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TIBETAN
BulletiN
The Official Journal of the Central Tibetan Administration
Volume 25 - Issue 2 March- April 2021
News from Tibet and Exile
Tibetans in Exile Hold Final Elections for CTA President
and Tibetan Parliament
*****
Feature
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaches the Four Noble Truths
and the Two Truths
*****
Focus
Tibet was Historically Never a Part of China: Webinar on Tibet
www.tibet.net/en/tibbul
www.tibet.net/en/tibbul
News From Tibet and Exile
TIBETAN
BulletiN
04 Tibetans in Exile Hold Final Elections for President and
Tibetan Parliament
Tibetan Bulletin is an official bi-monthly
05 State Department’s ‘Country Reports on Human Rights Practices’ journal of the Central Tibetan
Refuses to Describe Tibet as “Inalienable Part of China” Administration.
06 Eminent Tibetan Scholar and Writer Go Sherab Gyatso Held in
Incommunicado Detention
07 China Arrests Two Tibetan Students for Self-designed Football
Team Flag and Logo
Documentation
Signed articles or quotations do not
09 Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on necessarily reflect the views of the Central
the 62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day Tibetan Administration.
11 Statement of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the Commemoration of Contributions are welcome and may be
the 62nd Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day addressed to the editor, Tibetan Bulletin.
However the publisher regrets its inability
to return unused articles unless they are
accompanied by a self-addressed envelope
Focus with adequate postage.
15 Tibet was Historically Never a Part of China: Webinar on Tibet
Tibetan Bulletin is distributed free of
charge. To subscribe please email the
Feature circulation manager or see back cover.
20 His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaches the Four Noble Truths and Editor
the Two Truths Jamphel Shonu
Email: tibbul@tibet.net
World Press
Circulation Manager
26 China’s Techno-Authoritarianism Has Gone Global - Foreign
Affairs Magazine Norbu Wangdue
Email: circulation@tibet.net
28 China’s Plan for Mega Dam in Tibet Raises Concern in India - AFP Tibetan Bulletin is published by:
Department of Information and
International Relations,
Central Tibetan Administration,
Obituary Dharamshala - 176 215 H.P. India
Tel: +91-1892-222510 / 222457
30 Central Tibetan Administration Mourns Demise of CTA Legal
Advisor Late Shri J. M Mukhi Vol. 25, Issue 2
MARCH - APRIL 2021
Regulars
News From Tibet & Exile ......4
Contact ......................................31 Quotes ............................32
EDITORIAL
Can Democracy Sustain Future of the Tibetan Movement?
Tibetan exiles in twenty-six different dian government and people. Moreover, number of Tibetans are also voluntarily
countries went to the polls on 11 April India, as the birthplace of Buddhism standing for elections to serve the Cen-
to elect their Sikyong and the forty-five and the source of Tibetan Buddhism’s tral Tibetan Administration. Irrespec-
members of the Tibetan Parliament-in- rich philosophical wealth, has an un- tive of the diversity of opinions that is
Exile. This election comes at a crucial deniable spiritual and moral role. From a part of any democratic polity, these
time for Tibet and the Tibetan movement a security perspective as well, India is facts help communicate an important
due to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s home to the Himalayan Buddhist Belt message that the Tibetan movement
advancing age, and China’s growing stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal with its democratic set up will continue
international heft. As such, many have Pradesh where the Dalai Lamas tradi- to endure and prosper in the long run.
gone to the polls with one eye on the tionally enjoy deep spiritual influence
future of Tibet and the other on China. and share historical and cultural bond. Although it is difficult to predict the
This makes India an important actor in future, the coming years could bring
Although there are no immediate con- determining the next Dalai Lama, and great challenges for Tibet and the Ti-
cerns with His Holiness the Dalai no matter what steps China take, with- betan exile community, perhaps unlike
Lama’s health, His Holiness the Da- out India’s official endorsement, China’s anything that Tibetans have ever faced
lai Lama is reaching the advanced age choice is likely to be ignored globally. before. However, concerted efforts to
of 86 this upcoming July. As such, the internally strengthen Tibetan democ-
inevitable issue of succession to the Meanwhile Tibetans in exile led by His racy and practices, and ensuring the
next Dalai Lama remains in the back Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama have al- continued support of the international
of everyone’s mind, most of all, China. ways anticipated significant challenges community could help in alleviating
from China with regard to the succes- the situation. From that perspective, the
Che Dalha, chairman of the so-called sion issue. Although China doesn’t Tibetan people’s deep commitment to
Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), pub- have any spiritual interest in the Dalai its democratic institutions, as symbol-
lished an article in the State-run Peo- Lamas, it is obsessed with the issue to ized by their ardent participation in the
ple’s Daily on 25 March emphasizing fulfill their political goal to rule Tibet Tibetan elections, is a bulwark that will
sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism and with a Chinese-controlled Dalai Lama. thwart any possible interventions in sus-
revamping China’s efforts to recog- This is based on China’s fallacious be- taining the future Tibetan movement.
nize the next Dalai Lama. This article, lief that the Tibet issue would eventually
coming on the heels of China’s annual dissipate once the current Dalai Lama Reviving Culture and Religion
gathering of its two major political passes away. With foresight of such
bodies, the Chinese People’s Political Chinese designs, His Holiness the Dalai Following the 7th Tibet Work Forum last
Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Lama has already taken proactive steps year, China has intensified its concerted
the National People’s Congress (NPC) to overcome these challenges to ensure efforts to homogenize the diverse ethnic
from 4 - 11 March, signal China’s con- the continued solidarity and unity of the and cultural nationalities into a mono-
stant attention on the issue of Dalai Tibetan people. Aware of the importance lithic communist nation. To achieve this,
Lama succession and paints a poten- of educating the youth, His Holiness China has enacted a number of draconi-
tially gloomy picture ahead for Tibetans. has set up a number of separate Tibetan an laws hidden behind ambiguous terms
schools to maintain Tibetan culture and like ethnic unity and social harmony.
Another article that also focused on the language in exile. He also reestablished Although these laws seem reasonable
same issue appeared in Bloomberg on most of the major Tibetan monasteries in on surface, it’s all directed towards com-
15 April by Sudhir Ranjan Sen. This exile to preserve Tibetan Buddhism from pletely annihilating the Tibetan identity.
article discussed how various countries the onslaught of Chinese Communists
are vying with each other over the next inside Tibet. However, one of the most To combat these designs of the Chi-
Dalai Lama. An interesting fact that the enduring political measures were the nese government, it is important to
article mentioned was about India’s se- development of sustainable democratic maintain the Tibetan freedom struggle
curity officials discussing how New Del- institutions in exile such as the Central and preserve the unique Tibetan iden-
hi can influence the choice of the next Tibetan Administration and strengthen- tity through a robust democratic culture.
