RTYC, Nepal would starve to achieve it’s goals and objectives throughout it’s tenure- Temzin, Executive Member RTYC, Nepal.

RTYC, Nepal happens to be an important unit of Tibetan Youth Congress that has been in the forefront of the Tibetan freedom struggle for last many years. As the time has passed by and China has started focusing more on implementation of one China policy in Nepal importance of this Nepalese unit of Tibetan Youth Congress has increased significantly.
Here are is an interview with Tenzin Nyngma, recently elected executive members of RTYC, Nepal.

QUESTION- How do you feel after getting elected as executive member for RTYC, Nepal?

ANSWER- I feel that becoming member of RTYC is a responsibility that I have to be more responsible and also sensible towards Tibetan community living in exile in Nepal.

Another thing that comes to my mind is that RTYC should also initiate activities and programs to educate Tibetan youth about importance of Dalai Lama’s Ideology for solution of Tibetan issue.

I personally feel that if RTYC continues to follow path for freedom shown by HH Dalai Lama it will be able to secure freedom for Tibetans Sooner then later.

QUESTION- what is your opinion about present status of RTYC in Nepal?

ANSWER- As known, we are facing suppression from Nepalese government. Besides this, I feel there is scope to introduce new skills and concepts to meet the objectives.

As the time is passing by, we Tibetan youth are also getting trained in use of modern concepts and technologies with whatever little resources we have. I think this will make us more capable of taking the struggle forward.

QUESTION- How do you think RTYC, Nepal can achieve it’s objectives in Nepal?

ANSWER- In my opinion, RTYC, Nepal can attain it’s goals through following guidance from CTA, Dharmshala, RTYC CENTREX and also elders who have carried the freedom struggle for last many decades.

QUESTION- How you feel RTYC can work for Tibetan cause in Nepal?

ANSWER- In my opinion RTYC, Nepal should start programs having social values. One fine way can be guiding of tourists at various tourist places by Tibetan youth. They can specially focus on Chinese tourists who come in large number. While guiding they can bring the facts about Tibet in their knowledge.

In my opinion, The more help is rendered to Chinese tourists by Tibetans in exile the more opinion building for the cause of Tibet can be done inside China.

QUESTION- How do you find role of present Nepalese government?

ANSWER- I find Nepal government too much dependent on China these days and this dependency has taken them to a level where they can be termed as handicaps.
I think Tibetan Youth needs special education of their legitimate human and legal rights in Nepal in today’s scenario.

QUESTION- How will you motivate TYC members in Nepal ?

ANSWER- I will try to give them honest, good and transparent leadership to motivate them on my part. Besides this, other steps decided by the executive as a unit would be implemented.

Exclusive – Interview with Tsewang Newly elected President RTYC, Nepal

Nepal being a border state with Chinese occupied Tibet has been of great importance for Chinese officials and also freedom struggling Tibetan people. With this importance Tibetan NGO’s have been starving hard for legitimate human rights of Tibetans and also for Tibetan freedom in Nepal.

Here is an exclusive interview with Tsewang, newly elected president of RTYC Nepal

Question- being new president how challenging you find the new assignment?

Tsewang- see, we are a new executive and all executive members are of new generation. Thus, we have challenge to carry forward the struggle for Tibetan freedom. Which, we have got from our elders.

Question- How do you plan to motivate your members to carry out the freedom struggle?

Answer- working for an NGO is not easy by any means in Nepal. This is going to a difficult challenge. Soon after new executive was elected. We tried to organize a farewell party and made a booking at a hotel. Butm the hotel refused to organize our party at the last moment due to Chinese pressure.

Later we discovered no hotel was willing to have our party due to pressure from Chinese diplomats.

Question- any other significant challenge you see for new RTYC in Nepal?

Answer- I feel there are many groups working for Tibetan freedom in Nepal. Therefore our strength is distributed. I would like to unite all Tibetan groups for the cause of Tibetan freedom in Nepal.

Question – What activities are you planning in coming days?

Answer- as you know, TYC is a live organization. Thus, activities keep going on. When we have our next program I will let you know. But, be assured, It is very difficult for NGO’s to work in Nepal. Thus, don’t expect any protests from us. There are many other ways to keep our view in a non violent manner.

Question- There are four female members in your new executive. What role these girl members are going to play in your executive?

Answer- Yes, It is true. There are four female members in our new executive. And RTYC Nepal has got a female president for the first time. You can make out importance of girls and females in Tibetan struggle for freedom is growing day by day.

Question- what is your reaction to on going language controversy in side Tibet?

