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Harthang monastery, Driru county (Chin: Biru Xian) at Saturday, 01 March 2008

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:30:48 +0100

Date unspecified: Pelo Trulku, a reincarnated lama, was to give a spiritual teaching towards the end of February; “local Chinese ‘work teams’” refused to allow the teachings to take place, resulting in a scuffle between local Tibetans and the ‘work teams’.
[Note: reported by CTA on 17/03/08 and again on 18/03/08.]
(reported by CTA, 17 March 2008)

[Kardze TAP] at Saturday, 28 June 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:49:39 +0100

China has ordered a “sweeping purge of Tibet’s ‘splittist’ monasteries” in the Kandze [Kardze] region, according to measures contained in an official “document” dated 28 June 2008, carrying the name Li Changping [possibly a signature on the original document], head of Kandze [Tibetan] Autonomous Prefecture. The “document” was posted in Tibetan language on a Chinese government’s Tibet information website (www.tibet.cn; Tibetan language version: http://zw.tibet.cn/news) on 18 July. However, the posting itself was “based on an earlier article” that appeared in the Tibet Daily newspaper [it appears that both the article and the posting based on the article contained the entire text of the document].
FTC’s translation of the document [specifically, a translation of the posting based on an earlier article] was independently verified by Tsering Topgyal at the London School of Economics [and trustee of Tibet Watch, FTC’s sister organisation]. The document reportedly contained details of “serious decisions” that were “settled at the third conference of the Executive Committee of concerned region”. The measures are “highly significant as they are to be implemented by the Kandze [Kardze] Tibetan Autonomous Prefectural Government” [note: FTC does not elaborate on this assumed significance]. Monks and nuns charged with “quite serious” crimes will undergo “serious re-education” [?] and will remain in custody until he/she “co-operates by telling the truth, confessing their guilt and submitting a shuyig (self-criticising letter). He/she must sincerely and voluntarily tell the truth”. Monks and nuns “with serious crime and attitude problem” will be “subjected to serious re-education” [?], dismissed from his/her monastery and his/her religious rights will removed. Monks and nuns not registered at the religious affairs office, or who have come from other regions, or who had been away from the monastery for a “very long time” will be “subject to dismissal from the monastery and their huts will be destroyed”. Severe punishment is prescribed for monasteries considered to have led protests in March and April. At monasteries where between 10% and 30% of monks took part in protests, “all religious activities at the monastery will be halted. Movements of monks will be closely monitored”.
[Further categories of offences and prescribed measures are listed in full in the FTC press release.]
(reported by FTC, 01 October 2008)

Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Saturday, 28 June 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:42:17 +0100

A document titled “Serious decisions to be taken against monasteries and monks/nuns for undertaking turbulent activities” was posted in Tibetan language on a “government information website” (URL provided as “www.ti.tibet.cn”) on 18 July. The “document” was “based on an earlier article” that appeared in the Tibet Daily newspaper [it it understood that both the article and the posting based on the article contained the entire text of the document].
A translation published by Tibet Watch carries the name Li Changping [possibly a signature on the original document], head of Kandze Autonomous Prefecture [Kardze TAP], and date 28 June 2008. The translation refers to “serious decisions” that were “settled at the third conference of the Executive Committee of concerned region”, and refers to new measures to deal with ‘subversive’ monasteries and nunneries in Kandze [Kardze] TAP; lists “various levels of punishment for monks or nuns who have taken part in protests, distributed flyers or raised the Tibetan flags”.
Families of monks and nuns who confess to ‘minor’ crimes are to be responsible for their ‘re-education’; religious leaders accused of collaborating with foreign ‘splittist’ groups are to be publicly humiliated on state television. A monk or nun charged with “quite serious” crimes will remain in custody until they tell the truth, confess their guilt and submit a shuyig (self-criticising letter). Severe punishment is prescribed for monasteries considered to have led protests in March and April. At monasteries where between 10% and 30% of monks took part in protests “all religious activities at the monastery will be halted. Movements of monks will be closely monitored”.
[Further categories of offences and prescribed measures are listed in full in the Tibet Watch report. Tibet Watch cited as “www.ti.tibet.cn” – an invalid URL; actually www.tibet.cn, the website of China Tibet Information Center. However, the posting appeared on the Tibetan language version, at http://zw.tibet.cn/news.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Khangmar (Chin: Kangma) county at Thursday, 11 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:40:02 +0100

‘Patriotic education’ classes (“Anti-splittism, defending Stability and
Promote Development”) held for locals by retired Khangmar county cadres who also performed a cultural performance, which “exposed the miserable life under the rule of serfdom system in old society by narrating their own experiences” according to a government news report.
[Tibet Watch cited www.chinatibetnews.com/xizang/shizheng.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Driru county (Chin: Biru Xian) at Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:38:39 +0100

The “Safe Driru County” work team inspected each town/township’s offices
“directly under the direction” of the “central county government”. The work team propagated several laws such as the “Anti-separation Law”.
[Tibet Watch cited www.xznqnews.com.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Woeser monastery, Garthog, Markham county (Chin: Mangkang Xian) at Tuesday, 09 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:37:40 +0100

Hu Jiming, Vice Secretary of “Chamdo prefecture government committee”, inspected the ongoing patriotic education campaign at Woeser (Chin: Weise) monastery; praised the results achieved by the work team stationed in the monastery; called for the “continuation of patriotic education and law propagation to ensure the ’stability of the monastery” [unresolved open single quotation mark before “stability” – possibly the beginning of a quote of Hu Jiming – appears in Tibet Watch’s quotation of the original text].
[Tibet Watch cited www.cdxs.gov.cn.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Lhasa at Thursday, 04 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:36:47 +0100

“Patriotic education campaigns” are launched in each primary and secondary school in Lhasa, to educate children about the events of 14 March protests in Lhasa.
[Tibet Watch cited http://info.tibet.cn/zt2008/lswmcs/cjdt/200809/t20080904_424361htm.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Zituo monastery Lhorong (Chin: Luolong) county at Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:36:02 +0100