Dalai Lama. Irrespective of the vested ing of Tibetan political leadership. In The promotion and preservation of Ti-
interests of the various nations in the is- the last sixty years, these democratic betan cultural identity is equally impor-
sue, India does have an important role institutions have become the vanguard tant, if not more, than sustaining politi-
to play over the matter. Following his of the Tibetan movement. According to cal strength to outlive CCP’s design to
escape from Chinese forces, His Holi- tibet.net, the recent Tibetan general elec- completely obliterate the Tibetan nation.
ness the Dalai Lama has spent the ma- tion saw over 83000 Tibetans exercise
jority of his lifetime in India under the their franchise to elect the leadership of Jamphel Shonu
benevolence and hospitality of the In- these democratic institutions. Increasing Editor
MARCH - APRIL2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 3
NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE
Tibetans in Exile Hold ers and sisters inside Tibet. By this, we social media. The post received many
are sending a message directly to Beijing likes and comments. In November
Final Elections for that while they do not have democracy 2015, he took to WeChat and shared
nor grant freedom to Tibetans in Tibet, videos linked to His Holiness the Dalai
President and Tibetan however, under the great leadership of Lama and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
Parliament His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we, the Ti-
betans in exile have been given the gift As a result, on 16 May 2020, the lo-
of democracy.” cal authorities detained and inter-
rogated Tashi Gyal for 15 days, re-
“A proud day for Tibetans around the ported Rights Defenders. The Chinese
world,” Dr Sangay explained. authorities called his actions illegal
aimed at “splitting the nation” and
China Jails Tibetan “endangering the national security.”
Nomad for Sharing
On 12 June, he was officially arrested
A Tibetan exile casting his ballot for Sikyong
Tibet-related Content and held in custody. On 13 October
2020, the Golog Prefecture Interme-
andmembers of the 17th Tibetan Parliament
at Dharamshala, 11 April 2021. Photo/Tenzin
on WeChat diate Court sentenced Tashi Gyal to
Jigme/CTA one year in prison until 30 May 2021.
Tibetan exiles worldwide held the fi-
nal elections for Sikyong (President) of The trial was held behind closed doors,
the Central Tibetan Administration and and apparently without the knowledge
members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament of his family members or friends, a
in Exile on Sunday, 11 April. common practice by the Chinese au-
thorities against Tibetans charged for
Around 83,000 Tibetan exiles scattered political acts. Hence, the news of the
across 26 countries participated in the 51-year-old Tashi Gyal’s sentence got
democratic exercise to elect their politi- out 10 months after his arrest. At the
51-year-old Tashi Gyal who faces one-year
cal leaders. imprisonment for sharing Tibet-related informa- end of the trial, the Chinese authori-
tion on WeChat is seen standing in a court. Photo/ ties also confiscated his mobile phone.
The two final contestants for the post of wqw2010.blogpost.com
Sikyong were Penpa Tsering and Kel- A Tibetan nomad has been sentenced
Tashi Gyal, born on 24 May 1970, is
sang Dorjee Aukartsang. One of the two to one year in prison on charges of
from Machen County, Golog (Ch: Guo-
will take over the executive reins of the “inciting separatism” and “endan-
lou) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Central Tibetan Administration from the gering national security” by the Go-
two-term Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay log Prefecture Intermediate Court in Filmmaker and Music
in late May. Tibet’s traditional Amdo province.
Scholar Ngawang
As many as 93 candidates were also in According to a report by a Chinese web- Choephel Appointed
the run for the 45-seat Tibetan Parlia- site Rights Defender, Tashi Gyal was
ment-in-Exile for the three traditional arrested on 30 May 2020 for sharing in- TIPA Director
provinces of Tibet, the four schools of formation related to Tibet including His
Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion, Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr. Lob-
and the Tibetan communities of North sang Sangay, Sikyong of Central Tibetan
America, Europe and Australasia. Administration on WeChat in 2015.
The 2021 general election is the third di- In May and October of 2014, Tashi
rect election of Tibetan leadership since Gyal reportedly posted four pictures of
the complete devolution of political au- His Holiness the Dalai Lama on We-
thority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Chat and shared them with his friends.
in 2011. Then on 1 January 2015, he had posted
Ngawang Choephel at the press conference on
and shared pictures of His Holiness the
10 April 2021.
Speaking to reporters after casting his Dalai Lama and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang
Noted filmmaker and music scholar Nga-
ballot, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay de- Sangay. During Tibetan Losar, on 1
wang Choephel is appointed as the new
scribed Tibetan democratic elections as March 2015, he posted pictures of the
Director of Tibetan Institute of Perform-
a proud day for Tibetans worldwide. He Tibetan national flag and called for the
ing Arts (TIPA), the premier institution
said: “The Tibetan democracy-in-exile return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
of Tibetan cultural and performing arts
reflects the true aspirations of our broth- to Tibet and Tibet’s independence on
based in exile. The announcement was
4 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021
NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE
made by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay at betans inside Tibet, Panchen Lama is a such as torture, arbitrary detentions,
a press conference held on Saturday, 10 very very important religious figure but corruption of the judiciary and elec-
April, at the Lhakpa Tsering Memorial they are denied this basic right to be with tions, lack of freedom of association/as-
hall of the Department of Information you, to seek his blessings, and to receive sembly/movement/religion, censorship,
and International Relations (DIIR). teachings from him. Six million Tibet- forced sterilization, and violence against
ans would like to be with him, to feel indigenous peoples. The forced disap-
Dr Lobsang Sangay who is the Chair- him, and to be blessed by him. pearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
man of the institute’s governing body (11th Panchen Lama), Derung Tsering
joined the press conference virtually. The abduction and disappearance of Dhundrup (a Tibetan scholar), and Gen
This is in accordance to the health de- Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is a denial and Sonam (a senior manager of the Potala
partment’s Covid-19 safety measures a violation of basic human rights. I de- Palace) was highlighted. The Tibet sec-
as he has just returned to Dharamshala mand and urge the United Nations, hu- tion also mentions the Chinese Com-
from a nationwide farewell tour. Tsering man rights rapporteurs, and journalists munist Party’s forced labor program for
Choezom (Ms) and Ngawang Choephel all over the world to write about him; approximately 500,000 rural Tibetans,
(Mr), the incumbent and new Director go to Tibet and ask the Chinese govern- which was noted last September.
