Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Tibet Protests - Kathmandu September 9, 2008


Tibetan protesters lie down on the street near Chinese consular office in Kathmandu September 9, 2008. Tibetans living in Nepal were protesting against Chinese actions in Tibet.
REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar (NEPAL)

Tibet Protests - New Delhi September 8, 2008


A Tibetan exile shouts slogans during a protest in New Delhi September 8, 2008. Dozens of exiles protested against Chinese External Affairs Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to India.
REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Kashag's Statement on the 48th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day

Kashag's Statement on the 48th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day

Phayul[Tuesday, September 02, 2008 12:24]

The Statement of the Kashag on the Forty-eighth Anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day

2 September 2008

On this special occasion of the 48th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's extraordinary efforts to transform the Tibetan polity into a genuine democracy, the Kashag - as a way of expressing its immense gratitude to His Holiness - makes obeisance to him. The Kashag also extends its affectionate greetings and Tashi Deleg to all Tibetans living in and outside Tibet, as well as to the governments, parliaments, governmental and non-governmental organisations, Tibet support groups and the people of the international community who are supportive of Tibet and the Tibetans.

In our previous statements, the Kashag has dwelled - among other things - on the status of the Tibetan democratic polity and its weaknesses; the responsibilities that Tibetans in general and particularly the Tibetan exiles must shoulder; and the role of the Tibetan civil society, which is inclusive of the Tibetan NGOs. While reiterating all these points, the Kashag would like to emphatically state that all Tibetans should - at this very critical and crucial period - give more importance to their democratic duties than rights; that they should give more importance to the national and community's benefits than individual's and organisation's; and that they should, in order to challenge the forces of division, strive towards combining their collective energies.

The principal reason why the Tibetans inside Tibet have had to endure continuous sufferings for the last almost 60 years - and as a result of it the very survival of the Tibetan people is at stake today - is due to the Chinese autocratic government's ultra-leftist policies. Under these policies, the basic rights of the Tibetan people, including their political, social, religious and cultural rights are trampled upon by the Chinese government. Therefore, until and unless the nature of the People's Republic of China's polity does not become more open, free and transparent, it is difficult for China to be able to resolve the problem of Tibet. Taking cue from this fact, the Tibetan people living in the free world should also work towards cultivating a culture of openness, freedom and transparency.

In order to establish a true democratic society, it is very important to have gender equality in general, and particularly women should equally partake in the administrative and political work of a country. Since ancient times until now, no gender discriminations of any kind have taken place in our society. However, going by the ratio of the Tibetan men and women taking part in administration and politics, there is a difference with women lagging far behind men. It is very important to bridge this difference in the future. The Kashag will soon come out with a policy to strengthen women's power in our society, and we request all of you to co-operate with us in this regard.

One of the difficulties of a democratic system when it comes to implementation - and particularly a problem often faced by the Asian countries - is the inability to make a choice when differences emerge between one's political ideology and the policies adopted by the government of the day, as well as the difficulty in evolving a consensus among the contesting parties when it comes to the fundamental interest of the country and people. All these occur due to an inadequate level of education, or intellectual disposition, among the citizens. The Tibetan community is also undergoing the same kind of problems. Therefore, it is indispensable for the individuals and organisations to heed that in addition to upholding their respective ideological leanings, they should - as and when required - ensure the unity and cohesive force of the Tibetan people without letting it diminish the slightest.

For nearly 60 years, we have endured the oppression of a foreign country. Over these years, many heroic Tibetan men and women have sacrificed their every possession, including their precious lives, for the sake of Tibetan religion, culture, national identity and freedom. Paying homage to all these brave souls, the Kashag would like to request all Tibetans to learn from their sacrifices and continue the rightful and non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people until the issue of Tibet is resolved once and for all.

Finally, the Kashag prays for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the spontaneous fulfilment of all his wishes. May the truth of the issue of Tibet prevail soon!

The Kashag

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?c=2&t=1&id=22721&article=Kashag's+Statement+on+the+48th+Anniversary+of+Tibetan+Democracy+Day

Democracy Day: Exile Government asks Tibetans to give more importance to “duties than rights”

Democracy Day: Exile Government asks Tibetans to give more importance to “duties than rights”

Phayul[Tuesday, September 02, 2008 15:13]
By Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, September 2: Marking the 48th anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day, Tibet’s Government-in-exile today asked all Tibetans to give more importance to their “democratic duties than rights” in the Kashag’s statement read out by Ven. Tsering Phuntsok, the minister for Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration, here today.

