The Statement of the Kashag on the
Twenty-first Anniversary of the Conferment of the Nobel Peace
Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama
On this occasion of the twenty-first anniversary of the
conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, the Kashag, on behalf of the Tibetan people in and outside
Tibet, would like to pay our utmost respect and greetings to His
Holiness.
His Holiness, who besides being the foremost proponent of the
principle of non-violence around the globe by applying the
philosophy of dependent origination and non-violence as shown in
the teachings of the Buddha, has guided the Tibetan struggle for
justice onto to the path of non-violence making it different
from other national struggles in the world. His Holiness has
also shown, both in principle and in practice, that all global
conflicts can be solved through a non-violent approach. These
qualities made His Holiness the most suitable recipient of the
Nobel Peace Prize.
The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan
Administration today declared the results of the first round of
general election of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the
3rd election of Kalon Tripa.
As per Article 49 enshrined in the Election Regulation, the
Election Commission has shortlisted a list of 50 candidates each
from the three traditional provinces of Tibet and 10 candidates
each from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion,
North America and Europe as the final candidates for the 15th
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
In accordance with Article 67 in the Election Regulation, a
total of 6 candidates are shortlisted for the final round of
Kalon Tripa election.
The final round of election is scheduled on 20 March 2011.
Fresh Date of Voters' Registration
In view of the many eligible voters who have failed to
register, the election commission has announced fresh date of
registration from 30 November 2010 to 17 January 2011. The list
of voter registration should reach the Office of Election
Commission in Dharamsala on 24 January 2011.
Speaking of the election process in Nepal, Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) Jampel Choesang said more than 1,000 votes
were wasted on account of 18 ballot boxes seized by the Nepalese
police at polling booths in two areas in Kathmandu.
The CEC said the Bhutanese government had ordered the Tibetan
authorities not to send the voting lists and ballot papers to
the election commission in Dharamsala. All 613 votes cast in
Bhutan were wasted, he said.
Surajkund (India) - 5-7
November 2010
The Surajkund Statement and Action Plan on Tibet
Adopted by the Sixth International Conference of Tibet
Support Groups
he Sixth International Conference of Tibet Support Groups was
held at Surajkund in the north Indian state of Haryana from 5 to
7 November 2010. It was convened by the Core Group for Tibetan
Cause - India, the apex coordinating body of the Tibet
supporters in India, and facilitated by the Department of
Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan
Administration.
The conference was attended by 258 participants from 57
countries and consisted of an opening ceremony, five plenary
sessions and working groups on political support, outreach to
Chinese, human rights, and environment and development issues.
The Statement of Kalon Tripa, Professor
Samdhong Rinpoche, at the 6th International Tibet Support Group
Conference 5 – 7 November 2010 Surajkund, Haryana
It is my great honour and privilege to welcome you to the 6th
International Tibet Support Group Conference. On behalf of the
Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan community in
exile and the long-suffering people of Tibet, I thank you for
setting aside your precious time to attend this important
conference.
First of all, I would like to pay the Kashag's sincere
tribute to the Tibet Support Group (TSG) movement and its
outstanding work. The worldwide Tibet movement is one of the
longest running, most sustained and widespread movements in the
world. This movement is propelled forward by the energy and
enthusiasm of all of you involved in advancing the just cause of
the Tibetan people. Your sustained and concerted campaigns over
the years have resulted in promoting the awareness of the
Tibetan issue all over the world and kept it as a burning topic
and mobilised governments and parliaments around the world to
speak up for the people of Tibet.
Presseerklärung Seiner Heiligkeit des Dalai Lama zur
Verleihung des Friedensnobelpreises 2010 an Liu Xiaobo
Ich möchte Liu Xiaobo aus ganzen Herzen zur Verleihung des
diesjährigen Friedensnobelpreises gratulieren.
Ihm diesen Friedenspreis zuzuerkennen bedeutet, dass die
internationale Gemeinschaft die sich mehrenden Stimmen im
chinesischen Volk anerkennt, die China in Richtung politischer,
gesetzlicher und verfassungsmäßiger Reformen drängen.
Der Einsatz von Hunderten von chinesischen Intellektuellen
und engagierten Bürgern, darunter auch Liu Xiaobo, welche die
Charta 08 unterzeichnet haben, die zu Demokratie und Freiheit in
China aufruft, hat mich persönlich sowohl bewegt wie auch
ermutigt. Meine Bewunderung darüber habe ich zwei Tage nach
ihrer Bekanntgabe in einer öffentlichen Erklärung am 12.
Dezember 2008 kundgetan, als ich zu einem Besuch in Polen
weilte. Ich bin überzeugt, dass in den kommenden Jahren künftige
Generationen von Chinesen die Früchte dieser Bemühungen werden
ernten können, die chinesische Bürger heute im Hinblick auf eine
verantwortungsvolle Staatsführung unternehmen.
Ich glaube, dass die kürzlich gemachten Äußerungen des
chinesischen Premierministers Wen Jiabao, dass das Recht auf
freie Rede für ein jedes Land unverzichtbar und der Wunsch des
Volkes nach Demokratie und Freiheit unwiderstehlich seien, als
Ausdruck wachsenden Verlangens nach einem offeneren China zu
werten sind. Solche Reformen können nur zu einem harmonischeren,
stabileren und blühenderem China führen, das in bedeutendem Maße
zu einer friedlicheren Welt beitragen kann.
Ich möchte diese Gelegenheit ergreifen, um die Regierung von
China ein weiteres Mal aufzurufen, Liu Xiaobo und andere
politische Gefangene freizulassen, die im Gefängnis sitzen, weil
sie ihr Recht auf freie Rede ausgeübt haben.
8. Oktober 2010
Dharamsala (India) - 8. Oktober 2010
Presseerklärung des Kashag zur Verleihung des diesjährigen
Friedensnobelpreises an Liu Xiaobo
Der Kashag [Ministerrat] möchte Liu Xiaobo anlässlich der
Auszeichnung mit dem diesjährigen Friedensnobelpreis seine
herzlichen Glückwünsche übermitteln. Ganz China sollte stolz
darauf sein, dass einer seiner Söhne mit dieser einzigartigen
Ehre ausgezeichnet wurde.
Der diesjährige Friedensnobelpreis, der an Liu Xiaobo
verliehen wurde, ist die Anerkennung seitens der internationalen
Gemeinschaft für die außergewöhnlichen Verdienste, die sich Liu
Xiaobo bei der Förderung von Freiheit und bürgerlichen Rechten
in China erworben hat. Sein Mitwirken beim Abfassen der Charta
08, die zu Freiheit und Demokratie in China aufruft, ist ein Akt
von beispiellosem Mut und Opferbereitschaft. Seine Unterstützung
für die tibetische Sache und für die Politik des Mittleren Wegs
ist allgemein bekannt.
Wir Tibeter beten dafür, dass Liu Xiaobo in der Lage sein
wird, den wohlverdienten Friedensnobelpreis am 10. Dezember
persönlich in Empfang zu nehmen.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche
Kalon Tripa [Premierminister]
Dharamsala (India) - 8 October 2010
Press Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Liu Xiabao
being awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize
I would like to offer my heart-felt congratulations to Mr.
Liu Xiaobo for being awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Awarding the Peace Prize to him is the international
community’s recognition of the increasing voices among the
Chinese people in pushing China towards political, legal and
constitutional reforms.
I have been personally moved as well as encouraged by the
efforts of hundreds of Chinese intellectuals and concerned
citizens, including Mr. Liu Xiaobo in signing the Charter 08,
which calls for democracy and freedom in China. I expressed my
admiration in a public statement on 12 December 2008, two days
after it was released and while I was on a visit to Poland. I
believe in the years ahead, future generations of Chinese will
be able to enjoy the fruits of the efforts that the current
Chinese citizens are making towards responsible governance.
