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Middle Way envisages a mutually beneficial solution Vol. 04, Issue 163, Print Issue 87, September 15, 2016 His Holiness praises exemplary work of Mother Teresa

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Not only friends of Tibet, but also friends of justice: His Holiness

By Jane Cook: September 09, 2016

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama meets with Mother Teresa at the Global Survival Conference in the U.K. in 1988. Photo: File

By Yeshe Choesang: September 06, 2016

Dharamshala – Writing to the Mother Superior of the Missionaries of Charity, the Order founded by Mother Teresa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed delight that the Pope proclaimed Mother Teresa a Saint.

In a letter dated September 5, 2016, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate wrote: “I rejoice at this recognition as an admirer of her dedicated service to humanity, particularly the way she cared for the poorest of the poor. I join you in celebrating her extraordinary life.”

“Meeting Mother Teresa it was clear she was an exemplary person. I was reminded of this when I made a special visit to the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata last year to pay tribute to her and the Sisters’ work,” His Holiness stated “She revealed the true practice of love in her charitable activities.

Although she is no longer physically with us, her spirit lives on in the work you all do,” said the spiritual leader of Tibet.

In conclusion His Holiness took the opportunity also to express his abiding respect for the humanitarian service of the Missionaries of Charity, praying that it may continue as long as there are poor among us who need help.

The Tibetan leader admired Mother Teresa and had the deepest respect for her. After meeting her, he said she was an example of a compassionate person. Often he told Buddhist monks and nuns to follow the example of Mother Teresa and serve the poorest of the poor in an imitation of her spirit.

Pope Francis has recently declared Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known as the “saint of the gutters” during her life, a saint, just 19 years after her death. Echoing his own vision of a “poor church for the poor”, the pope described Teresa’s work as “eloquent witness to God’s closeness to the poorest of the poor”.

Millions of Catholics revere the nun as a model of compassion and her legacy complements Pope Francis’ vision of a humble Church that strives to serve the poor, and the festivities are a highlight of his Holy Year of Mercy, which runs until the beginning of November 2016.

Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Macedonia to Albanian parents and at 18 left for Ireland to join the Loreto Sisters. She was sent to India for her novitiate and remained there until making her final professions and eventually teaching as a Loreto Sister.

In 1946, she heard Christ calling her to be with the poor and abandoned, and within 18 months left the convent to a new mission that became a new order, the Missionaries of Charity.

Brussels — “You are not only the friends of Tibet, but also friends of justice,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, while delivering his speech at the opening session of the 7th International Conference of Tibet Support Groups, in Brussels.

The spiritual leader of Tibet inaugurated the Seventh International Conference of Tibet Support Groups (TSG), on September 8 in Brussels. On behalf of the 6 million Tibetan people, His Holiness expressed his gratitude to all the Tibet Supporters, including Chinese for their sympathy and support for the just cause of Tibet.

“Since I completely retired from my political responsibilities in 2011 I’ve been able to dedicate my efforts to the preservation of Tibet’s rich Buddhist culture, our Tibetan language and the natural environment of Tibet,” he said speaking to Belgian TV Channel RTBF. His Holiness the Dalai Lama also spoke about the promotion of human values, inter-religious harmony and world peace as he frequently did. He said the use of violence is outdated and never solves resolves conflicts and called for the “philosophy of peace, non-violence and compassion.”

In the context of the violence of the two world wars that ravaged Europe in the 20th century, in the course of which millions were killed, he remarked that the formation of the European Union was a sign of maturity.

“The key to making a better world,” he said, “is creating a more complete education system, which includes training in compassion and concern for others. Recent scientific findings that show basic human nature to be compassionate is a real source of hope.”

In this context, the Nobel peace laureate has recommended more efforts for the betterment of humanity and encouraged the “practice of love, tolerance and forgiveness.”

“I am convinced that the power of truth is stronger than the power of weapons,” he said, when speaking to over 250 members of Tibet Support Groups from across the world, gathered in Brussels.

In Brussels, the spiritual leader met members of the European Parliament’s Inter-group for Tibet - Members of European Parliament and staffers.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivering his speech at the opening session of the 7th International Conference of the Tibet Support Groups, in Brussels, Belgium, on Septermber 8, 2016. Photo: TPI

His Holiness also met Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the European Union. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental right to which everyone is entitled, everywhere.”

Mr Figel wrote on his Twitter account, after their meeting in the City.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Brussels Wednesday for an 18-day visit to Belgium, France and Poland. The visit includes public talks on ethics beyond religion, teachings and visit to the European Parliament.

He’s scheduled to visi Paris for a two-day programme, beginning from September 13 after Belgium. It includes an audience for the Tibetan community and an inter-faith dialogue. From September 15 to 19,

Monk jailed over sharing information on Tibet freed after 7.5-year term

By Molly Lortie,: September 14 , 2016

Participatants and guests pose for a group photo. Photo: TPI

US journalist goes Facebook live in Tibet, suggests loosening policy

By Molly Lortie: September 12, 2016

16th Annual Conference of Tibetan cooperatives concluded

Over 50 Tibetan co-operators including Chairmen and Secretaries of 15 co-operatives, managers and staff of Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India Ltd., met on Wednesday for the 16th Annual Conference of Tibetan cooperatives in India.

Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, Home Kalon, CTA presided over as a Chief Guest to mark the opening of the conference. Other notable guests and speakers included, Gyari Dolma, former Home Kalon. Also present were Shri Pema Dorjee (DRCS) Ravangla and Shri C K Rai (ARCS) Ravangla, Local Assembly Chairmen, Gangtok & Ravangala Settlement Officer, local BRDL representatives, representative of monasteries, leaders of various NGOs and camp leaders.

Organized by FTCI and coordinated by Ravangala Cooperative Society from 7th September to 8th September, the 3-day conference is focused on achieving sustainability of Tibetan settlements in general and productive cooperative activities in particular.

the spiritual leader will attend programmes in Strasbourg, including a visit to the European Parliament. After that he will visit Wroclaw in Poland for two days from September 21.

Some 250 delegates from 50 countries will discuss for three days of the Tibetan cause in the European capital . The conference will particularly focus on four themes namely: the political situation in Tibet, human rights , environment and openness to the Chinese people.

Increasingly, a number of Chinese delegates, including intellectuals are also attending the Special International Tibet Support Group Meetings from 27-20 September.

The first International Conference of Tibet Support Groups was held in 1990 in Dharamshala,India, seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Ven Jangkho after released from prison and his note of release. Photo: TPI

By Molly Lortie: September 06, 2016

Dharamshala — Chinese authorities in Ngaba County of north eastern Tibetan have released a Tibetan monk jailed since 2009 on a charge of allegedly sharing information about self-immolation protest in 2009.

Jangkho, a monk from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, Northeastern Tibet was released from prison by Chinese authorities after serving a sentence of 7 years and six months, a Tibetan source told TPI on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Jangkho comes from Jolep village in Ngaba County, the Amdo region of Tibet (Ch: Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) , and was residing at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba.

He is 41 years old. He was allegedly taken by Chinese authorities without any reason or accusation and sentenced to serve six years in prison. He was finally released on September 2nd.

A contact within Tibet explained, “in 2009 after the first self immolation occurred within the Ngaba region, many protests and self-immolations followed. It was during this time, on March 3rd, that Jangkho was arrested by the Chinese authorities and his whereabouts remained unknown for a year.”

“On April 2nd, 2010, he was officially charged with separatist crimes and spreading state secrets, and ultimately sentenced six

years in prison.”

As he was released from the prison, the Chinese prison authorities have issued a notice, saying “Jangkho has completed 7 years and 6 months of imprisonment.”

Upon his release, Jangkho was welcomed home by his family and local villagers. He was greeted by his younger siblings and parents, who both turned 80 this year, all of which were wrought with worry over his safety through the previous years.

Since 2009, a total of 144 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet and of them 122 were reportedly passed-away while the status of the rest remains unknown or critically injured. Many such protests have taken place in Ngaba region, especially by the monks of Kirti monastery.

The Tibetan self-immolators have unanimously called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people.

Most parts of Tibet have suffered severe crackdowns and been under heightened restrictions and controls in the past six decades, that China calls it a “peaceful liberation”. But Tibetans describe a systematic repression of Tibetans, excluded from positions of power and imprisoned.

