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23/06/2008
The Torch relay was conspicuously devoid of it without even a single Buddhist monk present
{The Tibet Post International - Monday, 23 June 2008} www.thetibetpost.comUnfortunately, the relay was supposedly to foster multi-cultural and multi-ethnic facet of 'China's Tibet' left the world in awe with majority of common Tibetans forcibly confined to their homes and only select group of spectators and cheerers permitted to attend to what China calls a 'historic event'.
Amid tight security the Olympic Torch was relayed today around Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The very characteristic of Tibetan culture is rooted in its Buddhist culture and the Torch relay was conspicuously devoid of it without even a single Buddhist monk present.
During the Press Conference yesterday on June 20, the Vice Executive Chairman of the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region of Tibet (TAR), Pema Thinlay (Ch: Baima Chilin) told that 1,157 Tibetans with minor offences related to the March unrest have been released, whereas other 12 have been handed down punishment on Thursday and Friday respectively. He said 116 others are still awaiting their sentences, signifying that there were only around 100 prisoners in connection with the March protests still in captive.
However, the truth is otherwise. According to our information those released were all innocent Tibetans arbitrarily arrested by the Chinese security forces in March and April during a wanton sweep up operation. In fact, there have been at least 5,972 arrests made till today with more than 200 still languishing in prisons just in Karze county (Ch: Ganzi) in Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Moreover, if we look at the recent sentencing of 12 Tibetans, from the judicial investigation to the procedure of the trial and sentence award, the whole procedure is shrouded in secrecy with no room for justice and transparency.
Nevertheless, according to some confirmed reports, three monks from Bheri monastery in Karze county have staged yet another peaceful demonstration at around 11 AM at Karze county headquarter on June 18. The monks have been identified as Thangnye, a former chant master, Lobsang Gelek, the incumbent chant master and Lobsang Palden. A day after on June 19, a Tibetan named Lobsang Tsewang was reportedly arrested for peacefully protesting in Karze. He hailed from Dhardo township under Karze county.
In yet another show of force, Chinese People Armed Police and military personnel have reportedly air-fired to put down a protest by the Drepung monastery monks on June 18. Similarly, around 12 monks of Sera monastery were also reportedly arrested by the People's Armed police for peacefully protesting. Detailed information on the above two incidents are still awaited.
On June 15, three lay Tibetans identified as Sonam Wangyal, Rinchen Dhondup and Dorje Lodoe have staged peaceful protest around 10 AM local time in Karze county. The three men are related and had been away to harvest Yartsey Gonbo (Sc: Cordysep sinensis, also known as, caterpillar fungus). On their return, they were appalled to hear about arrests of many of their native people by the Chinese security forces for peacefully protesting and decided to plunge themselves against the Chinese brutality.
It is learnt that they had a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with number of leaflets containing slogans calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life, His return to Tibet and release of all the Tibetan political prisoners including the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima. While inside the Karze market, one of them pulled out and lifted the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama whilst other two distributed the leaflets amid shouting slogans.
Soon the Chinese armed police pounced upon the three peaceful protesters and were heavily beaten before they were hauled into a waiting military vehicle to prison. Among the above three Tibetans, Sonam Wangyal had left his 80 year old father, an infirm mother, his wife and three children at home.
Dharamshala 21 June 2008 report:- Tibetan Solidarity Committee
During the Press Conference yesterday on June 20, the Vice Executive Chairman of the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region of Tibet (TAR), Pema Thinlay (Ch: Baima Chilin) told that 1,157 Tibetans with minor offences related to the March unrest have been released, whereas other 12 have been handed down punishment on Thursday and Friday respectively. He said 116 others are still awaiting their sentences, signifying that there were only around 100 prisoners in connection with the March protests still in captive.
However, the truth is otherwise. According to our information those released were all innocent Tibetans arbitrarily arrested by the Chinese security forces in March and April during a wanton sweep up operation. In fact, there have been at least 5,972 arrests made till today with more than 200 still languishing in prisons just in Karze county (Ch: Ganzi) in Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Moreover, if we look at the recent sentencing of 12 Tibetans, from the judicial investigation to the procedure of the trial and sentence award, the whole procedure is shrouded in secrecy with no room for justice and transparency.Nevertheless, according to some confirmed reports, three monks from Bheri monastery in Karze county have staged yet another peaceful demonstration at around 11 AM at Karze county headquarter on June 18. The monks have been identified as Thangnye, a former chant master, Lobsang Gelek, the incumbent chant master and Lobsang Palden. A day after on June 19, a Tibetan named Lobsang Tsewang was reportedly arrested for peacefully protesting in Karze. He hailed from Dhardo township under Karze county.
In yet another show of force, Chinese People Armed Police and military personnel have reportedly air-fired to put down a protest by the Drepung monastery monks on June 18. Similarly, around 12 monks of Sera monastery were also reportedly arrested by the People's Armed police for peacefully protesting. Detailed information on the above two incidents are still awaited.On June 15, three lay Tibetans identified as Sonam Wangyal, Rinchen Dhondup and Dorje Lodoe have staged peaceful protest around 10 AM local time in Karze county. The three men are related and had been away to harvest Yartsey Gonbo (Sc: Cordysep sinensis, also known as, caterpillar fungus). On their return, they were appalled to hear about arrests of many of their native people by the Chinese security forces for peacefully protesting and decided to plunge themselves against the Chinese brutality.
It is learnt that they had a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with number of leaflets containing slogans calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life, His return to Tibet and release of all the Tibetan political prisoners including the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima. While inside the Karze market, one of them pulled out and lifted the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama whilst other two distributed the leaflets amid shouting slogans.Soon the Chinese armed police pounced upon the three peaceful protesters and were heavily beaten before they were hauled into a waiting military vehicle to prison. Among the above three Tibetans, Sonam Wangyal had left his 80 year old father, an infirm mother, his wife and three children at home.
Dharamshala 21 June 2008 report:- Tibetan Solidarity Committee
16:36 Posted in Freedom of expression | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: Tibet
Comments
Dalai disqualified as a "negotiator"
Dalai has appeared to be a representative of Tibetan people. So let's discuss by which standard can he declare he is able to represent Tibet.
Dalai is a representative of theocracy in Tibet before the New China was founded in 1949. His serfdom system had long been lagging behind the democratic systems in other countries, not to mention the de facto slavery at his rule. Serfdom and slavery were the two most hated backward things that no one wants to esteem. Freedom and democracy, which Dalai now repeatedly extols, denounce the old serfdom and slavery systems.
At the time being, Dalai has only two choices. One is to be a living Buddha and keeps himself away from politics; the other one is to be a person who really cares for people and who has no religious belief. He cannot be both. However, even if he takes off his cassock, he still has to admit he is a Chinese citizen. Chinese citizens have to uphold the Constitution which protects the unity of China's sovereignty. As a Chinese citizen, Dalai should comply with China's laws and stop separating his country. He is surely disqualified as a negotiator for the upcoming talks.
Posted by: NELO | 01/07/2008
Where can he go?
Dalai Lama has declared time and again that Tibet is part of China, and so is Taiwan. But when it comes to action, he resorted to the Western countries for mediation in internal affairs of China. It makes people doubt whether he is intended to solve the conflict in a peaceful matter within the jurisdiction of China.
China's central government has brought about major economic progress, as well as democracy, to Tibet which has made Tibetans' human rights improving significantly, as compared to the past times when Dalai ruled. It should be a basis of trust to admit the reality when the central government and Dalai Lama sit down and negotiate.
I suppose it must be a real tiring thing for him to fly non-stop around the globe at his age. However, does what he has done so far, lead to a beneficial result for Tibetan residents as well as people of other ethnic groups living in China, as we expect? He surely has to think carefully. Time is not on his side, neither power nor the truth is. He needs to be both rich in political wits and valor during his following talks with the central government. He needs to respect history and progress. Back to the mainstream thinking and be a lawful and responsible citizen first! Otherwise, he will be totally abandoned by both his people and the history.
Posted by: okuy | 01/07/2008
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