief of the Tibetan Buddhists who have the right to determine their clergy in accordance with their own rites and who have been deprived of their religious leader."
Last year, the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance of the UN Commission on Human Rights stated that it "would appreciate being provided by the Government of China with documents supporting its statement that he and his parents had appealed to the Government for protection and at present are "leading normal lives and enjoying perfect health."
The People's Republic of China (PRC) has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on 29 August 1990 and ratified it on 2 March 1992. China's continued detention of Panchen Lama is a clear violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as domestic and international laws. It also indicates the persistent religious repression inside Tibet. It is a matter of great concern that such prominent religious figure is denied and bereft of any traditional religious studies and training according to Tibet's religion and culture.
BACKGROUND:
On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced that the then six-years old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Xth Panchen Lama. Three days later, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents disappeared and have never been seen again. Beijing authorities were quick to refute the proclamation, and on 24 May 1995 issued a statement describing the Dalai Lama’s proclamation as "illegal and invalid." China’s response to the Dalai Lama’s selection of the Panchen Lama has been to denounce the legitimacy of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and proclaim another child to be the real incarnation - an unprecedented and bizarre act of the officially atheist state. Shortly after this announcement Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are reported to have been disappeared and since then there has been no credible information on their whereabouts and well-being for the past twelve years and it still remains a major concern.
On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced that the then six-years old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Xth Panchen Lama. Three days later, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents disappeared and have never been seen again. Beijing authorities were quick to refute the proclamation, and on 24 May 1995 issued a statement describing the Dalai Lama’s proclamation as "illegal and invalid." China’s response to the Dalai Lama’s selection of the Panchen Lama has been to denounce the legitimacy of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and proclaim another child to be the real incarnation - an unprecedented and bizarre act of the officially atheist state. Shortly after this announcement Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are reported to have been disappeared and since then there has been no credible information on their whereabouts and well-being for the past twelve years and it still remains a major concern.
In addition, Chadrel Rinpoche, a former abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery seat of Panchen Lama, and Chairman of the Search Committee for the reincarnation of the XIth Panchen Lama and his assistant Champa Chungla disappeared from Chengdu Airport in Sichuan Province on 14 May 1995. On 21 April 1997, the Shigatse Intermediate People's court sentenced Chadrel Rinpoche to six years of imprisonment. He was charged with "plotting to split the country" and "leaking state secrets". He was accused of working for and assisting the Dalai Lama in the search for the XIth Panchen Lama. Although his sentence ended on 13 May 2001 following the completion of a six-year prison term, there is no credible information on his whereabouts or on his state of health. Jampa Chungla, a former assistant of Chadrel Rinpoche, was arrested in 1995 for his participation in the search committee of the XIth Panchen Lama. He was sentenced to a four- year prison term and to a two-year deprivation of political rights. There is also no information on Champa Chungla after the completion of his original four-year prison term.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is gravely concerned at the continued disappearance and detention of the Panchen Lama and his parents and appeals for their unconditional release. TCHRD urges the International bodies to pressure the Beijing authorities to ascertain their whereabouts and well-being and to allow the relevant UN bodies to meet the Panchen Lama. The PRC should also ensure that the religious freedom of the Tibetan people be respected including their rights to identify religious leaders.
[ top]Former Chushul Prisoner Arrives in Exile
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| Sonam Dorjee |
Sonam Dorjee, 38, was born in Dasher Village, Gyama Township, Meldro Gungkar County. Born in a farmer’s family, he went to village school for some years and later stayed at home working in the farm.
On 30 June 1992 a meeting was held at Gyama Township Administration office courtyard. At the gathering of more than 1,200 people Thupten Yeshi, Lhundup, Sonam Rinchen, Kunchok Lodroe and Sonam Dorjee raised a Tibetan national flag and shouted “Free Tibet, China Quit Tibet, Long live H.H the Dalai Lama”. Their protest at the gathering sent the crowed into panic and chaos. After 15 minutes of shouting the slogans and unfurling the Tibetan national flag, nine policemen reached the spot and arrested all the demonstrators. Additionally two trucks of army came at the spot to control the situation.
Upon arrest, they were taken to the county detention centre, where each one of them were interrogated and tortured with electric prod, stick and rope. The police demanded to know the main leader who plotted the event and who has instigated them to protest. Further they were asked whether there is any splittist group’s hand behind the protest. The demonstrators told the police that the main objectives of staging the demonstration were to protest the forceful selling of fertilizer to the farmers at a very high price. Since the farmers use fertilizer twice a year, they would have to spend exorbitant amounts in order to have good crop yield. Each bag of fertilizer cost more than 200 Chinese Yuan. Another objective was to protest against the massive transfer of Chinese population into Tibet, which leads to an ever-increasing unemployment problem among the Tibetan. The markets in Tibet are taken over by the Chinese migrants, leaving very scare opportunity for Tibetans to do business.
