Week Ending March 1, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 1 March 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet
Tibetan self-immolates in Ngaba County - RFA26 February | Sangdag, a monk from Diphu monastery, self-immolated publicly in Ngaba county and was hospitalized.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/county-02262013110730.html

Two Tibetans self-immolate at monasteries during prayer ceremonies in Amdo - ICT25 February | Tsetsung Kyab (27) self-immolated at Shitsang Gonsar monastery in Luchu, and Phagmo Dundrup (20s) set himself on fire at Chachung monastery.
http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/two-tibetans-self-immolate-monasteries-during-prayer-ceremonies-amdo

Tibetan youth sentenced over self-immolation photos in mobile phone - Phayul22 February | Thangka painting student Ngawang Topden (20) was sentenced to 2 years in prison because his mobile phone contained images of self-immolating Tibetans as well as the Tibetan national flag.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=33082&article=Tibetan+youth+sentenced+over+self-immolation+photos+in+mobile+phone

Chinese Police Detain, Beat Tibetan Protesters - RFA22 February | Tibetans refused to fly Chinese national flags during Lunar New Year, and were beaten and detained after stomping on the flags and holding a public protest.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/detain-02222013163235.html

News
U.S. Officials Hoped Chinese Liberalization Program for Tibet in Early 1980s Would Bring Significant Improvements - National Security Archives (US)1 March | Declassified government documents assess Bejing’s policies in Tibet and their collapse.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB414/

China open letters calls for reforms - BBC27 February | Over 100 prominent Chinese journalists, activists, and scholars petition that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights be ratified.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21597752

Related

Prominent Chinese call human rights progress - ICT27 February | A translation of the open letter and context surrounding its development.

http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/prominent-chinese-call-human-rights-progress

China Bars New Canadian Ambassador From Visiting Tibet - Huffington Post26 February | Guy Saint-Jacques was denied permission by Beijing to enter Tibet.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/26/china-canada-ambassador_n_2768156.html?just_reloaded=1

Dislocation, Dislocation, Dislocation - New York Times25 February | Tibetan nomads on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau face social and economic obstacles with forced resettlement.
http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/dislocation-dislocation-dislocation/

Tibetans Fight China With ‘Weapons of the Weak’ - VOA26 February | Lhakar as cultural resistance movement grows stronger as it allows for multiple ways to participate and accommodates many political stances.
http://www.voanews.com/content/tibet-protest-resistance-lhakar/1610934.html


Opinion and Analysis
Open Letter to PM Bhattarai - Nepali Times28 February | Jigme Ugen and Tenpa Gashi write an open letter to Nepal’s Prime Minister Bhattarai concerning the remains of Drupchen Tsering (25) who self-immolated 13 Feb.
http://www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2013/02/28/open-letter-to-pm-bhattarai/

A Tibetan Intellectual, Naktsang Nulo, Shares His Thoughts On Self-Immolations In Tibet - High Peaks Pure Earth26 February | Naktsang Nulo, a Tibetan living inside the PRC, publicly appeals for Tibetans not to self-immolate.
http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/a-tibetan-intellectual-naktsang-nulo-shares-his-thoughts-on-self-immolations-in-tibet/

Week Ending February 22, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 22 February 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Two teenage Tibetans set themselves on fire in Ngaba - TCHRD20 February | Rinchen (17) and Sonam Dhargye (18) self-immolated and passed away in Dzorge. Their families were able to recover their bodies.
http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/two-tibetan-teenagers-set-themselves-fire-ngaba

Monk survives self-immolation but loses both legs - TCHRD20 February | Sonam Rabyang (42) has reportedly been released from the hospital and is at home with family under strict surveillance after having both legs amputated.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/02/monk-survives-self-immolation-but-loses-both-legs/

Tibetan Monks Held After Protest - Radio Free Asia19 February | Six Tibetan monks were detained following protests calling for Tibetan independence and the return of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/arrest-02192013200418.html

Tibetan farmer from nomadic area sets fire to himself in Labrang - ICT17 February | Father of four, Namlha Tsering (49), self-immolated in Labrang.
http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/tibetan-farmer-nomadic-area-sets-fire-himself-labrang