Kalon (minister) Tsering Phuntsok was acting on behalf of Kalon Tripa (prime minister) Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, who is currently away in Mumbai, where the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has decided to take rest sometime since Monday after undergoing medical tests for abdominal discomfort and exhaustion.

“The Kashag would like to emphatically state that all Tibetans should - at this very critical and crucial period - give more importance to their democratic duties than rights,” the Kashag’s statement said.

The statement went on to add that Tibetans “should give more importance to the national and community's benefits than individual's and organisation's; and that they should, in order to challenge the forces of division, strive towards combining their collective energies”.

Stating that Tibetan people have endured the oppression of a foreign country for nearly 60 years, Kashag statement urged Tibetan people to learn from the sacrifices made by many heroic Tibetan men and women in defending Tibetan religion, culture, national identity and freedom, and to continue the rightful and non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people until the issue of Tibet is resolved once and for all.

In the statement, the Tibetan Government blamed “Chinese autocratic government's ultra-leftist policies” responsible to the continuous sufferings endured by the Tibetans inside Tibet since China sent military troops to rule Tibet in 1949.

As a result of China’s oppressive policies, the statement said “the very survival of the Tibetan people is at stake today”.

“Under these policies, the basic rights of the Tibetan people, including their political, social, religious and cultural rights are trampled upon by the Chinese government. Therefore, until and unless the nature of the People's Republic of China's polity does not become more open, free and transparent, it is difficult for China to be able to resolve the problem of Tibet,” the statement underlined.

Accordingly, the statement also urged that the Tibetan people “living in the free world should also work towards cultivating a culture of openness, freedom and transparency”.

The statement emphasizes that in order to establish a true democratic society, there is a need to maintain gender equality and that women should equally partake in the administrative and political work of a country.

Noting that Tibetan women were lagging behind men in their ratio of taking part in the administrative and political works, the statement announced that the Kashag would soon come out with a policy to strengthen women's power in the Tibetan society to bridge the existing difference in the future.

September 2 is a special day and an official holiday for Tibetans around world as they celebrate their democracy day.

This year completes 48 years since the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama declared democracy for Tibetans in 1960 and promulgated a constitution for a future Tibet, based on the principles of modern democracy.

To support his declaration of democracy, the Dalai Lama established a Tibetan Government-in-exile, with a parliament directly elected by the people, although he initially had had the sole constitutional power to appoint cabinet ministers and department heads.

As part of democratic reforms, the Dalai Lama, in 1991, announced the “Charter for Tibetans in exile”, whereby, amongst other things, expanded the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, (now changed to Tibetan Parliament) and were empowered to appoint the Cabinet (Tib: Kashag).

Speaking in 1991, after announcing this landmark decision, the Dalai Lama said: “Change is coming to the Tibetan political system. It is unfortunate that it happens in exile, but this does not stop us learning the art of democracy….This democratization has reached out to Tibetans all over the world…. I believe that future generations of Tibetans will consider these changes among the most important achievements of our experience in exile.”

As part of further democratization, in 2000, the Tibetan supreme leader instituted another reform, requiring exile Tibetans to directly elect their Prime Minister with full administrative power. In 2001, for the very first time, Tibetans from 27 countries voted on a single day, with more than 80 percent electing Professor Samdhong Rinpoche as the first Kalon Tripa.

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche is currently running his second consecutive term after being re-elected in 2006, securing a landslide majority of over 90 percent of the total votes cast.

Since the introduction of democracy, Tibetan community in exile experienced a constantly evolving vibrant democratic system, founded on “harmonious blend of spiritual and political values” as they call it. Much of the credit goes to the benevolent leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and exile home of the Dalai Lama, large number of Tibetan refugees today gathered at the Tsuglag-Khang (Main Tibetan Temple), the venue for official functions, to honour the Dalai Lama’s declaration of democracy.

In commemorating the 48th anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy, the Kashag’s statement, expressed “immense gratitude” and paid “obeisance” to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his “extraordinary efforts to transform the Tibetan polity into a genuine democracy”.

The official function, kept short without any elaborate celebrations, sensibly due to current depressing situation inside Tibet, included award presentation to students who achieved outstanding performance in their Class XII Board exams and, official speeches from the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament.