I believe that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s recent comments
on freedom of speech being indispensable for any country and
people’s wish for democracy and freedom being irresistible are a
reflection of the growing yearning for a more open China. Such
reforms can only lead to a harmonious, stable and prosperous
China, which can contribute greatly to a more peaceful world.
I would like to take this opportunity to renew my call to the
government of China to release Mr. Liu Xiaobo and other
prisoners of conscience who have been imprisoned for exercising
their freedom of expression.
October 8, 2010
Carrara (Italy) - 30
October 2010
Tibetan exhibition in Tuscany province of Italy
“Support
us to save and preserve Tibet’s culture,” said Mr. Tseten Samdup
Chhoekyapa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative based
in Geneva at the Oriental exhibition at Carrara in the Tuscany
province of Italy.
Mr. Chhoekyapa said that the Chinese government was
destroying the Tibetan culture in Tibet. Two weeks ago in
Eastern Tibetan, thousands of Tibetan students staged
demonstrations against the introduction of Chinese language as a
medium of instruction in place of Tibetan in the schools.
The Tibetan cultural exhibition represents an ancient culture
that is flourishing in exile while systematically being
destroyed in Tibet by the Chinese, he said.
In a special ceremony, the Mayor of Carrara Mr. Angelo
Zubbani especially arrived at the exhibition to greet His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative. The mayor presented
Mr. Chhoekyapa, a marble plate to mark the visit of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s Representative.
Mr. Chhoekyapa said that he was honoured to address the
cultural exhibition of ten countries that share a common
Buddhist culture based on compassion and love.
The three days Oriental Cultural exhibition started on 29
October. The exhibition is organized by the government of
Carrara, famous for the white Italian marble. The Tibetan
exhibition, the largest of the exhibitions was organized by Mr.
Tamding Choephel of Milan based Tibet Culture House. Other
countries represented were India, China, Japan, Thailand,
Indonesia, Philippines, Korea, Vietnam and Tibet.
Brussels (Belgium) - 28 October 2010
Tibetan Children Appeal To European Parliament Over China
Language Policy
About 40 children of Tibetan descent delivered a petition to
the European Parliament on Wednesday, protesting against Chinese
government plans to extend the use of Mandarin in schools.
Calling for freedom of language to be respected, the children
presented a letter listing signatures of Tibetan children living
in Europe.
One Tibetan boy read the letter aloud in English, calling on
European lawmakers to preserve Tibet's cultural heritage.
[Tibetan Child]:
“Please speak for us, for the voiceless. Don't let Tibet die!
European Parliament Vice President Roberta Angelilli says
language is a critical part of a child's education.
[Roberta Angelilli, European Parliament Vice President]:
"It's a fundamental right. It's a question of democracy. A
question of human rights. So the European Parliament must
guarantee this opportunity.”
Authorities in China say Tibetans should become fluent in
Chinese to benefit from wider education and job opportunities.
But critics say the policy threatens Tibetan culture, and
will leave students fluent in neither Tibetan nor Mandarin.
[Tsering Lhamo, Spokesperson, Tibetan Children in Belgium]:
"It is very important for us to keep preserving our language
for the next generations to come. So I think that the Chinese
government what they are trying to do is totally delete
everything which is related to our own tradition.”
The children closed the gathering by singing the Tibetan
national hymn.
According to the London-based campaign group "Free Tibet,"
student protests have taken place in Tibet and western China.
Dharamsala (India) - 26 October 2010
His Holiness Joins Nobel Laureates' Call to Free Liu Xiaobo
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is among the 15 Nobel Peace
Prize Laureates who signed a letter urging G-20 to ask China to
release human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Laureate Liu
Xiaobo from imprisonment.
“The Chinese government’s release of Dr. Liu would be an
extraordinary recognition of the remarkable transformation China
has undergone in recent decades,” said a letter initiated by
Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, signed by 15
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, and sent to the leaders of the G-20
on 25 October.
We strongly and respectfully urge that your respective
governments request the Chinese government immediately release
Liu Xiaobo's wife Liu Xia from house arrest and enable her to
communicate freely with whomever she wishes, the letter noted.
“In addition, as part of the upcoming G-20 Summit, each of
you will see Chinese President Hu Jintao in Seoul, South Korea
on November 10-11. The Summit provides time and opportunity to
address Dr. Liu's imprisonment. We strongly urge you to
personally impress upon Chinese President Hu Jintao that the
release of Dr. Liu would not only be welcome, but is necessary,”
it said.
Other signatories were Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Jimmy
Carter, F.W. de Klerk, Shirin Ebadi, John Hume, Mairead Maguire,
Wangari Maathai, David Trimble, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Lech
Walesa, Elie Wiesel, Betty Williams and Jody Williams.
Dharamsala (India) - 8 October 2010
Kashag's Press Statement on Liu Xiaobo Winning This Year's
Nobel Peace Prize
The Kashag would like to extend its sincere congratulations
to Mr Liu Xiaobo for being awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
The whole of China should be proud of this singular honour
bestowed on one of her sons.
This year's Nobel Peace Prize that is conferred on Mr Liu
Xiaobo is the international community's recognition of the
outstanding contributions Mr Liu Xiaobo has made to the
advancement of freedom and personal liberties in China. His
involvement in organizing Charter 08, which calls for freedom
and democracy in China, is an act of unparalleled courage and
sacrifice. His support for the Tibet cause and the Middle-Way
policy is well known to everyone.
We Tibetans pray that Mr Liu Xiaobo will be able to receive
the well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize in person on December 10.
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche
Kalon Tripa
8 October 2010, Dharamsala
Budapest (Hungary) - 28 September 2010
Pull up your socks: Dalai Lama
Budapest Times - Written by Ágnes Lukács
Tendzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, left Hungarians with a
message of peace when he departed from Budapest last Tuesday.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader spent four days in Hungary
teaching about the path to inner calm and happiness. In his
lectures and discussions he also spoke about the common ground
between the world’s religions and even addressed the economic
crisis, which he attributes to human weaknesses.
China must not miss this opportunity to talk to the Dalai
Lama
"China must not miss this opportunity to talk to the Dalai
Lama to resolve the Tibetan issue," said Mr. Roland Koch, the
former Minister President of the German state of Hesse. "I
believe it is in the Chinese own interest to make peace with the
Dalai Lama."
f
Geneva (Switzerland) - 15 September 2010
UNHRC: China Urged to End Harassment of Tibetan Intellectuals
and Rights Advocates
Dharamshala: The issues of human rights abuses perpetrated
against the Tibetan intellectuals and human rights defenders in
Tibet have been raised at the 15th session of the UN Human
Rights Council in Geneva, which opened on 13 September and is
due to last until 1 October.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay,
stressed the "pressing need for protection of human rights
defenders", pointing out that "some countries use restrictive
measures and ad hoc laws to curtail and violently attack
peaceful dissidents, human rights advocates, journalists,
lawyers, civil society’s scope of action and social activism."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s two days event in Budapest
sold out – Free webcast of the teaching and public talk
Translation from Hungarian
The Organizing Committee of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
visit to Budapest is very happy to announce that the tickets for
the two days Buddhist teachings and public talk by His Holiness
the Dalai Lama are completely sold out. We are exited by the
tremendous public interest and support in His Holiness the Dalai
Lama and his message of love, kindness and compassion.
For the 18 and 19 September weekend event, about 22,400
tickets have been sold (the venue’s daily seating capacity are
11,200 people). Daily we continue to receive request for tickets.
People from 32 countries have purchase tickets. Large numbers of
people are arriving from Russia, Romanian and Transylvania. As
it is impossible to accommodate more seats in the Papp László
Budapest Sport Arena, the visit’s Organising Committee will
provide live webcast of the two days event free of charge. For
details kindly visit the official visit’s website
http://www.dalailama-budapest.hu
We are extremely happy that the General Assembly of the City
of Budapest has unanimously voted on 26 August to award His
Holiness the Dalai Lama the prestigious Honorary Citizenship
Award. We the Hungarian Buddhist Communities would like to
express our gratitude to the General Assembly of the City of
Budapest.