of the institute respectively, joined the ment for his immediate release so that he
press conference in person. could enjoy basic human rights like any In the Country Reports on Human
other human being. Rights Practices’s China section, the
Sikyong in his felicitation of the new Di- report affirms the Trump Administra-
rector Ngawang Choephel described him Till then, Tibetans all over the world tion’s assertion that the Chinese Com-
as an extremely well-qualified appointee particularly inside Tibet will be with the munist Party is conducting genocide:
who is a graduate of the Tibetan Institute 11th Panchen Lama. We will work in “Genocide and crimes against humanity
of Performing Arts in Dharamsala, with solidarity till he is released, till he could occurred during the year against the pre-
years of music teaching expertise in Ti- practice his spiritual duties, till he could dominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other
betan schools and specialization in film be the leader that he should be. ethnic and religious minority groups in
studies and international music from Xinjiang. These crimes were continuing
the Middlebury College in the United
States.
State Department’s and include the arbitrary imprisonment
or other severe deprivation of physical
Sikyong Appeals for ‘Country Reports on liberty of more than one million civil-
ians; forced sterilization, coerced abor-
Immediate Release of Human Rights Practic- tions, and more restrictive application
Panchen Lama on his es’ Refuses to Describe of China’s birth control policies; rape;
torture of a large number of those ar-
32nd Birthday Tibet as “Inalienable bitrarily detained; forced labor; and the
Renewing calls for the release of Pan- Part of China” imposition of draconian restrictions on
freedom of religion or belief, freedom of
chen Lama on his birthday that is The US State Department published its
marked, once again, in absentia, Presi- expression, and freedom of movement.”
annual “Country Reports on Human
dent of the Central Tibetan Administra- Rights Practices” report on 30 March.
tion Dr. Lobsang Sangay demanded that The Biden Administration’s report high-
Organized by the Bureau of Democracy, lights the concerning mass surveillance
China immediately free him and allow Human Rights, and Labor, this year’s re-
him to return to his monastery, Tashi of Tibetans, Uyghurs, dissidents, and
port includes over 50,000 words detail- religiously affiliated peoples by China’s
Lhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet and assume ing the US’s assessment of the deterio-
his vital role as Tibet’s second-ranking Ministry of Public Security. The China
rating human rights in China. section details how the Chinese govern-
religious leader.
ment installed surveillance cameras in
This year’s report marks a victory for monasteries in the Tibetan Autonomous
“On behalf of Tibetans all over the Tibetans, for the report’s Tibet section
world, I want to wish Panchen Ged- Region and Tibetan areas, which would
does not describe Tibet as an “inalien- allow the CCP to cut communication
hun Choekyi Nyima, a very very happy able part of China”—a departure from
birthday. systems during “major security inci-
past reports. This symbolic yet impor- dents.” The report cites Human Right
tant gesture has been repeatedly cam- Watch’s findings that the Ministry of
Normally on anyone’s birthday, your paigned by the Central Tibetan Admin-
siblings join you, your friends come to- Public Security has been partnering with
istration, and this change was welcomed technology companies to create “mass
gether, your neighbours surround you by the Office of Tibet-DC.
and your parents bless you but sadly for automated voice recognition and moni-
26 long years, this basic right is denied toring system,” systems that were creat-
Reminiscent of past briefings, by the ed to help the Chinese government more
to Panchen lama. Tibetans all over the CTA and others, the report details the
world, particularly for six million Ti- easily understand Tibetan and Uyghur
ongoing human rights issues in Tibet, languages. Fingerprints and DNA pro-
MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 5
NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE
files and other biometric data were also Officials from the “Tibet Autono- Budapest Deputy
being stored by the Ministry of Public mous Region” (TAR) had detained the
Security—this practice is implemented 45-year-old monk from Chengdu, Sich- Mayor Protests Chinese
for all Uyghurs applying for passports. uan Province on 26 October 2020. The
news of Go Sherab Gyatso’s arbitrary
Defense Minister’s
The report addresses the racist discrimi- detention surfaced after five months, Visit by Raising
natory practices that deprive Tibetans, as his near ones waited in hope for his
Mongolians, Uyghurs, and other ethnic quick release. However, there has been Tibetan National Flag
minority groups of their fair right to lan- no progress or news about Go Sherab In protest against the visit of China’s
guage, education, and jobs. The report Gyatso’s well-being and whereabouts, Defense Minister, the deputy mayor of
details how Han Chinese benefit from raising concerns for many over his con- Budapest’s district I Ference Garencsér
these racist policies, “Government de- dition in detention. hoisted Tibetan National flags on the
velopment programs and job provisions district town hall on 24 March.
disrupted traditional living patterns of According to some news reports, Go
minority groups and in some cases in- Sherab Gyatso was detained by the se- During the visit of China’s Defense
cluded the forced relocation of persons curity personnel from TAR, although he Minister Wei Fenghe, Tibetan National
and the forced settlement of nomads. is a resident of Ngaba Prefecture. flags and a protest banner calling for
Han Chinese benefited disproportion- justice for people suffering under the
ately from government programs and Sherab Gyatso was born on 9 September Chinese Communist regime, including
economic growth in minority areas. As 1976 in Khashul (Ch: Kaxiu) village in people of the Uyghur Muslim communi-
part of its emphasis on building a ‘har- Ngaba. He became a monk at Kirti Mon- ty, were placed on Budapest’s I. district
monious society’ and maintaining social astery at a young age and later continued town hall.
stability, the government downplayed his studies in Drepung and Sera Monas-
racism and institutional discrimination teries in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa. Expressing disappointment over the
against minorities and cracked down on Hungarian government move in wel-
peaceful expressions of ethnic culture According to International Campaign coming the member of the Communist
and religion.” The State Department for Tibet, Go Sherab Gyatso has pub- regime of China, he said there must be
report mentions how Chinese officials lished several books on Tibetan Bud- “red lines” for country including the
restrict NGOs that provide assistance to dhist philosophy, tradition, and culture. members of the European Union while
Tibetans as well. These include commentaries on the “befriending” with a communist coun-
try. No country can afford to overlook
Eminent Tibetan autobiography of the Tibetan Buddhist
master Tsongkhapa, Sakya Pandita’s the violations of human rights commit-
Scholar and Writer Go book of advice, and Gedun Choephel’s ted by China. In order to raise awareness
“The Golden Surface.” He has also writ- and in protest against the Hungarian
Sherab Gyatso Held in ten critiques about the Tibetan monastic government “befriending” China, which
Incommunicado education system, calling for the open- constantly violate human rights, Tibetan
flags and banner were placed on the dis-
ing up of the monastic community’s ex-
Detention posure. trict town hall located in the vicinity of
the Prime Minister Office of Hungary,
Prior to his October 2020 detention, his explained Deputy mayor of Budapest.
advocacy work for academic freedom in Deputy mayor Ference Garencsér vis-
the monastic education settings resulted ited Dharamshala in 2013. Tibetan cul-
in his multiple detention and imprison- ture, history and suffering under com-
ment as well as a forced exile from his munist China have made his solidarity
monastery. In an interview with a Tibet and sympathy stronger, he said.