The function, which lasted not more than an hour, was attended by Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Mr Karma Choephel, other members of the parliament, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials.

In his address to the crowds assembled at the Tsuglag-Khang, Mr Karma expressed sympathy and solidarity to those Tibetans who have been killed, arrested, injured or tortured for taking part in peaceful demonstrations across Tibet since March 10 this year. The Tibetans speaker said those brave Tibetans brothers and sister have shown extreme courage and faith to selflessly sacrifice their lives and belongings for the greater cause of Tibet.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22723

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The 48th Tibetan Democracy Day in Kathmandu September 2, 2008


Tibetan students toss offerings towards a portrait of Dalai Lama as they celebrate the 48th Tibetan Democracy Day in Kathmandu September 2, 2008.
REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar

Wed Sep 3, 4:56 AM ET

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Dalai Lama


Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama is seen during the consecration ceremony of the Lerab Ling temple, in Roqueredonde, southern France, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
(AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)

Long Live H.H. Dalai Lama, the 14th, at the Vietnamese Pagode Khanh Anh in Evry (Paris), France, 12.08.2008


ĐỨC ĐẠT LAI LẠT MA QUANG LÂM CHÚ NGUYỆN TẠI CHÙA KHÁNH ANH NGÀY 12/08/2008

Long Live H.H. Dalai Lama, the 14th, at the Vietnamese Pagode Khanh Anh in Evry (Paris), France, 12.08.2008

http://www.khanhanh.fr/

Free Tibet - TIBET will be FREE

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Long Live H.H. Dalai Lama, the 14th


Tibetan exiles line up the streets with ceremonial scarves to welcome the Dalai Lama, unseen, who arrived in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. The Tibetan leader returned after a two-week tour of France.
(AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

China Lies - Tibetans Die


French pro-Tibet demonstrators unfurl a banner that reads "China Lies - Tibetans Die" on a building next to the Chinese embassy (R) in Paris to denounce Chinese repression in Tibet. The Dalai Lama wrapped up on Saturday a visit to France that fuelled tensions between Paris and Beijing and saw four people arrested during a pro-Tibetan protest.
(AFP/Olivier Laban-Mattei)

Words of Truth

Image: The Dalai Lama salutes as he arrives at the temple of Lerab Ling in Roqueredonde southern France on August 21, 2008. The Dalai Lama wrapped up on Saturday a visit to France that fuelled tensions between Paris and Beijing and saw four people arrested during a pro-Tibetan protest.
(AFP/File/Pascal Guyot)


Words of Truth
A Prayer Composed by:

His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso The Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet


Honoring and Invoking the Great Compassion
of the Three Jewels; the Buddha, the Teachings,
and the Spiritual Community

O Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and disciples
of the past, present, and future:
Having remarkable qualities

Immeasurably vast as the ocean,

Who regard all helpless sentient beings
as your only child;
Please consider the truth of my anguished pleas.

Buddha's full teachings dispel the pain of worldly
existence and self-oriented peace;
May they flourish, spreading prosperity and happiness through-

out this spacious world.

O holders of the Dharma: scholars
and realized practitioners;
May your ten fold virtuous practice prevail.

Humble sentient beings, tormented
by sufferings without cease,
Completely suppressed by seemingly endless
and terribly intense, negative deeds,
May all their fears from unbearable war, famine,
and disease be pacified,
To freely breathe an ocean of happiness and well-being.

And particularly the pious people

of the Land of Snows who, through various means,
Are mercilessly destroyed by barbaric hordes
on the side of darkness,
Kindly let the power of your compassion arise,
To quickly stem the flow of blood and tears.

Those unrelentingly cruel ones, objects of compassion,
Maddened by delusion's evils,
wantonly destroy themselves and others;
May they achieve the eye of wisdom,
knowing what must be done and undone,
And abide in the glory of friendship and love.

May this heartfelt wish of total freedom for all Tibet,
Which has been awaited for a long time,
be spontaneously fulfilled;
Please grant soon the good fortune to enjoy
The happy celebration of spiritual with temporal rule.

O protector Chenrezig, compassionately care for
Those who have undergone myriad hardships,
Completely sacrificing their most cherished lives,
bodies, and wealth,
For the sake of the teachings, practitioners,
people, and nation.