The forthcoming visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to
Hungary will be the seventh time. The first visit was nearly
thirty years ago in 1982. His Holiness the Dalia Lama will
arrive in Budapest on 17 September evening and leave on 21
September morning.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Addresses Tibetan National
General Meeting
His Holiness the Dalai lama today addressed the delegates of
the first National General Meeting, underlining the need for
unity and a robust democratic administration in exile to keep
alive the hopes and aspirations of Tibetans living inside Tibet.
Speaking on the closing day of the 6-day meeting, His
Holiness emphasised that unity has to be developed through trust
and transparency between the administration and public which in
turn will strengthen our efforts.
Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche thanks to Mr. Roland Koch for
support and friendship
Wiesbaden, Germany, 31 August: Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche
arrived yesterday in Wiesbaden, the capital of Hasse State in
Germany as a special guest of the State Government. In the
evening he attended the farewell reception for the outgoing
State Minister President Mr. Roland Koch.
For eleven and a half years, Mr. Koch was the premier of the
German state of Hesse and in May this year he announced his
resignation from political life. During this period a special
relationship between the Hesse State and Tibet has been
developed. Mr. Koch is a long time friend and supporter of the
Tibetan issue. He has often met His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tibet online TV to host webcast of First National General
Meeting
Tibet online TV of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)
will webcast the first National General Meeting of Tibetans in
exile due at Bylakuppee Tibetan Settlement from 26-31 August.
The viewers can watch the webcast on www.tibetonline.tv from
8:30 a.m. (IST) on 26 August.
Following functions will also be webcast on the site.
The CTA and the Tibetan people will offer long life prayer to
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 1 September. On 2 September, on
the special occasion marking the 50th anniversary of Tibetan
Democracy, Tibetan people and the administration will present
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a golden seal to express their
gratitude.
Wiesbaden (Germany) - 19 August 2010
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th Birthday Celebrated In Hesse
State of Germany
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th birthday was celebrated
yesterday at Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse State in Germany.
Hesse State Minister President Mr Roland Koch and His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s Representative Mr Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa were
the guests of honour. The celebration was organised by Frende
Fur Einen Frrund (Friends for a Friend) and attended by foreign
consulates and important German captain of industries.
The celebration started with the singing of the Tibetan
national anthem and prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
long life by the members of the Tibetan community in Germany.
Kalon Tsering Phuntsok Attends Maha Guru Boomtsok in Switzerland
Geneva: The first-ever Maha Guru Boomtsok, an important
Tibetan prayer congregation, is being organised in Switzerland.
At the invitation from the organisers, Kalon Tsering Phuntsok,
Kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture, attended the
prayer service which began on 13 August.
His Eminence Sakya Trizin Rinpoche gave the Guru empowerment
on the morning of 13 August. Sakya Trizin said that it was a
very auspicious occasion that a Maha Guru Boomtsok is being held
in Switzerland.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Prays for the Loss of Lives in the
Floods
I have been deeply saddened by the loss of many lives and the
destruction of property caused by the floods in Pakistan and
India. I have offered my condolences and prayers as well as
token donations towards relief and rescue work.
I am also very sad that there has been a massive landslide in
Drugchu (Chinese: Zhouqu) in the south-east of Kanlho, (Chinese:
Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province in which
many people have lost their lives. It is reported that this is
one of the deadliest incidents in decades. I understand that
Premier Wen Jiabao visited Zhouqu to oversee relief and rescue
work.
I pray for all those who have lost their lives and offer my
sympathy and heart-felt condolences to the bereaved and all
those who have been affected by this natural calamity.
According to experts these very unusual floods and the
devastating fires in Russia are symptoms of a deeper malaise
occurring due to unprecedented global warming and other
environmental causes. Therefore, a concerted international
effort is needed to think about measures to preserve our common
and delicate ecology.
Special public prayer services have been conducted. This
morning I joined another prayer service here at the main Temple
(Tsuglakhang) in McLeod Ganj to pray for those who have died and
been affected in these tragedies.
Dharamsala (India) - 9 August 2010
The Kashag Offers Condolence to Tibet Flood Victims
The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration is deeply
saddened by the ongoing floods in Drugchu, near Labrang
Tashikhyil in northeastern Amdo Province in Tibet, which has
claimed at least 127 lives with more than thousand missing.
The Kashag offers its deep condolence to the surviving
relatives and pray for their quick emotional and physical
recovery both in terms of health and reconstruction. In this
context, the Kashag is organising a special prayer session
tomorrow early morning (10 August 2010) at Tsuglagkhang, to pray
for the deceased and early recovery of those injured. This will
be attended by entire staff of the Central Tibetan
Administration.
Around 300 houses have been buried after heavy rains on early
Sunday triggered devastating floods and mudslides in Drugchu
which has about 40,000 Tibetan residents.
According to media reports, nearly 45,000 affected people
have been relocated with the help of rescue operation by the PRC
government.
The local Tibetans in the area said the disaster was caused
by rampant mining and deforestation, and damming of Drugchu
river as well as the unprecedented spell of heavy rain.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tweets with the Chinese People
His Holiness during his interview with Wang Lixiong, May
2010. Photo/Office of Tibet NY
1558 Chinese people submitted 317 questions to His
Holiness the Dalai Lama through the renowned Chinese writer,
Wang Lixiong. 11705 Chinese netizens voted for the following 10
most important questions, to which Holiness the Dalai Lama
responded from his residence in Dharamsala on 16 July 2010.
The responses were released on the Chinese-language website
of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 19 July 2010.
Question One: Looking at the current situation, it
seems difficult that a reconciliation with the Chinese
government will come about in your lifetime. After your passing
away, you will have no control over the Tibetan youth
organisation which holds on firmly to their ideology [of seeking
Tibetan independence]. Is it not possible that they will engage
in large-scale terrorist activities then? Are there ways by
which they can be prevented from taking such a course?
Jelsi, Italy - 27 July: A small town in central Italy
presented their annual International Prize - The Traglia – to
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of His Holiness’
message of kindness, love and compassion. The award was received
by Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, the Representative of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Geneva on 27 July in Jelsi,
Italy. The ceremony was organized as part of the celebrations of
Festa del Grano by Jesli town and supported by the Regional
government.
Receiving the The Traglia award
In receiving the award, Mr. Chhoekyapa said that he was
grateful and encouraged that a small town in central Italy
recognised the work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and expressed
concern for the plight of the Tibetan people. Over 20,000 people
came from all over the region on the first day of the annual
festival.
Praying for world peace by Gaden Jangste monks
Four monks from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in South India
constructed a Sand Mandala and prayed for world peace. After the
Sand Mandala was dismantled, there was large line of people
waiting to receive a small portion of the sand from the Mandala.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and
nonviolence is very important for the growth of civilizations”,
said Mr. Michele Iorio, President of the Regional Government,
Italy. He made this statement during his meeting with Mr. Tseten
Samdup Chhoekyapa on 28 July morning Molise Region head office.
Mr. Iorio also said that he support His Holiness the Dalai
Lama’s called for autonomy for the Tibetan People.
Plate card at the peace tree in Jelsi
New York (US) - 21 July 2010
China: Witnesses Lift Veil on Abuses by Security Forces in Tibet
Scale and Severity of Violations Warrants International
Investigation
(New York) - Eyewitness accounts confirm that Chinese security
forces used disproportionate force and acted with deliberate
brutality during and after unprecedented Tibetan protests
beginning on March 10, 2008, Human Rights Watch said in a new
report released today. Many violations continue today, including
disappearances, wrongful convictions and imprisonment,
persecution of families, and the targeting of Tibetans suspected
of sympathizing with the protest movement.