News

China’s Army is Seen as Tied to Hacking Against U.S. - NY Times18 February | A report by Mandiant, an American computer security firm, tracks for the first time individual members of the most sophisticated of the Chinese hacking groups.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/technology/chinas-army-is-seen-as-tied-to-hacking-against-us.html?pagewanted=all

Government split on dealing with China: report - AFP17 February | Foreign Secretary William Hague believes London must not tone down its criticism of human rights abuses while Deputy PM Nick Clegg insists it must take a principled stand on issues such as the treatment of people in Tibet.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ghvRooZ1cgdlGcRQbZ0lRpbZvTCg?docId=CNG.12be299253dc2dc11e7c391c74e2d4d2.5a1

Opinion and Analysis

Tibet Expert: Dalai Lama is ‘Spirit of the Nation’ - NBC News21 February | This video interview with Dr. Robbie Barnett from Columbia University discusses a possible successor to the Dalai Lama and China’s control over Tibet.
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/29620591#29620591

Flames Of Protest: The History of Self-Immolation - China Digital Times21 February | An NPR interview with Robbie Barnett, Bhuchung Tsering, and Michael Biggs [audio] as well as news briefs of the latest self-immolation protests.
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2013/02/flames-of-protest-the-history-of-self-immolation/

China Struggles to Curb Tibetan Unrest - Wall Street Journal18 February | Video coverage of how Beijing has tightened its grip on Tibetan areas as self-immolations reach a grim milestone.
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/02/18/china-struggles-to-curb-tibetan-unrest/

Week Ending February 15, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 15 February 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Further self-immolation in Tibet despite harsh legal measures to deter protests; Tibetan who set fire to himself in Nepal dies - ICT14 February | Tibetan scholar and monk Lobsang Namgyal (37) set fire to himself Feb 3 in Amchok town. Drongchen Tsering (25) self-immolated and died in Nepal.
http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/further-self-immolation-tibet-despite-harsh-legal-measures-deter-protests-tibetan-who-set-

Burnings Rage On Despite Controls - Radio Free Asia14 February | Drugpa Khar leaves behind his parents and small children after passing away in his protest against Chinese policies.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/burning-02142013110206.html

Tibet continues to burn, Father of three passes away - Phayul15 February | Drugpa Khar (26) set himself on fire on February 13, in Amchok town.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=33038&article=Breaking%3A+Tibet+continues+to+burn%2C+Father+of+three+passes+away

Self-immolation milestone: Tibetan becomes 101st protester to set himself ablaze since 2009 - Huffington Post12 February | A Tibetan monk in Nepal set himself on fire in a market area near Boudhanath Stupa.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/self-immolation-milestone-tibet_n_2684028.html?1360834520&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Tibetan protester sets himself on fire in Nepal’s capital in protest against China- Washington Post12 February | [Contains graphic images] 6 photographs and reactions from activists and locals to the self-immolation by a Tibetan man in Nepal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/tibetan-protester-sets-himself-on-fire-in-nepals-capital-in-apparent-protest-against-china/2013/02/12/26d43e8a-7592-11e2-9889-60bfcbb02149_story.html

Statements and Political Action

Joint Statement: Self-immolations by Tibetans living under Chinese rule reaches 100 - International Tibet Network13 February | Global Tibet movement calls for joint action by world governments to urgently address China’s crackdown in Tibet.
http://www.tibetnetwork.org/jointstatement100immolations

Related

100 Burn for Freedom in Tibet video

http://vimeo.com/59579293

TJC Marks Independence Centenary by Releasing Updated Report on Tibetan Sovereignty and Self-Determination - Tibet Justice Center13 February | The updated report addresses Tibet’s right to self-determination, and an update and executive summary, and briefing paper are available to download.
http://www.tibetjustice.org/


British MPs appeal to China to listen to Tibetan grievances - Tibet Society13 February | British MPs have condemned China's crackdown in Tibet and called on the Chinese government to examine their policies in Tibet and urgently address the grievances of the Tibetan people.
http://www.tibetsociety.com/content/view/366