Answer- first of all, I felt very bad when I listened to this news. Secondly, our brothers and sisters inside Tibet are risking their lives to protect out mother tongue. We feel proud for them.

Question-What do you see as the biggest challenge in Nepal?

Answer- Undoubtedly, Chinese influence and Chinese embassy operations against Tibetans in Nepal

China revises lessons of repression

As known, Tibetan all over the world as well as inside Tibet were supposed to elect their Kalon Tripa to take the issue of Tibet to a final and conclusive stage on 3rd of October 2010.
Alert with the facts of aspirations for freedom amongst Tibetan people and popularity of H.H The Dalai Lama Chinese officials made all their efforts to repress the Tibetan people and also ensure that no individual or group should get engaged into Tibetan politics.
Chinese officials had made special arrangements to ensure this. Sources visited a Tibetan township named Khasa located on Sino Nepalese border to see the response to stated Kalon Tripa elections.


Khasa Town under control of Chinese Army on 3rd October 2010
The town was observed to be under tight control of Chinese security forces and all religious schools and institutions were told to host Chinese flags and remain cloase for the day.
The town was also being patrolled by the Chinese army.
Not only this, The border areas falling under Nepalese territory were also accessed by the influential Chinese and army officials to ensure that no activity supportive of Tibetan struggle takes place in those areas.

Ahead of TDD Nepalese security forces crack down on Tibetans

Despite of repeated appeals by international community to abide with
gentleman’s promise made by Nepal to international community. Nepalese
government continues to ignore international community appeals.

Nepalese security forces started a crackdown on Tibetan refugees in
Nepal ahead of Tibetan Democracy day. To satisfy its Chinese masters.
Nepalese police on a tip off from Chinese mission in Kathmandu picked
up two Tibetan youth and took them to an unknown place.

Two Tibetan youth picked up by Nepalese security forces are stated to
be Kelsang and Tashi of Boudha area.

Nepalese police is looking for more Tibetan youth and the crackdown is
likely to continue for next few days.

The action by Nepalese security forces has created panic amongst
Tibetan youth in Kathmandu and most of the Tibetan youth engaged in
political struggle for Tibetan freedom have gone underground.

Tibetan protesters released from Jails in Nepal, community in exile facilitates the protesters

After, being humiliated and barred from demanding freedom Tibetan protesters were released from Jail today afternoon in Kathmandu.

Noteworthy most of the Tibetan protesters were taken into preventive custody by the Nepalese authorities to satisfy Chinese officials.

Later, the released protesters were welcomed and facilitated by the Tibetan exile community in Kathmandu. On the occasion released protesters were presented with by the exile NGO’s like TYC, TWA and members from other Tibetan organizations were also present at the occasion of facilitating released protesters.

Later released protesters reaffirmed their commitment towards freedom of Tibet and H.H. Dalai Lama.

ITSN meeting continues, participants exchange experiences to enhance support for free Tibet.

By SOURCES

LONDON--International Tibet Support Network’s asia region meeting continues on the second day. Today, the participants were busy in expressing there experiences and views to further strengthen international support for Tibet.
The meeting is being participated by support groups from various countries reported earlier.
The conference is also participated by participants from Hong Kong. Christina Chen a human rights worker from Hong Kong told that Human Rights should be respected world wide and china is no exception to this. If violations are taking place over there Chinese government should not hesitate in allowing human rights groups or independent investigators to go there.

15th Shoton Festival begins in Dharamsala, to tour places nearby

By Kusang

Mcleod Ganj: Shoton Festival, the opera music festival kicked off in Dharamsala this morning at Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in the presence of Karmapa. It’s the 15th in the series. This year, the festival also commemorates its 50 years in Exile.

9 opera troops from Tibetan settlements participated in the festival. These students had come to participate in the festival all the way from Bylakuppe, Karnataka, Orissa and Kalimpong.

Mr. Shosur Sonam Choephel, Director of TIPA in his opening introductory speech stressed that the preservation of opera festival in exile is to follow His Holiness' advice.
He also said that since schools around Dharamsala observe this year as 50th years in exile, some of the troops will tour several school nearby the town.

Shoton is a festival that normally follows after Tibetan new year in Exile, where public attend for entertainment and in the picnic mode people bring their eatables and drinks.
During this festival Tibetans enjoy Tibetan hand made beer that is also know as CHANG. This tradition of enjoy festival with family, relatives friends and CHANG was started by the first generation of Tibetan’s that came to exile.
In the festival, each of the troup performs music based on certain story (myth) about the god in man kind, king to help the public. They sing whole day as to means of conversation.

Shoton festival was founded by Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo, the king who founded metal bridge in Tibet.
The festival is to last till beginning of the April.