All of them cited same reasons for the protest, making the police very frustrated and angry. The police beat them up and used electric prod everywhere on their body. They hit Sonam Dorjee on his stomach so hard that he could not breath. They were made to stand up with a nameplate on their chest and took pictures of them. On 30 June 1992, the police took them to Gutsa Detention Centre. At Gutsa he was interrogated twice every morning at 9 am and in the afternoon at 3.30 pm. He was sujected to severe beating and torture frequently.
During the interrogation, his hands were tied with rope at back and used electric prod on the fingers. The police officers also tied the hands and legs at their back and put broken glasses between the ropes in order to make it more painful. Sometime, they were beaten with iron rod till the officers were tired and they were interrogated and tortured for 12 days in Gutsa.
On 28 October 1992, the Lhasa People’s Intermediate Court charged them of “Counter-Revolutionary Propaganda” and sentenced Sonam Dorjee and Kunchok Lodroe to 13 years’ imprisonment and deprivation of political rights for four years. Sonam Rinchen, Thupten Yeshi and Lhundup were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and deprivation of political rights for five years. On 20 September1992, they were transferred to Drapchi prison. In Drapchi, they had to do morning exercise, during which they have to run in line. They have to work also in vegetable green houses. In Drapchi prison, the prisoners can meet their family once a month but sometime even this opportunity is denied for no apparent reason.
On 1/4 May, 1998 there were major protests in Drapchi prison, all the political prisoners were tortured and despite bloodshed all around the prison compound, the police officers interrogated and tortured each prisoner throughout the night. It was during this interrogation and torture session that Sonam Dorjee developed a severe heart disease and since then, he used to become unconscious at least twice a day. On 23 November 1998, Sonam Dorjee was released on medical parole. His release was to avoid any medical expense for his treatment by the government. Due to financial problem, he could not afford to get medical care and had to rest at home. Again on 22 November 2000, he was taken back to prison to continue his term.
On 13 March 1994, Kunchok Dorjee was also released on medical parole as he had become very weak due to severe torture and long suffering. Sonam Rinchen also was ill for a very long time due to torture and inhuman treatment in prison but he didn’t receive any medical treatment till his condition became severe. On 23 September 1999, he died after ten days of medical treatment. After the post-mortem, it was found out that his brain was severely damaged due to using electric prod on his head and his rips and lungs were also damaged. The postmortem indicated that he died due to the severe torture and inhuman treatment that he received in prison.
On the night of 12 April 2005, all the Drapchi political prisoners were transferred to Chushul prison amidst tight security. Three guards escorted each political prisoner and at that time about 100 political prisoners were transferred. Chushul prison is worse than Drapchi prison. The security arrangement is very strict with surveillance cameras put on the wall of each room. The rooms where the political prisoners were kept is very small with a tiny window and low roof and the only view that they can see is that of the sky and top of the mountain. Except five minutes break outside of their room, most of the time, prisoners were kept inside the small dark cell.
In Chushul prison, the political prisoners were divided into three alphabetical units - A, B and C. Unit A included prisoners who were obedient to prison authority and well- behaved and they have a green coloured batch on their chest with their name and unit. Those in unit A have the special privilege of sitting under the sun for whole day, and also during their family visits, they were given half an hour period of time.
The prisoners in unit B were allowed outside of their room only once a day and it was for five minutes and they have a yellow coloured batch with their name and unit. During their family visit, they can only talk through phone for five minutes and were allowed to keep only 1 kg of fruit or food that their family has brought. Sonam Dorjee was kept in unit B.
Unit C included those political prisoners who were considered worst behaved and they have a red coloured batch on their chest. They were never allowed outside of their room and were completely denied the rights to meet their family.
The living condition in Chushul prison is extremely poor. Though, daily budget of each prisoner is 5 Yuan, but in reality they were provided food worth less than 2 Yuan. The remaining 3 Yuan is used as prize money for those prisoner guards who had been strictest. The daily food for political prisoners is very poor and there is no fat or oil used in the food. Due to lack of nutritious food and warm place to sleep, most of the prisoners have kidney and gastic problem. Over the years, the prisoners have requested improvement in their food and proper medical treatment but the Chinese prisoner guards agree to do so only on the condition that they denounce the Dalai Lama. They were asked to denounce the Dalai Lama politically if not religiously and when they refused to do so; they tried every means to create grounds of suspension and enmities amongst the political prisoners.