Dharamshala — Washington Post Beijing Bureau Chief Simon Denyer made history this week as he went live in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the traditional capital of Tibet.

The Potala Palace in Lhasa, was the main residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama until he fled to India during the 1959 Tibetan national uprising against the Chinese occupation. It is now a museum and World Heritage Site.

Reportedly using a VPN to bypass the government blocks to Facebook, Denyer used Facebook Live to report about his trip to Lhasa and take questions from viewers. Denyer began, “I’m here on a government trip, a very rare trip for foreign journalists to Tibet. In fact there have only been a handful of trips for foreign journalists to Tibet in the last decade. Its a harder place to get to than North Korea, in fact.”

According to China’s Xinhua news, the journalists were invited as part of a tourism exposition. About 400 overseas guests, who were foreign ambassadors in China, diplomatic corps from Northeast Asia and South Asia, foreign journalists and overseas merchants from 15 countries and regions, including the United States, France, Republic of Korea and Pakistan, attended the Third China Tibet Tourism and Culture Expo.

Denyer reported that while most of the tours he and his fellow journalists had were guided, they were also allowed to go out on their own and even talk with local Tibetans in Lhasa, leading him to question whether a change in Chinese policy might loosen the grip on Tibet.

“In terms of police surveillance, I have to say yes there clearly is police surveillance. But our trip has been much more relaxed than previous trips for foreign journalists. Whether that is because the Tourism Expo is in town and that they have been making an effort to show people that Tibet is more P-4 ...

The Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet, on September 11, 2016. Photo: Washington Post Beijing Bureau Chief Simon Denyer

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September 15, 2016

TPI NEWS

Democracy Day: Sikyong calls for balancing roles with rights and duties

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay delivering Kashag speech to mark the 56th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamshala, India, on September 3, 2016. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

By Yeshe Choesang: September 02, 2016.

Dharamshala — As Tibetans in exile mark Democracy Day on Friday, Tibetans around the world have been urged to embrace democracy progress— balancing their rights and responsibilities, and to exercise respect with the Tibetan administration blessed by the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered at Tsug-lakkhang, the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, September 2nd, for the celebration and enjoyed cultural dance and songs performed by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. The chief guest was Mr Mukuth Mithi, former Chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and current member of Rajya Sabha and Dr Arun Kumar, a member of the Indian parliament in the Lok Sabha was the special guest at the official function.

In his message to mark 56th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan people Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said: “Likewise as citizens of a democratic institution we need to be mindful of the fact that while democracy bestows us with the rights it also expects us to shoulder our responsibilities. Like two sides of the same coin, rights and responsibility are closely entwined.”

Sikyong said: “We vehemently condemn the fringe group of extremists who bear the name of Shugden and have been making concerted efforts to denigrate the work and accomplishments of His Holiness. While we deplore the planned demonstrations against His Holiness, orchestrated by the Chinese government, we vow to confront these matters.”

According to him, “Democracy confers you with the right to speech and freedom of expression and in a democracy diversity of opinion should be respected.

But these rights and privileges shouldn’t be misused.

As much as democracy gives you the right and freedom, it also demands accountability, ownership and agency.

Engaging in acts of defaming His Holiness the Dalai Lama and leveling unfounded criticism against the CTA is an affront to the gift and tenets of Tibetan democracy.”

“Before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama set up a reform committee in an attempt to make structural changes in the Tibetan political and administrative system and transform them into a modern democratic institution,” he said, added: “But owing to many formidable challenges the changes weren’t implemented.

However, soon after his arrival in India, His Holiness followed his vision by making the political system of exile Tibetans a democratic institution.”

The Tibetan political leader said the Tibetan freedom movement based in exile follows a democratic system and noted this is unique and to be celebrated. “There is a growing global recognition of the accomplishments of our democracy. Recently on June 15, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) presented a citation to Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay to recognise and honour the democratic accomplishments of the Central Tibetan Administration, as envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Sikyong said that the Tibetan electorate took active part in the election process and the voter turnout in the general elections increased dramatically overtime – from 35,184 voters in 2001, to 49,184 in 2011 to 58,742 in 2016.

“Yet the recently concluded election witnessed some unfortunate incidents of internal bickering and regional discord that negatively impacted Tibetan unity and caused disappointment for His Holiness.”

“I would like to reminisce the statement of Kashag made on the occasion of His Holiness’ 81st birth anniversary and reiterate our steadfast commitment to foster unity among Tibetan people and make electoral reforms to complement the ideals of our unique democracy,” he added.

Extending his greeting to his fellow Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, the Tibet supporters all over the world, Sikyong Dr Sangay strongly praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama for establishing and steering this democratic system of Central Tibetan Administration. “In 2001, His Holiness declared his status as semi-retired and called for the first direct election of the Kalon Tripa, the executive head of Central Tibetan Administration,” he said.

“A decade later His Holiness made a historic change with the announcement of devolution of his political responsibilities to the elected political leader. His Holiness declared on August 08, 2011 at the swearing-in-ceremony of Tibetan political leader that he has fulfilled his’ long cherished goal’ of bringing democracy to the Tibetan people,” said Sikyong.

Sikyong said that the situation continue to remain grim after the Chinese occupation of Tibet with an abysmal human rights situation, crackdown on religious freedom and with the Chinese policies in Tibet leading to the obliteration of Tibetan identity and sinicization of Tibet. “Till date 144 Tibetans in Tibet have self-immolated in protest against the Chinese policies. Tibetans working for the welfare of Tibetans inside Tibet are arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges.

In 2015, respected Tibetan Buddhist leader Tenzin Delek Rinpoche died in custody after serving 13 years in prison on trumped-up criminal charges.”

The Communist Party of China that ruled Tibet with an iron fist for more than five decades, Sikyong also noted the growing danger of water insecurity in Tibet. “China’s fastpaced large hydropower and water diversion projects on the Tibetan Plateau have already started impacting water quality and freshwater fish in Tibet. If these dam projects continue operation or are implemented at the current rate, the water security of nearly 1.4 billion people downstream will be heavily compromised.”

Sikyong also stressed his administration’s concerns about the extreme levels of environmental degradation in Tibet.

“China’s policies of infrastructure development, mining and rapid urbanization have aggravated environmental degradation across Tibet impacting the quantity and quality of water resources which affect multiple downstream nations,” h said.

Dr Sanday also expressed great concern about the decline in justice in China, where forced confessions are increasingly used to justify jailing lawyers and activists and all those critical of the Chinese Communist Party. “In China, crackdown on civil society groups, lawyers and democracy activists and their arbitrary arrests and disappearances is rampant. Independent human rights groups and many governments, including the United States and Congressmen have deplored the situation in China and the Chinese government controlled regions.

Speaking on the recent appointment of Wu Yingjie as the new party secretary for TAR, Sikyong said it needs to be complemented by a review of China’s failed policies in Tibet and a commitment to heed to the true aspirations of people inside Tibet. “The recent spate of global events point to China’s adeptness at obfuscating issues of global and shirking of its responsibility as a global stakeholder. China’s abject rejection of International law has led to the creation of conflict and disturbances in its neighboring countries and substantiates China’s growing arrogance in Asia,” he said.

“China continues to assert pressure to the world leaders and religious heads against hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is undoubtedly the most revered Buddhist leader in today’s world,” he added and continued by saying: “We vehemently oppose such authoritarian acts and bullying tactics of the Chinese government and call on them to be a responsible stakeholder in the global affairs.”

Sikyong expressed his concern over the missing the Panchen Lama and expressed his strong disapproval of the recent Beijing’’s move— using the party-appointed Panchen Lama as a political tool. “While the Panchen Lama His Holiness the Gendun Chokyi Nyima continue to be abducted since 1995, the Chinese government appointed Gyaltsen Norbu recently conferred the Kalachakra teachings in Shigatse, Tibet. Tibetans in the region were mandated to attend the teachings. Such parochial measures testify the lack of religious freedom in Tibet.”

He also pointed out that the ongoing demolition of monastic dwellings by Chinese authories — a case concerned a typical example of religious freedom violations in Tibet. “The demolition of Larung Gar is an attempt to control Tibetan culture and religious life and is an act of trampling on the basic religious freedom and democratic rights of the people in Tibet,” he said.

“Larung Gar, which is the largest Buddhist academy on

TALK ON TIBET

The Tibet Post International

Tibetan people need fraternity, Parliament reminder on Democracy Day

By Molly Lortie: September 02, 2016.

