Nevertheless, sees no alternative to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way": "We would like to continue the dialogue with the Chinese leadership. For us, non-violence is not a mere strategy - it is a core belief," he said.
''The situation inside Tibet today is very serious, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said when asked to comment on the present situation inside Tibet. 2008 peaceful uprising was forcefully repressed. This repressive measure continues. Tibetans and other minorities are in constant fear. Detention and disappearance are order of the day. Tibetan poets and writers are under attack."
He expressed his admiration for the younger generation of Tibetans. "They have the greatest patience and determination," he said. Only a small percentage of the youth talk about violence but so far, no individual have advocated violence.
The Tibetan prime minister also gave his view on the future resignation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: „At some point, the Tibetan people must learn to govern themselves without the support of the Dalai Lama", said the Tibetan prime minister. He further explained that, considering the progressing process of democratization of the Tibetan community in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's announcement should be taken very seriously.
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche also made clear that in large part the Tibetan people want the Dalai Lama to remain as their political leader: "We received hundreds of petitions calling on His Holiness the Dalai Lama to stay in his position as leader of the Tibetan People". The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile echoed the sentiment. Nevertheless, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche considers the timing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's planned resignation to be consistent with his plans for democratic reform. It will strengthen the government and the new prime minister who will be elected on March 20th, 2011.
The Tibetan prime minister Samdhong Rinoche's visit with politicians in Berlin was organized by TID. "We demand strong support from our politicians for the legitimate rights of the Tibetan people and open lines of communication with their democratically elected representatives in exile," said Wolfgang Grader, chairman of the TID.
TID founded in 1989, advocates for the Tibetan people's right to self-determination and the protection of human rights in occupied Tibet. With 60 regional groups and nearly 2,000 members througout Germany, the TID is a strong voice for Tibet. Primary funding for the TID comes from membership dues and private, individual donations.
More than 50 of the 400 monks were arrested on their way to Lhasa. Tibetan leaders reported that 80 people were killed by the Chinese Government in the Lhasa crackdown. Official Chinese sources reported ten, mainly business people in Lhasa dead. Police and military forces are reported to have fired teargas into crowds, beaten protestors and fired live ammunition in an attempt to disperse people. What began as a peaceful march had turned violent and by 14 March, some protestors in Lhasa set fire to a police car, and set fires targetting Chinese-owned businesses.
Lhasa was in lockdown with a city wide curfew in place and all shops closed. Entry into the city was been blocked by check-points, armoured vehicles and members of People’s Armed Police are present throughout Lhasa. Reports suggest that scattered protests continue. Police and military forces have surrounded three major monasteries in the Lhasa area, confining monks inside and beating those who have attempted to leave. Monks from Sera monastery were reported to have started a hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of military forces from their monastery.
In solidarity, other peaceful protests began around Tibet and in neighbouring provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan. Clashes in the Sichuan city of Aba, referred to as Ngawa in Tibetan, have resulted in an unconfirmed number of casualties. Approximately 1,000 monks took to the streets of Aba.
The solidarity spread even further with peaceful protests taking place in India and Nepal. Tibetans in India intending to march to the Chinese border were issued with a restraining order and detained. Protestors in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu were violently dispersed those people briefly detained reported being beaten and otherwise ill-treated.
In 2007 when monks of Myanmar were subject to brutality on the streets, we saw smuggled video footage, web postings and pictures from mobile telephones sent around the world. China made such communication very difficult for those in Tibet and surrounding areas, cutting phone and internet connections to the areas. Yet still, some people did manage to get their messages and accounts out to the world. And this was all we could access given the Chinese Government's complete refusal to allow journalists into the area to conduct accurate reporting of the issues as they unfolded or even in the weeks and months afterwards.
Journalists permitted into Tibet Australians, Steve Lewis and Cameron Stweart were among the first journalists in the world permitted into the area following the crackdowns (although there was a very staged visit of journalists in April 2008 who were under heavy guard and not permitted to speak with locals). Here is Cameron's account in November 2008. Still, this is far from the free and unrestricted access we are calling for and it is a long way from China's own newly extended media regulations. These new laws were put in place for the Olympic Games, apply only to foreign journalists and in October 2008 as they were due to expire we welcomed China's decision to extend the laws indefinitely. Although they have no application whatsoever in Tibet. See the photos taken by the Australians in November.
Amnesty International still calls for Chinese authorities to allow an independent UN investigation into the events of March 2008, particularly in the light of the China sealing off of the Tibetan region and the long-term restrictions on human rights monitoring there.
