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Human Rights Update and Archives
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The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses its deepest shock and condemnation over the swift and extremely harsh sentence to Ronggye A’drak and three other Tibetans by Kardze Intermediate People’s Court today.
Ronggye A’drak, who was earlier indicted by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court on 29 October 2007 on four counts of ‘crimes’ ranging from disruption of law and order to state subversion was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment with deprivation of political rights for four years, A’druk Lopoe to ten years; Kunkhen (“Jacmyang Goinqen”) to nine years and Lothok to three years imprisonment respectively by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court today, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On 29 October 2007, a handcuffed Ronggye A’drak who was earlier brought to Kardze Intermediate People’s Court, for the court indictment was today sentenced to eight years of imprisonment and deprivation of political rights for four years on charges of “inciting to split the country to undermine the country unity,” and “severely disrupting the public order”. Whereas Adruk Lopoe, a nephew of Ronggye A’drak received the heaviest sentence of ten years’ imprisonment on charges of “colluding with foreign separatist force to split the country and distributing political pamphlets.” Kunkhen, (“Jacmyang Goinqen”) an artiste who was arbitrarily arrested on 22 August by the Lithang County PSB officials for unknown reason was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment on charges of “carrying out splittist activities,” and Lothok was given three years imprisonment by the same court. There has been no information on their physical condition and where they were taken after the court verdict was delivered.
Ronggye A’drak, 52 year-old and a father of 11 children was arrested after his peaceful solo demonstration on 1 August 2007 at the annual Lithang horse race festival in Kardze, “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) in Sichuan province. In the aftermath of A’drak’s detention by the Lithang Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers, hundreds of local Tibetans and nomads in Lithang and surrounding areas protest at Lithang PSB Detention Centre to show their solidarity for A’drak and called for his immediate release before being dispersed. Several days after A’drak’s arrest, and the subsequent protest by the Tibetan supporters were dispersed by large number of military forces in their full combat gear using tear-gas and firing guns into the air.
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“On the evening of 21 August 2007, a large number of Lithang PSB and PAP forces suddenly stormed into A’drak’s native village, Yonru Kharshul Village, Lithang County, Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (TAP), Sichuan Province and arrested few of his nephews. It was confirmed by the source that the Lithang PSB and PAP forces first stormed into the house of A’drak and enquired about Adruk Lopoe, a monk of Lithang Monastery who has been leading the call for A’drak’s release. Finding Adruk Lopoe absent at his house, the PSB officers and PAP forces arbitrarily detained two of his brothers, Adruk Gyatso and Adruk Nyima and took them forcibly to the local PSB Detention Centre. The PSB officers and PAP forces ransacked their entire house looking for any evidence that they could charge them with.” According to the source, “Adruk Lopoe, 45 year old monk, on learning about the arrest of his two brothers went to Lithang County PSB Office after few hours and told the officer that “I am the person you are looking for and demanded the release of his two brothers. However, the PSB officers without complying his demand also arrested him”. Adruk Nyima and Adruk Gyatso were released after six hours of detention. A’druk Lopoe is a very strong proponent of the need of education for the youth and a leading advocate against deforestation, lumbering and wildlife hunting in his native Kardze.
In the aftermath of the protest by and arrest of Ronggye A’drak, the Chinese authorities launched massive “Patriotic Education” Campaign across Lithang County’s monastic institutions and even to village communities where few Tibetans who openly challenged the authorities were arrested.
The TCHRD questions the integrity of Chinese judicial court that sentenced Tibetan nomads with lengthy prison terms for exercising basic human rights peacefully and expressing the wishes of Tibetans inside Tibet in a most peaceful manner. The sentence passed by the Kardze Intermediate people’s court is one of the swiftest, spanning only about three and a half months, definitely indicates that the whole judicial process has been summary and arbitrary in nature.
The TCHRD strongly condemns the sentencing of Ronggye A’drak and the three other Tibetans as their freedom to opinion and expression does not violate any of the constitutional components of Chinese law. TCHRD is gravely concerned for the fate of Ronggye A’drak, Adruk Lopoe, Kunkhen and Lothok and would like to seek immediate intervention by the governments and the international community. Since their activities constitute nothing more than an expression of their opinion, thought and exercise of their basic human rights peacefully, TCHRD calls upon the Chinese authorities to release them unconditionally.
In the light of the prevalence of summary trials and sentencing in Chinese court, TCHRD urges Chinese authorities to give Ronggye A’drak and the others a fair re-trial with adequate legal representation and also to follow all domestic and international legal norms.