Dharamshala — The Tibetan people celebrated Democracy Day on September 2nd, marking the 56th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibetan democratic system. In a statement released Friday morning, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile recalled the history of Tibetan government, the struggles a young Tibetan democracy faces today, and perhaps most importantly, the need for unity.

“One important point bears reiterating this time with regard to the development of the Tibetan democracy in exile. With the recent Tibetan general elections for the elections of the Sikyong and the members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Those elections saw fair amounts of incidents of Tibetans forgetting how tragic the situation in Tibet and the people in Tibet had continued to remain and the failure by some to appreciate the importance for the Tibetan people to preserve and adhere to the noble traditions and customs which were supposed to inherent in them without any degeneration. Rather, there were crossing of limits in all areas of the campaigning which was highly adversarial and partisan, imitating the kind of bellicose electioneering which takes place in fully independent, powerful democratic countries of the world.

It all led to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the incomparable leader of the Tibetan people, feeling upset and being seized by a compulsion to speak out. Later, during the ceremony at which the Sikyong took his oath of office, His Holiness said, among other things, “to engage in sectarian partisanship and, likewise, provincial and other kinds of strife based on narrow local interests for the sake of a minor temporary purpose for the present can lead to nothing but what one may call parochial minded selfish gains. This is not at all good. We, the Three Province of Tibet, are one as a people, enjoying our happiness together and, likewise, being as one in moments of sorrow. In other words, we are a community of one people, sharing our moments of joy as well as sorrow in togetherness. We all should strive to ensure that there will never be any communalizing of differences based on such things as provincial bias and I want all of you to keep this in mind.” ... All Tibetans must now pool their efforts on the fundamental basis of adhering to an unshakeable bond of fraternity, driven by unequivocal commonality of thought and utterance and through actual deeds, maintaining a singled-pointed chisel like unity. It is therefore time that all the officials of the Central Tibetan Administration and the general Tibetan public work in a cooperative manner to make a positive difference that can result from a unity of purpose.

“There is no indication that the government of China may change its policy towards Tibet. In fact, the policy has been becoming ever more repressive and ominous...

The pieces of land which farmers and nomads across the Tibetan Plateau had owned and freely used as they wished through many successive generations have been taken away by use of force or otherwise partitioned and divided the planet voluntarily built by devotees from all over the world including China, is today facing demolition on the hands of Chinese officials. The institute houses over 10,000 devotees and official orders restrict the number to 5000 after the demolitions,” he said, adding: “Saddened by the destruction of the institute and unable to bear the sight of the government-ordered demolition, three nuns (Rinzin Dolma, Tsering Dolma, 20 and Semgha) committed suicide since July this year.”

Sikyong also touched on the spate of self-immolations in Tibet, the Middle Way Policy, democracy and environment, and the continued support from governments around the world. “Recent reports suggest that the Chinese government is taking measures to make self-immolations a separatistrelated crime. Monks in Tibet are being forced to learn legal texts that highlight such offences,” he said.

“In the past the government has resorted to criminalization of the self-immolator’s family members. Such tyrannical measures will only exacerbate the situation inside Tibet and only validates the reputation of Chinese government as a repressive regime,” he said, addin: “Instead, heeding to the legitimate grievances of Tibetan people inside Tibet and according them the rights they are entitled to will address the aspirations of the Tibetans.”

The Tibetan political leader also reiterated his administration’s commitment to resolve the Tibet issue through the Middle Way Approach. “The issue of Tibet requires a political solution and the Middle Way Policy offers a mutually beneficial solution. CTA remain firmly committed to the Middle Way Policy and we are convinced that only dialogue can bring about a peaceful solution to the long-standing issue of Tibet,” he said.

And he added, saying: “As we iterated in the press release held after the Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations meeting held in July this year, we believe that dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government should take place. Kashag will continue with its efforts to carry forward the vision of His Holiness by strengthening the foundations of our democracy and ensuring an effective functioning of the CTA.” Finally, Sikyong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the international community, especially the Tibet support groups, individuals and organizations for supporting the just and non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people. “While we wish India on its 70th year of independence, we express our profound gratitude to the people and government of India for according highest respect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for generously hosting the Tibetan people,” he added.

up, resulting in immense livelihood pressure on them.

Tibetan nomads who had petitioned to the authorities to seek equitable ownership and division or return of their traditionally owned grassland were not only totally ignored but in addition also subjected to persecution.

Given the situation such as this, it has become extremely difficult for the Tibetan people to sustain their livelihood in their own ancestral land.

“This year China again issued a similar order, saying the religious academy had too many monks and nuns and their numbers needed to be drastically reduced, that the number of residences of monks and nuns was also too high and that many of them therefore needed to be demolished. The order began to be carried out on 20 July and it is still continuing without any care and concern for the sanctity and dignity of the famed Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. This remains a matter of serious concern to us. The government of the United States of America and others as well as various other major forums have paid attention to this development and also expressed serious concerns. The monks and nuns of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy have been devoted solely to studying Buddhism and its culture and science and to seeking to benefit Buddhism and sentient beings without being involved in any sort of illegal activity. These actions of the government of China clearly expose its hypocrisy on policy towards religious freedom: it routinely claims that there is religious freedom in Tibet. But it clearly exposes in reality the restrictions and prohibitions in religious freedom.

“With regard to all aspects of the Tibetan people’s struggle for their fundamental cause, governments across the world, including the United States of America and

European countries, parliaments, organizations of various kinds and so on have been continuous in rendering support. In particular, the support from the government and people of India has been especially crucial. Recently, led by the Deputy Speaker, a delegation of members of the Tibetan Parliament in exile called on a number of members of both the Houses of the Indian Parliament during its Monsoon Session in New Delhi. The purpose was to establish rapport, raise awareness about all aspects of the issue of Tibet, and seek support for it. And today, as we commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day on the Thekchen Choling compound here, we have been joined in our celebrations function by members of the Indian parliament who with giving of speeches and in other manners have extended their support for the issue of Tibet. I take this opportunity to offer my thanks to them all for their having taken interest in the issue of Tibet and for giving support for it.

On the fundamental question of the ways in which the just cause of Tibet should be seen resolved, the cultural and religious heritage of the Tibetan people preserved and carried on, and on other related matters, the main factor remains the zest of the Tibetan people to produce results in all their endeavours at all times in keeping with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We accordingly call on every Tibetan to remain unrelenting and adhere steadfastly to their commitment at all times in persevering to reach their goal. This is a matter of utmost importance.”

Tibetan Democracy Day was celebrated by the Central Tibetan Administration, local Tibetans, and supporters on Friday the 2nd at the main Temple in Dharamshala, India, and celebrations took place around the world in Tibetan communities abroad.

Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivering his speech to mark the 56th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamshala, India, on September 3, 2016. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

Advocacy group condemns new TAR boss for crackdowns in Tibet

By Molly Lortie,: September 07, 2016.

Washington, DC — Unlike most of his predecessors, the newly appointed party chief of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Wu Yingjie is known for his involvement advancing hardline Party campaigns and crackdowns in Tibet, said the Washington-based Tibet advocacy group.

The International Campaign for Tibet, has released a new report September 2nd on the appointment of a new leader in the Tibet Autonomous Region. According to the report, he is associated with hardline campaigns and committed to defaming His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The appointment of the top party leader in the region is a post that has never been held by a Tibetan, and was announced amidst a reshuffling of leadership in the area.

According to ICT’s report, Wu Yingjie has spent almost his entire career in Tibet, unlike most of his predecessors, and is known for his involvement advancing hardline Party campaigns and crackdowns.

In his first statement as Party Secretary, Wu Yingjie – a former propaganda official - emphasized the key importance of a deepened ‘struggle’ against the Dalai Lama, using retrograde political language stating that the authorities must “expand positive propaganda, thoroughly expose and criticize the Dalai,” which seems to suggest Wu’s appointment indicates a continuity of tough policies in the region.

The report goes on to list crackdowns in the Tibetan region that Wu has been involved with, including forcing

villagers of Driru (Chinese: Biru) to display Chinese national flags in 2014, ultimately ending in an incident of police firing into unarmed crowds and mass arrests. He also has been involved in monastic reformation, allegedly forcing anti-Dalai Lama and pro-Chinese Communist party propoganda into the monasteries.