ITSN Asia regional meeting kicks off in Dharamsala

Dharamsala( Agencies)- Three day-long International Tibet Support Network's Asia regional meeting begins in Dharamsala today, attended participants from about 11 different countries, such as India, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, and Kenya etc. to discuss the strategic plan of their common support for the Tibet cause. The meeting begins with the briefing by Prof. S. Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa. At the inaugural function, which held close door, DIIR Kalon, secretaries, and other dignitaries attended.

According to the sources present there, this meeting is to give a common platform to Tibet supporters from Asia. This is a second of its kind held in Dharamsala.
On the opening session of the conference Kalon Tripa Samdong Rinpoche spoke on current status of relationship between the Central Tibetan Administration and the Chinese leadership and future priorities, reported TGiE's official media.
Describing that dialogue with Chinese government as an important and indispensable process, Kalon Tripa reiterated that the Central Tibetan Administration would sincerely and genuinely pursue the contacts. He further elaborated on the development of the relationship with China, as well as numerous Tibetan public involvement in the evolution of Tibetan dialogue process. He especially highlighted the changes noticed in the recent Fifth Tibet Forum.
While speaking on the future priorities, Kalon Tripa reiterated CTA's policy on TSG that is a voluntary entity independent of CTA with freedom to choose its own course of action. The Central Tibetan Administration and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will never interfere in the workings and chalking out programmes of the Tibetan support groups, he was quoted as saying.
Recalling His Holiness' statement that TSG is the Fifth refuge of the Tibetans, Kalon Tripa expressed profound gratitude to the Tibet support groups for their active work, which he said sustains the Tibet movement.
Kalon Tripa pinpointed certain matters of concern and important issues. In the recent times many western governments have become vulnerable to give into Chinese government's more assertive attitude, bordering on arrogance, and pressures for obvious economic reasons. He urged the TSG is to resist the Chinese government bullying not only non-violently, but firmly. Otherwise, it would create difficulty to the Tibet movement and the free movement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama around the world.
Concluding his update, Kalon Tripa summed that until now the support for Tibet by and large has been based on public sympathy and love for justice. This, he said, is not enough. Now efforts should be made to translate that position into a state where the Tibet issue will become a national interest of the Tibet supporters.
Fifty-two people, including TSG members and observers are attending the meeting

European Parliament urged to appoint a special Tibet Coordinator

KTM- ( Kusang)-In European Parliament (EP) in Brussels, the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) held a debate on the current situation of Tibet reviewing the 2008 people's uprising on Thursday, where MEPs call EU to appoint special envoy for Tibet.
During the debate in the EU Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Maros Sefcovic said: "We have real concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet, about the fact that Tibet has remained largely closed to international media, diplomats and humanitarian organisations and also about the lack of progress in talks between the representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities."
“Although EU supports One-China policy "The dialogue should also address the participation of all Tibetans in decision-making.
For the EU, Tibet is a human rights issue.
We have consistently passed this message on to our Chinese counterparts and listened carefully to their views, and we make every effort to understand their position in a spirit of mutual respect." he added "But human rights are universal, and the situation in Tibet is a legitimate concern for the international community, a point that we regularly make to our Chinese interlocutors."
While expressing concern over the current situation in Tibet the MEPs called for the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for Tibet, a meeting between High Representative Baroness Ashton and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to send an investigation team to Tibet.

Tenth round of Sino -Tibet talks likely to be held in near future.

By Sources

KTM- developments related to resolution of Tibet appear to be re gathering momentum again. according to information available with the sources Chinese side has started preparations for next round of talks.

According to reports available with sources, United Work Front has canceled leave of concern officials and meetings are being conducted to sort out design of 10 round of talks.

On the other hand, Tibetan side also is busy in preparing themselves for the next round of talks.

To prepare themselves, Tibetan Task Force meeting was held in Dharmshala for three days where Tibetan Prime Minister in exile formulated strategy for next round of talks.

Noteworthy, both sides had ninth round of talks recently. though, Beijing continued to criticize Dalai Lama even during the talks too.

Recently, Beijing has started criticizing Dalai Lama in public domain again and continues to call him a separatist and a political monk. Whereas, Tibetans continue to regard Dalai Lama as Temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet

Chinese court sentences Serthar monk to lengthy prison term

By Sources

A Chinese Intermediate People’s court in Sichuan Province has sentenced a Tibetan monk, who remained incommunicado since his arrest in July 2008, to seven years in prison and deprivation of political rights for a year, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

The Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Sichuan Province had sentenced Ngagchung (only one name), 39-year-old monk of Larung Gar Buddhist Institute of Serthar, Sertha County, Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) to seven years in prison and deprivation of political rights for a year in January this year. There is no information on the exact date of court trial, under what charges he was convicted whether he was given any legal rights guarantee under the Chinese constitution and international laws. The Centre questions the legality of such court sentence and urged the international communities to intervene in the unfair and arbitrary sentencing of Ngagchung, the trial which was held without the knowledge of his family members and failed to meet the minimal international judicial standards, required for a fair trial.