Zituo monastery was selected as the trial monastery for a Lhorong county ‘patriotic re-education campaign’ titled “Safe Monastery, Harmonious Monastery”.
On 16 September a meeting was held and attended by the leaders of Lhorong County Committee, nuns and monks from Zituo monastery and [local] residents.
[Tibet Watch cited www.cdxs.gov.cn. See also Lhorong county, 16 September 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/10/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Lhorong (Chin: Luolong) county at Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:34:51 +0100

A ‘patriotic re-education campaign’ titled “Safe Monastery, Harmonious Monastery” was launched in Lhorong county with the central theme of teaching monks and nuns to love the ‘motherland’. A work team was established to implement the campaign in each town and township in the county.
[Tibet Watch cited www.cdxs.gov.cn. See also Zituo monastery, 16 September 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/10/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Monday, 11 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:33:41 +0100

At around 9 pm, Jamphel (28) and Lama (22), two brothers from the Terrangtsang family in Jaru town, were arrested by Ngaba county PSB on suspicion of taking part in demonstrations in Ngaba county in March.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Ngaba (Chin: Aba), Ngaba county (Chin: Aba xian) at Saturday, 09 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:33:07 +0100

At around 4.30pm, Sonam Wangmo (22, from Lower Ngaba Sezo) and Zgang Yeying (28, from Gyarong (Chin: Jiaronong)) went to “the local mobile phone shop” [in Ngaba town] to recharge their phones. At the end of “the main road of Ngaba town” they were “shot with bullets”; four of five rounds were fired from a nearby building where military personnel were stationed; Sonam Wangmo was hit in the leg; Zgang Yeying was hit “on her hand”. Reportedly, “a military personnel” [sic] told the crowds who gathered after the incident that the shooting was an accident.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Doltsig, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Monday, 04 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:31:58 +0100

Chinese military forces stationed in Doltsig township; reportedly, “the number of those forces lies in the thousands”; stationed on grassland, which serves as a pasture to nomads from two of the nearby villages. The military carried out a large scale drilling exercise attended by local government officials.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Ngaba (Chin: Aba), Ngaba county (Chin: Aba xian) at Friday, 01 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:47 +0100

Date unspecified: The “presence of military troops were increased” in Ngaba town and its surroundings; in early August approximately 1,000 armed military personnel stationed in Ngaba town; several check-points built “at the beginning and end” of all the town’s six main streets.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Friday, 01 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:00 +0100

Restrictions on movements after 7pm were applied to both monks and laypeople as of 1 August [it is not clear whether throughout the county, or specifically in Ngaba town]; the restrictions continued until the end of the Olympics.
Dozens of Tibetans in exile reported that it was not possible to phone relatives in Ngaba county [during the Olympic Games]; a computerised message in Chinese stated: “This number is not in service”.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Sangkhog, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Wednesday, 13 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:29:15 +0100

On 13 August, a horse race in Sangkhog township was called off by Sangchu county government just a day before it was scheduled to take place. On average more than 10,000 Tibetans gather [annually] at Panchen Thang horse race ground, named after the Panchen Lama. No reasons given for the cancellation.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Tsoe (Kanlho Dzong; Chin: Gannan/Hezuo/Hezuoshen), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Friday, 08 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:27:48 +0100

Tight security was enforced in “Tsoe city” from the beginning of the Olympic Games; around 20-30 armed police patrolled the streets; barricades of sacks filled with cement assembled at the “entrance and exits points of the three main streets of the town”; several surveillance cameras and “rubber speed breakers” at each checkpoint. The majority of the paramilitary personnel brought into the city [earlier, since mid March 2008] “were still present”. Tsoe residents required to obtain a travel permit from the police station leave the town. Officials from the local government “frequently conduct patriotic re-education campaigns” at Tsoe monastery.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Thursday, 07 August 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:26:41 +0100

Four foreigners visiting Labrang monastery were banned from staying overnight in Labrang town; told by police guarding a checkpoint: “You came to see Olympic Game, but why do you want to go to Tibetan areas. You are not allowed to visit Tibetan areas. Please go to see the Games in Beijing”.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 October 2008)

Jiarima, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Thursday, 17 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:25:55 +0100

Nyichung, a Tibetan woman arrested on 18 March following 16-17 March protests in Jiarima township and released on 26 March with severe injuries caused by torture, died on 17 April. Following her release from detention, her family had been told by the local authorities that she did not have permission to receive medical treatment in hospital, and her condition grew increasingly worse. After her death, the family invited monks to pray, but the local authority did not allow this.
Nyichung was aged around 38; the mother of four children.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Jiarima, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Wednesday, 26 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:21:42 +0100

Nyichung, a Tibetan woman arrested on 18 March following 16-17 March protests in Jiarima township, was released on 26 March with severe injuries. She could not speak and could not eat without vomiting. Relatives tried to admit her to hospital, but “the local authority announced she did not have the permission to receive medical treatment”.
[See also Jiarima, 17 April 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Jiarima, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:20:47 +0100

Nyichung, a Tibetan woman who tried to remove a sign at a government building in Jiarima township during protests on 16-17 March, was arrested on 18 March.
[See also Jiarima, 26 March 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Jiarima, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Monday, 17 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:20:01 +0100

Peaceful protests on 16-17 March at “Jiarima Township authority” [presumably outside a Jiarima township government building].
Nyichung, a Tibetan woman from Ngaba county, aged around 38, was reportedly “the first Tibetan to try to take down the signboard over the local Chinese authority administration” [presumably at a Jiarima township government building; it is not clear whether this occurred on 16 or 17 March].
[See also Jiarima, 18 March 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Jiarima, Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county at Sunday, 16 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:19:04 +0100