Wu Yingjie, who was born in Shangdong, began his career at the Central Party School in Beijing, and unusually for a TAR Party Secretary, has spent virtually his entire career in Tibet, beginning in the closing years of the Cultural Revolution on a farm in Nyingtri (Chinese: Linzhi). He even went so far as to describe himself as a “local Tibetan”, saying that he was “brought up by the Party, the people, the Tibetan Plateau and all the ethnic groups of Tibet” and that he loves “the land and the hardworking people here.”

Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a “peaceful liberation”. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tibet was traditionally comprised of three main areas— U-tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces, covers an area of 870,000 square miles. After 1949, other Tibetan areas (Amdo and Kham) were incorporated into the neighboring, Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

The Communist Party of China, or CPC, appointed Wu Yingjie as the party’s new secretary general in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Photo: File

Tibet & Exile News 3 TPI NEWS TYC President Jigme re-elected, TWA marks 32nd anniv: Fight for Tibet cause will never give up delegates meet His Holiness The Tibet Post International

September 15, 2016

By Yeshe Choesang: Septenber 13, 2016

By Yeshe Choesang: September 05, 2016

Dharamshala — Delegates from the Tibet Youth Congress were granted a special audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence, after they ended the weeklong 16th General Body Meeting on Saturday, saying there is no change needed for the political ideology to seek complete independence for Tibet.

Tenzing Jimge of Minnesota, USA was reelected the new President of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan non-governmental organisation in exile, at the concluding day of the 16th General Body Meeting (GBM).

Delegates from 40 TYC regional chapters all over the world gathered here to represent their respective regions in the 16th GBM, which began on August 29. On Sunday, all delegates had the opportunity to have a special audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama who emphasized the importance of Tibetan youth and TYC as an Organisation and needs for more female role in TYC. Mr Jigme, who proved one of the strong candidates for the TYC Central Executive Committee, the highest office of the organisation, headquartered in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, received majority vote in final presidential election.

Mr Jigme and his team of nine members will serve the office for a another term of three years.

Tamding Hrichoe from Pokhara Jampaling, Nepal, was re-elected Vice President, while Tashi Lamsang from Dharamshala re-elected the General Secretary.

Ngawang Lobsang, former Joint Secretary, Tashi Dhondup, former Culture Secretary, and Tsewang Dolma, former International Relations and Information Secretary, were also re-elected for another term. Tenzin Yangzom, Penpa Tsering, Tashi Dhargye, Dekyi Lhasawa and Nyima Yangzom, are the newly elected members.

Mr Jampal Choesang, the former Chief Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration administered the oath of Office and Secrecy to the elected members.

Mr Choesang also conducted the election, on Saturday, in Dharamshala.

Describing His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the strength and unity of Tibet and the happiness of Tibetan people, the TYC expressed its deep gratitude to Government of India and Central Tibetan Administration for the efficient security arrangements provided to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“We strongly condemn and reject the baseless allegations against our spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, carried out by any organizations and individuals,” Mr Jigme said in his acceptance speech.

Mr Jigme also vowed to continue the freedom struggle of the Tibetan people and ensured that the members take intitative to maintain the TYC identity in the struggle for freedom.

The meeting passed a 22 point resolution on the last day of the meeting, strongly focused mainly on strategies to enhance the unity of the organization and also reviewed works that highlighting the current situation in Tibet. The annual reports and financial statements of the TYC and its regional chapters, were presented and reviewed.

Important agendas concerning relevant revisions of the TYC charter, strategic activities for freedom struggle, His Holiness’ security, preserving Tibetan culture, language and

environment were tabled and deliberated upon.

The 16th GBM also came with a decision that TYC should continue to stand for a fully independent Tibet after the majority showed support through the democratic process.

The GBM is the highest decision making body of TYC, and it alone is empowered to elect the CENTREX members and amend TYC’s written Constitution. The body elects not less than 10 members for the central committee.

The delegates spent nearly a week in the exile capital, where they had the opportunity to tour the major Tibetan institutions, include the Central Tibetan administration and the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, to learn more about the Tibetan political system.

The excutive members are normally required to work in TYC’s head office based here in Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.

TYC was founded on October 7, 1970 in Dharamsala with the sole objective to restore Tibet’s lost independence claims over 30,000 members with 81 regional chapters around the world.

Tibet was invaded by Communists China, starting in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of six Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monastaries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tibet was traditionally comprised of three main areas— U-tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces, covers an area of 870,000 square miles. After 1949, other Tibetan areas (Amdo and Kham) were incorporated into the neighboring, Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 amidst a mass Tibetan uprising on 10 March in Tibetan capital Lhasa against Communist China’s continuing presence in Tibet.

Dharamshala — To mark its 32nd re-establishment anniversary, the Dharamshala based Tibetan Women’s Association said they will never give up their fight for the cause of Tibet and Tibetan people.

The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) on Saturday commemorated the 32nd re-establishment anniversary in-exile since its loss of independence in 1959.

In the beginning of the event at Club House, McLeod Ganj on 12 September 2016, they observed one minute silence to mourn the Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for Tibet. The Deputy speaker of Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, Acharya Yeshi Phungstok was the event as chief guest.

Other guests included Ms Rinchen Khando, former Kalon and adviser to the association, Mr Ajai Singh Mankotia, President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and Mr Dawa Rinchen, Tibetan settlement officer.

Refreshing the history of Tibet, the event speakers also reminded the participants about the Tibetan women and their unwavering struggle for freedom in Tibet. The event was also attended by representatives of Tibetan non-governmental organisations, institutes and monasteries. Tibetan cultural song and dance were performed with artistes of the Thangtong Lugar.

“Tibetan Women’s Association believes in unity of Tibetan women from all the three provinces of Tibet, Kham, Amdo and Utsand under banner of TWA and works towards gaining freedom for Tibet, under leadership of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama,” TWA said in press statement issued on September 10.

“While we are celebrating the 32nd year of reestablishment and our success during these, we look back to the great sacrifices made by those brave women who stood and fought against the ruthless Chinese armed forces during the first ever great uprising of Tibetan women on March 12, 1959,” Ms Dolma Yangchen, TWA President said.

“Years rolled by but the memory of the sacrifices

Tibetan Women’s Association marking its 32nd founding anniversary at Club House, McLeod Ganj on 12 September 2016. Photo: TPI

made by those brave and selfless women cannot be erased from our mind. As the true representatives of the Tibetan women inside and outside of Tibet, we, the Tibetan Women’s Association will never give up our fight for the cause of Tibet and Tibetan people,” she said in her statement.

Ven Phuntsok spoke about the evolution of the Tibetan women’s movement, beginning from the 10th and 12th March 1959 uprising against the Chinese government in Tibet. He also heaped praises on the association for its rich service towards the preservation of Tibetan culture and particularly towards social causes since its inception in exile.

On this occasion, “we once again remind and appeal the world leaders and Tibet support groups all over the world to join hands together in support of issues related to Human Rights and Tibet’s endangered environment.

The women’s association urged the international community to pressure on China to re-start the dialogue with the Central Tibetan Administration in exile as per the Middle Way approach by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

TWA also demands the Chinese government to release all the Tibetan political prisoners unconditionally, urging UNCED to exert pressure on China to release the 11th Panchen Lama who has been Chinese captivity for over 21 long years.

Finally they called on UN and other world leaders to take immediate action to stop China from demolishing Tibet’s biggest Buddhist Institute Larung Gar at Serthar County, eastern Tibet.

On this day – known as Women’s Uprising Day – thousands of Tibetan women in Lhasa gathered together to protest against the illegal occupation of Tibet by Communist China. Protesting peacefully outside the Potala Palace, hundreds of these women suffered brutally at the hands of the Chinese troops.

They were arrested, imprisoned, tortured and beaten without trial.

Today, the TWA has over 16,000 members and 57 branches worldwide including branches in: India, Nepal, Europe, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, the United States of America and Canada. TWA is the largest women’s group in the Tibetan community, was originally founded on 12 March 1959 in Tibet.

Xi’s Tibet trip indicates China aims to further militarize the plateau

By Molly Lortie: September 07, 2016

Washington, DC — The President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Qunhai province, the northwestern region of Tibet, suggests the party’s confirmation of plans to further militarize the plateau, in addition to the exploitation of minerals and water, and the continued relocation of nomads, as a report from the International Campaign for Tibet suggests.