[ top]Chinese authorities closes down Pangsa Monastery in Tibet
The Chinese authorities in Meldrogungkar has temporarily closed down Pangsa Monastery in Meldrogungkar County, Lhasa municipality, Tibet Autonomous Region (“TAR”) in Tibet according to credible information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Pangsa Monastery belongs to the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery’s chief relic is a mummified reliquary body of the highly realized Yogi Jampal Gyatso. Je Tsongapa Chenpo (1357-1419), the exalted master and the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism brought the holy reliquary statue of Yogi Jampal Gyatso from his birthplace, Tsonga in Amdo Province along with him when he came to Lhasa, during the 14th century. Since then the reliquary statue of Yogi was housed in the Pangsa Monastery as a chief relic.
Earlier, the Dalai Lama was reported to have preached the benefits of receiving blessings from the reliquary statue of the holy Yogi to Tibetan devotees and practitioners during his religious teachings in India.
In aftermath of the Dalai Lama’s discourse on the sacred nature of the reliquary statue, thousands of Tibetan pilgrims and devotees have been flocking to Pangsa Monastery to receive blessings from the holy relic till date from all parts of Tibet. In one incident, around forty trucks packed with devotees and pilgrims reportedly visited the relic statue every day between August and September 2007. In the last many months, there has been a staggering increase in the number of devotees visiting the reliquary statue at Pangsa Monastery. The movements of Tibetan devotees in large numbers to the Monastery drew the attention and apprehension of the Chinese authorities. The Chinese government maintains a strict curb and restriction on the large congregation of religious devotees inside Tibet as a standard measure to control Tibetan people and to regulate religious practices.
Particularly, in recent times, the Chinese government has already placed an unprecedented restriction in the movements of Tibetan people inside Tibet particularly in “TAR” in the light of China hosting 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The incident of Tibetan devotees in thousands flocking to the monastery has led to the closure of Pangsa Monastery during the second week of October 2007 in backdrop of China’s usual fear and suspicion over the large congregation of Tibetan people in one place.
TCHRD expresses its grave concern over the outrageous violation of denying the Tibetan devotees and practitioners from enjoying their right to religious freedom and beliefs. The Buddhist culture is an integral part of Tibetan people’s culture and way of life and therefore placing such restrictive curbs only contradicts the spirit of Chinese constitution where the right to religious practice and beliefs is guaranteed to all of its citizens.
TCHRD calls upon the Chinese authorities to immediately lift the closure of Pangsa Monastery and allow the Tibetan devotees to practice their religious beliefs.
[ top]Commercialization of a holy pilgrimage site
Donkar Kyab from Sarum Village, Karma Township, Dzogen, Ngapa Prefecture, Sichuan Province Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) County testified to the Centre about a construction of new road which runs through Kirti Monastery in Ngaba Prefecture in order to convert a famed pilgrimage site into major tourist attraction spot.
According to Donkar Kyap, a famed retreat hermitage cave called “Taktsang or Tiger’s Den” is located right in the interior part of the valley on a cliff side, which the Tibetan devotees come to pray and seek blessing. Every year the pilgrimage site attracts thousands of devotees.
Of late the Chinese authorities made a proposal to convert the holy pilgrimage site into a tourist attraction site for commercial purposes. Since the holy cave is located way up in the interior part of the valley, a construction of a road is necessary to make the cave accessible to tourists.
According to the blue print of the road construction, it is to run in close proximity to the monastery. In response to authorities plan, around seven hundred monks from the monastery immediately raised their objection to the construction. They raised their concerns and worries about the adverse impact of road will have on the monastery.
Donkar Kyap explains that the officials from Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Ngapa Prefecture summoned the senior monks of Ngapa Kirti Monastery for a meeting in April 2007. During the meeting, the PSB officials disclosed them about a construction of new road project which was to run along the Kirti Monastery.
The monks complained to the officials that once the road is constructed, restaurants, shops and hotels would mushroom up on the road sides, thus damaging the pristine and quiet atmosphere of the monastery and also affecting the studies and quiet contemplation of the monks.
In response to monks’ complaints, the PSB officials stood up and shouted, “All of us are the citizens of the People’s Republic of China. It is for the sake of our national security and development we are regulating the religious institutions. Religion brings no development and prosperity. Religion is poison. Our Motherland China would not have progressed and entered the era of prosperity and modernization if we had clung to the old superstitious beliefs of religion. You people are still the prisoners of old Tibet, and still yet to understand the ideologies of socialism.”