On 29 July 2005, Sonam Dorjee has finally completed 13 years-term and released from prison. The continuous restriction on him even after his release made his life miserable. So he took permission for medical check from the local authority and secretly fled Tibet and arrived in exile safely. His friends, Thupten Yeshi and Lhundup are still serving their term of 15 years in Chushul prison and their term is due to expire on 29 June 2007.
[ top]The rural reconstruction campaign in Tibet against the will and wishes of the residents
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| A new house in rural areas |
A 24-year-old Kyilhu was born in Gangkar Village, Shelkar Township, Dingri County, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’). He reached Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre, Katmandu on 1 April 2007. He testified to the TCHRD that his family is dependent on farming as the main source of livelihood. He has a large family with his two sisters and a brother in law and their children.
As for Kyilhu, he does not stay much at home. To earn his own livelihood most of the time he stays outside home working as a labourer and bus conductor of public transportation service between Shigatse and Dhingri. It is a well-known fact that construction labourers get the lowest pay. In particular, Tibetan labourers do not get the pay as much as Chinese labourers. Some times Tibetan labourers end up not getting paid after many days of work, since the contractor ran away with all their wages. For instance in April 2006, he was in Shigatse where he worked in a construction site. At that time he and around 10 Tibetans of Shigatse locality and six-seven Chinese workers were hired. It took around eight months to complete the construction of the two-storey building. When all Tibetan workers and some Chinese workers approached the building owner for the payment, he refused, saying the Chinese construction contractor was given all the money. The owner said, if you need money go and search for the contractor. Most of the workers had to suffer without getting paid for many months of work. The workers were usually from very poor background with no formal education. When such injustice happened, they become helpless and do not know where and whom to approach for grievances. The incident was really a bad experience for Kyillu as it was the first time that he ventured out of his home to work and earn a living.
He further testifies that in the month of January 2006, administration officers of the town called a meeting of all the resident of Shelkar Village and ordered the villagers to dismantle old houses and reconstruct new houses. They further ordered that the entire new houses should be of same design and of same colour. The government has sanctioned 10,000 Chinese Yuan for the construction of new houses and is expected from the each household to contribute minimum amount of 10,000 Yuan. In order to build a new house, the family is required to spend at least 20,000 Yuan. The State will provide 10,000 Yuan, remaining amount need to be spent by the family themselves. The authority announced prizes for those who would build houses according to the instructions and worth more than 20,000 are welcomed and will be given prizes also. Severe punishment will be meted on those who fail to comply with the State’s order. The villagers felt threatened and have no other options, but to agree to the order. There are 34 families in Shelkar village, of which only two-three families can build new houses by adding more than 10,000 Yuan on top of an equivalent amount provided by the State. Rest of the families cannot afford to build a new house, as they are very poor. There is no way that they can build a new house.
Since the beginning of this year March, only four families were able to build new houses. Of these four, only one family could afford to build their own house. The other three families were not able to raise 10,000 Yuan by themselves and have to borrow from bank. The bank loans have to be repaid within two years, after which interests will be charged on top of the principle amount. The local town office ordered the village people to complete the construction of new houses before 2008. In response to the enquiry of construction of new houses, the town officials said "It is for the preparation of upcoming 2008 Olympic game, in Beijing China. Many tourists will visit Tibet in 2008 Olympic." China wants to show the tourist that they are bringing economic development in Tibet, therefore forcefully making Tibetan people build new houses, which in turn put them in debts. The new houses do not reflect the better living standards of Tibetan people, they are not happy in the new houses built upon debts, they are more worried than ever about how to repay the loans to banks.
[ top]New Minority Report on China slams its exclusion and marginalisation policies
A new report "China- Minority Exclusion, Marginalisation and Rising Tension" was brought out by Human Rights in China (HRIC) and Minority Rights Group International (MRG).
China’s claim that its massive economic development strategy will benefit rural ethnic groups in its western regions. However, in practice it excludes, marginalizes, and masks the increased repression of ethnic minority groups such as Mongols, Tibetans, and Uyghurs, according to a new report. Instead of benefiting the rural ethnic minorities, China’s economic development strategy implements a politicized policy agenda of resource extraction, assimilation through population transfers and militarization.
The new report also examines China’s autonomy system, and how despite formal guarantees of self-governance and minority protections for ethnic groups, the system functions as a mechanism of exclusion and control. It claims, "Systemic violations of civil and political rights occur in tandem with increasing exclusion of ethnic minorities from a top-down policy of economic development, especially evident in Mongolian, Tibetan, and Uyghur autonomous regions."