Training on United Nations and its Human Rights Systems begins
in Dharamsala
Kalon Kesang Yangkyi Takla (C) with Mr Urgen
Tenzin (L), Execuive Head of Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and
Democracy and Mr Ardrian Claude Zoller , President of Geneva for
Human Rights - Global Training during opening of the training,
in Dharamsala, 20 July 2010. Photos / Choeyang Tharchin /
Tibet.Net
Dharamshala: A three-day workshop on 'United Nations and its
Human Rights Systems' began this morning at Gangkyi, Dharamshala.
This workshop is organised by the Tibetan Centre for Human
Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), Geneva for Human Rights - Global
Training, and Tibet Bureau, Geneva.
Kesang Yangkyi Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information
and International Relations (DIIR) arrived in the opening of the
training. The Kalon in her speech talked about the importance of
the human rights training to benefit the Tibetan people.
Participants attending the training
There are 20 participants in the training from human rights
section of the DIIR, Supreme Justice Commission, Department of
Security of the Central Tibetan Administration, various Tibetan
NGOs, Tibetan schools, college students from Chennai, and one
participant from California.
Main resource person for the training is Mr Ardrian Claude
Zoller, president of the Geneva for Human Rights – Global
Training (GHR). Mr Zoller has been working as an advocator of
human rights for thirty years and since 1985 he has been
involved with the campaign for Tibet. GHR is a training
organization which supports human rights to empower human rights
organisations throughout the world.
The training will go on till Thursday, 22 July.
Dharamsala (India) - 7 July 2010
In Conversation with the Dalai Lama
Dharamsala (India) - 6 July 2010
The Statement of the Kashag on the Occasion of the
Seventy-Fifth Birthday Celebration of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama
On this auspicious occasion of the seventy-fifth birthday
celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and
temporal leader of the Tibetan people, the Kashag, on behalf of
the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, as well as all of his
disciples and well-wishers across the globe, makes obeisance to
him and prays that he may live for hundreds of years.
Since his childhood until now, His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
while developing a great sense of empathy and compassion for all
sentient beings, has provided enormous service to humanity by
catering to the needs of people with different mental
dispositions while, at the same time, contributing to the
maintenance and promotion of the entire teachings of the Buddha
Sakyamuni, known in the Buddhist world as the "Fourth Guide".
Particularly in this post-modern era, His Holiness has provided
inspirational guidance to the believers (in all religions of the
world) and non-believers alike. Transcending the bounds of
religion, His Holiness has also given unprecedented and timely
advice of what he calls "secular ethics", emphasising on the
need to develop universal responsibility through the promotion
of basic human values and inter-religious harmony and
co-existence for the common good of the world we live in.
Moreover, for resolving the issue of Tibet, His Holiness has
come out with the mutually-beneficial Middle-Way policy and
non-violent means to realise it. His Holiness has further
transformed the nature of the exile Tibetan polity into a
genuine democracy. There is no way we can repay our debts of
gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, with a strong
sense of the realisation of all that he has done for us, we
would like to re-pledge ourselves today that we shall put into
real practice the many valuable advice that he has given to us.
That nothing untoward has happened to the person of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama thus far is mainly due to his altruistic
feelings and karmic merits, the protection given by the guardian
deities of Tibet, the collective merit of the Tibetan people,
and particularly due to the assistance and co-operation extended
by the central and state governments of India and its great
people. While expressing our heart-felt thanks to all of them,
and especially to those overseeing the security of His Holiness,
we would like to urge them to further intensify their assistance
and co-operation in this respect.
With great compassion, His Holiness labours day in and day
out for the benefit of all humanity. Inspired by this verse of
Shantideva, the great Bodhisattva: "Like the earth and the other
great elements [of nature] as well as the sky [above]//May [I]
also remain eternally to serve as one who solves the infinite
sentient beings' myriad problems," His Holiness immerses himself
in their service. We have nothing but admiration for all his
endeavours, but these are certainly taking a great toll on His
Holiness' health. The physical wellbeing of His Holiness is very
important for humanity in general, and for the short and
long-term benefits of the Tibetan people in particular.
Therefore, we would like to implore him to kindly see to it that
his daily programmes do not come in the way of his good health.
A few leaders of the People's Republic of China, who are
blind to choosing between right and wrong and who lack foresight
due to their preoccupation with short-term personal and
political power gains, are liberally spending both human and
financial resources to issue baseless accusations against and to
slander His Holiness. This is because of the jealousy arising
out of their inability to match His Holiness' meritorious deeds
all over the world. Their actions, which resemble spitting in
the air that will fall back on themselves, has become a source
for the people of the world to view the autocratic Chinese
leaders as the ones who are unable to accept the truth and who
rely only on lies and violence rather than seeking truth from
facts. This has also become a condition for the Tibetans to
remain more united. However, as stated in the Indian and Tibetan
treatises on worldly affairs that the power of the opposition
should not be underestimated or neglected, the Kashag would like
to make some important appeals to the Tibetans in and outside
Tibet at this critical period.
As a result of the clear display of the united Tibetan spirit
in 2008, the sympathy and support to the Tibetan cause by the
people of the world, and due especially to His Holiness'
achievements and great deeds, the other side is using all its
political, financial and human powers to create discord among
Tibetans and between Tibetans and the local communities where
Tibetans live in exile. It is particularly using many deceitful
means to erect obstacles on the way of Holiness' activities and
deeds globally. The Kashag would like to make an emphatic appeal
to the Tibetans in and outside Tibet that they should remain
alert to these Chinese manipulations and always be careful in
maintaining unity among ourselves and keeping good relations
with the local communities.
Since the upcoming elections for the fifteenth Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile and the third directly-elected Kalon Tripa
are crucially important, the people at large are currently
engaged in serious discussions and debates as to whom they
should vote. At such a time, the people should be careful about
the other side's evil designs and infiltrations. Moreover, each
Tibetan must sincerely and courageously take part in the
election processes by not shirking their democratic
responsibilities and rights. It is very important to use one's
own intelligence, rather than following what others say, in
making the right choice of candidates in the ensuing elections.
The Kashag would like to appeal to all the Tibetan people to
give a serious thought over these.
For over fifty years, the Tibetans in and outside Tibet have
been able to withstand the unbearable circumstances and
emergencies with great courage and strength, and for over four
generations the Tibetans have been able to maintain their
religion, culture and tradition. This is solely due to the grace
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, the fact that
Tibetans have, in un-diminishing spirit, been able to continue
our non-violent movement is a matter of great pride for us.
Looking at the changes that are taking in the world and within
the country, the issue of Tibet is heading towards finding a
solution. Nevertheless, His Holiness often states that one must
hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Hence if the issue
of Tibet takes time to resolve, then it is important for the
Tibetans in and outside Tibet to preserve their unique character
of good moral conduct without losing their spirit. Good moral
conduct is not only a symbol of the Tibetans but also a source
for the Chinese and the people around the world to have
affection for and to support our cause. Likewise, the young
Tibetans must make efforts towards their general studies, and
particularly towards becoming professionals well-versed in both
traditional and modern education.
The mutually beneficial Middle-Way policy, which has been
adopted by the overwhelming majority of the Tibetans under the
guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is the sole way to
resolve the issue of Tibet. The Kashag is currently pursuing
this policy, based on the fact that it enjoys the overwhelming
majority support of the Tibetans and the Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile has endorsed it unanimously. We believe that
all of the Tibetan people will, after having relied on their
respective intelligence to ascertain the merit of this policy,
support it whole-heartedly.
Finally, the Kashag prays that His Holiness may live long and
all his wishes be spontaneously fulfilled. May the truth of the
issue of Tibet prevail soon!
The Kashag
NB This is an English translation of the statement issued
in Tibetan. If there is any discrepancy between this and the
Tibetan version, please treat the latter as authoritative and
final.
