Week Ending April 5, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 5 April 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Tibetan Woman Self-Immolates Over Eviction - Radio Free Asia

4 April | A Tibetan woman reportedly set herself on fire in Yulshul as Chinese bulldozers approached to demolish her home. Her condition was “not life-threatening”.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/woman-04042013142814.html

Tibetan Students Questioned Over Observance - Radio Free Asia

4 April | Students from Northwest University of Nationalities in the provincial capital Lanzhou marked the fifth anniversary of the March 14, 2008 riot by “mourning” the crackdown by Chinese authorities on Tibetans by lighting butter lamps and writing on their class board.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/questioned-04042013164948.html

News

Political prisoner’s early release seen as attempt to avoid detention-related death - TCHRD

4 April | Dawa Gyaltsen was released in critical condition. The former bank accountant was first detained for distributing and pasting Tibetan independence leaflets.

http://www.tchrd.org/2013/04/political-prisoners-early-release-seen-as-attempt-to-avoid-detention-related-death/

One of Tibet’s longest-serving political prisoners released after 17 years - ICT

3 April | Jigme Gyatso has been released after serving 17 years in prison. Tibetans were waiting with khatas in hand for his arrival in Sangchu, where he had been a monk.

http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/one-tibets-longest-serving-political-prisoners-released-after-17-years

China Frees Frail Tibetan in Prison for Activism - New York Times

2 April | Jigme Gyatso’s 18 year prison sentence was commuted to 17 years and he was released in very poor condition, suffering greatly from torture endured during imprisonment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/world/asia/tibetan-activist-jigme-gyatso-freed-in-china.html?_r=0

Fatal Landslide Draws Attention to the Toll of Mining on Tibet - New York Times

2 April | A collapse at the Gyama mine near Lhasa killed 83 workers, including 2 Tibetans. Mining activity in Tibet is highly contentious due to environmental destruction, lack of respect for sacred places, and economic benefits going to state companies and Han Chinese.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/world/asia/deadly-tibetan-landslide-draws-attention-to-mining.html?src=rechp

Opinions and Analysis

Interview with Tenzin Tsundue - Powder Magazine

4 April | Activist and writer Tenzin Tsundue discusses his writing, the power of art and its potential in revolution, and Tibetan independence and self-immolations.

http://www.powderzine.com/node/132

Jimmy Carter says China pressuring Nepal on Tibetans - Reuters

1 April | China is putting pressure on Nepal to interrupt the flow of Tibetan refugees into the Himalayan nation, former United States President Jimmy Carter said on Monday.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/01/nepal-tibet-carter-china-idINDEE93009520130401