The report contains information from a diverse pool of sources, including Tibetan refugees, students, farmers, trade professionals, unemployed persons, former political prisoners, and NGO field workers, as well as references to Chinese law, official documents and publications.
The report includes a set of recommendations to promote greater transparency, inclusive political participation, equitable development and the preservation of cultural identity
[ top]Google now censors China criticism in U.S
Internet search engine Google, which WoldNetDaily.com (WND) reported earlier, censors its search results in China to meet government demands, is now censoring criticism of China in the United States, according to one website owner.
Chris Langdon, the owner of new website has found out that Google is now censoring criticism of China within the United States, after he launched his site ChinaIsEvil. He just wanted to buy advertising for his work in google. But was denied permission to purchase advertising on the search engine.
His site lobbies against the continued financial support for China by the purchase of products and the location of business ventures there. He notes that his opposition is to the oppressive government in China, not the population itself.
"Not all Chinese people are evil, of course. Many in China want more freedom, as evidenced by Tiananmen Square. However, the Communist Chinese government has been, and is, a murderous one. The Communist Chinese slaughtered millions during the Chinese Revolution. After coming to power they murdered thousands of landowners after mock trials. Subsequently, Communist China invaded Tibet and murdered a million Tibetans," the site says.
The site also lists China’s help in North Korea’s invasion of South Korea, the estimates of up to 40 million dead during the "Great Leap Forward," the millions of deaths during the "Cultural Revolution," and the nation’s influence in Vietnam.
"As long ago as 1971, in a study done for Congress, Professor Richard L. Walker, in ‘The Human Cost of Communism in China’ noted that Beijing was responsible for the deaths of between 34.3 million and 63.8 million people " [in 1995] European historian Jean Louis Margolin "stated that Chinese Communism took the lives of 44.5 million to 72 million people..," the site notes.
"Communist China has murdered millions-boycott China," the website says.
"It is well known that Google and Yahoo! allow the Communist Chinese government to censor information that appears on their search results in China. Few know that Google censors its search results in America, and its advertising, in a decidedly arbitrary, unfair manner," said Langdon.
"They don’t want to offend Communist China," he said. "I’m not talking about censoring in China. I’m talking about in America, they censor in America."
[ top]Liechtenstein Parliament Adopts Tibet Resolution
The Liechtenstein Parliament adopted a resolution on Tibet during its three day Parliament session from 25-27 April, despite the Chinese government’s protest.
Earlier three members representing all the three political parties viz. Ms. Josy Biedermann of Progressive People’s Party, Mr. Harry Quaderer of Patriotic Union and Ms. Andrea Matt of Free List submitted a joint motion on Tibet to the parliament on 2 April 2007.
Mr. Harry Quaderer, on behalf of other two colleagues, introduced the motion in the parliament on 25 April 2007. The resolution was subsequently adopted with the support of 18 votes and six votes against it and one abstention.
The resolution expresses its solidarity with the European Parliament on Tibet Resolution adopted on 15 February 2007. It further urges the "Government of People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama to resume and continue the dialogue despite their differences on certain substantive issues without preconditions and in a forward-looking manner that allows for pragmatic solutions which is in accord with wishes of the People’s Republic of China’s territorial integrity and takes into account the aspirations of Tibetan people."
The resolution also "instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President, Government and the Parliament of People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama through the Government of the Principality." This is Liechtenstein Parliament’s second resolution on Tibet since June 1996.
[ top]Second Nangpa La captive managed to escape into exile
A 20-year old Gatsok, was one of the 31 people arrested by Chinese People’s Armed Police (PAP) during the Nangpa La shooting incident on 30 September 2006. The Chinese PAP without any warning fired at the unarmed group of Tibetan escapees who were crossing Nangpa pass, killing the 17-year-old nun Kelsang Nortso and injuring atleast one. Of them 41 people managed to reach India safely, while 31 people including a bullet wounded boy and 14 children were allegedly arrested by the Chinese Border Police for illegally crossing the border.
The fate of these captives remained unknown, until recently when 15-year-old Jamyang Samten, one of the detainee, escaped into exile during his second attempt and reached Dharamsala on 29 January 2007. He was able to shed some light on the aftermath of the shooting. Gatsok is the second Nangpa La captive to escape into exile.
Gatsok hails from Gagemo Village, Gatha Township, Tengchen County, Chamdo Prefecture, "Tibet Autonomous Region" ("TAR"). He is farmer by occupation. He testified with the TCHRD that,
"Though I have never been to school, my purpose of coming into exile was to seek an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to pursue monastic education. But unluckily, I was arrested by Chinese police along with 30 other Tibetan escapees during my first attempt. However, I did not lose heart and this time managed to escape into exile by trying a different strategy and route."