University student, he states that he un-
derwent “reform through labor” sessions Despite indifferent attitude by Hungar-
from 30 March 1998 to 30 November ian government over violations of hu-
Go Sherab Gyatso. Image sourced from VOA 2001. Then in 2008, he was arrested and man rights by China and restrictive mea-
imprisoned in Lhasa for a year around sures in staging political protest against
Chinese authorities have detained an China, Namgyal, a Tibetan resident of
the time of the mass protests across Ti-
eminent Tibetan Buddhist scholar and Budapest, commemorated Tibetan Na-
bet.
writer Go Sherab Gyatso, also known as tional Uprising day, in front of Chinese
Gosher, a monk from Ngaba in Tibet’s Embassy, this year. Similarly, Shambala
In 2011, a report of his arrest surfaced
traditional Amdo Province, incorporated Tibet Center in Budapest marked the
after a monk of Kirti monastery staged a
into China’s Sichuan Province. The rea- Tibetan National Uprising Day by orga-
self-immolation protest in Ngaba.
son for his detention is not known at this nizing Tibet related book reading in the
time. Center.
6 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021
NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE
China Arrests Two Tibetan opposed to flying the Chinese ing countries from Tibet, to Pakistan,
flag are considered as “splittist” and Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Malaysia,
Tibetan Students for “threatening national unity” and are met Indonesia and Sri Lanka comes as no
with unlawful sentences. surprise, adding “President Xi Jinping
Self-designed Football
Sikyong Releases has declared socialism with Chinese
Team Flag and Logo characteristics as the vision for China
Human Rights Report and the whole world and China’s dream
Chinese authorities in Tsolho (Ch: Hain-
an) in the traditional Amdo province of of Seven Neighbouring is another of his vision based on which
they want to ideologically dominate the
Tibet have charged two Tibetan students
for “inciting separatism” for displaying
Countries of India world, specifically on human rights.”
a self-made flag and logo during a foot-
“If you look at the 15 UN agencies, 5
ball match and sharing pictures on social
are headed by Chinese officials because
media.
China happens to be the second-largest
donor to the UN after America by which
Jampa Tsering and Dugkar Tsering were
they can appoint their personnel. China
accused of publicly displaying the “ille-
also happens to be the largest borrower
gal flag and logo” of the football team at
of the World Bank, at least 2 years ago.
the 6th “Holy Lake Cup” football match
They get a loan at a low-interest rate
in Chabcha (Ch: Gonghe) County, in the
from the World Bank, more than a bil-
so-called Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay along with legal and
human rights experts at the Centre for Democ- lion or two and they donate 100 million
Prefecture, in Qinghai province. The
racy, Pluralism and Human Rights report launch. dollars to the UN and they can appoint
two were also charged for sharing “il- Photo/Tenzin Wangchuk/CTA their personnel,” he said explaining how
legal pictures” of the flag and logo on Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong of the China manoeuvres its UN membership
social media platform QQ, which the Central Tibetan Administration, released status to redefine human rights and re-
court referred to as an act of “subvert- a human rights report published by the structure the UN body.
ing national unity”. Tibetan Centre for
Human Rights and Democracy reported
New Delhi-based Centre for Democra-
cy, Pluralism and Human Rights at the
His Holiness the Dalai
that “photos and videos from the event Constitution Club of India in Delhi on Lama Receives Second
were shared on their WeChat Moments Friday, 2 April.
that were seen by many local Tibetan Dose of Vaccination
netizens”, which the authorities main- The Centre for Democracy, Pluralism Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness
tained created “a bad political impact”. and Human Rights consists of a robust the Dalai Lama has received the second
team consisting of university academics, dose of Covid-19 vaccination at his resi-
According to the source of the news, a legal experts, community volunteers in- dence in Mcleod Ganj on Monday, 26
Chinese rights group, on 3 August 2020, volved in promoting and advocating for April. The vaccine was administered by
the Hainan Prefecture Intermediate human rights, basic freedom, equality, a medical team of Tibetan Delek hospital
Court sentenced Jampa Tsering to one justice and dignity to all irrespective of led by Dr Tseten Dorjee, personal physi-
year and six months in prison, suspend- gender, religion, class or caste. cian to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
ed for two years under probation, and
one-year deprivation of political rights, Experts from the field of legal and hu- According to Tseten Samdup Chhoeky-
while Dugkar Tsering was exempted man rights led by Chief Guest, Dr Lob- apa, Secretary at the Office of His
from criminal punishment as it was his sang Sangay, President of the Central Ti- Holiness the Dalai Lama (OHHDL),
first offence. betan Administration, Guests of Honour, the entire staff and security detail of
Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Former Chief His Holiness, including those living
The details on the exact design of the Justice of India Former Chairperson, in the residence, also got vaccinated.
flag and logo are not known but it is sus- NHRC of India, Prof. Paramjit Singh
pected that they could be linked to the Jaswal VC, SRM University, Sonepat His Holiness had taken the first dose of
Tibetan national flag banned in Tibet. Former VC, RG National University of the vaccination on 6 March at the local
Tibetans in the past have been criminal- Law, Punjab, Dr Prerna Malhotra Presi- government hospital in Dharamshala in
ized and sentenced in connection to the dent, CDPHR, Dr Ravindra Gupta Prin- a bid to bolster public confidence in the
Tibetan national flag. While China has cipal, PGDAV College, Delhi Univer- vaccine. Taking the jab, His Holiness
made possessing, let alone hoisting, the sity, Adv. Sandeep Mahapatra Trustee, encouraged everyone to get the vac-
Tibetan national flag illegal in Tibet, as CDPHR were present at the launch. cine, describing it as “something help-
part of the “Chinese flag flying cam- ful” for the greater good of humanity.