Despite strong protests from the monks, the PSB officials adamantly stated that the construction of new road will go ahead. They also warned that those who hinders the construction of new road will be arrested and face dire consequences.
The local Chinese authorities have a plan of converting the holy pilgrimage site into a major tourist destination by setting up shops, restaurants and picnic parks. In order to carry out the implementation of the blue print, the Chinese officials have a plan of moving in hundreds and thousands of Hui Chinese workers and migrants to the area. At the moment, significant Hui Chinese settlers were running garment shops and other groceries in the vicinity of monastery.
As it was seen in major part of infrastructure developments in Tibetan areas, many of the developmental projects have little economic benefits to the local Tibetans who are largely the nomads and farmers. There is little doubt that the money churn from the enterprise will be reaped by authorities and those who invested in the business venture.
In recent times, due to tremendous economic growth in Mainland China, thousands and thousands of rich Chinese Buddhist visits the holy pilgrimage sites in Tibet every year. Many of holy pilgrimage sites in Tibet have been converted into tourist destination site, churning in millions and millions of yuans every year.
This is yet another example of communist party’s brutality and insensitivity to the religious beliefs and sentiments of the local Tibetans. The Tibetans in Tibet are stripped of their own right to self-determination and to have a proper share of participation in the decision making processes. In this case, the repeated plea of the monks of Kirti Monastery was rejected and went ahead despite strong objection from the Tibetan people.
Meanwhile in another incident, an ancestral hot spring site in Khumtsar Township, Dzogen County, Ngapa prefecture in Qinghai Province Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) was nationalized by the local authorities as the place attracted hundreds and thousands of tourists who come to the spot to have a ritual dip as the hot spring water is believed to have contained medicinal healings. For centuries, the local Tibetans visited the hot spring site to cure certain ailments.
The Chinese government has issued stern guidelines on visiting the hot spring water for locals and tourists. The authorities also fixed rates for visiting the site.
- The locals are charged 2 yuans per head for taking bath in hot spring water
- The visitors from Townships and Counties are charged 5 yuans per person for taking bath in hot spring water.
- The Tourists from western countries and China are charged 15 yuans per person for taking bath in hot spring water.
Forcing silence in Tibet as Dalai Lama receives US Congressional Gold Medal
There are credible reports on the arrest of a monk of Drepung Monastery, five people in Labrang Tashikyil Monastery and two other from Kardze region of Tibet for celebrating the US Congressional Gold Medal Award to the Dalai Lama despite severe restriction and control imposed by the Chinese authorities, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Hundreds of Tibetans in their best attire converged early in the morning at Lingkor Road and Barkhor Street in Lhasa for customary observance of Sangsol(incense burning prayer that involve throwing tsampa in the air for success and good fortune) and visited monasteries in large number to offer prayers despite Chinese authorities imposition of severe restriction and vigilance in Tibet ahead of and during the US Congressional Gold Medal Award ceremony for the Dalai Lama on 17 October. The place adorn a festive atmosphere with people from all walks of life gathered for a kind-of picnic to celebrate the day, according to the information received by the Centre.
Earlier on 16 October, dozens of Drepung monks had begun repainting the exterior of a hall assigned as the residence of the Dalai Lama with whitewash to exhibit their joy after US Congress decided to award it’s highest civilian honor to the Dalai Lama. However, the Chinese authorities came to stop the activities in the monastery. In the morning of 17 October, when monks resumed painting auspicious symbols inside the Drepung Monastery, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Officers moved in to stop the monks resulting in violent scuffles between the monks and the officers which left a monk with injured head. There was also report of arrest of a monk from Drepung Monastery during the celebration of the award.
According to one report, a large contingent of around three thousand armed police surrounded the Drepung Monastery to carry out the round-the-clock vigilance of the Monastery and refused to allow anyone to enter and leave the monastery. In addition, strict checking were done to restrict people’s movements at the road leading from west of Lhasa towards Lhasa city. Similar bans and restrictions were imposed at the Nechung Monastery located below the Drepung Monastery and at the Sera Monastery situated north of Lhasa City.
According to sources inside Tibet, a large contingent of People’s Armed Police (PAP) and PSB officers were present at the major roads particularly at the famous Barkhor Street in Lhasa. Additional surveillance cameras were installed around the city to identify the people attending the Sangsol (incense burning prayer) and to monitor whether any ethnic Tibetan government employees are participating in the prayer as they are banned from participating in religious activities.