Dharamsala (India) - 21 April 2010
His Holiness Meets Relatives of Earthquake Victims
His Holiness offered his condolences and prayers to a group
of students whose parents and relatives live in the earthquake
affected area of Kyigudo at his residence in Dharamsala on April
18th, 2010. He advised them not to lose hope, to keep up their
courage, and to continue to study hard.
Dharamsala (India) - 20 April 2010
The Kashag appeals Exile Tibetans to contribute to "4-14
Yushu Earthquake Charity Committee"
Dharamshala: The Kashag, the executive body of Central
Tibetan Administration, through a circular yesterday has urged
the exile Tibetans to contribute to the relief of Tibetans in
Kyigudo, Kham, Tibet, hit by the 6.9 Richter scale earthquake on
April 14,2010.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Eager to Visit Earthquake
Affected Area
Press Release - April 17th 2010
As I mentioned briefly soon after I heard the news, I was
deeply saddened by the effects of the devastating earthquake in
the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Tibetan:Kyigudo) of
Qinghai Province which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives,
a great number of injured and severe loss of property. Because
of the physical distance between us, at present I am unable to
comfort those directly affected,but I would like them to know I
am praying for them.
I commend the monastic community, young people and many other
individuals from nearby areas for their good neighbourly support
and assistance to the families of those who have lost everything.
May your exemplary compassion continue to grow. This kind of
voluntary work in the service of others really puts the
bodhisattva aspiration into practice.
I also applaud the Chinese authorities for visiting the
affected areas, especially Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who has
not only personally offered comfort to the affected communities,
but has also overseen the relief work. I am very appreciative
too that the media have been free to report on the tragedy and
its aftermath.
In 2008, when a similar earthquake struck Sichuan, Chinese
central and local government leaders and auxiliary authorities
took great pains to provide relief, allow free access to the
media, as well as clearing the way for international relief
agencies to provide assistance as required. I applauded these
positive moves then and appeal for such ease of access on this
occasion too.
The Tibetan community in exile would like to offer whatever
support and assistance it can towards the relief work. We hope
to be able to do this through the proper and appropriate
channels as soon as possible.
When Sichuan was rocked by an earthquake two years ago, I
wished to visit the affected areas to pray and comfort the
people there, but I was unable to do so. However, when Taiwan
was struck by a typhoon last year, I was able to visit the
affected families and pray with them for those who had perished
in that disaster. In providing some solace to the people
concerned, I was happy to be able to do something useful.
This time the location of the earthquake, Kyigudo (Chinese:
Yushu), lies in Qinghai Province,which happens to be where both
the late Panchen Lama and I were born. To fulfill the wishes of
many of the people there, I am eager to go there myself to offer
them comfort.
In conclusion, I appeal to governments, international aid
organisations and other agencies to extend whatever assistance
they can to enable the families of those devastated by this
tragedy to rebuild their lives. At the same time, I also call on
the survivors of this catastrophe to recognise what has happened
as the workings of karma and to transform this adversity into
something positive, keeping their hopes up and meeting setbacks
with courage as they struggle to restore what they have lost.
Once again, I pray for those who have lost their lives as well
as for the well being of those who have survived.
DALAI LAMA
17 April 2010
Contacts: Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Secretary
Tenzin Taklha, Joint Secretary
Dharamsala (India) - 14 April 2010
His Holiness Offers his Condolences to the Victims of the
Earthquake in Kyigudo
MESSAGE
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and property as a
result of the earthquake that struck Kyigudo (Chinese - Yushu)
this morning.
We pray for those who have lost their lives in this tragedy
and their families and others who have been affected. A special
prayer service is being held at the main temple (Tsuglagkhang)
here at Dharamsala on their behalf.
It is my hope that all possible assistance and relief work
will reach these people. I am also exploring how I, too, can
contribute to these efforts.
Dharamsala (India) - 14 April 2010
Kashag Offers Condolence to Earthquake Victims in Tibet
We are deeply saddened by news reports which says that an
earthquake has struck north-eastern Tibet with its epicentre in
Kyigudo (Chinese-Yushu).
The Kashag would like to offer its sincere condolence to the
families of those who lost their lives. We pray that people
affected by the earthquake will receive timely rescue effort and
assistance and will face this tragedy with fortitude.
The Kashag
Note zum Memorandum über echte Autonomie für das tibetische
Volk
Einführung Diese Note geht auf die prinzipiellen Bedenken und
Einwände ein, die von der chinesischen Zentral-regierung in
Bezug auf den Inhalt des am 31. Oktober 2008 bei der achten
Gesprächsrunde in Peking an die Regierung der Volksrepublik
China (VR China) übergebenen Memorandums über echte Au-tonomie
für das tibetische Volk (hinfort „Memorandum“) erhoben worden
sind.
Die im Verlauf der Gespräche gegebenen Erwiderungen und
Reaktionen von Minister Du Qinglin und dem geschäftsführenden
Vize-Minister Zhu Weiqun, einschließlich der schriftlichen Note,
sowie die Verlautbarungen der chinesischen Zentralregierung nach
den Gesprächen sind von uns sorgfältig analysiert worden. Danach
hat es den Anschein, dass manche der in dem Memorandum
angespro-chen Fragen von der chinesischen Zentralregierung
missverstanden und andere gar nicht verstanden worden sind.
Botschaft Seiner Heiligkeit des Dalai Lama
zum 51. Jahrestag des tibetischen Nationalaufstands
Heute begehen wir den 51. Jahrestag des friedlichen Aufstand,
mit dem sich das tibetische Volk im Jahre 1959 gegen die
Unterdrückung Tibets durch das kommunistische China erhob, und
zugleich den zweiten Jahrestag der friedlichen Proteste, die im
März 2008 überall in Tibet ausbrachen. Ich zolle den heroischen
Tibetern und Tibeterinnen, die ihr Leben für die Sache Tibets
geopfert haben, meine Hochachtung und bete für ein baldiges Ende
der Leiden aller, die noch immer in Tibet unterdrückt werden.
Tibet’s human rights issues raised at the 13th session of UN
Human Rights Council
Geneva, 16 March 2010
The 13th session of UN Human Rights Council has entered its
third week in Geneva to address human rights violations
happening around the globe. Members of Tibetan delegation have
been monitoring and following this session. Tibetan delegates
made two statements yesterday and one this morning raising
issues on torture, religious freedom, disappearances and forced
resettlement of nomads.
from left:
Mr. Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon, Ms. Tsering
Jampa and Mr. Tenzin Samphel Kayta
Mr. Tenzin Samphel KAYTA on behalf of Society for Threatened
Peoples drew the Council’s attention about Chinese government’s
repeatedly failure to provide a clear picture of situation on
many Tibetan detainees who were subjected to routine torture and
senseless beatings following the 2008 Uprisings. He said Chinese
authorities even refuted the tortured victim’s footage shown all
over the world on Youtube website as fabricated. However, the
original source fervently maintained its authenticity.
Despite the Special Rapporteur on Torture’s recommendations
to China following the fact-finding mission in 2005, China is
still practicing consistent patterns of torture against Tibetan
detainees including monks and nuns, which emerged during the
past two years with impunity.
In another statement, Mr. KAYTA said, Chinese authorities’
brutal crackdown is still continuing in Tibet with thousands of
Tibetans detained for their non-violent freedom struggle. He
informed the Council that “On the 51st Anniversary of the
Tibetan National Uprising of 10 March 1959, the Dalai Lama said
that there is a serious problem in Tibet yet advocated "to enter
into talks with the People's Republic of China to resolve the
issue of Tibet through the Middle-Way Approach …" He further
said that since 10 March 2008, Tibetan sources[1] document that
228 Tibetans have died under the crackdown, 1,294 injured, 4,657
arbitrarily detained, 371 sentenced with 990 disappeared. Four
Tibetans were executed in Lhasa on 20 October 2009 (China
confirmed only two). 11 Tibetans were sentenced to life
imprisonment. In majority of the cases the defendants had no
independent legal counsel and when a lawyer of choice
represented the defendants, the authorities either blocked
representations through intimidation or procedural grounds.