Peaceful protests on 16-17 March at “Jiarima Township authority” [presumably outside a Jiarima township government building].
[See also Jiarima, 17 March 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Saturday, 15 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:08:36 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: Following 15 March 2008, most “Chinese businessmen and women” were “escaping after Tibet” because of the unrest; bus tickets “booked up by Chinese in order to back to China”. [This was a response to] protesters throwing “stones and small rocks” at Chinese shops, restaurants and guesthouses in Labrang; windows were smashed “but people did not get hurt”.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang Tashikhyil monastery, Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:16 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account; dates unclear: “Most of the monks arrested […] at that time [dates unclear due to lack of chronology in the eyewitness account, but the eyewitness appears to referring to arrests made between 9 and 15 April] were released when I was there” [Tibet Watch did not state when the eyewitness left Labrang; therefore, 30 April has been stated on this database as an approximate date]. Some of the monks’ families had to pay the “local authority” for their release, on average 5,000 yuan.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe xian) at Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:59:21 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: “Many Chinese military soldiers and armed personnel” were stationed in Sangchu county from 19 March until 18 April [note: it is understood that the military presence was reduced after 18 April; however, it is not clear when the eyewitness – a visitor – left Labrang monastery; the significance of 18 April might be that it is the date on which the eyewitness left the area]. “In the streets, tens and thousands of Chinese military personal were stationed in Sangchu county”; “Nobody walked in the streets during these days” [19 March to 18 April]; “even local Tibetans” were not allowed to go between Sangkhog nomadic area and Labrang town, located 3-4 kilometres apart.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe xian) at Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:58:14 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: “People said there were around 70 trucks of military soldiers stationed in Sangchu County on 15 April. I only saw the streets were full of armed personnel, with no monks or pilgrims in Labrang monastery” [note: the eyewitness was staying in Labrang monastery and described what he saw there and in the adjacent streets].
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang Tashikhyil monastery, Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Saturday, 12 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:57:20 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: Since 12 April, the “Chinese authority” [unclear whether police, PAP, PSB, PLA] began searching monks’ living quarters, but did not search residences of “incarnation lamas” [tulkus]. Many Dalai Lama portraits and Tibetan flags confiscated.
The “local Chinese authority” started a ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign after a week [presumably one week after 12 April], conducted by different staff on each day, but at least ten armed policemen and “another five police” [presumably unarmed police] watched over monks in “the” class; each class “lasted for two hours a week”.
[Dates unclear:] The ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign staff ordered the monastery’s Democratic Management Committee to instruct the monks to sign papers denouncing the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile as separatists; the monks refused; then “after two or three days, campaigners [the staff conducting the ‘patriotic re-education campaign’] announced that monks had to sign up [sign denunciations] in the morning after they assembled in class”. However, this was “a trick to check who was absent from patriotic re-education class” [i.e. the prior announcement was expected to lead to absences].
However, “many monks worried about the signatures in class every morning. They did not know how the Chinese authority would use their signatures” [note: this implies that the classes were daily; earlier the eyewitness had remarked: “Each class lasted for two hours a week”.]
[Note: this information came from an eyewitness account made by a visitor at Labrang monastery, who was staying in one of the monks’ quarters prior to 14 March 2008 and at least through April; but it is not clear exactly when the statement was made and when the visitor left Labrang. He stated that the ‘patriotic re-education’ classes were conducted “since 12 April”, but there is not indication of when they were completed, or if they were still taking place when the visitor left Labrang.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang Tashikhyil monastery, Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Wednesday, 09 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:54:42 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: A group of foreign journalists arrived in Labrang monastery; 30 monks protested in front of the journalists.
Subsequently, the local Chinese authority increased its military forces [in the area]; Labrang monastery “put monks under tight security control”; many innocent Tibetans arrested for no reason.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Tuesday, 22 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:53:57 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: One week [note, 22 April is an approximate date] after Jamyang Jinpa was arrested at Labrang monastery [see Labrang Tashikhyil monastery, 15 April 2008; Tibet Watch 01/07/08], he was released “in the name of medical treatment”. Serious health problems due to torture endured “for almost 12 hours a day”; his health deteriorated within the week following his release; was hospitalised for two weeks; his family had to pay for his treatment.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:53:00 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: Jamyang Jinpa, a monk from Sangkhog nomadic township, was arrested from his room at Labrang monastery at around 1am by 12 police armed with machine guns who broke in through the windows. Searched every corner of the room. They left an elderly monk who was staying in the room as a visitor’ but said of Jamyang Jinpa: “He is a pro-separatist criminal who violated governmental constitution, and he had personal involvement in the illegal protest in Labrang on 14 March. We must punish him if he is against the governmental constitution”.
“Chinese military soldiers” searched the monks’ rooms; many pictures of the Dalai Lama confiscated; antique statues taken from the monastery.
[Jamyang Jinpa: see also Labrang, 22 April 2008; Tibet Watch 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Saturday, 15 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:51:59 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: For the second day running, protesters marched “around the whole of Labrang town”; “gathered at the same place as previous days” [possibly referring only to the previous day; it is unclear whether or not protests occurred before 14 March; however, a Western visitor witnessed police in riot gear followed by Chinese soldiers heading towards Labrang monastery on 13 March – see Labrang, 13 March 2008; Willamette Week Online, 16/03/08].
On 15 March, the protesters gathered in front of Sangchu county government building and “threw small stones at the building and broke windows”; soon, “Chinese military soldiers [sic] were there to stop the peaceful demonstration [sic]”. PAP and “military soldiers” used tear-gas to split up the protesters. Most of the protesters were in their 20s and 30s.
Rumours that about 160 monks and laypeople arrested in Labrang “since 14 March” [according to an eyewitness to events who was visiting Labrang monastery during the March protests and at least through April; it is not clear exactly when the rumours were heard or when the visitor left Labrang].
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Friday, 14 March 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:49:43 +0100

Labrang eyewitness account: Ludzong, an important religious festival on 14 March; many people came from different areas in Amdo for a religious ceremony in Labrang monastery. After the ceremony started, “in streets on Sangchu County [Labrang, the county town] 20 meters away from Labrang monastery”, around 20 monks were holding Tibetan flags and shouting slogans: “Long live the Dalai Lama”, “Free Tibet”, “We want freedom”; many lay Tibetans joined the protest. The protesters “looked very crowded in the streets”, according to an eyewitness, who didn’t know exactly how many there were. They marched from the top of Phuntsang Sanggo street and “around the whole of Labrang town”. They gathered at Sangchu Tibetan Middle School; removed the Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan flag.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Labrang Tashikhyil monastery, Labrang (Chin: Xiahe), Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Saturday, 07 June 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:48:09 +0100