He was arrested by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on 8 July 2008 along with two other monks; Taphun and Gudrak of Larung Gar Buddhist Institute of Serthar on suspicion of leaking information about Tibet’s situation to the ‘separatist forces’ outside during the height of the Tibet protests in 2008. They were arrested by the security forces at Chengdu, during one of their trip in relation to the monastery’s duties at the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. Although Taphun and Gudrak-both brothers- were released after interrogation, Ngagchung continue to remain in detention at Chengdu PSB Detention Centre since his arrest. Every request made by the family to visit him were turned down. At present he is known to be incarcerated in a prison at a place called Ya’An, on the periphery of Chengdu city.

Ngagchung is a nephew of the late Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, a highly –respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher who founded the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County (Ch: Seda), Kardze ‘TAP’. Ngagchung studied Buddhist philosophy at the Institute for more than 20 years. He has always been active in and respected by the member of the institute.

Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County witnessed numerous Chinese crackdowns in 1999 and April 2000 with Chinese authorities sending ‘work team’ officials to conduct the ‘Patriotic re-education’ campaign in the institute. Later, on 18 April 2001, the Chinese authorities imposed a quota on the number of students who could attend the institution. Some 7,000 students were forced to leave. Then in June 2001 fifty trucks and jeeps arrived at the Institute and, under the protection of thousands of security officials who camped on the outskirts of the Institute tore down the monastic homes. The founder of the institute, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, passed away under mysterious circumstance at a hospital in Chengdu on 7 January 2004 at the age of 70.

The Centre considers the right to a fair trial as a basic human right and every Tibetan should be guaranteed as enshrined in the Chinese constitution and major international covenants to which China is party to. Right to fair trial is one of the universally applicable principles recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948 and still the cornerstone of the international human rights system. The right to fair trial has been reaffirmed and elaborated since 1948 in legally binding treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and in numerous other international and regional treaties and non-treaty standards, adopted by the UN and by regional intergovernmental bodies.

Shoton Festival in Dharmashala

By Kusang

Dharamsala: Like every year, This year Dharamsala is set to host a Shoton Festival at Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, where Opera group from various Tibetan settlements will gather. It is set to begin on 27th of this month.

It is said that His eminence Karmapa will preside on the first day of the Festival as H.H. the Dalai Lama won't be able to make appearance at the festival due to hectic schedule.

On the first day, as the offering from all the various opera troup, they will perform a bit of the each opera for about one hour each.

"Shoton" in Tibetan means sour milk banquet. As Tibetan operas are performed and Buddha paintings are exhibited at this time, it is also called "Tibetan Opera Festival" or "Buddha Exhibition Festival." The traditional way of starting the Shoton Festival is to show Buddha paintings. The main contents include Tibetan operas and gala parties, as well as wonderful yak racing and horsemanship display. The Shoton Festival initially starts on the 30th day of the 6th month according to Tibetan calendar (usu. later half of August) and lasts five days. but due to weather condition and heavy rainfall in Dharmsala, it holds normally in the month of march.

Last two years, Shoton Festival has not been performed, to mark the condolence, as many died in Tibet in 2008 uprising.

National Democratic Party of Tibet to hold general body meeting in Dharmshala.

By Kusang

Dharamsala: The NDPT has scheduled its 3rd General Body Meeting on coming 27th and 28th of March 2010. The meeting, that is usually held in May, has been proponed to facilitate members to prepare for forthcoming elections for Kalon Tripa and Parliament.
According to NDPT, This year’s General Body meeting will be very significant as the party is going to file three candidates for Kalon Tripa, and also 15 candidates for the forthcoming parliament elections.
On 29th March 2010, the NDPT will hold a press conference to announce the candidates it will endorse and to kick off the campaign which will reach every Tibetan settlement in India.
NDPT is the only political party exists in exiled Tibetan community, which was introduced by Tibetan Youth Congress, currently serves as one of the NGO, which from time to time joins with other NGO in many activities.

Two Tibetan Monks arrested in Tibet

By Kusang

Dharmsala: Two Tibetan monk, alleged for setting up Chinese officials vehicle on fire, from Jomda county of Chamdo prefecture, Tibet were arrested on Tibetan national uprising day and tortured in the custody, says source in exile.

According to senior aide to CTA, Karma Palden age 24 along with two other from Zikar monastery in Chamdo got arrested in the midnight, alleged for firing regional government's official vehicle. Later two other monks freed, instead Mipham Gelek , 20 years old, was arrested. The source said both the victims face torture in the Jomda custody.

Jomda is targetted by the Chinese official as a red alert area for protest, following denial of farming and cultivation in the region, to show civil disobedience to the Chinese government in the last two years.

Tibetans mark anniversaries despite crackdown: Lhasa like a "war-zone"

By Kusang

Despite intensive security and a stepped-up military presence, Tibetans marked two significant anniversaries on March 10 and 14, and called attention to restrictions, with protests involving hundreds of people in Amdo, eastern Tibet. Two of the protests, in Macchu (Chinese: Maqu) county town and Tsoe City (Ch: Hezuo), both in Kanlho (Ch: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) in Gansu Province, involved teenage students, and their schools are now under military lockdown. In Lhasa, the atmosphere was tense around March 10-14, with one Tibetan in the city describing it as "like a war-zone."

It is the only period in which protests against Chinese rule and in support of the Dalai Lama have continued for more than two years despite the violent crackdown in place against any form of dissent. ICT has monitored more than 230 protests, the overwhelming majority peaceful, since March 10, 2008. The protests have involved almost every sector of society - including teachers, scholars, intellectuals, monks, nuns, farmers and nomads, with many involving school children and college students. Information about the protests is extremely difficult to obtain due to the climate of fear across the region and systematic efforts by the Chinese authorities to prevent news reaching the outside world.

Students protest in Machu
On the second anniversary of the protests and riots in Lhasa on March 14, 2008, at 11-12 noon, around 20-30 students from the Machu Tibetan Middle School began a peaceful protest after the authorities intensified security measures and refused to allow students to leave the school grounds in the buildup to March 10, the 1959 Uprising anniversary. According to at least three exile sources in contact with Tibetans in the area, the students were soon joined by more than 100 local Tibetans (some sources say several hundred), as they protested along the main street of Machu (Ch: Maqu) County in Kanlho (Ch: Gannan TAP) in Gansu Province. The demonstration included calls for a "Free Tibet," "Long life for His Holiness the Dalai Lama," and "Chinese get out of Tibet," according to the same sources, who also reported that protestors called for resolution of the Tibet situation through dialogue. (Since 2002, envoys of the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials have met for sporadic dialog, most recently in January 2010.)
The students and local people were surrounded by riot police and soldiers before teachers from the Machu Tibetan Middle School persuaded the students to return to the school. At least 40 Tibetans were said to have been detained, according to a Radio Free Asia report from Kathmandu. ("Tibetan Students Stage Protest," Radio Free Asia, March 16, 2010.)
According to a source who spoke to Radio Free Asia, following the protest the school's headmaster, Kyabchen Dedrol, and two assistants-Do Re and another man, who was not named-were dismissed from their jobs. The same source said that the head of the Machu Public Security Office, Sonam Tse, had also been either fired or demoted. The head of the Machu Education Department, a Chinese official with direct responsibility for the middle school, has been allowed to keep his job, according to RFA.
The military presence in Machu has been stepped up since the protests, and shops and restaurants were closed. Travel between neighboring areas is being blocked for many people, and internet and phone access also restricted.
Further protest by school students in Kanlho
According to several Tibetan sources, Tibetan students from two middle schools in Tsoe - the Kanlho Tibetan Middle School (Ch: Gannan zangzu zhongxue) and Tsoe City Tibetan Middle School (Ch: Hezuo Shi zangzu zhongxue) - demonstrated peacefully in the streets on March 16. All of the students had been prevented from leaving their schools, which are boarding schools, since March 10 due to intensified security linked to the anniversary of both the Uprising in 1959 and the beginning of the current wave of protests on March 10, 2008.
One Tibetan source with contacts in the area said that around 30 or 40 students took part in the protest, which was quickly broken up after the students were surrounded by armed police. More than 20 students, aged from 15 upwards, were detained, and are believed to be still in custody for questioning and 'education.' The same Tibetan source said: "The students found the restrictions since March 10 very difficult and they protested about that. Now the school is surrounded by armed military. They are at the main gates and all around the school. Parents are there too, begging for permission to see their children, but the school is locked and all students now have to remain inside. The soldiers also confiscated the students' mobile phones. There seems to be an increased troop buildup in the area, with one local telling me he saw five or six military trucks full of soldiers moving into some of the villages in the area near the school. It is the same in Machu - troops are patrolling day and night and people are quite scared to go out in the evening."
Tibetan students in the area were involved in other incidents of peaceful protest in 2008: on March 17, 2008, Tibetan students from several different colleges including the Tibetan Medical College and Teacher Training Higher Institute held a protest in Tsoe, with at least one of the demonstrations blocked by armed police. (Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy report, March 17, 2008.)
The normal pattern after protests is that the authorities continue intense surveillance and investigation, and detentions can continue for weeks afterwards. Typically, people involved in protests during March 2008 and since have been given harsh sentences, often as a result of the Chinese authorities branding protests as "incitement to split the nation" - a crime which carries a maximum term of life imprisonment - as opposed to charging people solely with public order offenses.


Ditsa monks detained after peaceful protest
On March 10, some of the more than 400 monks at Ditsa monastery in Amdo scattered leaflets in the monastery compound and pasted posters expressing loyalty to the Dalai Lama and calling for a "Free Tibet." According to Tibetans in exile and in contact with Tibetans in the area, at least 30 security personnel came to the monastery and were joined by at least 100 more later that day. They detained 18-year old Jamyang from Tsigortang (Ch: Xinghai) county in Tsolho (Ch: Hainan TAP) in Qinghai Province; 19-year old Yeshe, also from Tsigortang, and a reincarnate lama in his thirties, Tulku Woeser, who has since been released after three days of interrogation.
The same source said that troops set up tents outside the monastery, restricted the movements of all monks and preventing religious assemblies, banning two religious events - a formal religious debate and a second ceremony. The source said that the monastery school was also closed on March 10. The school is attended by more than 60 young monks, with lessons in Tibetan, Chinese and mathematics.
Anniversary marked quietly in Lhasa: stepped-up security
Security in and around Lhasa was significantly tightened in the buildup to the March 10 and 14 anniversaries and during the anniversary days. One Lhasa citizen reported more than 10 checkpoints on the road to the airport on March 9 and 10, and said that Lhasa was "like a war-zone". A Tibetan in exile said: "We don't call people in Lhasa on March 10 - it's too dangerous for them."
According to Radio Free Asia, hotels and restaurants owned by Tibetans in Lhasa were closed on March 14. A Lhasa resident told RFA: "They were ordered to open their businesses as usual and were told that if they did not open their shops, their display carts would be taken away. The Tibetans didn't open their shops and marked the March 14 anniversary in silence."
Beginning on March 2, 2010, authorities implemented a 'Strike Hard' campaign that resulted in several hundred Tibetans in Lhasa being detained and questioned. Authorities had implemented a Strike Hard campaign in the buildup to the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising in March 2009. Strike Hard campaigns are typically carried out in various parts of the People's Republic of China prior to major events, including national holidays, as well as before the main annual government and Party conferences, often with the stated intention of "cleansing the social environment." As with the Strike Hard campaign in Tibet in 2009, the unprecedented levels of security in the region appeared to be intended to intimidate Tibetans still further in the buildup to the March 10 anniversary.
In a blog written from Lhasa during the Tibetan New Year last month, the Tibetan writer Woeser said: "Lhasa in February, with the arrival of Losar, we can also observe some special colors: one is green, representing soldiers with weapons in their hands, running wild in the streets of Tibet. When one runs into them directly, one has to quickly give way, or else one might with sudden force be pushed aside. There are also some soldiers, who boldly stand on Tibetan people's rooftops, looking down from above, valiantly pressuring the Tibetans walking below gasping for breath. The other color is blue, representing the police also carrying weapons in their hands, not just a few of them are Tibetans. I witnessed myself that a young Tibetan who was paying homage to Buddha was pushed away and when he answered back defiantly, a Tibetan policeman clutched his throat. Another color is always changing. I am not sure how many times these plainclothes policemen have changed their outfits; I even heard that some of them pretend to be Buddhist monks wearing robes wandering around the temples. Or they pretend to be tourists wearing rosaries on their wrists."

Tibet Independence poem honored with International Prize

By Kusang
Dharamsala: A Tibetan student from Norway, recently bagged third prize in the sixth edition of the International Poetry Competition held in Italy. Palden Gyal's poem ‘RANGZEN’ was chosen among 1000 entries from participants from over 90 different countries. The first prize was bagged by a participant from Cameroon and second by an Italian.

The Festival and award ceremony was held from 19 to 21 March in the Italian town of Duino and was attended by guests and participants from many countries. The book consisting best poems would be compiled later into books for the launch.