The report, released September 6th, just a week after the leader’s trip to Qinhai concluded, suggests that the visit indicates advanced plans coming from the Communist Party.

Making a visit to a nomad settlement village during his trip, Xi Jinping reiterated the retrograde official line about removing pastoralists from the grasslands, despite the scientific consensus among rangelands experts in the PRC and internationally that the indigenous knowledge of pastoralists and herd mobility are crucial to the protection of the environment.

Xi also visited a settlement in the outskirts of Gormud, housing mainly former Tibetan nomads from the Tibetan area of Kham. More and more Tibetan pastoralists are being relocated to industrialised Gormud, where they face increasing difficulties, lacking skills or language ability to compete with Chinese workers, and leading to increasing poverty, environmental

The elected TYC members were administered the oath of office by Mr Jampal Choesang, the former the Chief Election Commissioner of the Central Tibetan Administration, in Dharamshala, India, on September 3, 2016. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang.

degradation and social breakdown.

Xi’s visit to the biggest salt lake in the PRC, Tsakha (Chinese: Chaerhan) in the Tsaidam Basin, the ICT’s report links to the new focus of the leadership on the exploitation of Tibet’s lithium, in anticipation of a global boom in lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones and laptop computers, and for electric cars. Chaerhan (or Da Qaidam) lake stands out for its high level of lithium salts.

Investors worldwide, including Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, have been drawn to the lithium deposits of Tibet as part of their backing for a Chinese manufacturer, in planning to make electric cars. Nearly all of China’s lithium comes from Tibet, from two areas, one of which being the salt beds of the Tsaidam Basin, where Xi visited.

The ICT’s report goes on to reveal that also under the radar of coverage by the state media was the expectation that a major uranium find is now hopeful in the Tsaidam Basin, according to Chinese scientists. Uranium, needed for the dramatic expansion in nuclear power now under construction across China, has been found elsewhere on the Tibetan plateau.

There are increasingly frequent protests by Tibetans against mining in a bid to protect Tibet’s fragile landscape as the Chinese authorities accelerate large-scale mining in copper, gold, silver, chromium and lithium.

Tibetans who express even moderate concern about the impact of toxic waste, deforestation, and large-scale erosion risk being imprisoned, tortured, or killed.

Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a “peaceful liberation”.

Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tibet was traditionally comprised of three main areas— U-tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces, covers an area of 870,000 square miles. After 1949, other Tibetan areas (Amdo and Kham) were incorporated into the neighboring, Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting a village of Golmud County of Tibet (Ch: Qinghai province, August 22, 2016. Photo: Xinhua

I Adviser Adviser Adviser Adviser

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Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy A software engineer, Austria A professional graphic designer, India A Tibetan writer, India

Editor in Chief Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Choneyi Sangpo Assistant Editor Dawa Phurbu Project Manager Molly Lortie Taipei Photographer Artemas Liu Layout & Design Choneyi Sangpo Circulation Tsering Samdhup

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Canada raises human rights and freedom of expression with China

By Yeshe Choesang,: September 03 , 2016

Dharamshala — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the importance of freedom of expression and acceptance of diversity, and encouraged China to do more to protect human rights.

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau begins his first official visit to China, the Canadian Coalition for Human Rights in China - which include Tibet Support Groups, Canada-Hong Kong Link and Amnesty International Canada - strongly urged Trudeau and his government to “make human rights a priority” during his trip.

Those are “not easy conversations to have”, but are necessary ones, Trudeau said at a reception held in Shanghai. Trudeau is seeking deeper ties with China but a dispute over canola trade, government divisions over China policy and the case of a detained citizen could limit his gains. He said on Wednesday that he hopes for a long-term solution with China on their dispute over the safety of canola exports from Canada.

“I remind everyone that as a country that has seen first hand the benefits of free expression and good governance — Canada encourages China to do more to promote and protect human rights,” the Prime Minister said Thursday in his 22-minute speech at a dinner organized by the Canada China Business Council in Shanghai.

In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, he said, he had argued the value of diverse perspectives – an oblique way of calling out China for its oppressive Internet censorship and police regime, which it uses to suppress threats to Communist Party primacy.

“In the global village, we all have stake in what happens here. The success of the world is inexorably linked to China’s success, and I know that these are not easy conversations to have, but they are necessary ones.”

Trudeau also met Thursday with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Trudeau also said that freedom of expression is a “true Canadian value” protected by the country’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“In a world of rapid change, it is a diversity of ideas, and the free ability to express them, that drives positive change,” Mr. Trudeau said, according to media reports.

The comments mark his strongest to date on his first trip to China as Prime Minister. Under pressure at home to send an unflinching message against China’s intensifying clampdown on dissent and “Western values,” Mr Trudeau has chosen his words carefully to avoid angering his hosts and spoiling the “new era” in cross-Pacific relations he wants to build.

In that, he has almost certainly succeeded. Far from taking a stern tone, he has been largely complimentary toward China and its leadership.

The prime minister’s direct remarks came during a week-long official visit to China aimed at forging deeper commercial and cultural bonds between the two countries.

Building closer economic ties will make it easier for China and Canada to speak frankly about governance, human rights and the rule of law,

Classified

Trudeau told several hundred people at an event hosted by the Canada China Business Council.

Trudeau even went so far as to broach the subject of gender equality. “See, we’re Canadians — we travel with our values and we don’t hesitate to share them whenever and wherever we see opportunities,” he said before glancing purposefully at the table in front of the stage. “And actually, there’s an opportunity here tonight — gentlemen, it’s 2016.

We need more women at this head table.”

It’s not the first time a great Canadian prime minister has spoken bravely while in China about the ever-present issue of that country’s human rights record. During a landmark 1998 visit, Chretien told students at Beijing University that Canadians find it disturbing to “hear of people being harassed or imprisoned for expressing political views different from the government.”

In the past, the Chinese communist leadership has not taken seriously to public criticism of its human rights record, particularly from peace loving countries. But, unlike disgraced leaders, Trudeau bravely mentioned the words “human rights,” “freedom of expression,” “Middle class”. “Jobs” and then of-course “Economy” .

State-run news agency critical of Canada urged Canada to look within its borders at its own reputation on the treatment of Aboriginal Peoples, some of whom live in “miserable conditions.” The item added the “so-called human rights issue” comes from the “West’s long-standing prejudice and arrogance against China.”

On Wednesday, Canada’s ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, said the country has been moving backwards over the past three years when it comes to personal freedoms, particularly its censorship of the Internet. “That’s why Canada has used opportunities to express its views to China,” Saint-Jacques said.

Trudeau’s speech also discussed the vast economic potential for both countries across numerous traditional industries like natural resources, but also in newer sectors like clean technology. “We know that when we do build strong and resilient relationships, when we give Canadian businesses more opportunities to succeed — they will succeed,” he said.

Earlier Thursday, the Trudeau government announced that Canadian and Chinese companies had signed 56 new commercial contracts and agreements worth $1.2 billion. The Canadian envoy to China said Thursday that until now, visa offices for Chinese tourists were limited to cities where Canada has a diplomatic presence.

Xi’s commitment to “Ethnic Unity”, “Economy Development” and “Social Stability” in Tibet under the banner of “Peaceful Liberation”, nether seeks a peaceful solution nor a signal for a new reform of more openness. But there are plenty of reasons to believe that China is further strengthening an integral element of another “cultural revolution” project not only in Tibet, but entire China.

Many say Xi is revealing the true nature of a Communist regime in Tibet, a similar sense of strategic inviolability characterized by the 20th century’s greatest mass murderer, Mao Zedong, who systematically raped, tortured and murdered an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans, one-fifth of the country’s population.

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Middle Way envisages a mutually beneficial solution: His Holiness

By Jane Cook: September 14 , 2016

Paris — Speaking to media representatives in Paris, on Tuesday, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama confirmed that the Middle Way Approach envisages a mutually beneficial solution to both China and Tibet.

Representatives of several news agencies including Agence France-Presse, Le Croix (Christian Daily News), and Le Point (a weekly news magazine) conducted an interview together with His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning.

The reporters began by asking how to talk about happiness in France and he replied that this was a question asked in many developed countries.

Material goals and material development can be very helpful, but of limited benefit. They provide physical comfort without affecting our mental unease. “We tend to think that if we fulfil our material needs,” he said, “all our problems will be solved, but that’s not so.”