Since 7 June, monks prohibited from leaving Labrang monastery after 9pm without permission from their Democratic Management Committee.
Sixty paramilitary personnel have been permanently stationed in the monastery and are manning six new checkpoints which have been built surrounding the monastery since 10 March. Paramilitary personal have “forcibly taken all desk phones from monks’ rooms” [?] and “cut off all phone lines in monks’ flats [quarters] in the monastery except in lamas’ residence” [note: this report provides an obviously exaggerated impression of the number of landline telephones in Labrang Tashikhyil monastery].
During ‘patriotic re-education’ meeting [date unspecified], the local police department announced that: “All monks…should not contact abroad or accept phone calls from abroad. Monks who go against this rule will be fined a minimum of [15,000 yuan]. Rumours spread from outside cause instability to the minds of monks and the monks’ community”.
A “new patriotic re-education campaign was brought into the monastery” on 7 June; small brochures of 7-8 pages were given to the monks, containing the “new campaign’s regulations”, consisting of the following 6 points:

Be aware of the Communist constitution.
Welcome the Olympic torch relay in Tibet.
Do not listen to rumours from abroad.
Be aware of the rules of religious freedom.
Denounce the separatists.
Practise patriotic re-education in the monastery.

The monks were ordered to memorise these points and then recite them to the “patriotic re-education campaigners”. Only those who passed the recitation exams would be allowed to resume their daily religious routine in the monastery.
Travel from Labrang monastery to adjacent areas, including the 70km route to Tsoe [Chin: Gannan – the prefecture capital] has been “tightened”; new checkpoints manned with armed police and traffic police set up to “search all passengers’ bags”.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Chuwal monastery, Tserima, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:45:33 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Chuwal monastery in Tserima township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. The monks were thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Tserima monastery, Tserima, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:44:25 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Tserima monastery in Tserima township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. The monks were thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Tsandak monastery, Manna, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:07:30 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Tsantak monastery in Manma township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. The monks were thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Nyinthag monastery, Nyura, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:04:25 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Nyinthag monastery in Nyura township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. The monks were thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Shilshu (Shashil) monastery, Manma, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:03:10 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Shilshu (Shashil) monastery in Manma township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. However, Washang monastery’s monks were not thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See also Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Washang monastery, Nyima, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Monday, 16 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:02:01 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: officials were sent to Washang monastery in Nyima township to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. However, Washang monastery’s monks were not thought to have been involved in the protests in Machu during March.
[See also Machu county, 16 June 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Machu county (Chin: Maqu Xian) at Monday, 16 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:45 +0100

Date unspecified [some time between 16 March and 30 June 2008]: Following the 16 March protests in Machu, the “Chinese local authority… divided a staff of 119 local Chinese and Tibetan officials, including police and [PSB] members, into groups and sent them to all monasteries in the Machu area” to “carry out a patriotic re-education campaign”. The following monasteries were included: Washang, Nyinthag, Thuten Nyangdi lang, Tashi Chephal lang, Mayu Samten Chekor lang, Tsantak, Shilshu (Shashil), Tserima, and Chuwal [see database entries for each monastery for township location details]. The majority of monks in these monasteries were believed to have been involved in the protests in March, except monks from Washang and Shilshu (Shashil) monasteries.
The monks were expected to attend three ‘patriotic re-education’ classes per week, each class lasting two hours. There are “worsening reactions from the monks and local Tibetan people”, as they are continually forced to denounce the Dalai Lama; many monks have left their monasteries.
Machu county has faced tightened security controls since 16 March, where more than one thousand soldiers and armed police have been stationed; local Tibetans have not been allowed to walk or travel from one village to another by motorbike.
The local Chinese authority “put the monks in their prayer halls” when foreign journalists were due to visit this area, “so that in some instances monks did not even realise the journalists had come to their monastery”.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Machu county (Chin: Maqu Xian) at Thursday, 05 June 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:59:10 +0100

Most of the Tibetans arrested in Machu [whether town or county as a whole is not specified] since March “have now been” released in return for large sums of money, with the exception of those thought to have initiated the protests on 16 March [and presumably 17 March]. Those still detained include Sangta (Sangay Tashi), a nomad from Nyima township in Machu county, arrested on 19 March for waving a Tibetan flag and shouting slogans in Machu town on 16 March.
[Note: the significance of the date, 5 June 2008, is not stated; it is presumably a date when some of those detained were released, or when this information reached Tibet Watch.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Tsandak monastery, Manna, Machu (Chin: Maqu) county at Friday, 18 April 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:57:49 +0100

The “Chinese local authority deployed military trucks full of military personnel into Tsandak monastery” in Manna township [note: it is unlikely that the local authority had power to deploy military personnel]. “The trucks surrounded the monastery, and [the military personnel] carried out a house by house search, also searching the prayer hall and other small temples” [sic].
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Lanzhou, Gansu Province at Monday, 26 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:56:30 +0100

It was reported that Lodoe Wangpo, arrested on 14 April 2008, was released and allowed to return home [to Machu county rather than Lanzhou, where he had been staying at the time of his arrest; earlier he had moved from Machu to Lanzhou “following pressure by the authorities” in Machu county; details and date were not provided]. He had not been physically tortured during his detention and was “healthy following his release”. His belongings, confiscated and searched by the “State Security Bureau”, were returned to him following his release. He was warned not to leave Machu county.
[See also Lanzhou, 14 April 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Machu (Chin: Maqu), Machu county (Chin: Maqu xian) at Monday, 14 April 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:55:26 +0100

Approximate date: “At the same time” as Lodoe Wangpo was arrested in Lanzhou, the authorities “sealed off” the private school he had set up, Shide Gyamtso, located within Machu county secondary school. The ‘crimes’ cited when the school was “sealed off” were:

Lodoe Wangpo’s [alleged] organising of the 17 March [Machu] protests.
The “education system in his institution” being “directly related” to the Dalai Lama.
His production of video footage and photos of the protests since 10 March, to send to people outside Tibet.
Lodoe Wangpo brought “trouble and conflict to the harmonious society existing between Tibetans and Chinese”.