Thus, the protector Chenrezig made vast prayers
Before the Buddhas and Bodhisativas
To fully embrace the Land of Snows;
May the good results of these prayers now quickly appear.
By the profound interdependence of emptiness
and relative forms,
Together with the force of great compassion
in the Three Jewels and their Words of Truth,
And through the power
of the infallible law of actions and their fruits,
May this truthful prayer be unhindered
and quickly fulfilled.


This prayer, Words of Truth, was composed by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, on 29 September 1960 at his temporary headquarters in the Swarg Ashram at Dharamsala, Kangra District, Himachal State, India. This prayer for restoring peace, the Buddhist teachings, and the culture and self-determina-tion of the Tibetan people in their homeland was written after repeated requests by Tibetan government officials along with the unanimous consensus of the monastic and lay communities.

http://www.dalailama.com/page.21.htm

Widmung für Tibet

Mögen alle Menschen, die zerstritten und verfeindet sind, Wege zum friedvollen Dialog finden.

Möge unser Mitgefühl allen fühlenden Lebewesen den Mut zur Klarheit schenken.

Möge Verblendung und Hass überwunden werden, denn wahrer Frieden beginnt im Herzen!

Mögen die Menschen in Tibet Freiheit und Frieden finden !

Om Mani Padme Hum

Wir beten gemeinsam für eine schnelle, friedvolle Beendigung
der Gewalttaten.

Beten Sie gemeinsam mit Seiner Heiligkeit für Tibet und das tibetische Volk: Words of truth

http://www.dalailama-frankfurt.de/index.php?id=102

8 of 10 in New York at City Hall


8 of 10 in New York at City Hall

Uploaded: August 26, 2008

http://freetibet2008.org/more/photos/album/72157606937627559/photo/2798778444/Beijing-10-Return-Home-8-of-10-in-New-York-at-City-Hall.html

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Free Tibet



Thursday, August 14, 2008

TWO LONDON-BASED TIBETAN ACTIVISTS TO ARRIVE HOME WEDNESDAY AFTER BEING DEPORTED FROM BEIJING - Pema and Padma, two young Tibetan women

TWO LONDON-BASED TIBETAN ACTIVISTS TO ARRIVE HOME WEDNESDAY AFTER BEING DEPORTED FROM BEIJING - Pema and Padma, two young Tibetan women, arrested separately for speaking out for Tibet

August 13, 2008 ·

PRESS ADVISORY | Students for a Free Tibet

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2008

Contacts: Tenzin Dorjee, 07767 083768
Sophia Conroy, 07767 086920
Han Shan, 07876 327143

Who: Pema Yoko Niwa Norbu and Padma-Dolma Fielitz
Where: London City Airport (via BA flight #8733 from Frankfurt)*
When: 12:25pm, August 14, 2008
What: Reception by friends, family members, Tibetan community

London – Two UK-based Tibetan activists who were arrested in Beijing and deported from China after Free Tibet protests are arriving home tomorrow. Pema Yoko, 25, and Padma-Dolma Fielitz, 22, are the first two Tibetans to protest for Tibetan human rights and freedom in Beijing during the Olympic Games.

Pema Yoko was arrested on August 13th, outside the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, at the south end of the Olympic Park, as five activists blockaded the park entrance, while holding a banner reading “Tibetans Are Dying for Freedom.” The park features an exhibit on Tibetan culture, which many Tibetan activists find offensive. At the same time, two activists hung a ‘Free Tibet’ banner from a pedestrian bridge over the road running in front of the park. Eight Tibet activists in all were arrested in the protest, and have since been deported. ITN reporter John Ray was forcibly detained by Chinese police while trying to cover the protest.

“I feel a strong sense of commitment to defending Tibetan identity and speaking out against the Chinese government’s brutal regime which is destroying my father’s homeland,” said Pema Yoko. “While the Chinese government is ruthlessly suppressing Tibetans in Tibet and has barred nearly every exiled Tibetan from traveling to Beijing, I am thankful for all of our western supporters and glad that I was at least able to come raise my voice during the Olympics.”

Pema Yoko, 25, was born in London, England to a Tibetan father and Japanese mother. A Japanese citizen, she lives in London and serves as a leading coordinator of the Students for a Free Tibet national network in the UK (SFT-UK).