With regard to situation of religious freedom in Tibet, he
referred to the 10th March statement of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama who said "the Chinese authorities are conducting various
political campaigns, including patriotic re-education campaign,
in many monasteries in Tibet. They are putting the monks and
nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity
to study and practice in peace. These conditions make the
monasteries function more like museums and are intended to
deliberately annihilate Buddhism."
Recently a Chinese official reported on 4 March that the
police raided a total of 4,115 rented accommodations …more than
70 guest houses, internet cafes, entertainment Center and bars
detaining "a total of 435 people." Moreover, a few foreign
journalists who were invited by the government during the period
witnessed Chinese security forces with automatic rifles
patrolling the streets of Lhasa.
Since Beijing claims the situation is “normal” on the Tibetan
Plateau, he asked, “Why these severe crackdowns upon the Tibetan
people by Chinese authorities. He urged the Chinese authorities
to fully implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur
and also that of the Committee against Torture and Committee on
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and provide a
credible clarification on the use of torture against Tibetan
detainees who today number in thousands. He also urged the
Chinese authorities to fulfil its pledge by receiving the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct an independent
mission to all affected Tibetan areas and Xinjiang.
Today Mrs. Tsering Jampa on behalf of Helsinki Foundation for
Human Rights drew the Council’s attention about China’s failure
to respond positively to the Press Statement of 10 April 2008
issued by seven the UN Special Procedures mandate holders
calling for visit to Tibetan Autonomous Region. Concerning
disappearance cases, she said the UN Working Group on Enforced
or Involuntary Disappearances’s report indicated 28 unresolved
cases with China including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, XIth Panchen
Lama of Tibet who disappeared at the age of 6 since May 1995.
She said since 1997, China failed to provide document as
requested by the WGEID to support China’s eclaim that Gedhun
Choekyi Nyima and his family wished not be disturbed by
outsiders. Similarly, China also ignored call by the UN
Committee on Rights of the Child that independent expert be
allowed to visit the Panchen Lama to confirm his well-being”.
She also informed that the Council that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is
turning 21 next month. Thus, she urged Chinese authorities to
provide full evidence to support its claim including the recent
remarks by Chinese official saying “Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is
living in Tibet”. She brought to attention of the Council that
Chinese government is implementing the resettlement policy which
forcibly relocates thousands of Tibetan nomads from its
ancestral land without consent of the Tibetan people. As this
misguided policy wipes out the nomadic way of Tibetan people’s
life, she urged Chinese government to immediately impose a
moratorium on all resettlement programmes until independent
experts carry out a review of policies that require or produce
displacement and resettlement of Tibetan herders and other rural
Tibetan population in all Tibetan areas.
Chinese delegation in the plenary session made rhetoric
statement by saying that Tibet witnessed the growth of 12.3% GDP
and respecting rights of ethnic minorities.
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights welcomed China’s
announcement at this Council session that the Chinese
authorities will receive the Special Rapporteur on the right to
Food for an official mission which we hope will include visits
to Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. The statement said: "But
we do recall that China failed to fulfil its pledge made at the
UPR of China that it will receive one Special Procedure
mandate-holder in 2009 and this reminds us that while having
invited the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or
belief in 2004, China refused to confirm dates when requested by
the Special Rapporteur."
Despite limited time slot officially allocated for NGOs,
Tibetan delegates were able to raise some of the key human
rights issues of our concern at this session.
Newly formed friends of Tibet in the Slowak
Parliament
Press Release
His Holiness XIV. Dalai Lama visited Bratislava, capital of
Slovakia, in September 2009 in order to accept an award of Jan
Langos Foundation for his tireless mission for freedom of Tibet
and initiatives improving the world. During the meeting of the
administration board of Jan Langos Foundation with his Holiness
an idea of establishing the Parliamentary group „Friends of
Tibet“ was born.
Similar groups exist all around the world. The group of the
Friends of Tibet was established in the National Council of the
Slovak Republic on the symbolic date. Tibetans and Tibet
supporters around the world will take to the streets to
commemorate the 51st anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National
Uprising against China’s illegal occupation. The evening before
on the 9th March 2010, the members the Slovak parliament
established a group “Friends of Tibet” with the aim to create a
platform for informal discussions of the parliamentary members
and public and for spreading awareness about what´s happening in
Tibet.
Parliamentary group had on the day of establishment these
members:
Andruskó Imre, SMK
Berényi József, SMK
Cibulková Katarína, SDKU-DS
Damborská Marta, SNS
Farkas Iván, SMK
Fronc Martin, KDH
Ivančo Jaroslav, SDKU-DS
Kuruc Martin, Nezaradený
Mikloš Ivan, SDKU-DS
Nagy László, Nezaradený
Rosová Tatian,a SDKU-DS
Rusnák Ján, SDKU-DS
Declaration of the Slovak Parliamentary group „Friends of
Tibet“ adopted on March 9th , 2010
Tomorrow, On March 10th, 2010 Tibetans and Tibet supporters
around the world will take to the streets to commemorate the
51st anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising against
China’s illegal occupation. On this date, thousands of Tibetans
gathered to protect their leader and to demand that Chinese
troops leave Tibet. Chinese troops responded with fatal force
and a full-scale uprising ensued in the streets of Lhasa. The
cause of the Uprising and the mass protests in 2008 is the
reluctance of the Chinese government to lead dialogue with the
Tibetan delegates and the aspiration of the assimilation of
Tibetan nation and attempts to liquidate culture and religion of
Tibet.
The Slovak parliamentary group “Friends of Tibet” was
established with the goal to support the rightful interests of
the Tibetan nation. We understand the importance of the
Cooperation between Slovak Republic and the Peoples Republic
of China and we are not questioning the territorial integrity of
China together with Tibet. On the other hand we are fully aware
of our commitment to values, which is overlapping the bilateral
partnership and has a universal character. This commitment to
respecting and observance of human rights, legal state and the
freedom of conscience cannot be detached from the partnership
with China.
The Slovak parliamentary group “Friends of Tibet” is
appealing to the government of the Peoples Republic of China to
start a real dialogue with His Holiness XIV. Dalai Lama about
the peaceful solving of the situation in Tibet and suspension of
further assimilation of the authentic population of Tibet.
On the March 10th we raised the Tibetan flag in the window of
the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
On behalf of the Slovak parliamentary group “Friends of
Tibet”
Ivan Mikloš
March 10th, 2010
ISSUES RAISED BY ENVOYS OF H. H. THE DALAI LAMA DURING THE
NINTH ROUND OF DIALOGUE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE
LEADERSHIP
The Envoys conveyed a three-point message to the
representatives of the Chinese leadership.
Firstly, a seven-point Note was presented that
expanded on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for All Tibetans
that was presented during the eighth round of talks. The Envoys
reiterated our hope that the Chinese Central Government will
give due consideration and have meaningful dialogue on this. The
Chinese Central Government has made different comments and
expression of concerns concerning the Memorandum and the Note
was intended to address these and to offer some constructive
suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The Note
was also intended to prevent the chance of misinterpretation and
misconception by the general public. The seven points in the
Note include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of
the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting the
"Three Adherences," respecting the hierarchy and authority of
the Chinese Central Government, Concerns raised by the Central
Government on specific competencies referred to the Memorandum,
recognising the core issue, and offering His Holiness the Dalai
Lama's cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution.
The Envoys suggested that through consultation if some of the
issues in the Memorandum that are easier to be implemented are
taken up in stages, it would certainly help in the gradual
implementation of the basic issues.
Secondly, the Envoys emphasised that His Holiness'
sole concern is the wellbeing of the six million Tibetans in
Tibet. They stated that we have never raised any personal issues
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or the welfare of the few people
around him.