The school has not been allowed to re-open since being sealed off in April.
[See also Lanzhou, 14 April 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08; and Lanzhou, 26 May 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Lanzhou, Gansu Province at Monday, 14 April 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:54:03 +0100

Chinese authorities in Lanzhou arrested a Tibetan man, Lodoe Wangpo, charging him with “organising the peaceful protests on 17 March” and producing video footage and photos of “the protests” to send to people outside Tibet.
[Note: Tibet Watch does not actually specify which 17 March protests, but the location is clearly Machu town since the report goes on to describe Lodoe Wangpo’s connections with Machu county. Nonetheless, it is assumed that the reader is aware of the details. In fact, demonstrations occurred in almost twenty locations on 17 March 2008, including Machu.]
Lodoe Wangpo had moved to Lanzhou “following pressure by the authorities” in Machu county [details and date not provided]. He was arrested during the middle of the night by Kanlho prefecture police, whilst staying in a Chinese friend’s home [it is unclear why he was arrested by Kanlho TAP police and not by Lanzhou police]. Two unidentified people were arrested with him [the same Tibet Watch report later states that one of those arrested was his Chinese friend, but that he was released on the same day; there was no further mention of the third individual].
[See also Machu, 14 April 2008; Tibet Watch, 01/07/08.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Dragyab, Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) county at Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:52:42 +0100

At 1am, three nuns from Nya-gye nunnery in Dargye township began a march to Kandze town, and walked about 20km before dawn. At around 9am they protested in the town; shouted slogans: “Long live the Dalai Lama”, “Invite the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet”, “We Tibetans want freedom”, “Release all the arrested Tibetans”.
The three nuns were arrested by PAP.

Achoe, from Rimda village, Kandze [Kardze] county.
Sonam Choekyi, from Lamna village, Kandze [Kardze] county.
Taga, from Nodkhab village, Kandze [Kardze] county
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Dragyab, Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) county at Monday, 19 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:51:40 +0100

Phurbu Rinpoche, a famous “incarnation lama” [tulku] from Trehor Kandze monastery, was arrested at his house in Dragyab village, outside Kandze [Kardze] town, at around 4.30am. Phurpu Rinpoche is the “root incarnation lama” [not root lama; he is the spiritual head] of two nunneries: Pangrina [Pangri Na] nunnery and Yatsak (Yarti) nunnery; he also runs two medicine shops and has built an elderly care centre.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Monday, 19 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:50:18 +0100

Tibetans arrested in Kandze [Kardze county]:

Name	Gender	Village	County
Dorje Gyalten	Male	Tharmey	Kandze
Tsashi Wanggyal	Male	Tharmey	Kandze

[Spellings in this table according to Tibet Watch.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Sunday, 18 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:48:37 +0100

Tibetans arrested in Kandze [Kardze county]:

Name		Village	County
Champa Dorje	Monk	Angsang	Kandze
Palden Trinley	Monk	Angsang	Kandze
Kunga Trinley	Monk	Serchuteng	Kandze
Tse-og	Monk	Dzapa	Kandze
Jamyang Tsering	Monk	Dzapa	Kandze

[Spellings in this table according to Tibet Watch.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Saturday, 17 May 2008

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:46:13 +0100

Tibetans arrested in Kandze [Kardze county]:

Name	Gender	Village	County
Thubten	Male	Tharmey	Kandze
Lunglung Soname	Male	Tharmey	Kandze
Yeshi Jigmey	Male	Tharmey	Kandze
Choephel	Male	Tharmey	Kandze
Jo-nga	Female	Tharmey	Kandze
Pema Yangchen	Female	Tharmey	Kandze
-	Female (described as “a girl”)	Gechung	Kandze

[Spellings in this table according to Tibet Watch.]
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 July 2008)

Update: China's Tibet's backyard

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The arrest of Thinley Gyatso, the de-facto representative of the Dalai Lama in Nepal, which was reported by IANS on 07 March 2010, as well as the arrest of several groups of Tibetans who entered the country clandestinely earlier in the year, bear witness to the People's Republic of China's (PRC) increasing efforts to exert influence in Nepal. This Special Report provides the context to these developments by highlighting the current state of the Sino-Nepali rapport for which the long border that Nepal shares with the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is a defining element. As a whole, Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world, is the net loser in a deeply asymmetric relationship. It has vulnerable border regions where China is currently actively establishing its presence, and its trade balance with China is hopelessly skewed. Chinese development efforts in Nepal appear to serve less Nepali needs than the PRC's vested interests, in particular the development of the TAR as a bridge to South Asia. The benefits of Chinese investment in Nepal have yet to be felt and interaction, though superficially cordial, is often uneasy, mainly because China's presence in Nepal is marked more by determination than skill. Still, the prospect of benefiting from China's economic boom and diminishing the almost total and often resented dependence on India, has fostered a willingness to cooperate with China, in particular among Nepali elites. Concessions relating to the Tibet issue are one of the few cards they have at their disposal. Nepal however is in a dilemma, since despite speculation about its future, it is still far more dependent on help from India and developed countries who insist on Nepal's adherence to international agreements on refugees. The way ahead will therefore depend on how much determination, skills and energy these international partners will be ready to invest into facing China's advance in Nepal(1).

Update: Dialogue and policies for the "Tibetan related areas"

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The recent reformulation of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) policies on Tibetan affairs, while clearly emphasising continuity as a whole, acknowledges, probably as a consequence of the 2008 unrest, that large-scale industrial development alone will not create the 'harmonious' and 'affluent' society that Beijing desires, and that socio-economic disparities need to be addressed more directly. The appointment of Padma Choling as the new governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) seems linked to these changes. Beijing has, in effect, moved closer to the positions of critics of its development policies in Tibet, in particular the Dalai Lama, though issues of cultural and political alienation remain so far unaddressed. The reverberations of 2008 have also led to Tibetan affairs being more openly approached in a way that is inclusive of the whole Tibetan cultural area - as opposed to just the TAR - a perspective that also closes the gap between Beijing and its critics. While such subtle convergences could in principle open the field for discussion at the current round of talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama's representatives, the crucial issue of power devolution, that defines autonomy in the first place, has so far remained an insurmountable divide.

