Week Ending April 12, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 12 April 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Tibetans Detained for Protesting Destruction of the Homes - Radio Free Asia

11 April | In Yulshul, 21 Tibetans have been detained following clashes with police over forced demolition of the Tibetans’ recently-rebuilt homes after the 2010 earthquake.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/homes-04112013153745.html

News

US Senators urge Tibet agenda for Secretary Kerry visit to China - ICT

11 April | 21 Senators have written to John Kerry, US Secretary of State, asking that he “make Tibet an integral issue” during his first visit to China.

http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/us-senators-urge-tibet-agenda-secretary-kerry-visit-china

Joint Letter to G8 Foreign Ministers - International Tibet Network

10 April | A joint letter from Member Groups addressing foreign ministers attending G8.

http://www.tibetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/G8ForeignMinistersTibetApril2013.pdf?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=

Office of Religious Freedom urged to investigate Tibet - Sun News

10 April | Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is urging Canada's new Office of Religious Freedom to tackle human rights in Tibet.

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2013/04/20130410-181046.html

Massive Exploitation of Mineral Resources Caused Mining Disaster in Tibet - Central Tibetan Administration

10 April | The Environment Desk of the CTA has conducted an extensive probe into the mine collapse in Gyama Valley and concluded the reasons for the disaster are man-made.

http://tibet.net/2013/04/10/cta-envirionment-desks-assessment-of-the-recent-landslide-in-gyama-valley/

Opinion and Analysis

Continuing unrest in Tibetan areas of China: Analysis - Albany Tribune

9 April | “Freedom-loving Tibetans” counter Chinese propaganda about their self-immolations and the relationship between Tibetans in exile and inside Tibet.

http://www.albanytribune.com/09042013-continuing-unrest-in-tibetan-areas-of-china-analysis/

China’s rule of law: Go after the lawyers - Washington Post

8 April | Geng He and Cheng Guancheng write about the persecution, detention, and imprisonment faced by Chinese rights lawyers and their families.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/china-persecutes-those-who-seek-rights-as-well-as-their-families/2013/04/08/7c79c910-9e44-11e2-a941-a19bce7af755_story.html

Burning For Freedom: Crisis in Nepal as Tibetan Monks Self-Immolate and China Cracks Down - International Business Times

6 April | Investigating the current situation in Nepal as tensions between Tibetan protesters and the Chinese government build.

http://www.ibtimes.com/burning-freedom-crisis-nepal-tibetan-monks-self-immolate-china-cracks-down-1175079

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

Week Ending April 1, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 1 April 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Breaking: A Monk Sets Self Ablaze in Tibet - Phayul

29 March | 28 year old monk Kunchok Tenzin self-immolated and died on 26 March; due to severe communications blackouts, news did not reach exile until 2 days after.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=33280&article=Breaking%3A+A+monk+sets+self+ablaze+in+Tibet

Dismay over hasty secret cremation of Tibetan monk who self-immolated in Nepal - ICT

29 March | The body of Tibetan monk Drupchen Tsering (Drupche), who self-immolated on 13 February, has been cremated late at night by Nepali authorities without any religious rituals, despite diplomatic and direct actions by Tibetans in Nepal and around the world asking for the proper Buddhist rituals to be performed.

http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/dismay-over-hasty-secret-cremation-tibetan-monk-who-self-immolated-nepal

Self-Immolations of a Tibetan forest guard and mother of four in eastern Tibet - ICT

26 March | Forest guard Lhamo Kyab (43) set fire to himself on a wooden pyre and died on 25 March, and Kalkyi (30) a mother of four young children under 15 years old, self-immolated and died on 24 March.

http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/self-immolations-tibetan-forest-guard-and-mother-four-eastern-tibet

News

China jails 20 on terror charges in Xinjiang - BBC

27 March | 20 Uighur men were jailed for terms up to life imprisonment for reportedly sending video clips abroad and listening to foreign radio broadcasts. They were charged with a variety of crimes including separatism and religious extremism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21954425

Burning Protests Hinge On ‘Motivation’ -- Dalai Lama - BBC

26 March | In South Sikkim, the Dalai Lama addressed self-immolations by saying that the motivation of the self-immolators determines whether their actions are ‘good or bad’.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/motivation-03262013154533.html

Opinion and Analysis

Moving Past The Wreckage of China’s Tibet Policy - The Diplomat

29 March | The time is ripe for Beijing to consider a dramatic re-orientation of their Tibet policies, and engage the Dalai Lama in productive dialogue instead of villifying him.

http://thediplomat.com/2013/03/29/moving-past-the-wreckage-of-chinas-tibet-policy/

Is apartheid alive and well in Tibet? - News 24

27 March | Alistair Currie of Free Tibet writes about Chinese occupation of Tibet, and the racism and repression Tibetans face on a daily basis, on the occasion of Xi Jinping’s first visit to South Africa for the BRICS conference in Durban.