Asked if he would like to meet Pope Francis, he told them that he had tried to meet each new Pope since 1973, but in the present case it had not yet happened. He was similarly asked if he regretted not being able to shake President Francois Hollande’s hand and replied that meeting members of the public was more important.

He explained that since retiring from political responsibility 5 years ago he has been more concerned about preserving Tibet’s culture, language and natural environment. He confirmed that the Middle Way Approach he advocated with regard to Tibet in relation to China remains viable because it envisages a mutually beneficial solution.

“The days of victory for one side and complete defeat of the other are over. What we need is reconciliation, otherwise we’ll not succeed,” His Holiness added.

His Holiness told the journalists it was not especially important to preserve the institution of the Dalai Lama because everything does not depend on one person. The most important advice he would like people to heed is that the wellbeing of all 7 billion human beings alive today is everyone’s concern.

Tibetan spiritual leader compared adopting a sense of universal responsibility to the spirit of the EU according to which it is better to support the greater good than just local or national interest.

“We Tibetans took refuge in India and other

countries,” he said, describing the issue of migrants as complicated, “but our long-term goal is to return to Tibet. People from Africa and the Middle East deserve to be given opportunity. The innocent and vulnerable, especially children need temporary shelter. Children need education and youth need training so that when they eventually return they can help rebuild their countries.”

In a separate interview with Yann Barthes focussing more on youth for TF1, His Holiness told him that he understood that young people feel anxious about the future, but that they could take strength from the fact that more and more people are fed-up with violence and are genuinely concerned to protect the environment.

In the early 20th century no one gave a thought to the environment—now it’s a common theme.

The important thing, he said, was not to let your confidence flag and lose hope. He described himself as optimistic.

When Barthes also asked about migrants His Holiness spoke of his sadness seeing reports and images of forlorn women, starving children and old people. He couldn’t help asking himself what fault they had committed.

In response to another question about the future Dalai Lama, His Holiness clarified that the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as a whole is much older than the institution of one lama. He observed that what will happen is not yet clear.

If the Tibetan people want another Dalai Lama, one option may be for a good candidate to be chosen while the present incumbent is still alive.

US journalist goes ...

(continued from front page)

open, that may be a factor. It may be a factor that simply there hasn’t been so much unrest in a few years since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and they’ve relaxed things a little bit. But of course, I don’t know how much surveillance Tibetans face, as that’s quite hard to tell.”

Though as Denyer went on to say that while they have been given a good amount of propaganda, they have also been allowed to move about as they please, one of their state guides walks by saying, “don’t use the word propaganda.. it’s publicity!”

Regarding locals’ comments, Denyer said that the biggest complaint Tibetans voiced was about education. Tibetan children have very limited access to Tibetan education, as most all of their schooling is in Mandarin Chinese.

“That is a problem for parents. One parent said, my child speaks better Mandarin than he does Tibetan. A Tibetan teacher and scholar we met said, many Tibetans speak their own language as if it were foreign.”

Denyer’s Facebook Live endeavor gave us the first unedited, free depiction of Potala Palace and Tibet in years, as China’s occupation has cut off communication and access from the rest of the world through restrictions in tourism and internet blockades.

Dharamshala IFF announces fifth upcoming festival

By Molly Lortie: September 13, 2016

The Dharamshala International Film Festival released a press statement this week announcing their fifth festival set to take place November 3rd to the 6th.

Registration has opened for the festival, along with the announcement of the festival’s first six films to be screened, all of which will be attended by the directors for a question and answer session with the audience.

This year sees a change of venue from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, which is undergoing major renovations until 2018, to the Tibetan Children’s. The festival films will be screened in two auditoriums on the campus with all other events, including master classes, panel discussions, workshops and a food and craft fair all located within walking distance.

DIFF is presented by White Crane Arts & Media, a trust founded by veteran filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam to promote contemporary cinema, art and independent media practices in the Himalayan regions of India.

Registering for the festival is now available on Book My Show.

DIFF brings international film to the Himalayas

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7th Int’l Conference of Tibet Support Religion gives a sense of inner values, says His Holiness Groups underway in Brussels

By Yeshe Choesang: September 09, 2016

His Holiness the Dalai Lama playfully greeting his old friend Richard Gere as he arrives for the opening session of the Seventh International Conference of Tibet Support Groups in Brussels, Belgium on September 8, 2016. Photo/Olivier Adam

By Molly Lortie: September 09, 2016

Brussels — The International Conference of Tibet Support groups commenced their 7th meeting this week with their opening ceremony, graced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on Thursday, March 8th. The three day conference, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium, includes more than 250 delegates from over 50 countries including 29 Chinese participants and 103 European participants.

His Holiness called on his friends and supporters of Tibet to take a broader view; to work to emulate his commitments to promote human happiness and encourage inter-religious harmony. In addition, he described himself as Tibetan and someone the Tibetan people trust. He described being interested in democracy since childhood and after failing to implement reforms in Tibet, working to establish it in exile.

The result was that with an elected leadership he felt able to semi-retire in 2001 and retire completely in 2011. What’s more he willingly put an end to the Dalai Lamas taking a political role in the future. He said his retirement allowed him to work for the preservation of Tibetan culture and language. One of the ways of doing this has been engaging in dialogue with modern scientists. Many of them are interested in learning from Tibetan experience and understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions.

The first speaker of the event was Mr Thomas Mann, President of the Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament, who welcomed the guests and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and went on to say that this 7th conference was an excellent opportunity to send a message to China regarding the ‘deficit of human rights and unacceptable conditions’ inside Tibet.

Several other speakers followed, all echoing a similar point, that it is time to change diplomacy with China, and it is time to seriously prioritize human rights.

Following this theme, Mr Henri Malosse, former President of the European Economic and Social Committee, stated that “we must never forget to mention human rights, civil rights and political freedom for everyone. When the EU is tough on small countries about these issues, why does it go easy on China? The Tibet issue is important because it affects the image we wish to reflect to the outside.”

Cristian Preda, Vice Chair of the Human Rights sub-Committee and Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament also asserted, “as repressive as a policy might be, it cannot kill the hope of an entire community... It is time to change our method and publicly condemn the policies of the Chinese government for the Tibetans and engage in a stronger public diplomacy on human rights issues.”

An unplanned speaker was then introduced, and long time advocate for Tibetans and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s close friend, Richard Gere, continued by saying, “China is being viewed differently today than they were a year ago or a year ago before that.

I think we can help reorder the world into the world we want it to be... We are all just human beings on this planet looking for happiness and we need to include the Chinese people in that. And my hope for this conference is that we can figure out how we can view the Chinese people as brothers and sisters in this enterprise.”

The democratically elected Prime Minister of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, spoke later, looking towards the future with hope for a peaceful conflict to the Tibetan issue. “I do

believe that will happen, because this is Europe.

This is the land where the Berlin wall came down, you are the veterans of the Berlin wall.... we have to make it happen that his Holiness’s message and the message of peace prevail. The Berlin Wall came down in Europe, the wall of injustice in Tibet will also come down. With that hope and prayer I do believe that nonviolence will prevail over violence, compassion will prevail over war, justice will prevail over injustice, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet.”

The five decades old Tibetan struggle led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama generated intense and active interest for Tibet from people of all walks of life internationally since 1959. As a result, numerous Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) have been formed around the world. The International Conference was founded as a way to join efforts of the many groups found around the world to unite and collaborate.

Brussels — In order to create a more peaceful world and a happier environment, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that the balance between the material values and moral values must be maintained, by improving the existing educational system.

His Holiness accepted interview by Francois Mazure, Editor-in-Chief of the Belgian television channel RTBF, after Tibetan community and supporters organised a hero’s welcome for His Holiness the Dalai Lama upon his arrival in the Belgian capital of Brussels, on September 7.

His Holiness answered RTBF’s questions on religion, power and life, and in particular, the significance and impact of compassion and care.

Mazure’s first question referred to the theme of the forthcoming Mind & Life conference—Power and Care.

He wanted to know how these two ideas can work together. His Holiness told him power is to do with ability. It’s about being effective. But power can be constructive or destructive. Care, however, is about respecting others’ lives, rights and well-being. It’s good when power is used for benefit. He continued: “It’s because compassion is related to human life, to our survival, to human society that it is part of the message of all religious traditions. Today, we 7 billion human beings are facing all sorts of problems as a result of education systems and lifestyles oriented towards material goals, while only religion gives a sense of inner values,” he said.