Update: More of the same

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A meeting of senior leaders of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) held in Beijing on 08 January 2010 discussed the future development of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The third session of the Ninth TAR People's Congress, which opened in Lhasa on 10 January, then rubber-stamped the directives that were issued. Personnel changes in the TAR, like the retirement of Legqog from the legislature and the appointment of Padma Choling as new governor of the TAR, follow a set pattern. Although Qiangba Puncog's transfer, from the executive to the People's Congress, has occurred surprisingly early, it does not appear to upset the general political scenario. Overall, Beijing is pursuing the same policy in Tibet - the building of a "Great Wall of stability" - that President Hu Jintao called for in March 2009 in response to the unrest of 2008(1). The key elements to this are still accelerated economic development through large infrastructure projects (including some whose efficiency is contentious) and control of potential dissent, in particular from religious institutions. This confirmation of the same strategies, which partly ignited the explosion of dissatisfaction of spring 2008, occurs while the announcement of a new visit to China by the envoys of the Dalai Lama, delayed since late 2009, is expected imminently.

Update: Yangling Dorje airs criticism of PRC ethnic and religion policies

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In a speech delivered on 19 December 2009 at a Tibetology conference in Chengdu, Sichuan province, senior Tibetan Communist Party leader Yangling Dorje (Chin: Yangling Duoji) has aired fundamental criticisms of the Chinese authorities' approach toward popular dissatisfaction among Tibetans. Like others before, including political dissidents, he emphasised in particular the contradictions of the regime and the negative role played by clients of the regime, who have little to earn from normality. His speech and other details of the event were reported by the Tibetan website tibetcul.com(1) which has a tradition of skillfully covering politically delicate material and has, at times, been closed down by the Chinese authorities.

Update: Ngapo Ngawang Jigme, 1910-2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ngapo Ngawang Jigme (Chin: Apei Awang Jinmei) died on 23 December 2009 in Beijing, a few months before his 100st birthday, though he was already 100 by Tibetan reckoning. Often denounced as a Chinese collaborator, mainly for his historical role in the demise of Tibetan independence, Ngapo, appears rather a tragic figure caught his whole life between, on the one hand, his view that open confrontation with China was pointless and on the other hand his loyalty towards the Dalai Lama and his fellow Tibetans.

Update: China's Nepal policies

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Nepal's Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, is scheduled to visit China on 26-31 December 2009. The visit, which was repeatedly rescheduled(1), comes at a time when the People's Republic of China (PRC) has been intensively reaching out to Nepal in a move to offset earlier political miscalculations, and with the declared aim of tackling Tibetan exile protests in Kathmandu as well as the continuing outflow of Tibetans who cross the Himalayan border clandestinely in order to travel to India to see the Dalai Lama and visit exile relatives(2).

Update: Major blow against trans-Himalayan wildlife traffic

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Indian authorities have had a major success in the fight against the illegal wildlife trafficking, which passes through Nepal and Tibet and into the Chinese mainland, following a series of arrests made in early November 2009, in particular that of Tashi Tsering, for many years a major figure in this trade. The arrests come at a time when, with a continuing strong and possibly growing demand in China for wildlife products, the trade appears to have regained vitality. Poaching and smuggling across the Himalayas suffered significant setbacks, firstly, when the Tibetan market dried up in 2006 and, secondly, when the Tibet-Nepal border was virtually sealed in 2008. Since then however, recent observations made in Tibet and Nepal, suggest that the old smuggling networks are reforming, indicating a return to 'business as usual'. Meanwhile, Chinese and Indian authorities seem more involved in accusing each other of corruption â' both with varying degrees of justification - and failed protection policies than in devising the concerted action that is the only way of ending the trade for good.

Update: Border games. Rectifying an inconvenient history.

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The visit of the Dalai Lama to the north east Indian province of Arunachal Pradesh, which borders Tibet, has been met with furious denunciations from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The visit brings to the fore two issues irksome for Beijing - its Tibet problem and the Sino-Indian border imbroglio, both of which China has been able to manage since the 19th century with varying success, but never resolve to its satisfaction. The border issue, despite being often regarded as the results of India's failure to timely adopt pro-Tibetan positions, is linked less by a causal relationship to Tibet's disputed status than by a common origin, China's historic failure to deal in a judicious and sensible way with the Himalayan region as a whole. Qing dynasty China, lacking effective clout in the region but maintaining imperial hubris, chose not to cooperate with the British Empire in sorting out their relationship with the Himalayas. The British in contrast were not interested in territorial gain, but just in securing the borders of their own empire. They also wanted to promote trade and actively sought to engage China by, as an example, consistently refusing to recognise Tibetan independence. Rather than seek closure and come to terms with a generally benign independent India, the PRC chose to pursue an aggressive and uncompromising route of enforcing its claims, embedded in a vengeful discourse of re-establishing presumed past grandeur and redress perceived grievances, like the Tibet-Himalaya deal, which is at the core of the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) power. Having achieved all its strategic goals in the Himalayan region following the integration of Tibet and the border war with India in 1962, the PRC has been using Arunachal, a territory widely useless to it, as a pawn in a unilaterally defined bargaining chip for a future settlement with India. India's reaction to recent antagonism over Arunachal was testimony to its growing self-confidence in facing up to China. New Delhi chose to demonstrate that Chinese pressures on the border would not provoke it, at the same time as enhancing its defence infrastructure. It let it be known that the Dalai Lama is an "honoured guest", and is therefore free to travel to any part of India, including areas claimed by the PRC. In doing this, India showed that it would maintain its moderate stance on Tibet and only accept compromises concerning the border if China gives up more than theoretical claims. Finally, it made it clear it is not prepared to accept any diktat of the 'unequal treaty' type, such as the sort China has sought to replace with its own inconclusive policies in the Himalayan region.

Update: Nepal deploys armed police along Tibetan border

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0200

In an interview given to the Nepali newspaper Republica on 03 October 2009, Nepal's Home Minister Bhim Rawal has confirmed that his country intends to gradually deploy units of the Armed Police Force (APF) along the Tibetan border. Although the move appears connected with a recent visit to China by Nepal's Foreign Minister, its exact objective remains unclear.