Prof. Gabriella Valera Gruber, President of the Association Poesia e Solidarietà (Poetry and Solidarity) Trieste says, “This poetry Competition is the most important international competition in the world for young people.”

Poetry and Solidarity Association is 4 years old since its inception.

Palden Gyal was born in Tibet and later studied in TCV, Dharamsala. After completing his matriculation he had received a full scholarship to pursue International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) at Red Cross Nordic United World College in Norway.

TPiE mourns the death of Koirala

By Kunsang

Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPIE) has written a condolence message to the family members of Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister of Nepal, who passed away on 20 March 2010.

“The departure of H E Girija Prasad Koirala to the heavenly abode, is a great lost not only to Nepal but also for all those who believe in democracy. He was not only the national guardian of Nepal but also a source of inspiration for many of us, struggling for our democratic and natural rights,” said Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari in the letter dated 23 March.

“At this sad hour, I, on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile extend to the august family of Koirala, the Nepali Congress Party and the people of Nepal, our sincere condolence and solidarity."

“The love and affection of Girija Babu for the poor, deprived and the Tibetan refugees in Nepal shall be always remembered. May the triple Gem – the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha – bless you and your party to carry forward the legacy of the veteran leader,” the letter noted.

Since the collapse of Prasad's ruling government, Nepal has witnessed many changes and particularly Tibetan plight in Nepal has gone through many ups and downs.

Motion failed to increase number of overseas TPiE members

By Kunsang


Dharamsala (HP): Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in its ninth session failed to pass an official bill aimed at increasing its strength by two seats meant for representatives from abroad with the members divided over the method proposed for their election.
The proposed legislation seeks to increase the number of representatives from North America from the existing one to two and create a new seat to represent Tibetans from the rest of the world excluding Europe, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Twenty six members voted in favour of the motion whereas it needed two-third majority ( 28 out of 43) to get it passed.
A total of 33 members were present in the Parliament when the bill was tabled, they said, adding that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker did not have voting rights.
The support of 28 members is a must for the passage of any legislation seeking to change or add a clause to the charter of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, they said.

Tsering Dhondup take the oath as New Tibetan Justice commissioner

by Kunsang
Dharamsala: Tsering Dhondup, former secretary of Department of Religion and culture took the charges of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commissioner as he took the oath in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning.

Later in the day, the enthronement ceremony took place at the Kashag hall in the presence of higher authority from the Judiciary, Legislative and Executive body of Tibetan diaspora.

Tsering Dhondup has served the Tibetan community in exile in many capacity for more than last 30 years, in which he has also served the TSJC as a member of Judiciary code committee and looking forward to bring amendments in the three series of texts, that serves as the backbone of exile Judiciary body.

Reacting to his newly appointment says" I am looking forward to bring some changes in the main three reference text of TSJC and to do the justice to the one who take the benefits of democratic society. One has to have a full witness to prove his allegation, otherwise it won't succeed"

High School students protest in Diru, Tibet

By Kunsang

Dharamsala March 24: About 20 students of Tsala, Diru in Tibet protests on March 22, where students shouted slogans " Free Tibet, Chinese go out of Tibet, Let Dalai Lama visit Tibet".

According to a Ngawang Tharpa, whose has a source back in the region, says "Just after the demonstration, Chinese PAP and public security officials deployed all over and rounded the region, thereafter the restriction in the region has been tightened and there consequences, be it arrest or detention is unknown"

Diru is the region, where Dalai Lama picked panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima was born.

Earth quake in Tibet

An Earth Quake of 5.7 intensity struck south west Tibet yesterday. quake occurred at around 10:06 a.m. in northern Tibet's Nyainrong County, Nagqu Prefecture according to Chinese official news service Xinhua.
However, no details about losses have been released by the authorities making assessment of losses much difficult.

Tibetan Task Force meeting begins in Dharmshala

Tibetan Task Force for Sino Tibet negotiations began its 21st meeting in Dharmshala. The task force meeting is being held to assess outcomes of recent round of talks and discuss future course of action on the front of dialog with China.
Noteworthy, H.H. Dalai Lama is firm on continuation of dialog and middle way approach with china on the issue of Tibet.
Recently, Tibetan parliament in exile also extended total support to H.H Dalai Lama’s middle way approach.
Task Force meeting is being headed by Kalon Tripa Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche and is likely to discuss future course of action from the Tibetan side.