Tibetans commemorate centennial of Tibetan independence - Times of India14 February | Tibetans and supporters in Dharamsala, India, held a daylong exhibition followed by a concert, candlelight vigil, and prayers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Tibetans-commemorate-centennial-of-Tibetan-independence/articleshow/18501770.cms


Opinion and Analysis

Nothing to celebrate - The Economist15 February | An assessment of the current tense situation between Tibet and China on the occasion of lunar new year, Losar, as self-immolations and security crackdowns continue.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2013/02/tibetans

To the Cast and Crew of “Tibet’s Secret”: Tibetan Rappers Demand RESPECT - High Peaks Pure Earth13 February | A Tibetan rap group “Sheep Droppings” releases a song addressing the misrepresentations and distortions of Tibetan culture in a popular Chinese TV series.
http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/to-the-cast-and-crew-of-tibets-secret-tibetan-rappers-demand-respect/

VOA and China’s Latest Narrative on Tibet- Tibetan Blog Station14 February | Bhuchung K Tsering writes on China’s narrative about the Tibetan self-immolations and counters Chinese state media allegations against VOA.
http://tibetanblogstation.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/voa-and-chinas-latest-narrative-on-tibet/

How Many Self-Immolating Tibetans Does It Take to Make a Difference? - Time13 February | Time Magazine examines the controversial issue of self-immolation by Tibetans to protest against oppressive Chinese policies.
http://world.time.com/2013/02/13/how-many-self-immolating-tibetans-does-it-take-to-make-a-difference/#ixzz2KtLIYpho

Week Ending February 8, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 8 February 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

Anti self-immolation propaganda now part of China’s ‘patriotic education’ campaign  - TCHRD8 February | A new propaganda booklet entitled “Cherish Life, Abide by Law” lists the legal consequences of inciting, instigating, or abetting self-immolation.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/02/anti-self-immolation-propaganda-now-part-of-chinas-patriotic-education-campaign/

Six Tibetans in Gansu sentenced after protecting body of self-immolator in aggressive drive to criminalize self-immolations  - ICT7 February | International Campaign for Tibet’s updated report on 6 Tibetans’ sentences.
http://savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/six-tibetans-sentenced-intentional-homicide-official-drive-criminalize-self-immolations-

China cracks down on Tibet protests - The Guardian8 February | Chinese authorities have turned on friends and families of Tibetans who self-immolate, detaining them on criminal grounds.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/08/china-cracks-down-tibet-protests

Battling self-immolations, China makes more arrests - New York Times7 February |
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/world/asia/china-makes-arrests-in-crackdown-on-immolations.html?src=rechp&_r=0

China intensifies crackdown on Tibetan burnings, detains 70 - Reuters7 February | In the largest single sweep yet, authorities have detained 70 people in relation to the self-immolation protests by Tibetans. Lu Benquian blames ‘the Dalai Lama clique’.
http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKBRE9160CK20130207?irpc=932

Chinese documentary alleges US broadcaster incites Tibetan self-immolations - NBC8 February | A Chinese state media documentary targets Voice of America programs.
http://behindthewall.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/07/16878280-chinese-documentary-alleges-us-broadcaster-incites-tibetan-self-immolations

Related

Self-immolations in Ganan and the Tibetan independence activists outside China - CNTV6 February | Chinese state media CCTV documentary about self-immolations in Kanhlo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in English.

http://english.cntv.cn/program/china24/20130206/107788.shtml

VOA Denies Chinese Allegations on Tibetan Self-Immolations - VOA6 February | VOA responds to allegations that their programs encourage self-immolation.
http://www.voanews.com/content/voa-denies-chinese-allegations-on-tibetan-self-immolations/1598729.html

Painful death for Tibetan man injured in police violence - TCHRD5 February | Gyerig Thar (35) succumed to his injuries after 8 months. He participated in a protest in March 2012 and suffered head injuries due to police violence at the protest site.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/02/painful-death-for-tibetan-man-injured-in-police-violence/

Other News

As Self-Immolations Near 100, Tibetans Question the Effect - New York Times2 February | Tibetans came to India’s capital last week, for the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign, the four-day gathering featured protests, marches, Buddhist prayer sessions and political speeches in an attempt to push Tibet back onto a crowded international agenda.
http://www.voanews.com/content/voa-denies-chinese-allegations-on-tibetan-self-immolations/1598729.html