paign”, the Chinese authorities have reg- Speaking as the chief guest of the cer-
ulated laws mandating every Tibetans to For detailed news visit:
emony, Dr Sangay noted how China’s
fly the Chinese flag on their house. Any presence in most of the neighbour- www.tibet.net
MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 7
NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE
16th Tibetan Parliament Representative Karma Singey for Aus- the Tibetan language has been replaced
tralia, New Zealand and South East by Mandarin and the self-reliant nomad-
Approves CTA Budget Asia, formally took charge from the out- ic way of life is destroyed in the name
going Representative Lhakpa Tshoko in of poverty alleviation. For these reasons,
for Fiscal Year 2021-22 a ceremony on 14 April. since 2009, over 155 Tibetans in Tibet
The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have resorted to self-immolation pro-
held its 10th session from 15 to 27 March. Kasur Chope Tsering bore witness to the tests, calling for freedom and the return
handing-taking over of the Represen- of the Dalai Lama.
The main agendas for the session inl-
cuded the discussion and approval of
tatives in person. Similarly, Secretary OOT Canberra
Karma Choeying of the Department of
the Centeral Tibetan Administration’s Information and International Relations Releases Book to Hon-
annual budget followed by Kashag’s was witness to the handing taking over
clarification and discussion, review- ceremony virtually.
our Australian Govern-
ing of the annual audit report, and
discussions and deliberations on the
ment and People
The brief ceremony was attended by
activitities of the CTA departments. other Board members of the Tibet Infor-
mation office as well.
The 12-day session approved a budget
of 2,698.13 million rupees for the fiscal Representatives and members of various
year 2021-22, of which political cam- Tibetan community leaders greeted the
paigning received maximum allocation outgoing and the new Representative by
of 637.78 million rupees, followed by offering them traditional scarves.
education with 602.32 million rupees. Representative Mr Lhakpa Tshoko presenting the
book to Senator Kimberley Kitching from the
Representative Karma Singey was the Australian Labour Party.
Similarly, 590.23 million rupees was former Secretary of the Department of The Office of Tibet Australia, released a
approved for administrative expenses, Education while outgoing Representa- book titled ‘Growing the Tibetan Iden-
506.98 million rupees for welfare ser- tive Lhakpa Tshoko has been appointed tity in Australia – Thank You Australia’
vices, 235.41 million rupees for health the new Secretary of the Department of to acknowledge and express gratitude to
care services, 62.21 million for leg- Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan the government and people of Australia
islature purposes and 60.57 million Administration. for their generous help towards Tibetan
rupees approved for the preservation
and promotion of religion and culture. Bring China to Account people.
The 10th session also saw the re-
to End Repressive The book covers all the major events
related to Tibet in Australia and New
placement of the Tibetan Supreme Policies in Tibet: UN Zealand that has happened in the past
Justice Commission’s Chief Justice At the 46th session of the UN Human 60 years, starting from His Holiness the
Commissioner and the two other Rights Council, Kalden Tsomo, UN Dalai Lama’s visits to Australia and the
chief justices following a floor test. Advocacy Officer at the Tibet Bureau formation of the Australian All-party
Geneva, expressed concerns over dete- Parliamentary Group for Tibet, to Pan-
The Parliament decided to hold an addi- riorating human rights situations in Ti- chen Rinpoche’s historic visit to Austra-
tional session in May before adjourning bet, in particular, “a double lockdown” lia in 1986.
on 27 March. repressive situation since the outbreak
Secretary Karma Singey of Wuhan originated COVID-19. She The book was published as part of Thank
called upon the UN Human Rights You Australia campaign launched by the
Assumes Office as Council to urge China to cease all its Tibet Information Office under the direc-
Representative of repressive policies against the Tibetan
people. Furthermore, she urged China to
tion of the Central Tibetan Administra-
tion in 2018. It was edited by Dr Anna
OOT Canberra give unfettered access to UN experts to Alomes and Jigmey Passang.
assess the situation of people suppressed
by the government of China. The book was presented to various Aus-
tralian Members of Parliament along
While giving an overview of the “lock- with a copy of the US Tibetan Policy
down” situation of Tibetan people under and Support Act (TPSA) 2020. Repre-
China in the past sixty years, she said sentative Lhakpa Tshoko and Executive
photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Secretary Lhawang Gyalpo are accom-
are banned, Tibetan human rights de- panied by Jigmey Passang, one of the
Incoming Representative Karma Singey & outgo- fenders are criminalized and environ-
ing Representative Lhakpa Tshoko with TIO board editors of the book.
members.
mentalists are politicized. Furthermore,
8 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021
For more details visit: www.tibet.net
DOCUMENTATION
Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on the
62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day
In its annual report last year, the US
Congressional-Executive Commission
on China (US CECC), reported worsen-
ing human rights and religious freedom
in China. It expressed concern over the
Chinese government’s sinicizing of Ti-
betan identity and over the widespread
arbitrary arrests of Tibetans. In fact,
China’s State Administration of Reli-
gious Affairs last month produced an
order titled “The Administrative Mea-
sures for Religious Personnel,” which
aims to enforce new strictures on re-
ligious gathering, teachings, and reli-
gious activities. The new order set to be
enforced from May 2021 also aims to
eradicate perceived ‘foreign influence.’
One crucial example of the Chinese
Sikyong addressing the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day.
government’s blatant disregard and in-
Sixty-two years ago, on this day, thou- lives in the past six decades under Chi- trusion on the Tibetan people’s religious
sands of Tibetans in Lhasa rose in unison nese rule. Today, we have come to- freedom is found in the story of Gendhun
to protest against the rule of communist gether to collectively mourn this loss. Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama.