Padma-Dolma Fielitz was assaulted on August 10th by undercover Chinese police who strangled and struck her while wresting away a Tibetan flag. While being arrested, Padma-Dolma declared:

“I’m here at the Beijing Olympics, at Tiananmen Square… They’ve kidnapped Tibet… they’ve kidnapped the Beijing Olympics to demonstrate their power in front of everyone. They claim they don’t want to politicize it, but they do. All we have… is the flag that I was trying to hold. This is my flag, this is the flag that represents my people. And my people… they’re not Chinese!”

An audio recording of her statement is available at:

http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tibetanprotest/

Padma-Dolma grew up in Germany, and has a Tibetan father and a German mother. She was born and raised in Germany and currently lives in London where she studies Economics and Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

The activists will be greeted at the airport by friends, supporters and members of the local Tibetan community. Spokespeople from Students for a Free Tibet will also be available for comment.

*Padma-Dolma Fielitz will be arriving at another airport and coming directly to London City Airport to greet Pema Yoko upon her arrival.

More information, including photos and video, is available here:

Aug. 10th protest with Padma-Dolma Fielitz:

http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tibetanprotest/

Aug. 13th protest with Pema Yoko:

http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/ethnicpark/

http://freetibet2008.org/2008/08/13/two-london-based-tibetan-activists-to-arrive-home-wednesday-after-being-deported-from-beijing-pema-and-padma-two-young-tibetan-women-arrested-separately-for-speaking-out-for-tibet/

Free Tibet - 23rd August 2008, 9:00 p.m. (Local time)


23 August 2008 , 9:00 p.m. (Local time)
TIBET WON'T BE FORGOTTEN. TIBET WILL BE FREE
CANDLE FOR TIBET


Public Candle Lighting Around the World on saturday 23 August

Here you can find information on candle light vigils near you.

Unless specifically noted, they will all start at 9 p.m. local time.

If you want to add your vigil, please let us know: vigils@candle4tibet.org

Country City Location Details/Contact

Australia Bribie Island - Queensland Air Force Park, Bongaree Contact: Lee Griffith

BELGIUM BRUXELLES Chinese Embassy - 463 AVENUE DE TERVUREN 1160 BRUXELLES Contact: Giovanna

Brazil São Paulo In front of Chinese consulate, organized by 'Comitê Brasileiro de Apoio ao Tibet' (CBAT) Contact: www.brasiltibet.org.br/

Germany Bremen Mahnwache auf dem Bremer Marktplatz - 12:00 - 13:00 Uhr der TID - RG Bremen Kontakt: Holm Triesch Tel: 0421 370121

Germany Kassel Mahnwache vor dem Rathaus Kontakt: I. Strehlke Tel: 0561-64041

Germany Mönchengladbach Mahnwache und Luftballon-Aktion "Wir gehen in die Luft - für Tibet! Alter Markt - 11.00 -13.00 Uhr Kontakt: Joachim Heinrichs

Germany Nürnberg Mahnwache/Unterschriftenaktion vor der Lorenzkirche - 11:00 – 16:00 Uhr KSt Nürnberg Kontakt: Tel: 0911 43122345 Helga Maul

Germany Potsdam Unterschriftenaktion - 10:00 –18:00 Uhr TID RG Potsdam Kontakt: Jens Freiberg Tel: 0331 2709495

Germany Regensburg Mahnwache vor dem alten Rathaus, Rathausplatz 1 in der Altstadt - 11.00 Uhr - 12.00 Uhr - TID - RG Regensburg Kontakt: Ulli Staritz Tel: 09407 30521

Germany Saarbrücken Mahnwache/Unterschriftenaktion in der Fußgängerzone - 10:00 – 16:00 Uhr TID RG Saarbrücken Kontakt: Maxi Anhalt Tel: 06842 7060800

Germany Überlingen am Bodensee Unterschriftenaktion und Aktion "Wunsch-Luftballons" für Tibet auf dem Wochenmarkt - 8:00 - 14:00 Uhr - TID RG Bodensee Kontakt: Stephanie Dilpert Tel: 07531 3616267

Iceland Reykjavík Chinese Embassy, Víðimel 29 Contact: Birgitta Jónsdóttir

The Netherlands 1079 Amsterdam Maarten Lutherkerk in Amsterdam at 21:00 tonight as well MLK - Uiterwaardenstraat in Amsterdam. The church is not far from the RAI Dr. Andreas H. Wöhle - Tel.: +31 - 6 20195027