"During my first attempt, I was in the second group. We were moving slowly as our group was comprised of mostly small children. Suddenly, we heard the gun shot and we all began to run. At that time, I thought that we won’t be able to escape since our group consist of many children. Later, it was known that the gun fire was made on the first group."
"However, the Chinese Police managed to arrest our group. We were 32 people including the children. I did not see the nun who was killed, but the boy from Kandze who was shot on leg by the Chinese PAP were in the same vehicle with us, during our deportation to the prison. They took us all to Shigatse Prefecture Detention Centre. We were detained there for more than month. In the prison, the adults from the group were interrogated many times. During the interrogation, we were subjected to severe beatings by electric rod and leather belt. The police officials even threatened that we will be ‘mercilessly’ killed. However, we were later released from the prison, probably due to international media coverage and condemnation by various organizations."
"At the time of our detention in the Shigatse Detention Centre, there were more than 100 Tibetans already in the prison, arrested for either trying to escape to India or returning from India. They were imprisoned for more than seven months and were fined hefty sum of money at the time of release. But we were all released and handed over to parents and relatives without imposing any fine."
"I was released after my relative gave the assurance to the police officials that I will not try to cross the border in future. After release, I went to Lhasa and then travelled in Kongpo region. After staying there for a while, another way for my escape was arranged. I then escaped into exiled through Dram by paying a guide and came to Kathmandu."
[ top]Four Free Tibet Activist Protest at Mt Everest Base Camp
Four American Free Tibet activists protested at the Mt Everest Base Camp on 25 April, against China’s proposal to relay the Olympic torch through Tibet. The activists from US- based Student for a Free Tibet (SFT) unfurled a banner " One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008". The Chinese border guards later arrested them.
The protest came in the wake of International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Beijing schedule meeting on China’s plan to route the Olympic torch relay through Tibet. Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of SFT said, "If Beijing wants to deserve the honour of hosting the Olympic Games, it must play by the rules of the international community - that includes tolerance of free speech and expression".
China has lodged complaint with the United States over the protest. After detaining the activists for two days, they were released on 27 April through Nepal border.
China is severely criticised of not complying with international human rights laws and accused of curbing the press freedom despite its assurance to IOC ahead of 2008 Olympic.
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
Talk to Lower TCV students
Mr. Jampa Monlam, Assistant Director, TCHRD was invited to deliver a talk to the students of Lower TCV School on Human Rights situation in Tibet on 24 April 2007. Mr. Monlam spoke on the current human rights situation in Tibet. He also answered the questions posed by the students.
The talk was organised for the students in preparation of upcoming "Tibet Our Country Project" by the school.
[ top]Commemoration of 18th birthday of the XIth Panchen Lama
Mr Urgen Tenzin, Executive Director, TCHRD, attended the 18th Birthday of XIth Panchen Lama Gendun Choeyi Nyima, which was commemorated on 25 April 2006 at Staff Mess Hall, Ganchen Kyishong, Dharamsala. The function was organised by the Central Association for His Holiness the Panchen Lama (Tashi Lhunpo). Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) presided over the function as the chief guest. Mr. Karma Choephel, Speaker, Tibetan parliament -in-exile and other dignitaries of CTA, representatives of monasteries, nunneries and NGOs also attended the function. In the morning session of the program, the director of the Association gave an introductory speech. This was followed by speeches from Kalon Tripa and Speaker of Tibetan parliament-in-exile.
In the after noon session, Mr. Jampa Monlam took part in the panel discussion to formulate plans to intensify the campaign for the release of young Panchen Lama. He also delivered a speech regarding the activities that need to be organized in future for the release of the Panchen Lama.
Talk regarding the situation of political prisoners
Mr. Dawa Tsering, Field Officer, TCHRD, delivered a talk to the students of Lower TCV School. He gave a clear idea of the situation of political prisoners and the conditions of the prisons in Tibet. During the question-answer session, he also answered all the questions posed by the students.
TCHRD set up book distribution stall
On the occasion of the XIth Panchen Lama’s 18th birthday, TCHRD set up a book distribution stall at the main temple, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala. The Centre’s staff distributed TCHRD’s publication free of cost including the Annual Report 2006 and Topical Reports. The monthly Human Rights Updates in Tibetan and English were also distributed to the visitors. The staff also explained the current situation of the XIth Panchen Lama to a large number of public including Indian and tourists present at the Temple. The Centre’s staff Dawa Tsering, Palden Tsering and Dickyi Dolker took the charge of the book distribution.