With regard to this, the Chinese Central Government contends
that most of the Tibetan people are in a happy and satisfactory
situation, and that there is no Tibetan issue. Our perception is
that most of the Tibetans are in a situation where they face
limitless suffering and where they do not have a satisfactory
religious, political, economic, language and culture, and social
situation. In the light of these two differing perspectives, the
Envoys suggested that there be a study by the two sides to
determine the reality of the situation. This study needs to be
undertaken under a situation where all the Tibetans can have the
opportunity to participate without fear or suspicion. The two
sides could mutually decide the practical ways to implement this.
If the outcome of this study is that most of the Tibetans feel
there is no problem and their present situation is satisfactory,
that is what His Holiness the Dalai Lama is calling for. But if
the outcome confirms that most of the Tibetan people are not in
a satisfactory situation, the Chinese Central Government then
needs to recognise that there is a problem in the spirit of
seeking truth from facts, and both sides need to discuss and
together find a solution.
Thirdly, the Envoys stated that during the informal
session in Shenzhen in May 2008, we had rejected the allegation
that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leadership in exile
have instigated the demonstrations throughout the Tibetan areas
since March 10, 2008 as they were without basis. Therefore,
during the seventh round of talks, the Chinese Central
Government accepted the reality by altering the "Three Stops" (which
include asking us to stop activities for independence or
instigating Tibetans in Tibet) to "Four Not to Support".
However, in recent times we find that the same allegations
are being repeated. Therefore, the Envoys conveyed our feeling
that the Chinese Central Government needed to clarify whether
its position is what that was stated to us in the seventh round
of talks. If there is a change, then the Chinese Central
Government needs to undertake a thorough scientific
investigation, in Tibet as well as in the Tibetan community in
exile, into the veracity of their charge. The Envoys stated our
readiness to extend every support to this investigation. If it
is confirmed that the Central leadership's charge has a basis,
then we will confess for the past action and commit not do so in
the future. If there is no confirmation then the Central
Government should rectify and halt the leveling of these
allegations.
Tibetans Participate In Human Rights Summit in Geneva
Geneva - March 8, 2010
Human Rights conference kicked off yesterday on the
sidelines of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Phuntsok Nyidron, a former Tibetan political prisoner (2nd
L) at the human rights conference in Geneva on 8 March 2010
The Second Geneva Summit on Human Rights, Tolerance and
Democracy is being organised jointly by over 25 human rights
groups from across the globe.
The Tibetan Women's Association in Switzerland is one of the
organisers of the two-day conference which started yesterday in
Geneva. The conference features political dissidents and
activists from Iran, China, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe,
Burma and Vietnam.
John Suarez of the Cuban democracy group, Directorio, opened
the session. Recalling the spirit of the summit's co-chairs,
Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa, he urged human rights defenders to
come together, brainstorm and collaborate.
Another Cuban dissident, Nestor Rodríguez Lobaina, has been
barred by the Cuban government to attend the conference. "Yet,
thanks to the mobilization of international organizations and
civil society, you can contribute to making sure democracies
fulfill their responsibility to humanity," said Isabel Rochat,
Conseil d'Etat of Geneva. "We may forgive but we will never
forget. That is the best response to indifference."
Speakers of the first panel titled “Rising Powers, Rising
Rights Compliance? Case Study of China” included Ms. Rabi Kadeer,
Uyghur activist, Ms. Phuntsog Nyidron, former Tibetan political
prisoner and Mr.Yang Jianli, Chinese dissident who shared their
personal stories of suffering and survival from brutal
oppression of Chinese communist regime.
Called the "mother of the Uyghur nation," Rebiya Kadeer spent
six years in a Chinese prison after standing up to the
authoritarian Chinese government. Her own sons are serving
decade long sentences in China without due process. She also
told that the case of a young Uyghur protester, whose wounded,
lifeless body was anonymously returned to his family. The
Chinese government has cut internet and telephone communications,"
said Kadeer. Many other such cases exist and are not recorded.
Moderator Ambassador Alfred Moses underlined that "the
repressive regime in China will not survive. Oppression cannot
survive. “
The panel's second speaker, Mr. Yang Jianli, said that he was
locked in solitary confinement for five years after taking part
in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. He
pressed the importance of the Internet to push forward democracy
in China. Mr. Jianli said, "The cost of censorship will outpace
the cost of circumventing censorship. It will be impossible to
maintain, China will not be able to control the will of a
billion citizens."
Ms. Phuntsok Nyidron, former political prisoner and the
recipient of 1996 Reebok Human Rights Award said that she was
given total of 17 years sentence. Her crimes were secretly
recording songs with inmates in praise of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama in prison and saying “Long Live Dalai Lama and “Free
Tibet”.
She further said that "I want to tell you what a day was like
in a Chinese prison. My right hand was stretched over my right
shoulder and a guard stood on a table and pulled me up by my
handcuffs. Electric batons were put in my mouth, my fingers were
poked by shoe sewing machine needles and cigarettes burned on my
face. I was shocked with electric wires until I fell unconscious.
The prison guard poured cold water to wake me up and tortured me
again. That day, I was neither given a single drop of water nor
food."
She urged audiences to help protect and support rights of
Tibetan people who have been struggling for their basic rights
under brutal Chinese communist regime through non-violence.
According to organisers, over 800 participants had signed up
to this conference from 50 countries. Yesterday's conference was
attended by over 200 people including some diplomats.
Democracy Service Medal Presentation to the
Dalai Lama
Feb 19, 2010 - National Endowment for
Democracy (Washington, DC)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's New Year Speech to the Tibetan Community
On the occasion of the Tibetan New Year, His Holiness speaks
to the Tibetans in Dharamsala, India. Webcast is in Tibetan
language only.
Webcast of the press conference by the Envoys
of
H. H. the Dalai Lama
Dharamsala, India - 2 February 2010
Photos of the 9th round of dialogue
between Envoys of H. H. the Dalai Lama and
representatives of the Chinese Government
ERKLÄRUNG DES SONDERGESANDTEN SEINER HEILIGKEIT DES DALAI
LAMA KASUR LODI GYARI
LEITER DER DELEGATION, DIE IM JANUAR 2010 CHINA BESUCHTE
Der Gesandte Kelsang Gyaltsen und ich haben in Begleitung von
zwei Mitgliedern unserer Task Force, Tenzin P. Atisha und
Bhuchung K. Tsering, sowie von Jigmey Passang vom Sekretariat
der Task Force vom 26. bis 31. Januar 2010 China besucht, um die
9. Gesprächsrunde mit Vertretern der chinesischen Führung
abzuhalten. Diese Runde fand nach einer fünfzehnmonatigen
Unterbrechung statt. Wir kehrten am 1. Februar 2010 nach
Dharamsala zurück und haben heute Seiner Heiligkeit dem Dalai
Lama, Kalon Tripa [Premierminister, A.d.Ü.] Samdhong Rinpoche
sowie dem Sprecher und dem stellvertretenden Sprecher des
Tibetischen Parlaments im Exil förmlich Bericht erstattet.
DÉCLARATION DE L’ÉMISSAIRE DE SA SAINTETÉ LE DALAÏ-LAMA,
KASUR LODI GYARI, CHEF DE LA DÉLÉGATION ENVOYÉE EN CHINE EN
JANVIER 2010
L’émissaire Kelsang Gyaltsen et moi-même, accompagnés de deux
membres de notre Task Force, Tenzin P. Atisha et Bhuchung K.
Tsering, ainsi que Jigmey Passang du secrétariat de Task Force,
nous sommes rendus en Chine entre le 26 et le 31 janvier 2010,
pour une neuvième série de pourparlers avec les représentants
des autorités chinoises. Ces discussions ont eu lieu après une
interruption de 15 mois. Nous sommes retournés à Dharamsala le
1er février 2010 et avons dressé notre rapport officiel à Sa
Sainteté le Dalaï-Lama, au Premier ministre (Kalon Tripa)
Samdhong Rinpoche, ainsi qu’au Président et à la Vice-présidente
du Parlement tibétain en exil.