“And yet not everyone is interested in religion and even among many who are some are not very serious. Only by improving education can we reach all human beings,” the Nobel Peace Prize laureate told the RTBF. When Mazure referred to recent terrorist attacks in Europe, including here in Belgium, and asked what His Holiness had to say to those who are angry, he replied that Tibetans too have faced difficulties and some are angry, but he tells them that anger brings no solution and disturbs your peace of mind.

He spoke of writing to President George W Bush, who he counts as a friend, the day after the September 11th

tragedy. He said he conveyed his sympathy but also expressed the hope that any response would be nonviolent. He said he feels that if the Iraq crisis had been approached in a non-violent way, the situation would have been much better today.

He reiterated that the use of force creates more difficulties than it solves. He added that it is unhelpful to refer to Muslim terrorists or Buddhist terrorists and so forth, because once people engage in terrorist violence they have ceased to be proper Muslims, Buddhists or whatever faith they claim.

Mazure asked His Holiness whether the next Dalai Lama could be a woman and whether more female leaders would be good for the world. His Holiness confirmed that some years ago he told a Paris magazine that if it would help, a female Dalai Lama was quite possible.

The spiritual leader of Tibet also remarked that today we have nearly 200 nations in the world. If their leaders were women, he said, there’s a good chance there would be less killing going on.

His Holiness agreed that ecology is extremely important because the effects of climate change

and the increased frequency of natural disasters are affecting us all. He assured Mazure that he had not retired in 2011 because he was discouraged or for any other negative reason, but because since coming into exile he had worked to establish democracy among Tibetans.

Towards the end of their conversation, His Holiness told Mazure, “When I die, I pray I’ll be reborn where I can be useful.”

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan people.

In the past, he has also served as the political leaders of Tibet. He was exiled from Tibet in 1959 after a failed Tibetan national uprising against the Chinese occupation. He led the Tibetan government-in-exile for more than 50 years but has passed his political authority to democratic institutions in 2011.

Any sign of loyalty to him in occupied Tibet can be met with arrests, lengthy sentences, torture, violent crackdowns and ‘harsh re-education’ programmes.

Despite more than 65 years of China’s oppressive occupation, Tibetans remain fiercely loyal to their spiritual leader.

Francois Mazure interviewing His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Belgian TV RTBF in Brussels, Belgium on September 8, 2016.

Photo/Jeremy Russel/OHHDL

“To be a supporter of Tibet is not Tibet Support Groups call for eareasy”: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay nest dialogue to resolve Tibet issue

By Yeshe Choesang: September 08, 2016

Brussels, Belgium — “To be a supporter of Tibet is not easy because you have to do everything voluntarily without any financial benefits,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said, expressing his deep gratitude for their generous support to Tibet.

Dr Sangay welcomed delegates ahead of the International Tibet Support Groups Conference at a dinner reception hosted in their honour on September 7, in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

The conference which is formally scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 8, will be inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“At least 250 delegates from Tibet support groups based in 50 countries around the world are expected to take part in the conference,” according to a report filed with inputs by Joint Secretary Namgyal Tsewang from Brussels, Belgium.

Welcoming the delegates at the event, the political leader of Tibetan people, expressed his heartfelt greetings and thanked them for their continued support towards the peaceful Tibetan movement. “ O n b e h a l f o f t h e C e n t r a l Ti b e t a n Administration, I sincerely welcome you all to the conference, even though I myself arrived here this afternoon,” Sikyong said. “To see all our friends, old and new, in one room gives us a great sense of solidarity and a renewed hope for the cause of Tibet and the Tibetan people.”

“In the next few days, there will be newer energy and dynamism in the Tibetan movement.

Our brainstorming and the strategies that we formulate will infuse new ideas into the Tibetan movement. It will also send a strong message to China that Tibetans are not alone and that the Tibet issue has to be resolved soon,” he said.

Sikyong attributed the increasing worldwide support of the Tibetan movement to the hard work of the Tibet supporters. “The Tibetan community in exile is only about 150,000 strong. However, the Tibetan movement has been able to magnify its voice multiple times due to the support of our friends like you,” he said.

“To be a supporter of Tibet is not easy because you have to do everything voluntarily without any financial benefits, sometimes even paying from your own pockets,” he added, explaining that some of the Tibet supporters have even grown old, sporting grey hairs and lines of wrinkles over the years. “But even then, you have not stopped your support for Tibet. We admire your dedication and remain indebted to you,” he expressed.

Sikyong assured that justice will prevail and freedom will be restored to Tibet soon. “When that happens, we can walk together to Lhasa, relishing the authentic taste of Tibetan momos on the iconic Barkhor street and dance to the tunes of Tibetan Changsheys,” Sikyong said optimistically to the delegates.

Sikyong welcoming the delegates at the dinner reception ahead of the TSG conference in Brussels, Belgium, on September 7, 2016. Photo: CTA/DIIR

By Yeshe Choesang: September 13, 2016

Brussels — Delegates from Tibet Support Groups based in 50 countries Saturdy urged the Chinese government to engage in an earnest dialogue with the Tibetan leadership to resolve the issue of Tibet on the basis of Middle-Way Approach, while reiterating their strong for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration leadership.

The Seventh International Conference of Tibet Support Groups, facilitated by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) concludes three-day international conference in Brussels, the capital of European Union.

Over 250 delegates from 50 countries met to examine the current situation in Tibet, especially the political, human rights and environmental developments, and drew up plans for coordinated action to amplify the worldwide Tibet movement.

The delegates expressed its complete and continuing solidarity with the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people for freedom and restoration of their fundamental human rights.

They also expressed great concern at the devastating impact of China’s policies on Tibet’s fragile and globally vital environment, notably the damming of Asia’s rivers, destructive mining practices and coercive settlement of Tibetan pastoral nomads.

Placing the responsibility of the crisis in Tibet on China and their failed policies, the TSGs said the Chinese government should implement real changes in its policies and behavior towards the Tibetans and resume dialogue with Tibetan representatives to arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement.

They further called on governments and the international community to resist Chinese pressure to endorse China’s claim to Tibet and urged them to persuade China’s leaders to abandon the shameless precondition.

“We reaffirm our commitment to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration leadership’s persistent call for earnest dialogue to resolve the Tibetan issue,” the TSGs said.

“We will further strengthen our efforts to press the international community to persuade the Chinese leadership to resume dialogue and will continue our dedication until a satisfactory solution has been achieved,” they added.

The three-day conference also outlined a series of Action Plans to be carefully considered and developed including joint and individual action by governments on violation of religious freedom, legal action in national courts on the basis of universal jurisdiction, action on language rights at the United Nations, list the 1959 Tibetan national uprising among the UNESCO’s heritage of Memories of the World, to press all affected countries in particular the PRC to enter into a water-sharing agreement regarding the waters originating from the Tibetan plateau.

Increasingly, a number of Chinese delegates, including intellectuals are also attending the Special International Tibet Support Group Meetings from 8-10 September. The first International Conference of Tibet Support Groups was held in 1990 in Dharamshala,India, seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The Tibetan leadership in exile repeatedly said the MWA neither seeks a “Greater Tibet” nor a “high degree of autonomy”, but “Genuine Autonomy” for all Tibetan people under a “single administration, to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet and to bring about stability and co-existence between peoples based on equality and mutual co-operation. But, in its 2015 white paper, China again rejected the approach.

“The Tibetan leadership remains firmly committed to the MW policy, and strongly believes that only way to resolve the issue of Tibet is through dialogue,” Dr Sangay who was re-elected as Sikyong, political leader of Tibetan people said during a two-day meeting of the Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations, recently held in Dharamshala, India.

Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a “peaceful liberation”. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tibet was traditionally comprised of three main areas— U-tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces, covers an area of 870,000 square miles. After 1949, other Tibetan areas (Amdo and Kham) were incorporated into the neighboring, Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

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September 15, 2016

TPI NEWS

Back Page Focus

Taiwan extends invitation to His Holiness

By Yeshe Choesang: September 07, 2016

Dharamshala — Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan has expressed its warm welcome for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan. The news came after the spiritual leader of Tibet accepted an invitation extended to him to visit Taiwan and deliver a speech on freedom and democracy, requested by a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation which came to announce its collaboration with the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, in Dharamshala.