China. The Central Tibetan Administra- But we are also here to mark the un- This May will mark the 26th year since
tion remembers and honors the courage daunted resilience of Tibetans in Tibet. the abduction and forced disappearance
and spirit of the martyrs. We remem- Even under the threat of losing their of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his fam-
ber too, Tibetans in Tibet who remain lives, they continue to protest by pro- ily and Chadrel Rinpoche, the former
in the clutches of tyranny. Our prayers tecting and preserving our language, abbot of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
and thoughts are with them and we con- our religion, our land, and our identity.
tinue to stand in solidarity with them. For years, the UN Committee on the
On 19th January this year, 19-year old Rights of Child and the Working Group
On 10th March 1959, His Holiness the Tenzin Nyima, a monk from Dza Won- on Enforced or Involuntary Disap-
14th Dalai Lama was invited to a the- po monastery in Karze prefecture died pearances, international organizations,
atrical performance at the Chinese army of injuries sustained in prison. He had parliaments and governments, and Ti-
headquarters in Lhasa. A day before the been brutally tortured. What was his bet supporters worldwide have passed
event, His Holiness was asked to attend crime? He had participated in a peace- resolutions and reports seeking in-
the event unaccompanied by his guards. ful protest. We cannot help but think formation and the release of the 11th
When this information reached the about the fate of other young monks Panchen Lama. A month-long global
people, thousands of Tibetans formed and laypeople who were at the same advocacy campaign was launched by
a human chain around the Norbulingka protest in November 2019 and who the Central Tibetan Administration
palace to protect His Holiness. Seven were also detained and imprisoned. through the Offices of Tibet in 2020.
days later, shells of the two mortars fired We remain steadfast in our advocacy for
from a nearby Chinese army camp fell Barely a month after the death of Ten- the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.
outside the palace’s northern gate, and zin Nyima, another Tibetan political
His Holiness was forced to leave that prisoner, Kunchok Jinpa, a 51-year- Despite these joint concerted efforts,
very night. In the early hours of the old tour guide from Chagtse town- China continues to parrot lies justifying
20th March, mortars and gun fire rained ship in Driru county, died of injuries the abduction of a six-year-old and his
down on the Tibetan people and in the inflicted while in prison. He had been enforced disappearance. If there is any
following days thousands were massa- serving a 21-years sentence in prison truth to the Chinese government’s deni-
cred. These acts further confirmed that since 2013 for his alleged role in shar- als of abduction and harm to the Panchen
China, who had positioned itself as a ing the news of local environmental Lama, it must be able to provide evidence
“liberator” since invading Tibet in 1949 and other protests in his region to for- through recent authenticable photo and
was, in fact, the colonizing oppressor. eign news outlets. The tragic stories of video of the 11th Panchen Lama along
Tenzin Nyima and Kunchok Jinpa help with his family and Chadrel Rinpoche.
Over a million Tibetans have lost their illustrate the gruesome reality of Tibet.
MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 9
DOCUMENTATION
Censorship and surveillance in Tibet Shurmo is one of 155 Tibetans who have Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lead-
have reached unprecedented levels fur- self-immolated since 2009. 133 Tibetans ers are religious matters and all decisions
ther escalating the violation of the Tibet- have died following their protests. The pertaining to reincarnations rest solely
an people’s fundamental rights. On 24th stranglehold of Chinese rule in Tibet has on the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people
December 2020, authorities in the so- driven Tibetans inside Tibet to resort to and the Tibetan Buddhist community. It
called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) extreme measures to voice their resent- further warns of sanctions against any
announced criminal prosecutions against ments against the policies and practices Chinese authorities who interfere in
individuals who use online communica- that threaten Tibetan identity, religion, this matter. The bill formally acknowl-
tion tools to “split the country” and “un- and culture. Even as they were engulfed edges the Central Tibetan Administra-
dermine national unity”, which will fur- in flames, they called for the freedom tion and recognizes the significance of
ther aid the government in its persecution. for the Tibetan people and the rightful the Tibet’s environment and its plateaus.
return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
It is not surprising that China has been to Tibet. The reality in Tibet is reflected We thank the United States govern-
listed as the worst internet abuser in the in the Freedom House’s annual report ment, Congress and the Senate, and
world in Freedom House’s 2020 report of 2021, which lists Tibet as the least especially the bill’s sponsors and co-
on Internet freedom. Similarly, China free region in the world alongside Syria. sponsors. We also thank all the orga-
is ranked at the near bottom at 177th nizations and individuals who sup-
in the 2020 World Press Freedom In- Today, China’s tentacles have reached ported in the swift passage of the bill.
dex, compiled by Reporters Without beyond Tibet by using its growing
Borders (RSF). Every year the Index economic clout to jeopardize global We are grateful to the US Secretary
evaluates the situation for journalists democracy. According to Freedom of State Anthony Blinken for assur-
working in 180 countries and territories. House, China conducts the most so- ing a speedy appointment of the US
phisticated, global, and comprehensive Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues.
Last December, a 30-year-old Ti- campaign of transnational repression in We also urge the Biden Administra-
betan nomad Lhundup Dorjee from the world.” It highlights the CCP’s ef- tion for swift appointment of the US
Machin Golog Prefecture was sen- forts to control and pressure Chinese Special Coordinator and also for the
tenced to one-year imprisonment for citizens, political dissidents and mi- further implementations of key legis-
posting a video of His Holiness’ teach- nority communities such as Tibetans, lations such as the Reciprocal Access
ing on Weibo, a micro blogging site. Uighurs and Hong Kong beyond its to Tibet Act 2018 and TPSA 2020.
borders. The democracies around the
Heavily fortified in a digital cage, it globe must come together to thwart The US CECC has recommended the US
is near impossible to get information such assaults on global democracy. Congress and the US Administration to
out of Tibet. This past January, we re- urge the Chinese government to “cease
ceived news of the self-immolation On 27th December 2020, then President treating the Dalai Lama as a security
protest by 26-year-old Shurmo from of the United States signed into law the threat” and resume dialogue with the en-
Driru Shagchukha village, five years Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020 voys of His Holiness without any precon-
after the event. This sheds light on the (TPSA). The TPSA significantly updates ditions. My administration is committed
extent of information control and sur- US policy and support for Tibet. It firmly to the Middle Way Approach in seek-
veillance being carried out in Tibet. asserts that the reincarnation of the Dalai ing genuine autonomy for all of Tibet.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses Condolences Over Taiwan Train Crash
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan, to express his deep
sadness on seeing reports of the tragic train crash on 2 April near Hualien.
“I would like to offer my condolences to Your Excellency,” he wrote “and to those families who have
lost loved ones as well as others affected by this most unfortunate accident.”
“The Taiwanese people have long been close to my heart. When incidents like this occur, it is as if a
calamity has befallen us all.”