Update: Shaky common ground

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0200

During his current Europe visit, the Dalai Lama will deliver a keynote address at the 'Finding Common Ground' conference, to be held in Geneva as a part of a grassroots Sino-Tibetan dialogue. The demonstrations in 2008 have generated an unprecedented interest in Tibet among Chinese people, and strengthened the longstanding call by the Dalai Lama for the necessity of a 'people-to-people' rapprochement, based on a broad and genuine Sino-Tibetan dialogue (1). Two recent initiatives by the Tibetan Writers Association suggest, however, that in practice such dialogue processes have two serious handicaps. Firstly, the Chinese participants tend to be 'dissidents' and consequently are hardly representative of the Chinese public whom the moves attempt to reach. Secondly, such endeavours have been plagued, on the Tibetan side, by disputes over ownership and control over procedure, as well as by individuals who question the integrity of prominent Chinese participants, even publicly attacking personalities like Wang Lixiong, the husband of Beijing based Tibetan writer Woeser.

News from 13 February 2010 to 26 February 2010

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Protest in Tibet during Losar Dalai Lama meets President Barack Obama China prevents Nepal from attending celebrations at Tibetan monastery Three Tibetans sentenced in Kardze Tibet-Nepal bus line to restart Seventeen more Tibetans arrested in Nepal Spain drops probe into Tibet crackdown

News from 30 January 2010 to 12 February 2010

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Tibetan jailed for subversive songs Reports on the Sino-Tibetan dialogue Tibetan returnee freed; two monks quit over alleged spying US president proposes $7m to preserve Tibetan culture Chinese Panchen Lama made Vice President of Buddhist Association University removed from list of accredited institutions over Dalai Lama visit Nepali police arrest five Tibetans in Kathmandu Cash incentives to celebrate Losar for propaganda purposes Tibetan prisoner escapes with Chinese hostage

News from 16 January 2010 to 29 January 2010

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Crackdown on illegal surveying and mapping Ngaba man sentenced to six years for 'separatist' link Nepal hands over detained Tibetans to UN; two more arrested President Obama is committed to meeting Dalai Lama Airlines urged to open flights to Tibet region Four Tibetans sentenced in Sog county Tibet China talks resume

News from 02 January 2010 to 15 January 2010

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

2 Tibetan nuns sentenced in Kardze Six years for Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen China withdraws films in protest over Dalai Lama documentary The Dalai Lama defends his stance on Shugden worship Two Machu schools shut down Man from Ngaba sentenced to 6 years US to protest to China over Google China honours units of armed police force

News from 19 December 2009 to 01 January 2010

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

China reports record 2009 tourism in TAR New mining corporation to expedite key projects in Tibet Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche sentenced to eight years, six months in jail Karmapa calls for environment protection China bans annual religious event in Barkham County Police Chief calls for "pre-emptive attacks" Nepali PM assures Wen Jiabao of no-anti China activities in Nepal China to increase 'Aid-Tibet' cadres Tibetan nomads from Qinghai "ecological migrants"

News from 05 December 2009 to 18 December 2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kardze nun protestor dies in custody Nearly half of Qinghai Lake's source-rivers dry up Bhutan authorities report border transgressions Tibetans arrested in Kardze Eleven Tibetans arrested in Golog over VCD Denmark slammed over gesture to Beijing Remarks by United Front leader "perplexing" Report on 'The Impacts of Climate Change on the Tibetan Plateau' released 306,000 Tibetans in 46 counties lose land to China's reforestation projects Second line of Xining-Golmud section of Golmud-Lhasa railway to open US Secretary Of State calls for human rights in Tibet and East Turkistan

News from 21 November 2009 to 04 December 2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Bonus for Tibet service US thanks India for extending hospitality to Dalai Lama Chinese aid to Nepal New arrival reports about Tongkhor shooting Border road project deferred Three year sentence for Dalai Lama content on chat site Singer Tashi Dondrup arrested

News from 07 November 2009 to 20 November 2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service to restart China opposed to foreign leaders' contact with Dalai Lama Mustang 'secret meeting' hoax Tibetan writer sentenced to five years Dalai Lama in Rome to attend convention on Tibet Tibetan cultural website founder sentenced to 15 years Document details executed Tibetan's sentence Obama urges China to resume dialogue with Dalai Lama 16,000 nomadic households in Qinghai 'settled' Dalai Lama ready for talks with Beijing Dalai Lama appeals to China on drying Tibet rivers New school for Chinese immigrants in Lhasa? NZ PM urged to meet Dalai Lama Tibetan antelope hides destroyed "to show anti-poaching resolution"

News from 24 October 2009 to 06 November 2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Dalai Lama prays for executed Tibetans Foreign Ministers of India, China meet Zhang Qingli: fight against separatism remains very serious Protest in Kardze EU condemns Tibetan executions India stops journalists covering Dalai Lama visit Tibetans protest in Tianjin

News from 10 October 2009 to 23 October 2009

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0200

China reports major gold discovery in Qinghai Nepali PM calls for railway extension to Kathmandu Three Tibetans arrested in Sog county CECC releases annual report Eight Tibetans arrested in Kardze Three monks sentenced in Kardze UK urges China to meet with Dalai Lama Seismic-monitoring facility in Dingri People's Daily: Tibetan radical exposes "democracy myth" Four Tibetans executed in Lhasa over spring 2008 protests Obama will Raise Tibet Issue with President Hu China ignoring tiger trade

News: Spain drops probe into Tibet crackdown

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(AFP) A Spanish judge has dropped an investigation into Beijing's crackdown on unrest in Tibet in March 2008, judicial sources said. The probe was the result of a suit filed by the Tibet Support Committee, against eight Chinese leaders, including Defence Minister Liang Guanglie and Minister for State Security Geng Huichang. Judge Santiago Pedraz had agreed to hear the case in August 2008, just before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. He was acting under Spain's principle of "universal competence" under which Spanish courts can hear cases of crimes against humanity wherever they occur. Pedraz was forced to drop the case as a result of limitations imposed on that principle by the Spanish parliament in 2009 following diplomatic pressure from a number of countries. The parliament decided to restrict such cases to those involving Spanish victims or those in which the suspects are on Spanish soil. The director of the Tibet Support Committee, Alan Cantos, expressed regret at the ruling and said his organisation planned to appeal.