Again, with China, we come to the issue of transparency. With denied freedom of expression, denied access and denied information human rights abuses continue. We must demand the truth from China and call them to account on the human rights abuses that occur daily under Government policies and practices in Tibet, in Xinjang and in all parts of China.
A Western tourist in Lhasa gives an account of the last few days. This person wishes to remain anonymous, understandable given the Chinese Government's treatment of those who speak the truth and raise concern over human rights abuses.
[Friday, 8 July 2011]
China, we’re still waiting for the truth about Tibet
 |
| 17 March 2008 |
On March 10 2008 the 400 monks began their peaceful march heading to Tibet's capital, Lhasa. Their call - an end to the Chinese Government's brutal treatment of the Tibetan people. The Government's systematic campaign is steeped in propaganda and forces monks to denounce the Dalai Lama in writing, excludes Tibet from the benefits of economic development, places restrictions on religious practice and imposes policies that weaken Tibetan culture and ethnic identity.
More than 50 of the 400 monks were arrested on their way to Lhasa. Tibetan leaders reported that 80 people were killed by the Chinese Government in the Lhasa crackdown. Official Chinese sources reported ten, mainly business people in Lhasa dead. Police and military forces are reported to have fired teargas into crowds, beaten protestors and fired live ammunition in an attempt to disperse people. What began as a peaceful march had turned violent and by 14 March, some protestors in Lhasa set fire to a police car, and set fires targetting Chinese-owned businesses.
Lhasa was in lockdown with a city wide curfew in place and all shops closed. Entry into the city was been blocked by check-points, armoured vehicles and members of People’s Armed Police are present throughout Lhasa. Reports suggest that scattered protests continue. Police and military forces have surrounded three major monasteries in the Lhasa area, confining monks inside and beating those who have attempted to leave. Monks from Sera monastery were reported to have started a hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of military forces from their monastery.
In solidarity, other peaceful protests began around Tibet and in neighbouring provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan. Clashes in the Sichuan city of Aba, referred to as Ngawa in Tibetan, have resulted in an unconfirmed number of casualties. Approximately 1,000 monks took to the streets of Aba.
The solidarity spread even further with peaceful protests taking place in India and Nepal. Tibetans in India intending to march to the Chinese border were issued with a restraining order and detained. Protestors in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu were violently dispersed those people briefly detained reported being beaten and otherwise ill-treated.
In 2007 when monks of Myanmar were subject to brutality on the streets, we saw smuggled video footage, web postings and pictures from mobile telephones sent around the world. China made such communication very difficult for those in Tibet and surrounding areas, cutting phone and internet connections to the areas. Yet still, some people did manage to get their messages and accounts out to the world. And this was all we could access given the Chinese Government's complete refusal to allow journalists into the area to conduct accurate reporting of the issues as they unfolded or even in the weeks and months afterwards.
Journalists permitted into Tibet Australians, Steve Lewis and Cameron Stweart were among the first journalists in the world permitted into the area following the crackdowns (although there was a very staged visit of journalists in April 2008 who were under heavy guard and not permitted to speak with locals). Here is Cameron's account in November 2008. Still, this is far from the free and unrestricted access we are calling for and it is a long way from China's own newly extended media regulations. These new laws were put in place for the Olympic Games, apply only to foreign journalists and in October 2008 as they were due to expire we welcomed China's decision to extend the laws indefinitely. Although they have no application whatsoever in Tibet. See the photos taken by the Australians in November.
And today
Still we do not know the fate of hundreds of Tibetans detained in March 2008. We fear that these individuals are being tortured and treated inhumanely. Without any charge or trial apparent, we call for their immediate release.Amnesty International still calls for Chinese authorities to allow an independent UN investigation into the events of March 2008, particularly in the light of the China sealing off of the Tibetan region and the long-term restrictions on human rights monitoring there.
Again, with China, we come to the issue of transparency. With denied freedom of expression, denied access and denied information human rights abuses continue. We must demand the truth from China and call them to account on the human rights abuses that occur daily under Government policies and practices in Tibet, in Xinjang and in all parts of China.
A Western tourist in Lhasa gives an account of the last few days. This person wishes to remain anonymous, understandable given the Chinese Government's treatment of those who speak the truth and raise concern over human rights abuses.
Briefing Paper on the Peaceful Protests in
Karze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) Sichuan Province
Karze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) Sichuan Province
[Friday, 8 July 2011]
Overview
The current situation in Karze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), Sichuan Province, continues to be grim and tense. Started on 6 June 2011, more and more peaceful protests - sloganeering, distributing pamphlets and raising Tibetan national flag- continue to be carried out by Tibetans from different walks of life in Karze. They are raising their voices in demand for the "return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, "Independence for Tibet" and "Freedom in Tibet".
Fear over the possibility of more peaceful protest coupled with two politically sensitive anniversaries going on in China, a large number of securities personnel have been deployed in the region. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a Dharamsala based NGO, reported deployment of thousands of troops to suppress peaceful protesters and people are reportedly living in a climate of fear.
As of 5 July 2011, the Dharamsala-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has identified more than 39 Tibetans arrested in Karze.
1) Military build-up
In order to brutally suppress the peaceful protests, the Chinese authorities have stepped up security measures in and around the Karze region since 6 June 2011. According to a foreign tourist who visited Karze recently said: "There are thousands of police and army, in riot gear, in trucks patrolling the streets, and on foot in formation patrolling the streets. As well as many standing on street corners, and many more in plain clothes". 1
The same source also reported that the number of security personnel has doubled during his second visit to Karze region.
Photos showing presence of heavy security forces in the Karze region during the holy Buddhist month of Saga Dawa (month of June) are available at http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=2440&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews&tab=1.
A Tibetan in contact with people living in Karze reported that "the current security situation in Karze is extremely tense, with Karze County town completely locked down by paramilitary forces who have set up so many checkpoints - there's one at every road junction…" 2
2) Freedom of Speech and Expression
The Chinese constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to its citizen. Under this right, citizens are free to express their views and opinions through any medium they seem fit. However the Chinese authorities do not respect this right in practice. Since 6 June 2011, the Chinese authorities imposed heavy restriction on people's rights to freedom of speech and expression.
Tibetans were arrested on the charge of exercising their basic rights to freedom of speech and expression through peaceful protests.
3) Restriction over Freedom of Movement
With the ongoing peaceful protests in Karze and the politically significant 90th Anniversary of Communist China, Tibetan people's freedom of movement is strictly restricted.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) the Chinese authorities in Karze imposed strict restriction over the movement of Tibetans, especially nuns and monks. Authorities have ordered the monks and nuns in Karze not go out to the town without prior permission. Nuns and monks need to take their identity cards while travelling. Failure to do so often results in being arrested by the Chinese police.
On 27 June 2011, two nuns of Lamdrak monastery - Chemi, 37 years-old, and Choega - were arrested on their way to work at a Tibetan clinic built by the Lamdrak Rinpoche, who had also built schools for girls in Karze. The two nuns were arrested on the charge of failing to produce their identity cards.3
It was also reported that those Tibetans who needed to visit the hospital for medical check up should seek written permission from the local authorities and must be accompanied by a government official. Failure to conform to the diktat would result in arrest.
4) Arbitrary Arrest
The Chinese Constitution (article 37) guarantees rights against arbitrary arrest and under this right, no citizen can be arrested without a formal arrest warrant. However, since 6 June 2011 more than 39 Tibetans have been arrested arbitrarily.
These 39 Tibetans, mostly monks and nuns, were arrested on the charge of exercising their fundamental freedom of speech and expression. The fate of these 39 Tibetans remains unknown as the Chinese authorities refuse to disclose information on them and till date no family members were allowed to visit them. 4
5) Brutal Treatment of Tibetans
The main demands of the current protesters in Karze region are "Freedom for Tibet","Human Rights in Tibet" and" The Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama". Instead of addressing the legitimate demands of the Tibetan people, the Chinese authorities are suppressing them brutally.
From the 39 reported cases of arrest, in most of the cases the peaceful protesters were subjected to severe beatings. The Chinese police used iron batons to beat them and had them forcibly taken in police trucks.
Conclusion
It is clear that the human rights situation inside Tibet, particularly in Karze region, is deteriorating amidst a dramatic increase of Chinese repression and brutality. With the kind of repressive measures that are imposed by the Chinese authorities, there is a possibility of more protests at any time and hence arrest of many Tibetans in the Karze region.
1. http://www.tchrd.org/press/2011/pr20110629.html
2. http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/dozens-tibetans-imprisoned-new-wave-kardze-demonstrations-protest-lhasa-kardze-monk
3. http://www.rfa.org/tibetan/chediklaytsen/khamlaytsen/kham-stringer/two-tibetan-nun-detained-in-karze-07012011101837.html
4. http://tibet.net/en/index.php?id=2418&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews&tab=1#TabbedPanels
--
Tibet News
Information on Human Right and Freedom Repression in Tibet
The current situation in Karze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), Sichuan Province, continues to be grim and tense. Started on 6 June 2011, more and more peaceful protests - sloganeering, distributing pamphlets and raising Tibetan national flag- continue to be carried out by Tibetans from different walks of life in Karze. They are raising their voices in demand for the "return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, "Independence for Tibet" and "Freedom in Tibet".
Fear over the possibility of more peaceful protest coupled with two politically sensitive anniversaries going on in China, a large number of securities personnel have been deployed in the region. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a Dharamsala based NGO, reported deployment of thousands of troops to suppress peaceful protesters and people are reportedly living in a climate of fear.
As of 5 July 2011, the Dharamsala-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has identified more than 39 Tibetans arrested in Karze.
1) Military build-up
In order to brutally suppress the peaceful protests, the Chinese authorities have stepped up security measures in and around the Karze region since 6 June 2011. According to a foreign tourist who visited Karze recently said: "There are thousands of police and army, in riot gear, in trucks patrolling the streets, and on foot in formation patrolling the streets. As well as many standing on street corners, and many more in plain clothes". 1
The same source also reported that the number of security personnel has doubled during his second visit to Karze region.
Photos showing presence of heavy security forces in the Karze region during the holy Buddhist month of Saga Dawa (month of June) are available at http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=2440&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews&tab=1.
A Tibetan in contact with people living in Karze reported that "the current security situation in Karze is extremely tense, with Karze County town completely locked down by paramilitary forces who have set up so many checkpoints - there's one at every road junction…" 2
2) Freedom of Speech and Expression
The Chinese constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to its citizen. Under this right, citizens are free to express their views and opinions through any medium they seem fit. However the Chinese authorities do not respect this right in practice. Since 6 June 2011, the Chinese authorities imposed heavy restriction on people's rights to freedom of speech and expression.
Tibetans were arrested on the charge of exercising their basic rights to freedom of speech and expression through peaceful protests.
3) Restriction over Freedom of Movement
With the ongoing peaceful protests in Karze and the politically significant 90th Anniversary of Communist China, Tibetan people's freedom of movement is strictly restricted.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) the Chinese authorities in Karze imposed strict restriction over the movement of Tibetans, especially nuns and monks. Authorities have ordered the monks and nuns in Karze not go out to the town without prior permission. Nuns and monks need to take their identity cards while travelling. Failure to do so often results in being arrested by the Chinese police.
On 27 June 2011, two nuns of Lamdrak monastery - Chemi, 37 years-old, and Choega - were arrested on their way to work at a Tibetan clinic built by the Lamdrak Rinpoche, who had also built schools for girls in Karze. The two nuns were arrested on the charge of failing to produce their identity cards.3
It was also reported that those Tibetans who needed to visit the hospital for medical check up should seek written permission from the local authorities and must be accompanied by a government official. Failure to conform to the diktat would result in arrest.
4) Arbitrary Arrest
The Chinese Constitution (article 37) guarantees rights against arbitrary arrest and under this right, no citizen can be arrested without a formal arrest warrant. However, since 6 June 2011 more than 39 Tibetans have been arrested arbitrarily.
These 39 Tibetans, mostly monks and nuns, were arrested on the charge of exercising their fundamental freedom of speech and expression. The fate of these 39 Tibetans remains unknown as the Chinese authorities refuse to disclose information on them and till date no family members were allowed to visit them. 4
5) Brutal Treatment of Tibetans
The main demands of the current protesters in Karze region are "Freedom for Tibet","Human Rights in Tibet" and" The Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama". Instead of addressing the legitimate demands of the Tibetan people, the Chinese authorities are suppressing them brutally.
From the 39 reported cases of arrest, in most of the cases the peaceful protesters were subjected to severe beatings. The Chinese police used iron batons to beat them and had them forcibly taken in police trucks.
Conclusion
It is clear that the human rights situation inside Tibet, particularly in Karze region, is deteriorating amidst a dramatic increase of Chinese repression and brutality. With the kind of repressive measures that are imposed by the Chinese authorities, there is a possibility of more protests at any time and hence arrest of many Tibetans in the Karze region.
1. http://www.tchrd.org/press/2011/pr20110629.html
2. http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/dozens-tibetans-imprisoned-new-wave-kardze-demonstrations-protest-lhasa-kardze-monk
3. http://www.rfa.org/tibetan/chediklaytsen/khamlaytsen/kham-stringer/two-tibetan-nun-detained-in-karze-07012011101837.html
4. http://tibet.net/en/index.php?id=2418&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews&tab=1#TabbedPanels
--
Tibet News
Information on Human Right and Freedom Repression in Tibet
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