10 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021DOCUMENTATION
We stand united with our brothers and Statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on
sisters in Tibet, especially with the po-
litical prisoners who remain resolute de- the Commemoration of the 62nd Anniversary of
spite the inhumane treatment and torture
they suffer in Chinese prisons. We wel-
Tibetan National Uprising Day
come the recent news of the release of
Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wang-
chuk after a five-year sentence. We call
on the Chinese government to release
all the political prisoners of conscience,
including the 11th Panchen Lama.
As we move to the final round of elec-
tions for the Sikyong and the 17th Parlia-
ment, we urge responsible participation,
especially on social media. We enjoy
the benefits of the democracy bestowed
upon us by our great leader, and we must
exercise this right responsibly. We must
remember to honor the hopes and aspira-
tions of our people in Tibet. We can do so
by strengthening our democracy in exile
and our cause for freedom and justice.
Speaker Pema Jungney delivers 10th March statement of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, 10 March 2021.
We bow in obeisance to His Holiness Photo | Tenzin Jigme | CTA
whose tireless efforts have led to global
Today, the 10th of March 2021, marks that, during the rule of His Holiness the
support for the Tibet cause and the es-
the completion of 62 years since the Ti- 13th Dalai Lama, Tibet signed a series
tablishment of a resilient Tibetan ad-
betan people revolted against the brutal of treaties with several countries of the
ministration and community in exile.
imposition of occupation power by the world as an equal party. What these and
communist Chinese enemy. It was in or- other evidences show is that the long
My Administration has worked towards
der to be able to regain our freedom that history of Tibet’s status as an indepen-
furthering our cause and carrying the
the Tibetan people staged a mass upris- dent country under customary and other
voices of Tibetans in Tibet to the world.
ing on that day. Therefore this is a mo- aspects of international law can never
At the same time, we have directed our
mentous day worthy of being commem- be erased by anyone. Nor can anyone
efforts to further the welfare of the Ti-
orated with the solemnity the occasion cover up the geographical reality of Ti-
betan diaspora. It has been an honor, and
deserves. What we all need to remember bet’s historical status as an independent
we thank all of you for your support.
and, at the same time, bear in mind, is country. Even so, ever since they took
our common knowledge that for thou- political control of the entire territory
Our continued struggle for freedom
sands of years Tibet as a nation was a of China, the communist Chinese enter-
would not be possible without the sup-
self-governing, independent entity from tained utterly shameless and viciously
port of our friends from around the
whatever perspective anyone may look cruel plans to take territories belonging
globe. The Kashag, on behalf of the Ti-
at it. This was so in terms of the outer to other peoples and put them under their
betans in and outside Tibet, especially
vessel of its geographical configura- rule. Through the vicissitudes of its his-
thanks the government of India and its
tions that includes its rivers, mountains, tory, Tibet had a “patron and priest” re-
people for their continued generos-
rocks, snow mountains that encircle it lationship of diverse kinds and range of
ity and support. We thank leaders, gov-
and so forth. This was also true in terms closeness with successive emperors of
ernments, parliaments, organizations
of its inner contents mainly of ethnic China. Making absolutely untrue claims
and individuals who stand for justice,
Tibetan people with Tibetans’ own lan- about the nature of that relationship, the
equality and freedom and who con-
guage, script, costumes, traditions, reli- communist Chinese government took to
tinue to support the just cause of Tibet.
gion, and so forth. This is also obvious keep asserting that Tibet was historically
from the point of view of the fact that for a part of China. And it has doctored a to-
Lastly, we pray for the long and healthy
over a thousand years Tibet as a country tally false historical discourse about it. It
life of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai
was ruled by a succession of kings. It is was on this basis that from the year 1949
Lama. We pray for the earliest arrival of
also obvious from the history of the suc- onwards, following its proclamation of
the day when the ray of peace and free-
cession of the reincarnations of His Ho- the founding of the People’s Republic of
dom will shine upon the Land of Snows.
liness the Dalai Lamas who have con- China, the communist Chinese govern-
tinued to rule Tibet later on. Apart from ment launched a succession of territo-
Bhod Gyalo!
MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 11DOCUMENTATION
rial aggressions against Tibet. Finally, practice were made targets of criticism developments. And their pent up feeling
in the Tibetan Iron-Tiger Year in 1950, and debasement. Religious places and of anguish from the accumulated chron-
it launched a full-scale invasion of Ti- people belonging to religious orders ic affliction from these developments
bet from Chamdo in the east. And in the were subjected to destruction and plun- burst forth on the 10th March, 1959.
Tibetan Iron-Rabbit Year in 1951, the der. Both religious and lay people who On that day, Tibetans from all strata of
communist Chinese leaders compelled dared to speak their mind on the Chinese society in capital Lhasa, being of one
a Tibetan government delegation, whose invasion were killed or otherwise im- thought and feeling, rose in an unprec-
members they had kept under a hostage- prisoned. The general mass of the hap- edented, spontaneous act of peaceful
like situation, to sign a “17-Point Agree- less Tibetan public was put to hard la- protest demonstration against the com-
ment”. This was a document drawn up bour, as if they were beasts of burden, in munist Chinese. It was a historic event
entirely by them and contained only the name of various campaign programs. whose effect touched the very essence
what the Chinese side wanted to include By such and numerous other means, the of its purpose and opened a new chapter
in it. communist government of China sub- in the history of our Snowland of Tibet.
jected the Tibetan people to multitudes It is therefore most important that this
Following the signing of this so-called of inhuman and unimaginable atrocities. event in the history of our country be
agreement, the communist Chinese lead- And this remained a continuing state of remembered for the sacrifices made by
ers sought to charm the Tibetan people repression in Tibet. In fact, this remains the patriotic Tibetan men and women of
by claiming in their statements that Ti- the situation there even today. To sum outstanding bravery for the sake of Ti-
betans and Chinese were members of up, throughout the Chinese occupation betans’ religious heritage and temporal
one big family, and that the Chinese rule, the Tibetan people remained with- governance.
people were there only to render service out even a moment of respite. On the
to the Tibetan people. They sought to contrary, the Tibetan people at all levels From that time onwards, the occupy-
reinforce this charm offensive by being of society were forced to remain in a ing Chinese government launched a se-
limitless in their spending of money on a perpetual state of anxiety and insuffer- ries of campaigns or movements which
number of Tibetan people. By such acts able anguish. Such was the situation in included those called “Quelling the
of apparent generosity and numerous which the government of China took to Disturbance”, “Democratic Reform”,
other means, the communist Chinese showing open and outright disdain for “Class Struggle”, “People’s Commune
leaders set out to win over the Tibetan Tibetan traditions and habits in general System”, “Cultural Revolution”, rule by
people. Eventually, however, they un- and, in particular, on their religious sys- “Martial Law” and so forth. More than
masked themselves; they bared the tems and practices. Besides, it continued one million Tibetan people were killed
ferocity of the dark storm of their true to plot evil designs that targeted nothing or caused to die unnaturally under the
face of violent hatred against the Tibetan less than the personal safety of His Holi- vagaries of these campaigns and move-
people, untampered by any pretension ness the Dalai Lama while also schem- ments. Many thousands of religious
of friendliness. The religiously devoted ing numerous other stratagems that were centres were destroyed completely.