‘Taiwan’s legislative Yuan will always welcome people from any country if they are willing to help spread democracy and freedom,’ Taiwan’s Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan said Tuesday, responding to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s enthusiastic comment about a possible return to Taiwan.

New Power Party (NPP) legislator and black metal musician Freddy Lim extended the invitation during his visit to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India on September 5, along with his colleague from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Kolas Yotaka.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Monday said he would be glad to visit Taiwan again after New Power Party (NPP) Legislator Freddy Lim asked him during a trip to India. Lim said the spiritual leader had replied that he is very glad to visit Taiwan again. Lim also said that peace can only be achieved if people from different countries are willing to work together.

“The people of Taiwan have always been concerned with human rights violations in Tibet, the Taiwanese government has remained silent in recent years, despite the Chinese oppression of human rights, Lim said. Now that the younger generation is on the rise, it is a key moment for Taiwan to start reinforcing its presence within the international human-rights community, he said, adding that “building trust and friendship with the people of Tibet is is a key moment.”

Taiwan’s rock star Lim has long been a supporter of the Tibetan cause. This is not the first time Lim has met the His Holines, he previously met with him in 2008 and 2019, but the first as a Taiwanese parliamentarian. The lead singer of Taiwanese heavy metal band Chthonic, had previously organized Free Tibet concerts in 2003 and 2009. He has also frequently expresses admiration for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, featuring a large mural of him in his NPP office.

According to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kolas Yotaka, who also visited His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the democratically elected political leader of Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay, said that

many Taiwanese Buddhist groups had tried to arrange for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan, but the administration of former president Ma Ying-jeou refused to issue him a visa.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s last trip to Taiwan was in 2009, when he came to the country to pray for survivors and victims of the deadly Typhoon Morakot.

“We hope that with a consensus from both sides and at an appropriate time, the Dalai Lama will be allowed to visit Taiwan,” Dr Sangay said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader supported Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen’s apology in August this year, to Aborigines as part of ‘a good trend’, saying that people should seek to resolve conflict and avoid extremist or radical criticism, Yotaka said, adding that criticism would not solve issues and would prevent true settlement.

“I think in many parts of the world, the stronger nation, when they come, they simply ignore the feelings of native people,” Yotaka said, in response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s comment: “The apology was very good.”

“Now that is eventually changing worldwide, I think; the recognition of native people’s rights. So I think with that kind of world trend... I think Australian government also expressed something similar...

Canada as well. So Taiwan also. I think it is a very good trend, I think. Good trend,” he added.

Since China’s invasion of their country, Tibetan people have never stopped peacefully resisting the occupation and the destruction of their way of life.

Instead of offering a formal apology for their crimes against Tibetan people and admit their wrongdoing in

Tibet, the Chinese government has chosen to respond with an iron fist.

According to the delegation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was also concerned over the rights of residency of Tibetans-in-exile in Taiwan and openly praised the Tsai administration’s proposal to abolish the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, Yotaka said.

The commission symbolizes Chinese authority on Tibetans and has proved to be a long-term roadblock in communication between Taiwan and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dr Sangay said, adding that the CTA has high expectations of the Tsai administration.

Meanwhile, the delegation Monday held a press conference in Dharamshala where they also declared their intention to form “All party parliamentary group for Tibet” in the Taiwan Parliament and various startup projects with Tibetan settlement offices in India.

Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a “peaceful liberation”. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tibet was traditionally comprised of three main areas— U-tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces, covers an area of 870,000 square miles. After 1949, other Tibetan areas (Amdo and Kham) were incorporated into the neighboring, Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

86% French public wants Pres. Hollande to meet His Holiness

By Yeshe Choesang: September 13, 2016

Dharamshala — A new opinion poll finds 86% of French public wants President Francois Hollande and other top officials to meet the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his seven-day trip to France. Tibet Support Groups in the French National Assembly have made similar appeals to Mr Hollande, in favor of freedom and the preservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Tibetan plateau.

The Tibetan leader arrived in Paris on Monday for a six-day visit that will take him to the European Parliament in Paris. His Holiness will meet some of the thousands of Buddhists who live in France where, according to the Union Bouddhiste de France(UBF), Buddhism is the fourth religion.

According to French media reports, the poll conducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) from September 6 to 7, 2016, on the eve of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to France, finds that 86 per cent of the French public feels President François Hollande “has to officially receive the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in the name of Human Rights.”

According to the poll conducted by telephone, this belief transcends all age groups, all social backgrounds and all political affiliations, but with a higher proportions among Socialist supporters (91%) the Republicans (LR) (88%) and the National Front (81%).

In addition Mr Jean-Patrick Gille and Mr Noël Mamère, co-chairs of Tibet Group in the French National Assembly, will receive His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the French Senate on Wednesday, 14 September during His Holiness’ two-day visit to Paris.

The duo also wrote a letter to French President Mr Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Mr Manuel Valls, several Ministers of the cabinet and the President of the French National Assembly, urging them to meet the Tibetan leader during the his visit.

“Today it is more than necessary that the Tibetan

Newly founded rights network will bolster support for Tibet: Delegation

By Molly Lortie: September 05, 2016

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with newly elected Taiwanese Parliament member, Freddy Lim, in Dharamshala, India, on Monday, September 5, 2015. Photo: TPI

community gets the support of the international diplomatic partners to quickly build a peace process with China,” they wrote.

“The civil society should be sensitised on the Tibet issue and the politicians themselves must adopt a clear position in favor of freedom and the preservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Tibetan plateau,” they said.

Earlier, over twenty Tibet Support Groups (TSG) in France under the initiative of Association Tibet Libre, have written an open letter to French President Francois Hollande, requesting him to receive His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his visit.

In the letter, the TSGs have asked for a public meeting between the two leaders to restore and revive the French people’s faith in peace, harmony and the beauty of their country in the backdrop of a

series of terrorist attacks that rocked France.

French Senator André Gattolin, who has deep interest in the Tibetan issue, said: “This result shows that, despite the pressure from the Chinese authorities towards the West, the French give massive support to the recognition at the highest level of the State of the role of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause. I recall that Barack Obama received on June 15 the Dalai Lama to the White House, despite the warning from China.”

Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a “peaceful liberation”. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.

French President Francois Hollande. Photo: File

The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala -- A delegation from the newly founded “The Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan” (HRNTT) said they hope that the Taiwan based Network will bolster support and understanding for Tibet at the highest levels.

HRNTT also had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, where they invited His Holiness to visit Taiwan.

The newly founded HRNTT held its first press conference at Lhakpa Tsering Hall in Dharamshala, on September 5th to announce its collaboration with the Tibetan Parliamentin-Exile through institution of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the Taiwan Parliament and various startup projects with Tibetan settlement offices in India.

Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) is a coalition comprising Taiwan-based NGOs with diverse human rights concerns. Its members include Tibetan and Taiwanese social activists, college professors, writers, students and legislators, who have been a long-time supporters of the Tibetan cause.

A total of 11 members attended the press conference, including two legislators: Tshiong-tso Lim, Legislator and founding leader of New Power Party and Kolas Yotaka, Legislator of Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan.

Addressing the media, founder of the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan, Mr Tashi Tsering

announced, “The members of Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile through institution of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the Taiwanese Parliament, to bolster support and understanding for Tibet at the highest levels.”

Speaking on new projects and collaborations with the Tibetan settlements in India, Professor Song-Lih Huang, Secretary General of Taiwan International Medical Alliance and Convenor of Convenants Watch stated, “We have formalized a few concrete projects, focused on creating education opportunities for Tibetan students to study in Taiwan in post graduate programs. The HRNTT will communicate with the Taiwan government in order to reduce barriers for Tibetan students to pursue postgraduate education in Taiwan.”

“The second project is to publish a Tibetan newspaper for children in Tibetan settlements across India. The objective is to encourage Tibetan children to preserve their language and to provide them platforms to develop their skills and ability.”

Other speakers included Legislator Kolas Yotaka, representative of indigenous peoples of Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party, Tshiong-tso Lim, also known as Freddy Lim, Legislator of New Power Party and a long time Tibet supporter, Mr Lobsang Dakpa, member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

Mr Tashi Tsering, founder of Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) addressing the press conference, along with members of HRNTT and Mr Lobsang Dakpa, a member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, at DIIR Lhakpa Tsering hall in Dharamshala, India, September 5, 2016. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo