We certainly hear a lot about Lhasa and the rest of Tibet when things really come to a head, as happened prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. However, for those interested, here are some news stories I thought gave a good idea of the current issues on the Tibetan Plateau and its scattering of refugees around the world. They arrived in my inbox via an email update from ICT, the International Campaign for Tibet, who last year celebrated a 20-year anniversary of promoting human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet .
ICT Report (11/19/09): The Rome Declaration: The 5th World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet ended in Rome on November 20, with the adoption of the Rome Declaration on Tibet. The convention was attended by 133 Parliamentarians and associates from 30 Parliaments around the world and included an address by the Dalai Lama at the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament. The declaration proclaimed that its message was resolutely not anti-China but a statement of support for justice and truth with a sincere conviction that the Tibetan and Chinese peoples can find a way to coexist with mutual respect. The declaration concluded with a commitment to set up an international parliamentarian’s network for Tibet with a secretariat who will work towards advancement of a specified list of 7 near-term action plans in engaging action on Tibet. The full statement of the declaration can be viewed here.
INSIDE TIBET:
Tibetan Review (11/28/09): Tibetan Nomads in Ngaba moved into fixed settlements: On November 27, China’s Official Xinhuanet news service report said that welfare houses for 16,776 households had been built in Ngaba and Garze accommodating 81,918 people. This is part of China’s plans to settle nomads across the Tibetan Plateau into fixed settlements in a project reportedly costing 18 billion Yuan to house 100,000 households (involving 480,000 herdsmen). This policy of relocation of Tibetan nomads by Chinese authorities not only poses a real threat to the Tibetan nomadic lifestyle, which is the heart of the traditional Tibetan economy, but experts say that the removal of grazing could have profound ecological consequences over the entire region.
TCHRD (11/19/09): Tibetan writer-photographer sentenced to five years in prison: The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) reported that Kunga Tsayang, a Tibetan writer-photographer, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of disclosing state secrets in a closed door trial on November 12, 2009, by the Kanlho Intermediate People’s Court in Gannan, Gansu Province. Kunga Tsayang, a monk of Amdo Labrang Tashikyil Monastery, who wrote under the pen name of “sun of snowland” (Tib: Gang-nyi), had traveled widely in Tibet in connection with his work at an environmental protection group and his travelogues dealt with the special characteristic features of Tibetan topographical landscapes, culture, customs, habits, and religious heritage. He is also the author of several brave and compelling essays on the Tibet protests of 2008 including, “Who is the Real Splittist?,” “Who is the Real Disturber of Stability?,” and “Who is the Real Instigator of Protests?”. He was arrested on March 17, 2009, during a midnight raid. His family and close associates had no idea of his whereabouts until he was brought to the court hearing.
EUROPE:
ICT Report (12/1/09): European Parliament passes resolution on minority rights and death penalty in China: On November 26, the European Parliament passed a resolution which called for an end to the death penalty in China, expressing its concern at the way ethnic minorities are treated before the law in China. The resolution condemned the execution of the two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, in September 2009, and called for the commutation of all other death sentences related to protests in Tibet during 2008, citing concern over whether the convicted have received a fair trial. The resolution also called for "the reopening of sincere and results-orientated dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama's representatives, based on the 'Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People' and leading towards a positive, substantial and meaningful change in Tibet consistent with the principles outlined in the Constitution and laws of the People's Republic of China."
DALAI LAMA:
The Sydney Morning Herald (12/1/09): Dalai Lama sparks Australia visit with Global message: The Dalai Lama began his 10-day Australian tour with a message to put global interests ahead of national to address climate change. He said, “Global issue should be No. 1 [priority] … In some cases in order to protect global issues, some sacrifice of national interest [is required].'' His comments follow his warning earlier this month that Tibet's environmental crisis was more urgent than even a political solution to his country's future. And he issued a stern warning: Tibet faces an environmental catastrophe that could devastate billions of lives across Asia. On the mountainous Tibetan plateau - the source of the Ganges, Indus, Yangtze and Mekong rivers - temperatures are rising at twice the global rate. Melting Himalayan glaciers would affect all countries through which these rivers flow, including India, Pakistan, China, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. He said, ''These major rivers, which actually almost cover all Asia, these rivers ultimately come from Tibet. So I think many human beings depend on these. From that view point we need special care about Tibetan ecology.''
South China Morning Post (11/26/09): Dalai Lama and Obama meeting postponed until early 2010: On November 26, a spokesperson for the Dalai Lama said that the proposed meeting between the Dalai Lama and President Obama has been postponed until early 2010. The spokesperson, Tenzin Taklha said, “Because of his very hectic schedule, this year will be difficult” for the Dalai Lama to travel to Washington and he added that the trip will probably take place early next year. President Obama has been under fire for being the first US president not to welcome the Tibetan leader to the White House since 1991 and is being criticized at home for not doing enough to press Beijing on the Tibet issue during his trip. But the Dalai Lama told India’s New Delhi Television that he thought the US president was not being soft but “just has a different style.” President Obama has called on Beijing to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama’s representatives.
Trak.in (11/21/09): The Dalai Lama attends conferences in New Delhi: On November 22, the Dalai Lama gave the valedictory address at a International Conference in New Delhi, "Exploring Tibet’s History and Culture," organized jointly by Delhi University and the Central University for Tibetan Studies, Varanasi. More than 40 scholars from around the world including US, Britain, Europe and Asia attended the conference. In his address, the Dalai Lama said, “A lot of times truth is distorted. Since a lot of people are now interested in Tibet, it is necessary that all information about Tibetan history and Tibet is collected and the truth be told to the world. A clear picture of the past history, government system, social field must be researched on and revealed in the form of texts and books.”
NEPAL:
Phayul (11/26/09): Chinese delegation from Tibet in Nepal: A 10 member delegation from the Tibetan Autonomous Region led by executive deputy chairperson Hao Peng arrived in Nepal on November 24 for a five day visit. According to Nepalese media, the visiting Chinese delegation has pledged support to Nepal on various fronts including food assistance, construction of a hydro electric project in far west Nepal and construction of Nepal’s consulate building in Lhasa. Nepal is the only country in the world to have a consulate in Lhasa. It is not known if the delegation includes any Tibetan members, but they met with Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala. Since the March 2008 uprisings, Nepal has seen an increasing number of high level official delegations from China, who stress for the need to curb “Free Tibet activities” while promising assistance. Rights groups have been critical of Nepal’s crackdown on Tibetan protestors (according to statistics, there are more than 20,000 Tibetan refugees currently living in Nepal).
ICT BLOG:
Can Scotland teach China something about autonomy? (12/3/09)
An Observer at a Tibetan Democratic Experience (12/2/09)
Human Rights Book Fair in NYC (12/1/09)
Analyzing Obama’s summit statement on Tibet (11/23/09)
Reading the tea leaves on President Obama’s Tibet statement in Beijing (11/23/09)
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