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Is-apartheid-alive-and-well-in-Tibet-20130327

Will the Tibetan Parliament’s March 10 Statement Chill Free Speech? - TPR

25 March | TPR’s editorial board questions whether or not the TPiE’s 10 March statement will have a negative effect on exile Tibetans using their free speech to voice dissenting opinions.

http://www.tibetanpoliticalreview.org/editorials/willthetibetanparliament%E2%80%99smarch10statementchillfreespeech

“I am like an isolated patient with an infectious disease” by Woeser - High Peaks Pure Earth

21 March | Woeser describes her everyday experiences as a Tibetan in Lhasa: detainments, friends refusing to meet her out of fear, being surrounded by hostile Chinese propaganda.

http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/i-am-like-an-isolated-patient-with-an-infectious-disease-by-woeser/

Week Ending March 22, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 22 March 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

3 Tibetans Sentenced in Immolation Cases - New York Times

22 March | 3 Tibetans from Qinghai have been given prison sentences and political rights prohibitions ranging from 4 to 6 years for “inciting state secession”.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/22/world/asia/3-tibetans-sentenced-in-immolation-cases.html?_r=1&utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&

China: Alarming New Surveillance, Security in Tibet - Human Rights Watch

20 March | Chinese government announces use of the ‘grid monitoring system’ to further restrict Tibetans’ movements and target those returned from exile and prison.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/20/china-alarming-new-surveillance-security-tibet

Tibet Among Worlds Most Repressed Societies: US Senator - Economic Times

19 March | Robert Menendez stated that Tibet is ‘among the world’s most represed societies’ and the US and UN should work together to secure access to Tibet for independent observers.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/tibet-among-worlds-most-repressed-societies-us-senator/articleshow/19077589.cms

News

Tibetan Voices Reverberate in the Halls of Congress During Tibet Lobby Day - ICT

22 March | For 2 days in Washington, DC, more than 140 Tibetans and supporters gathered to lobby their representatives to support concrete actions to solve the crisis in Tibet.

http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-press-releases/tibetan-voices-reverberate-halls-congress-during-tibet-lobby-day-2013?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=

Tibet Official Qin Yizhi Gains Key Communist Youth League Post - SCMP

22 March | Seen as a ‘hardliner’ and known for ‘patriotic reeducation’ of monks in Tibet, Qin Yizhi moves to a ‘training ground’ position in the Communist Youth League.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1194991/tibet-official-qin-yizhi-gains-key-communist-youth-league-post

Opinion and Analysis

‘Appeals Will Have No Effect on Self-Immolations’ - DW

20 March | Kirti Rinpoche says a religious command will not stop Tibetans from self-immolating in protest of Chinese policies.

http://www.dw.de/appeals-will-have-no-effect-on-self-immolations/a-16686451

Will a China Collapse Bring Freedom to Tibet? - Eurasia Review

20 March | China-watchers debate over whether political, economic, and social turmoil in China will benefit Tibetans.

http://www.eurasiareview.com/20032013-will-a-china-collapse-bring-freedom-to-tibet/

Prosecute Hu Jintao - Phayul

19 March | Khendroob Thondup urges Tibetans and world governments to pursue charges against Hu Jintao for crimes against human rights.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=PROSECUTE+HU+JIN+TAO+by+Khedroob+Thondup&id=33217&t=1&c=4

Week Ending March 18, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 18 March 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet
Tibetan Monk Dies in Self-Immolation on Sensitive Date for Amdo Ngaba - VOA
16 March | Kirti monk Lobsang Thokmey (28) died following his self-immolation in Ngaba, becoming the 108th confirmed Tibetan to self-immolate inside Chinese-occupied Tibet.
http://www.voatibetanenglish.com/content/tibetan-monk-dies-in-self-immolation-on-senstives-date-for-amdo-aganb-/1622966.html

Tibetan Detained in Sichuan After Year-Long Search - RFA
15 March | Pema (22) was shot in the arm a year ago by Chinese police during a protest in Serthar. He survived and escaped into the hills, but was recently caught after visiting his family.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/detained-03152013141128.html

China arrests five Tibetans on uprising anniversary - TCHRD
11 March | 3 Monks staged a protest with a huge flag of HH Dalai Lama in Sershul on 10 March, and were arrested along with 2 lay Tibetans who were trying to persuade the monks not to protest.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/03/china-arrests-five-tibetans-on-uprising-anniversary/

Authorities Restrict Cell Phone Use in Lhasa - RFA
11 March | Chinese military try to restrict flow of information to the outside world by conducting sweeps of mobile phones searching for ‘politically sensitive’ writings and images.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/restrict-03112013145602.html

10-12 March Events: Tibetan Uprising Day and Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day
Tibetan attempts self-immolation in Dharamsala, now faces FIR - Indian Express
11 March | Dawa Dhondup (30) drank petrol and tried to set himself on fire before being stopped by fellow Tibetans and police. His condition is stable.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tibetan-attempts-selfimmolation-in-dharamsala-now-faces-fir/1086247/

Tibet March 10th Mexico - Vimeo
11 March | Almost 100 Mexicans gathered to honor the memory of Tibetan self-immolators.
http://vimeo.com/61479936

Nepal jails Tibetans on uprising anniversary - Aljazeera
10 March | Nepalese authorities have arrested 18 people in Kathmandu on suspicion of “anti-China activities”.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/03/2013310165049831796.html

Day in Pictures 12 March - BBC News
12 March | Indian policewomen try to break apart a human chain formed by exiled Tibetan women.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/21749353

Tibetan college girls storm Chinese Embassy - Phayul
12 March | 13 Tibetan college students, members of RTYC Rohini, painted their faces with the Tibetan flag and shouted slogans as they locked themselves together outside the Embassy.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Tibetan+college+girls+storm+Chinese+Embassy&id=33183

News
Chinese leaders vow fairness, frugality, as nation strives for ‘Chinese dream’ - CNN
17 March | Xi Jinping aims to “strive to achieve the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” in a keynote speech, and other officials rejected charges of hacking.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/17/world/asia/china-xi-li-npc-address/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Xi Jinping Becomes China’s President - VOA
14 March | Xi Jinping was ceremonially elected by the National People’s Congress, and officially became president of China, completing the once-per-decade leadership transition in China.
http://www.voanews.com/content/chinas-xi-jingping-given-forma-title-of-president/1621201.html

Opinion and Analysis
Drupchen’s Body is a Litmus Test for Nepal - Huffington Post
15 March | Tenzin Dorjee of SFT HQ writes on how Nepal has turned from a sanctuary for Tibetans into a nightmare, with self-immolation protester Drupchen’s body in Nepalese custody.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tenzin-dorjee/drupchens-body-is-a-litmu_b_2883737.html

Tibet on Fire: Self-Immolations Rising - The Diplomat
15 March | Cases of self-immolation by Tibetans have risen and are linked to the change in Beijing’s leadership and China’s choices to repeatedly ignore the root causes of the situation.
http://thediplomat.com/2013/03/15/tibet-on-fire-self-immolations-rising/

Theurang: Fighting for Universal Human Rights is an Act of Seeking Truth - TCHRD
14 March | Theurang aka Tashi Rabten, now in Mianyang Prison, wrote this essay on freedom and democracy in 2009.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/03/theurang-fighting-for-universal-human-rights-is-an-act-of-seeking-truth/

Authorities try all means to prevent self-immolation in Tibetan areas - Global Times (China)
13 March | Chinese authorities claim Tibetans were turning violent against police methods of ‘stability maintenance’ and that Tibetans self-immolated for personal reasons or family gain.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/767917.shtml#.UUWgC9FgabI

Tibetan Uprising Day Reminds Us - Huffington Post
12 March | Rajiv Malhotra warns against counting on a change of heart among Chinese.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rajiv-malhotra/tibet-china_b_2843205.html

Week Ending March 8, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 8 March 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Uncle of Tibetan self-immolator sentenced to prison - TCHRD
4 March | Yarphel (42) was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for carrying his nephew’s ashes during a procession.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/03/uncle-of-self-immolator-sentenced-to-prison/

Tibetans Jailed for Up to 15 Years Over Burnings - RFA
4 March | 3 of 9 Tibetans tried last week received lengthy prison sentences from 10 to 15 years.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/jailed-03042013141328.html

News

Kirti Rinpoche briefs the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion - Phayul
5 March | On his tour abroad, Kirti Rinpoche spoke to Heiner Bielefeldt about the crisis in Ngaba.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Kirti+Rinpoche+briefs+UN+Special+Rapporteur+on+Freedom+of+Religion&id=33127

Woeser Dedicates Award to Tibetan Self-Immolators - RFA
6 March | Woeser won the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department, and dedicated the award to Tibetans who self-immolated in protest of China’s rule.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/award-03062013194243.html

China rebukes Tibetan monastery as inciting self-immolation protests - Washington Post
7 March | Wu Zegang accused Kirti monastery of collaborating with exiled Tibetans, including spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, to organize locals to set themselves on fire.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-rebukes-tibetan-monastery-at-heart-of-self-immolation-protests/2013/03/07/e2f72a0a-86ea-11e2-a80b-3edc779b676f_story.html

Opinion and Analysis

Richard Gere on selling guitars for the Tibetan cause - BBC News
3 March | Actor Richard Gere explained why money raised from selling his massive guitar collection went straight to the Tibetan human rights campaign.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21646961

The people of Tibet need help now - BoingBoing
6 March | Ven. Thepo Rinpoche writes about his personal experiences to urge others to participate in cultural resistance in the Tibetan movement.
http://boingboing.net/2013/03/06/tibet.html

Unrest in Tibet: The views of a Marxist demon - The Economist
7 March | The Dalai Lama explains his plans for the future and why he places the blame for self-immolations on increasingly tight religious and cultural controls in Tibet.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2013/03/unrest-tibet

Nepal Entrapped - Global Times (China)
7 March | Several perspectives on living as a Tibetan in Nepal near the Chinese border.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/766645.shtml

The limits of despair - The Economist
9 March | The impact of Tibetan self-immolations 5 years after the uprisings in 2008.
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21573120-five-years-after-explosion-unrest-tibetan-plateau-region-again-crisis