STATEMENT BY SPECIAL ENVOY OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA,
KASUR LODI GYARI
HEAD OF THE DELEGATION WHICH VISITED CHINA IN JANUARY 2010
Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen and I, accompanied by two members of
our Task Force, Tenzin P. Atisha and Bhuchung K. Tsering, and
Jigmey Passang from the Task Force Secretariat, visited China
from January 26 to 31, 2010, for the ninth round of discussions
with representatives of the Chinese leadership. This round was
held after a gap of 15 months. We returned to Dharamsala on
February 1, 2010 and have formally reported today to His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, as well
as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
In Beijing, we had a session with Mr. Du Qinglin, Vice
Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative
Conference as well as Minister of the Central United Front Work
Department, on January 30. We had a day-long discussion with
Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar on
January 31, 2010. Mr. Nyima Tsering, a Vice Chairman of the
Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress, also participated in
these meetings.
We first arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, on
January 26, 2010. Before beginning our programmes there, we
formally presented to the Central United Front Work Department,
a Note relating to the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for All
Tibetans that we had given during the previous eighth round of
dialogue in November 2008. The Note contained seven points that
addressed the fundamental issues raised by the Chinese
leadership during the eighth round and some constructive
suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The seven
points include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity
of the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting
the “Three Adherences,” respecting the hierarchy and authority
of the Chinese Central Government, Concerns raised by the
Central Government on specific competencies referred to the
Memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s cooperation for a mutually beneficial
solution.
The Note made clear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
other members of the exiled leadership have no personal demands
to make. His Holiness’ concern is with the rights and welfare of
the Tibetan people. Therefore, the fundamental issue that needs
to be resolved is the faithful implementation of genuine
autonomy that will enable the Tibetan people to govern
themselves in accordance with their own genius and needs.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks on behalf of the Tibetan
people, with whom he has a deep and historical relationship and
one based on full trust. It cannot be disputed that His Holiness
legitimately represents the Tibetan people, and he is certainly
viewed as their true representative and spokesperson by them. It
is indeed only by means of dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai
Lama that the Tibetan issue can be resolved. The recognition of
this reality is important.
We emphasised the point that His Holiness’ engagement for the
cause of Tibet is not for the purpose of claiming certain
personal rights or political position for himself, nor
attempting to stake claims for the Tibetan Administration in
Exile.
We called upon the Chinese side to stop the baseless
accusations against His Holiness and labeling him a separatist.
Instead, we urge the Chinese leadership to work with him to find
a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on
the Memorandum. This will ensure stability, unity and the
development of a harmonious society.
The Chinese side laid out “Four Not to Indulge In” points to
outline their position. They also provided us with a detailed
briefing on recent developments relating to Tibet, particularly
on the important Fifth Tibet Work Forum. They said the Forum
decided to further improve the livelihood of Tibetans in the
Tibet Autonomous Region and all Tibetan areas, specifically in
public services, such as education, medical services, and
environmental protection. Based on the initial reports that we
had of the Forum, we welcomed the issues it has taken up to
improve the lives of the Tibetan people specially in rural areas.
We welcome the fact that the Fifth Tibet Work Forum has looked
into the issues of development in all Tibetan areas – The Tibet
Autonomous Region as well as other Tibetan areas. It is our
strong belief that all the Tibetan areas must be under a uniform
policy and a single administration. If we take away the
political slogans, many of the issues that have been prioritised
by the Forum are similar to the basic needs of the Tibetan
people outlined in our Memorandum.
A major difference between the two sides is the conflicting
perspectives on the current situation inside Tibet. So, in order
to have a common understanding of the real situation, we
suggested a common effort to study the actual reality on the
ground, in the spirit of seeking truth from facts. This will
help both the sides to move beyond each others’ contentions.
In the coming days we will be studying the issues raised by
our counterparts, including the proceedings of the Fifth Tibet
Work Forum and the “Four Not to Indulge In” points. As we had
urged during our meeting, it is my sincere hope that the Chinese
leadership will also seriously reflect on the issues raised by
us. Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently made his
position clear on the future of Tibet within the framework of
the People’s Republic of China, given political will on the
Chinese leadership’s side we do not see any reason why we cannot
find a common ground on these issues. We would like to reiterate
His Holiness’s continued willingness to work with the Chinese
Central Government in this so that the Tibetan people can regain
their pride and dignity and the People’s Republic of China’s
stability and unity are ensured.
We thank our hosts, the Hunan United Front, Beijing United
Front, and the Central United Front Work Department, for their
hospitality during this visit.
February 2, 2010
Dharamsala
UK's Statement: Representatives of Dalai Lama
meeting Chinese authorities
Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis welcomes the news that
representatives of the Dalai Lama would meet the Chinese
authorities.
On hearing that representatives of the Dalai Lama would meet
the Chinese authorities on 26 January 2010, Foreign Office
Minister Ivan Lewis said:
‘I welcome the announcement of the resumption of dialogue
between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai
Lama. I urge both sides to enter these talks in good faith and
to make progress towards meaningful autonomy for Tibet. Peaceful
dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama’s
representatives is the only way to bring about a lasting and
peaceful solution to the problems in Tibet. I made this clear
during my own visit to Tibet and Beijing last year.’
In connection with the resumption of negotiations between
representatives of the Dalai Lama and China, the Foreign
Minister Per Stig Møller states:
“I am very satisfied that the negotiations between
representatives of the Dalai Lama and China have now been
resumed after a 15 months break. I therefore again call on both
parties to engage themselves constructively in the negotitions
and hope that the dialogue will be carried through to a result
which ensures that Tibetans attain genuine self-rule, with
cultural and religious freedom and respect for human rights
within the framework of the Chinese constitution. Dialogue is
the only way forward to a peaceful solution to the question of
Tibet.”
DIALOG MELLEM TIBET OG KINA
I forbindelse med genoptagelsen af forhandlinger mellem
repræsentanter for Dalai Lama og Kina udtaler udenrigsminister
Per Stig Møller:
”Jeg er meget tilfreds med at forhandlingerne mellem
repræsentanter for Dalai Lama og Kina nu er blevet genoptaget
efter 15 måneders pause. Jeg opfordrer derfor igen begge parter
til at engagere sig konstruktivt i forhandlinger og håber at
dialogen føres igennem til et resultat, der sikrer at
tibetanerne opnår reelt selvstyre med kulturel og religiøs
frihed og respekt for menneskerettighederne inden for rammerne
af den kinesiske forfatning. Dialog er den eneste vej frem til
en fredelig løsning på Tibet-spørgsmålet.”
Press Statement: His Holiness the Dalai Lama's
Envoys leave for China for the 9th round of dialogue
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy Lodi
G. Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen will arrive in China
tomorrow for discussions with the representatives of the Chinese
leadership. This is the ninth round of dialogue. The Envoys are
visiting China after a gap of 15 months in the process that
began in 2002.
They will be accompanied by
senior assistants Tenzin P. Atisha, Bhuchung K. Tsering, both
members of Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations, and Jigmey
Passang from the Secretariat of the Tibetan Task Force.
At a two day meeting of the
Tibetan Task Force in Dharamsala chaired by Kalon Tripa, Prof.
Samdhong Rinpoche, the Tibetan delegation finalised their
preparations for the discussions in Beijing. On January 22, 2010
the Kalon Tripa and the two Envoys briefed His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and sought his guidance.
The delegation is expected to
return to India at the beginning of next month.
Chhime R. Chhoekyapa
Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“Support
us to save and preserve Tibet’s culture,” said Mr. Tseten Samdup
Chhoekyapa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative based
in Geneva at the Oriental exhibition at Carrara in the Tuscany
province of Italy.