In a similar incident, a monk and four laypersons were arrested while celebrating the US Congressional Award to the Dalai Lama in Amdo Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Sangchu County, Kanlho “Tibet Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’), Gansu Province. The five persons were arrested following offering of Sangsol Prayer and bursting firecrackers in celebration of the award to the Dalai Lama. There were also reports of two Tibetans having been arrested from Othok Village, Lithang County, Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) on 17 October following hoisting prayer flags and for offering Sangsol prayer for the Dalai Lama, who received the US highest civilian award. Although the Centre could not ascertain their identities, however, we will continue to monitor the situation inside Tibet and conditions of those arrested by the Chinese authorities.
The centre has reported a severe imposition of restriction and heightened vigilance prior to the award ceremony. Despite the restriction and vigilance, Tibetan people across the three traditional Tibetan provinces risked arrest and detention by celebrating the day with prayer and festivities. Although it was reported that there has been little space for celebration in remote Tibetans areas, however, it was not the case in bigger towns and cities where severe restrictions and bans were imposed by the local authorities to prevent celebration.
These heightened measures and restrictions have resulted in violation of fundamental human rights of Tibetans in Tibet by arbitrarily arresting them for offering prayers and celebration in honor of their spiritual leader-the Dalai Lama. TCHRD expresses its serious concern on the whereabouts and the condition of those arrested and condemns in strongest terms for violating the Tibetan people’s fundamental human rights guaranteed in the Chinese constitution and major international human rights covenants and treaties which she is party to.
[ top]Mining and construction of a highway road in Gansu Province
Lobsang Tendhar, 27, a monk from Tawoer Village Kharma Township, Dzogen County, Ngaba Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), gave TCHRD the following testimony about a construction of Highway between Sichuan Province to Chendu.
The construction of a broad highway with estimate length of more than thousand kilometers has been going on for last ten years under the supervision of the Chinese military. The highway can handle four vehicles simultaneously and said to be made of a high quality material. The highway links the two major cities of Lanzhou in north eastern part of Amdo and the Chinese city of Chengdu. The highway currently runs through Gansu province, Dzogey County and ends at Chengdu city.
The Chinese government has spent billions of dollars on the highway project and the construction is due to complete by the end of 2007. Although the construction of the highway project was carried out in the name of bringing development in Tibet, however, on a more sinister note, the construction of the highway is to serve the strategic interest of China in mobilizing, transporting of military hardware, equipments into Tibetan region and dumping hazardous nuclear wastes in Tibet.
The construction of the highway brought significant damages to the livelihood of the Tibetan farmers and nomads as the highway falls on the traditional grazing areas. The Chinese government has issued a compensation of 50, 000 yuans but the Tibetan farmers and nomads received only a paltry sum of 10, 000 yauns due to corruption and extortion by the local authorities.
The part of the highway is to cut a two kilometers long tunnel through the mountain. Incidentally, for Tibetans the tunnel cuts through a holy mountain named by Tibetans as ‘Lago’ [Tib: holy site]. In wake of the construction, the local Tibetans submitted writ petitions to local authorities not to construct a tunnel across the holy mountain repeatedly. However, the local authorities turned deaf ear to the plea of the local Tibetans by outrageously stating that the mountain site belonged to the People’s Republic of China and not to the local Tibetans in a sheer act of bully and officialdom.
During the construction of the tunnel, the local authorities stationed military force around the mountain and barred Tibetans from going near the mountain site where they were constructing the tunnel. Later, it was known that the construction of the tunnel was just a pretext, a cover to fool and deceive local Tibetans about the mining activities going inside the mountain. The mountain actually contained a rich deposit of many natural resources which Chinese wanted to explore.
Lobsang Tendar says, the Chinese government has been rather insensitive to the local Tibetans sentiment and their way of lifestyle. For instance, the present highway is constructed in a close proximity to the Khangsar Monastery. In summer the local Tibetans from regions such as Tawor, Hai, Ngawor, Hor, Gharkor celebrated summer picnics and horse racing festivals on an open grassland pasture near the Khangsar Monastery. The monastery is also a major centre of attraction for Tibetans for religious festivities and rituals. Therefore the construction of the highway is a big risk for pedestrians and festive goers during the major celebrations.
At the moment, the local Tibetans were barred from hiking on the mountain site stating it is a risk for them if in case landslides and other natural calamities strike. In reality, the hectic mining and resource extraction activities has been taking place in the mountain core that the authorities don’t want the local Tibetans to notice their activities.