Slovenia Not yet defined Virgil in Slovenia also on 23th August 2008. The location is not yet defined. Contact: Mirjana

Russian Federation Moscow region near Moscow Contact: Larisa myspace.com/larisajeshe

SCOTLAND, UK Findhorn Findhorn Meditation Hall at Shambala Retreat Contact: Tel: 01309 690690 Email

Scotland, UK Pitlochry Pitlochry War Memorial in Atholl Road 19.00 All welcome, just bring candles Contact: - not yet defined

UK Birmingham Somewhere in Birmingham Contact: Sunrise Lovatt

UK Bristol Ashton Court, Bristol Map Contact: Team Tibet Bristol

UK Bradford City Centenary Sq, Bradford City Centre 1/2 hour vigil for Tibet Map Contact: Revd Chris Howson for details phone: 01274 727034

UK London Opposite the Chinese Embassy Between 18:00 to 20:00 Contact: Samuel

UK Liverpool Williamson Square and walk till Albert Dock. Contact: DAWA KALSANG

UK Canterbury Outside the Beaney Institute (Canterbury Library), Canterbury High Street No Contact

UK Leighton Cooke Opposite Chinese Embassy - Corstorphine Road No Contact

UK Leeds Victoria Gardens (outside the Art Gallery), Headrow, City Centre between 18:00 and 20:00 hours Contact: Team Tibet Leeds

UK Frome, Somerset Outside Frome Library on Sat. Aug 23rd 8.45-10pm Contact: Franka Fueller - Email

UK Manchester Across from the Chinese embassy Contact: 07854657670

UK Swindon Swindon Wharf Green (by House of Fraser and Mc Donalds) Contact: Lyndsey Donaldson-Selby 07951 479 383

UK Hebden Bridge Town Square Between 8 and 9pm No Contact

UK Stock-on-Trent Staffordshire Park Hall (country park) Contact: Charlotte

USA Miami Lincoln Road Mall at South Beach Contact: Linda Callejas

USA Austin, Texas/b> 8:40 - Auditorium Shores [west from pkg.lot, just past statue] Contact: Jude - Email

USA Atlanta, Georgia Centennial Olympic Park Contact: Alexandra Fuchs

USA PALO ALTO, CALIFORNA MEMORIAL CHURCH, STANFORD UNIVERSITY - Gathering at 8:00 p.m. with Tibetan music by Techung - Candle Lighting 9;00 p.m. Rosalyn Voget

http://www.candle4tibet.org/en/august23

Yungchen Lhamo's Web Site - http://www.yungchenlhamo.com/


Yungchen Lhamo's Web Site

http://www.yungchenlhamo.com/

Tibetan-American Detained in Beijing, Deported to United States


Tibetan-American Detained in Beijing, Deported to United States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: **INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE**
August 7, 2008

Contacts: Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director, and Yangchen Lhamo, SFT Board Member:
+1 917-289-0228 (United States)
+44 2070-846-359 (United Kingdom)
+852-3050-9088 (Hong Kong)

Beijing – A 25-year-old Tibetan-American woman was detained in Beijing Airport yesterday at 9:35pm Beijing Standard Time on Wednesday, August 6. Chime Dolkar, a Tibetan exile and current resident of Minnesota, boarded a Northwest flight to Beijing with plans to speak out for Tibetan freedom and challenge the Chinese government to live up to its Olympic promises. But she was detained when she arrived at the airport, interrogated for 12 hours, and eventually deported to the United States. As she was being deported, Dolkar spoke out in support of Tibetan freedom, shouting, “Tibet will be free.”

“I feel I must go to Beijing to be a voice for my people because at the Chinese government has invited the world to the Olympics they are ruthlessly crushing Tibetans in the harshest crackdown that we have seen in decades,” said Dolkar as she was leaving New York’s John F. Kennedy airport Tuesday afternoon.

One of the very few Tibetans actually granted a China visa at this sensitive time, Dolkar wanted to use her freedom as an American to promote the freedom of her beleaguered countrymen in Tibet. Dolkar’s visa was revoked days before her departure, but she was determined to try to speak up about Tibet in China, and decided to go ahead with her trip as planned.