News: Seventeen more Tibetans arrested in Nepal

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Myrepublica) Nepali police arrested seventeen Tibetans in a border region for crossing into Nepali territory. They had come to Nepal via the Lamabagar border point. Among those arrested, 10 are women and seven men. This brings the total number of Tibetans caught clandestinely crossing into Nepali territory to 51 in seven months. Nepali authorities said they would be handed over to the department of immigration in Kathmandu. The arrested Tibetans wanted to go to India via Nepal to meet their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, police said.

News: Tibet-Nepal bus line to restart

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(CER; TibetInfoNet) The suspended bus services between Lhasa in Tibet, and Kathmandu in Nepal is all set to resume. Originally started on 01 May 2005, the service was already suspended in 2006 due to disagreements about the issuance of visas to Tibet. Nepal and China agreed in 2007 to restart the service in 2008, but this did not happen. The original service was operated by a Nepali company, however the new service will be run by a Chinese operator.

News: Three Tibetans sentenced in Kardze

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(TCHRD) The Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) Intermediate People's Court has sentenced three Tibetans to two-year suspended death sentence, life imprisonment and 16 years term respectively on charges of "inciting separatism" and "disturbing social order" on 17 November 2009. According to a Ganzi Daily report dated 18 March 2009, Pema Yeshi, Sonam Gonpo, and Tsewang Gyatso aka Tsok Tsok, all from Thangkyi township, Nyarong county (Chin: Xinlong), Kardze TAP, Sichuan Province, had been arrested on 11 March 2009 under suspicion of setting fire to the Thangkyi township government building as well as pasting and distributing pamphlets calling for Tibet independence on 28 February 2009.

News: China prevents Nepal from attending celebrations at Tibetan monastery

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(IANS) IANS reports that senior Nepali politicians declined invitations to the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the best known Tibetan Lamas and a former leader of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese embassy in Nepal is said to have conveyed its anger over the invitations to Nepal's foreign ministry. Culture Minister Minendra Rijal, Foreign Minister and deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala, and Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav, were reportedly among the invitees to the celebrations held at a monastery in Kathmandu valley. The president's office issued a statement, saying the president had not consented to be the chief guest at the monastery celebrations. It also hinted at action against "such organisations or persons involved in the dissemination of such false news".

News: Dalai Lama meets President Barack Obama

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

US President Barack Obama met with the Dalai Lama for more than an hour at the White House in Washington DC. The American president voiced support for "Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the PRC" and encouraged the Dalai Lama to continue seeking dialogue with Beijing. Following the meeting, the Dalai Lama said Obama had been "very much supportive" and had shown real concern for Tibet. In response to the meeting, Beijing summoned the US ambassador to complain.

News: Protest in Tibet during Losar

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(ECCKM; IANS; ICT; RFA) A demonstration by reportedly several hundred Tibetans on the first day of the Tibetan New Year, or Losar Festival, led to a standoff between the protesters and Chinese security forces in Ngaba (Chin: Aba) county, Ngaba Q &TAP, Sichuan province. The protesters gathered with prayer wheels and rosaries for a vigil in commemoration of the victims of the protest in 2008. As a sign of mourning, they ate plain tsampa (roasted barley flour) and dry bread and wore old clothes. Tibetans normally wear their best traditional clothes for Losar. The monks protesting were from Ngaba Kirti Monastery and Sey Monastery. Chinese security personnel confiscated mobile phones of people who took video and pictures of the protest, which later dispersed. There also were reports of other, smaller, demonstrations across Tibetan areas, in Lhasa for instance, where subdued and devotional commemorations were held amid tensions as security was stepped up.

News: Cash incentives to celebrate Losar for propaganda purposes

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(VOT) The Chinese authorities in Lithang (Chin: Litang) county, Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) TAP, Sichuan province, are handing out cash incentives to Tibetans of 10,000 â' 30,000 Yuan (UK£930 - UK£ 2,800; EUR€1,070 â' EUR€3,200; US$1,400 â' US$4400) for the celebration of the Losar festival, VOT radio service reports. VOT said the Chinese authorities in various parts of Tibetan regions are encouraging Tibetans to celebrate the New Year on 14 February with pomp, likely reacting to diverse appeals to mark the festival in a low-key manner. A VOT source in Sera monastery in South India, said the authorities told the Tibetans to celebrate this Losar for the "economic development and social stability" and the "success of the central governmentâs policy on ethnic minorities" under the PRC. "They even promised to incur all expenditures for any festivity and entertainment program during the Tibetan New Year".

News: Tibetan prisoner escapes with Chinese hostage

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(RFA) Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that a Tibetan inmate of a jail in Sichuan province has kidnapped a prison guard in retaliation for harsh treatment in detention. RFA sources in the region said the guard was taken hostage in Kardze county. "One of the Tibetan inmates in the prison, known as Pasang, forcibly took hostage one of the prison guards, known as Chang Kasong, and broke out of the jail", one source said. The breakout sparked a widespread manhunt with roadblocks and hundreds of police manning checkpoints along the roads. A reward of 100,000 Yuan (UK£9,300; US$14,000; EUR€10,700) was announced for Pasang's capture. Local sources said the kidnapped Chinese prison guard had a reputation for treating Tibetan inmates harshly. "[He] is one of meanest officers in charge", one source said. "He is notorious for his ill-treatment of Tibetan prisoners".

News: Nepali police arrest five Tibetans in Kathmandu

info@tibetinfonet.net (TibetInfoNet) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Phayul) Phayul reports that Nepali police arrested five Tibetans including a woman in the Baudhanath (also know as Boudhanath, Bodnath etc.) district of Kathmandu, an area with a strong concentration of Tibetan refugees. The exact reason for their arrest is not known. Phayul sources say the Tibetans were on their way back to Tibet after going on a pilgrimage to India.