This is a typical case of how Chinese authorities deny and violate the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and their day-to-day traditions. In the final analysis, the highway construction does not bring any benefit for the local Tibetans who are supposed to be beneficiaries of China developmental projects in Tibet. The highway only benefits the China’s long term design over Tibet and their hunger for Tibet’s rich resources to fuel the massive economy.
[ top]Unemployment woes for young educated Tibetans
Sonam Choetso a 22-year old student from Padur village, Maro Township, Nyachuka County Kardze Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) recently testified to TCHRD about the unemployment woes faced by the young Tibetan graduates in Tibet.
Sonam Choetso hailed from a humble peasant family. Her ambition to pursue higher studies was thwarted when faced with financial constraints at home. She could have continued her studies if she was able to afford high tuition fee. Eventually she settled down to find a job but jobs were hard to come by.
She remained unemployed for a while and thereafter she joined Tibetan Medical Institute after her graduation. She took up Tibetan Medicine as Major subject and studied Mandarin and English languages for five years at Sichuan Tibetan Language School in Dhartsedo County, Kardze Prefecture Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP).
Normally the students pay around 2400 yuans for mid term tuition fee. In a year students have to pay around 4,800 yuans for an entire one academic year excluding accommodation and mess expenses. Sonam Choetso says, “I had to economize my shoe string budget, spending a meager 120 yuan every month to meet my basic needs.”
The Chinese government claims that they are providing free primary and middle school education to citizens under the ‘Nine Years Compulsory Education’. However, in contrary to their claims, the Tibetan students are imposed with hefty tuition fees when they go for higher studies. The Tibetan students who came from semi-nomad families are the ones most affected by the exorbitant tuition fees imposition.
The Tibetan parents in order to afford such exorbitant tuition fees goes to collect Yartsa Gunbu fungus [Botanical name: cordyceps Sinensis] In China, the caterpillar fungus is widely used in medicine and fetched lucrative price when sold in markets. Those parents who have more than two children sell their animal livestock and properties to send their children to school.
Ironically, the future prospects of education and finding decent jobs are grim in today’s Tibet due to the discriminatory practices against the Tibetans. Those Tibetan students who have a good command over Mandarin language can only find a job. In the case of Sonam Choetso, she didn’t find a job after she completed her Tibetan Medical School because her Mandarin wasn’t good enough.
One of popular avenues of finding a good career prospect is getting through the government civil service examination. However, Tibetan students with their educational background in Tibetan studies are not preferred by the Chinese authorities when it comes to new recruitment. The examination structure is such that only 10 marks are allotted for Tibetan studies and other 90 marks allotted for non-Tibetan studies such as Mandarin language and other subjects. So Sonam Choetso and many of her Tibetan peers face difficulties challenges in getting decent jobs and enjoying prosperity under China’s ‘harmonious society’ campaign.
After failing to find a job, she went on to practice her medical knowledge in remote Tibetan areas selling Tibetan and Chinese medicines. She provided medical services to remote areas where there were no hospitals and doctors.
In 2007, she finally made her decision to leave Tibet and come into exile to find educational opportunities which is not possible in Tibet. She currently lives in exile India.
[ top]New Restrictions for Tibetan civil servants in Tibet
Phentri Kyi, 31 from Phelshar Township, Dado County Golog Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) testified to TCHRD about the new restrictions placed on Tibetan civil servants to display their loyalty to the Communist Party and to display atheism to the state.
Phentri kyi says, “it was hopeless to find a job for me had it not been my relative’s timely help to paid a huge bribe to the Chinese officials. If one were to follow the normal procedure, it would take years to get a job. I worked in government store for seven years and during which there were no increments in my salary and beside the Chinese staff in our shop were paid higher. If we Tibetans complained about the discriminatory treatments, only we would land in a trouble and possibly being sacked from the job.
Phentri Kyi further explains to TCHD that “The Tibetan students from Golog protested in front of government office about the lack of employment opportunities and high unemployment rate amongst the educated Tibetan graduates. They had also written petitions to the County officials but were responded by crackdown and force.”
She says, “Today the majority of the government civil servants are Chinese hailed from various parts of China. They are paid higher and with on going influx of Chinese migrants and skill workers, more and more Tibetans are left unemployed and lose their jobs.”
In recent times, “the Tibetan civil servants and staff government offices are not allowed to apply for visa to India. They are especially barred from seeking an audience with the Dalai Lama. It is considered a serious crime and the concerned person will be dealt with serious consequences.”