Tibetan Task Force meetingbegins in Dharmshala

Tibetan Task Force for Sino Tibet negotiations began its 21st meeting in Dharmshala. The task force meeting is being held to assess outcomes of recent round of talks and discuss future course of action on the front of dialog with China.
Noteworthy, H.H. Dalai Lama is firm on continuation of dialog and middle way approach with china on the issue of Tibet.
Recently, Tibetan parliament in exile also extended total support to H.H Dalai Lama’s middle way approach.
Task Force meeting is being headed by Kalon Tripa Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche and is likely to discuss future course of action from the Tibetan side.

H.H The Dalai Lama Inaugurating a talk on Human Rights in Bhopal

H.H The Dalai Lama Inaugurating a talk on Human Rights in Bhopal- India

Lhasa Uprising Day in Kathmansu

Tibetan;s observed Lhasa Uprising Day In Kathmandu

Tibet Volenteers protest in Kathmandu, Nepal

Tibetan Volenteersm Nepal stages protest demanding end of Chinese occupation in Tibet

Tibet activist in Bangladesh is harassed and intimidated under Chinese pressure

New Delhi (14 Jan. 2010): Activists working for the Tibetan cause in Bangladesh are still being harassed and intimidated after Dhaka police, under pressure from Chinese officials, forcibly closed a Tibet photo exhibition in Dhaka in November last year. China’s imposition of its intolerant system and policies on Bangladesh is depriving the freedom of Bangladeshi citizens.

A member of the Bangladesh chapter of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) who organized the Tibet photo exhibition says Chinese agents using their clout and pressure tactics in Bangladesh are making her life difficult. Wasfia Nasreen, SFT-Bangladesh’s leading activist had to go into virtual hiding due to constant harassment and threats. Nasreen fears for her safety citing a 1974 law in Bangladesh that could be used to prosecute her.

“There is a 1974 law in our country which has been manipulated in the past that says that if anyone is proved guilty to cause rift between friendly nations is subject to lifetime imprisonment,” she said in an e-mail dated 12 Jan.
It was reported extensively that on 1 Nov. 2009, police in riot gear cracked down on a Tibet photo exhibition being organized at Drik gallery in Dhaka forcing the organizers to shut it down. In defiance, organizers staged the exhibit on street. Drik managing director Dr Shahidul Alam said Bangladesh Police Special Branch spoke with him and asked him to stop the exhibition citing a “government order”. Police also demanded to know the names of the organizers and were said to be looking out for them.
Organizers also reported that two Chinese diplomats approached them to stop the exhibition. Alam also received a series of phone calls from the ministry of cultural affairs and from a number of Bangladeshi MPs.
Nasreen says it is unfortunate that her well-meaning support to the peaceful and non-violent movement of Tibetan people should meet such fate in her own country due to Chinese pressure. Nasreen hopes that Chinese interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh will subside under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who last week made a successful visit to India where she was conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Peace Award in New Delhi.

Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen sentenced to six years' imprisonment,

Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan filmmaker who is currently in Chinese detention, has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by the provincial court in Xining (capital of Qinghai province). His arrest in March 2008 came shortly after completion of filming for his documentary film «Leaving Fear Behind» in which Tibetans spoke out about their lives in Tibet.

The sentencing took place on 28 December 2009 but his relatives in Xining were neither informed about the trial nor the verdict. According to reliable information, Dhondup Wangchen will appeal the sentence but the appeal period will expire on Thursday, 7 January 2010. Furthermore, Dhondup Wangchen has no access to independent legal assistance. The lawyer originally hired by his family was barred from representing him by the Chinese government.

His wife Lhamo Tso, who is together with her children on pilgrimage in Bodh Gaya/India, said today: "I appeal to the court in Xining to allow my husband to have a legal representative of his own choosing. My children and I feel desperate about the prospect of not being able to see him for so many years. We call on the Chinese authorities to show humanity by releasing him. My husband is not a criminal, he just tried to show the truth."

"The fact that my cousin Dhondup Wangchen has to enter the appeal process without legal assistance shows how humanrights are trampled upon by the Chinese government in Tibet," said Gyaljong Tsetrin, co-producer of Leaving Fear Behind, "I am also greatly concerned about Dhondup Wangchen’s health as he has contracted Hepatitis B through the poor conditions and torture he has endured in prison and is not receiving medical treatment. I ask myself how he will survive in prison for six years."

Dhondup Wangchen was born on 17 October 1974 in Bayen, Tsoshar area of Amdo in northeastern Tibet (Chin: Hualong, Haidong, Qinghai). He comes from a poor farming family without formal education. As a young man, he travelled to Lhasa and also to India. After his return to Tibet he was determined to document the true situation in his country and tell the outside world. Out of concern for his family, he escorted his wife and four children to India in 2006 before commencing filming the documentary.
Leaving Fear Behind has been screened in over 30 countries around the world.