"The Chinese government has ruthlessly suppressed even the mildest form of peaceful dissent by Tibetans in Tibet and China in the run-up to the Games, and has barred Tibetan exiles like Chime Dolkar from speaking up in China for freedom and human rights in Tibet," said Tenzin Dorjee, deputy director of Students for a Free Tibet. "As the Olympics draw near and criticism of the Chinese leadership's brutal rule in Tibet grows, the efforts of the Chinese authorities to quash all critics is also intensifying."

Chinese authorities had detained and exiled another Tibetan woman and her two American-born babies on July 18. In this case, Kemo, who holds a Chinese passport, was detained for four hours before being exiled and told never to enter China. The reason for her exile was that she had joined pro-Tibet demonstrations in San Francisco and Portland and attended a public talk by the Dalai Lama in Seattle; the Chinese officers brought internet print-outs showing Kemo at these events. Officers then forced her children away from her, kicking her and slapping her one-and-half-year-old son Khawa Tsering Kemo.

Born and raised in India, Chime Dolkar immigrated to the United States at age 12 and attended high school in Minnesota, where she became class president and Homecoming Queen. At St. Cloud University, she was the vice president of the local chapter of Students for a Free Tibet. She currently serves as the vice-president of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Minnesota.

http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=1618

Chinese troops suspected of shooting Tibetan women

Chinese troops suspected of shooting Tibetan women

10/08/08

Free Tibet Campaign has received reports from a highly reliable source about the shooting of two Tibetan women on 9 August in Ngaba town in Ngaba (Ch: ABA) county.

The two women are Sonam Wangmo, 22, from Tseni township in Lower Ngaba county, who works as a waitress in a teashop, and Zhang Yeying, 28, from Gyarong (Ch: Jiarong), in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Kham (Ch: Sichuan). They were en route to a mobile phone shop at approximately 4:30pm when shots were fired, hitting Sonam Wangmo in the arm and Zhang Yeying in the hand.

Free Tibet Campaign’s source spoke to eyewitnesses who reported hearing four or five shots and stated that the shots appeared to come from a nearby building known to be accommodating troops recently quartered in the town. Tibetans who went to the assistance of the women, reported that Chinese soldiers arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired. The witnesses report that the Chinese troops claimed that the firing had been a mistake. The women were taken to the Ngaba County Civil Hospital. Their present medical condition is unknown.

An atmosphere of great fear is reported in Ngaba town, where a 7pm curfew has been in effect since 1 August. The curfew is being maintained by a five-fold increase in the number of Chinese soldiers based in Ngaba town. It is not known whether the soldiers are from regular People’s Liberation Army (PLA) units or from the People’s Armed Police (PAP). There are reports that checkpoints manned by armed soldiers have been set up on each road in Ngaba town and Tibetans registered in other towns are not being allowed in to Ngaba.

The crackdown appears to extend beyond Ngaba town. Eyewitnesses report troops performing military drills (see photos below) on grassland used as pasture for Tibetan nomads from the nearby villages of Jadhe and Chushu, trampling the crops and grass. Most of the guests from the local Ngaba county government were invited to observe the exercise.

Free Tibet Campaign is unable to confirm the reason for the huge influx of troops in Ngaba town, however it is reported that the troops will be there until after the end of the Beijing Olympics, suggesting their purpose is to suppress any protests by Tibetans during the Games.

Ngaba town was the scene of a brutal crackdown by Chinese security forces in March following the outbreak of protests throughout Tibet against Chinese rule. On March 16 Chinese security forces fired live rounds into a crowd of peacefully protesting Tibetans, killing at least 13 according to eyewitnesses(1). The shooting was widely reported in the international media.

Director of Free Tibet Campaign, Stephanie Brigden, said:

“The Chinese government must launch an immediate and open investigation into these shootings.

“Gordon Brown, when he meets President Hu at the Games later this month, must seek an explanation for the military build up and restrictions in Ngaba town and he must publicly condemn the worsening human rights situation in Tibet."

Ends
For further information:

In Asia: Matt Whitticase on +66 844 549764

In London : Stephanie Brigden on +44 (0) 7530 528264 or Anne Holmes on +44 (0)7798 666658

http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/100808

Padma-Dolma Fielitz und David Demes am Frankfurter Flughafen


Padma-Dolma Fielitz und David Demes am Frankfurter Flughafen
(11.08.2008)