She continued, “One day in June 2007, two Chinese police came to my office and interviewed me about my son. I refused to disclose the fact on several occasions. I was intimidated and harassed by the police officials about the whereabouts of my son who is a reincarnated Lama, Tulku studying in one of the monastery in India. Eventually, I left Tibet and fled to India. I procured a visa pass to India by bribing an official paying him a ransom of 3,000 yuans. Normally the standard visa fee is only two hundred and fifty yuans. In recent times, there is more restriction placed on Tibetan civil servants to procure a visa to travel outside.”
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
TCHRD presents talk to legal students
On October 15 2007, the Students for the Promotion of International Law Organization convened a workshop at Gangkyi staff mess, Dharamsala for a symposium on a topic, “Refugees and International law”. To argue Centre’s legalist perspective on human rights violations taking place in Tibet, Mr. Tenzin Norgay, Centre’s UN Affairs Personnel gave a legalist presentation on International declarations such as covenants, UDHR and other legal stipulations during the gathering of the students for the promotion of international law.
TCHRD distributes publication
On 28 October 2007, Himalaya Parivar organized a Tibet awareness activity for Indian students studying in various colleges in Shimla in a form of displaying literatures, books and reports on Tibetan polity, culture and human rights situation inside Tibet. Seizing the occasion, Centre’s staff Ms Phurbu Dolma was specially dispatched for displaying and distributing Centre’s publications for the occasion.
TCHRD meets the vice President of EU Parliament
On 5 November 2007, Mr. Chukora Tsering Agloe, researcher and Mr. Yardrong Lobsang Tsultrim, field officer at the Centre briefed the Vice President of European Parliament and his staff about the current status of human rights and the Tibetan freedom movements in exile during EU Vice President’s rendezvous with Tibetan NGOs based in Dharamsala at Chonor Guest House.
TCHRD participates Active Non-Violence Workshop
On 9 November 2007, Mr. Yardrong Lobsang Tsultrim, Centre’s field officer participated in a workshop given by Active Non-Violence Organization at Gangkyi staff mess, Dharamsala on an invitation sent by the active non-violent organization. The workshop was to reiterated the principles and ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and the Dalai Lama in the context of accepting the global realism and to also to affirm that the active non-violent approach can be the most suitable strategy to engage China and to resolve Tibet issue in the context of global geopolitical scenario. The workshop attendees discussed various aspect of the non-violent freedom struggle of the Tibetan people.
TCHRD briefs international students
On 15 November 2007, Mr. Chukora Tsering Agloe, researcher and Mr. Yardrong Lobsang Tsultrim, field officer gave a briefing talk to 15 international college students from USA, Australia and Canada on current Human Rights Situation in Tibet at Peace café, Mcleod Ganj. The talk was followed by lively interaction and discussion.
Jampa Monlam addresses Sherab Gatsel Lobling School
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| Mr. Jampa Monlam delivering speech at the Sherab Ghatsal Lobling School |
On 30 November 2007, Mr. Jampa Monlam, the Assistant Director of the Centre was invited to deliver three hours address to some more than seven hundred students of Sherab Ghatsal Lobling School, formerly known as Tibetan Transit School. Mr. Jampa gave a talk covering a wide range of topics from human rights, development, violations and some of the pressing issues faces by Tibetan people inside Tibet. He later answered over hundred questions posed by the students in an atmosphere of heated exchange of opinions and discussions with the students about the current political and human rights situation inside Tibet.
Training Program
In view of Centre’s emphasis on staff empowerment and enhancing professional capability, Centre’s accountant, Ms Phurbu Dolma attended a training stint in advance accounting (Account-9) in south extension New Delhi from 3 November to 29 November 2007.
TCHRD attends seminar to commemorate the 50 years in exile
On 30 November 2007, Mr. Yardrong Lobsang Tsultrim, Centre’s field officer participated in a seminar cum discussion about how to commemorate the 50 years in exile by chalking out plans and activities to remember the fall of Tibet to China in 1959. The actual commemoration of the fall of Tibet will be remembered with sequences of activities and programs scheduled to take place from10 March 2009 to 10 March 2010. In preparation to the commemoration, the attendees of seminar cum discussion sat down to chalk out activities and programs to mark the sad occasion of Tibet’s history.
The seminar cum discussion on 30 November 2007, was first of many of meetings and discussions that will be held subsequently from there onwards. The Tibetan government in exile has set up a committee to head and carry out the commemoration of the fall of Tibet in 1959. The next meeting is to take place in few months time.