On Tibetan New Year, Quiet Prayer Likely to Replace Celebration - Tea Leaf Nation7 February | Ongoing tensions and increased restrictions affect the celebration of the Tibetan new year holidays, Losar.
http://www.tealeafnation.com/2013/02/on-tibetan-new-year-quiet-prayer-likely-to-replace-celebration/

Opinion & Analysis

Discussions in the vast space between “Should” and “Should Not” - ICT5 February | High Peaks Pure Earth has posted a dialogue between an unnamed Tibetan living outside Tibet, and Wang Lixiong, a Chinese writer and activist.
http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/tibet-news/discussions-vast-space-between-should-and-should-not-woeser

Labrang monk Jayang Jinpa reflects on his daring 2008 protest - TCHRD4 February | A monk now living in exile details his involvement in protests in 2008.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/02/feature-labrang-monk-jayang-jinpa-reflects-on-his-daring-2008-protest/

China: Stop Sentencing Tibetans for “Inciting” Self-Immolations - HRW1 February | Human Rights Watch addresses the recent criminalisation of self-immolation.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/01/china-stop-sentencing-tibetans-inciting-immolations

Week Ending February 1, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 1 February 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

The news of 8 Tibetans being sentenced related to the self-immolations has been widely reported around the globe. Below are several links to articles on this case.

Tibetans sentenced for murder at show trial to discredit self-immolation protests - TCHRD1 February | This decision is the first of its kind where a Tibetan has received a death sentence with two year reprieve related to self-immolation.
http://www.tchrd.org/2013/02/tibetans-sentenced-for-murder-at-show-trial-to-discredit-self-immolation-protests/

Distress at death sentence for Tibetan accused of ‘inciting self-immolation’ - ICT31 January | No evidence was presented to justify the sentencing of Lobsang Kunchok and Lobsang Tsering, who were not represented by the own lawyers.
http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/distress-death-sentence-tibetan-accused-inciting-self-immolation

Related

New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/world/asia/chinese-court-issues-severe-sentences-in-tibetan-self-immolations.html?_r=0

Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/tibet-self-immolation-convictions-china_n_2590147.html

The Hindu - http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-sentences-two-tibetans-over-selfimmolation-protests/article4365171.ece

Fears of New Crackdown on Monks - RFA30 January | Tibetan monks who are missing or ‘disappeared’ are widely believed to be taken by Chinese authorities for ‘political re-education’ campaigns.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/crackdown-01302013151619.html

News

Sit-in mass prayers and daylong fast by Tibetans at Jantar Mantar - CTA1 February | A 4 day ‘Solidarity with Tibet’ campaign has included 6,000 Tibetans from all over India, leaders from monasteries, and members of the CTA including Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.
http://tibet.net/2013/02/01/sit-in-mass-prayers-and-daylong-fast-by-tibetans-at-jantar-mantar/

Hackers in China Attacked The Times for the Last 4 Months - NY Times30 January | Chinese government hackers stole employee passwords and entered the NY Times computer network just before the release of an expose on Wen Jiabao’s family wealth. The hackers appeared to be searching for informant data, however, the reporter’s article was researched using publicly available documents.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/technology/chinese-hackers-infiltrate-new-york-times-computers.html

China appoints new Tibet governor, hardline policies to remain - Reuters29 January | Former mayor of Lhasa and Marxist theory teacher, Losang Gyaltsen (55), replaces Padma Choling as governor in Tibet.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/29/us-china-tibet-idUSBRE90S0ED20130129

Opinion and Analysis

Let’s Celebrate Coming Losar in Grand Festivity - Rangzen Alliance31 January | A Tibetan, Invincible Courage, writes “Let us not mourn in despair, but fight for our rights” and celebrate the New Year holiday with gusto instead of limiting Losar to somber religious ceremony.
http://www.rangzen.net/2013/01/31/let%E2%80%99s-celebrate-coming-losar-in-grand-festivity/