monks and nuns were their principal utterly reprehensible in whatever way Through such and other campaigns,
targets of hatred. The Buddha and every one looked at it. The Tibetan people China subjected the outer vessel of Ti-
individual who engage in any religious were long aware of and resented these bet and its inner contents of human and
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses Condolences on the Passing
Away of the Duke of Edinburgh
Following the announcement of the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has
written to express his condolences to both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.
To the Queen he wrote: “I am sorry to learn the sad news that your husband, H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
has passed away. I will pray for him and offer my condolences to Your Royal Highness and your family at this sad time.
“As we all remember him, we can rejoice that he lived a meaningful life.”
In his letter to Prince Charles he declared: “I have written to your mother, Her Majesty the Queen, offering my condo-
lences at this sad time. As someone who counts you as a dear, respected friend, I would also like to offer my condolences
to Your Royal Highness and your family.”
He repeated his appreciation that the Duke lived a full and meaningful life.
12 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021DOCUMENTATION
natural resources to horrifying degrees On the 17th of September in 2015, a put in jail be release as soon as possible
of smashing, looting and destruction. man named Shurmo who belonged to without any precondition. We urge that
But more than that, it has remained unre- Shagkchukha Village in Driru County of the ongoing evil routine of carrying out
lenting in devising ways and means for Nagchu Prefecture carried out a protest torture, persecution and other forms of
its vicious plans to annihilate the very self-immolation. Chinese police at once ill-treatment in the prisons in Tibet be
identity of Tibet and its ethnic people by arrested and rushed him to the local hos- stopped. Tibetan language activist Tashi
targeting the Tibetan religious heritage, pital. However, he passed away the same Wangchuk-la, who was persecuted and
culture, language and so forth. The com- day. And the sad information about all jailed for five years, was released on the
munist Chinese government employs these tragic developments reached the 28th of January this year after complet-
brutal violence to deprive the Tibetan outside world only towards the end of ing his sentence. However, even after
people of even the most fundamental of January 2021. What this reveals with he was released, it remains difficult to
their human rights and freedoms. The unmistakable clarity is that the govern- know what his health situation is and
life of the Tibetan people under such a ment of China applies such tight control whether he is free to move about and
policy of relentless atrocity has resem- on the movement and activities of the act as he likes. Hence we wish to call
bled that of enduring hell on earth, and Tibetan people under its brutal policy of on the government of China to allow
it is a situation which continues to this violent repression in Tibet that informa- Tashi Wangchuk-la to fully enjoy his
day. It is a situation of persecution and tion about what is going on there rarely basic human rights without any precon-
torture with no end in sight. This sinister reach the outside world. dition. During the period he was previ-
move to Sinicize Tibet and its people has ously under detention before trial, Tashi
today reached such critical juncture as to It is a fact all too well known to every- Wangchuk-la was subjected to beating
warrant a most urgent intervention. one that it is the desire of His Holiness and torture. We therefore urge that those
the Dalai Lama and the resolute posi- who were responsible as leaders in those
The policy of violent repression fol- tion of the Central Tibetan Administra- incidents be investigated without being
lowed by the communist Chinese gov- tion that we should strongly adhere to left untouched with impunity. Likewise,
ernment in Tibet has long been impos- the Middle Way Policy and strive to we intend to strongly press the govern-
sible for the Tibetan people to live with. revive the Sino-Tibetan dialogue. Un- ment of China through the good office
In order to make this explicit in a new fortunately, while we have continued of the United Nations Organization to
phase of protests, Tibetans began to car- to try to reach out, the government of seek information with regard to the true
ry out self-immolations. Since the year China has not reciprocated in a proper current situation of Tibetan political
2009, a total of 155 patriotic Tibetan manner to our gestures thus far. On the prisoners and former Tibetan political
men and women have displayed great contrary, it has continued to maintain prisoners, notably including the situa-
valour in sacrificing their all, includ- its policy of inflicting an astonishing tion of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun
ing their precious lives, by carrying out level of religious destruction, violent Choekyi Nyima.
protest self-immolations. Even so, many repression, all manners of obstructions
Tibetans are still being killed under and so forth in Tibet. Not only that, it
China’s policy of violent repression. For has trampled on the Tibetan people’s
example, take the case of Tenzin Nyima, freedom of speech, continued to indis-
also known as Tamey, a monk of Dza criminately arrest and put them on trial,
Wonpo Monastery in Sershul County subjected them to ethnic discrimination, “The foundation of the
of Kardze Prefecture, who was arrested put a large number of them into mili-
on the 19th of November in 2019. He tary-style vocational trainings and re- Buddha’s teachings lies in
died on the 19th of January in 2021 as education through labour programmes. compassion, and the reason
a result of torture and merciless beating It has also carried out numerous other
in prison. The same thing happened to forms of repression and persecution of for practicing the teachings
a man named Konchok Jinpa, who was the Tibetan people in a continuing policy is to wipe out the persis-
arrested on the 8th of November in 2013 of denying them their human rights or tence of ego, the number-
from Village No. 5 of Chagtse Township otherwise trampling on them. We there-
of Driru County in Nagchu Prefecture. fore appeal to the duty-bound United one enemy of compassion.”
He died on the 6th of February in 2021, Nations Organization and its top human
also a victim of torture and merciless rights body, the Human Rights Council,
beating in prison. Likewise, a 36-year- to take interest and show a much-needed
old woman named Lhamo-la from Driru concern for protecting the basic human - His Holiness the 14th
County in Nagchu Prefecture was also rights of the Tibetan people. We urge Dalai Lama
subjected to indiscriminate beating dur- them to confront or deal with the gov-
ing interrogations after she was arrested ernment of China in whatever way it is
with false accusations. As a result, she appropriate and necessary for this pur-
died in August 2020. pose. We urge that the large number of
innocent Tibetan people who have been
MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 13You can also read