Tibetan self-immolations expose Chinese oppression: Tenzin Tsundue - Meri News31 January | An interview with Tibetan activist and writer Tenzin Tsundue on the development of the Tibetan independence movement and the role of self-immolations.
http://www.merinews.com/article/tibetan-self-immolations-expose-chinese-repression-tenzin-tsundue/15881036.shtml

My nephew self-immolated for Tibet - Washington Post29 January | Tsering Kyi writes on receiving the news of her nephew Tsering Tashi’s self-immolation on January 12.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/my-nephew-self-immolated-for-tibet/2013/01/29/06541caa-6a59-11e2-af53-7b2b2a7510a8_blog.html

Week Ending January 25, 2013

International Tibet Network News Digest & Analysis: 25 Jan 2013

Self-Immolations, Protests, and Restrictions in Tibet

China arrests Tibetan in new tactic against self-immolation - TV NZ25 January | A Tibetan man who studied in exile in India, Phagpa (27), has been arrested on charges of inciting a Tibetan monk to commit self-immolation.
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/china-arrests-tibetan-in-new-tactic-against-self-immolation-5326159

Teen Tibetan dies before self-immolations protest; Leaves note for the Dalai Lama’s return - Phayul24 January | Jigjey Kyab (17) intended to self-immolate but died of kerosene poisoning before being able to set himself alight near a busy intersection in Luchu region.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Teen+Tibetan+dies+before+self-immolation+protest%2C+Leaves+note+for+the+Dalai+Lama%E2%80%99s+return&id=32914

Tibetan Man Dies After Self Immolation - VOA22 January | Kunchok Kyab (23) set himself ablaze in Bora township near Labrang monastery, and passed away from his injuries. Chinese officials seized his body.
http://www.voanews.com/content/tibetan-man-dies-after-self-immolation/1588778.html

Related

Tibetans challenge China’s dictat, To hold public prayer service for self-immolator - Phayul23 January | Tibetans in the Bora region will hold a public funeral prayer sit-in at the Chinese government offices as they seek information on the whereabouts of Kunchok Kyab’s body.

http://phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=32898&article=Tibetans+challenge+China%E2%80%99s+dictat%2c+To+hold+public+prayer+service+for+self-immolator

Tibetans fight back against declining “reverence for nature” - China Dialogue24 January | An NGO staff group goes in search of ordinary Tibetans taking action to protect the environment.
http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/5638-Tibetans-fight-back-against-declining-reverence-for-nature-

China’s latest restriction for Tibetans: No passports - Washington Post23 January | Tibetan rights groups say that Chinese authorities have not issued any new passports to Tibetans living in the Tibetan autonomous region for almost a year.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/01/23/chinas-latest-restriction-for-tibetans-no-passports/

Monks self-censoring about self-immolation - The Globe and Mail22 January | Foreign reporters travel to Kangding to speak with monastics about the recent wave of self-immolations.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/the-china-diaries/monks-self-censoring-about-self-immolation/article7651181/

Opinion and Analysis

Tsering Kyi speaks about her nephew’s self-immolation - Youtube24 January | Blogger Tsering Kyi speaks to Al-Jazeera’s The Stream about her brother’s son Tsering Tashi who self-immolated January 12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLlY3ToeF34

Notes From A Trip Back to Lhasa -  High Peaks Pure Earth22 January | A translation of Woeser’s description of her trip from Beijing to Lhasa and the difficulties her group faced along the way as Tibetans.
http://highpeakspureearth.com/2013/notes-from-a-trip-back-to-lhasa-by-woeser/

China, Tibet, and Religious Oppression -  Council on Foreign Relations17 January | Ellen Bork, Director of Democracy and Human Rights at the Foreign Policy Initiative, leads a conference-call conversation on religious oppression inside Tibet.
http://www.cfr.org/china/china-tibet-religious-oppression/p29815#cid=soc-facebook-at-audio-china_tibet_and_religious_oppr-011713

On Fire I Will Burn -  Truthdig15 January | Bhuchung Sonam addresses the failures of Chinese policies in Tibet, with forced nomad resettlement, removing Tibetan language from schools, and restrictions on Buddhism as major factors leading Tibetans to self-immolate.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/on_fire_i_will_burn_20130115//