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2011
July
Rejections of Chinese Appointed Panchen Lama Has Caused Visits to be Postponed
The Chinese appointed Panchen Lama visit to the Labrang Monastery was cancelled due to rumors of rejections from the Tibetan people. In the past there have been previous rejections of the Chinese chosen Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, by the Tibetan people. The Tibetan people recognize Gedhun Choekyi Nyuma as the Panchen Lama chosen by the Dalai Lama not Gyaincain Norbu.
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House Committee Says No New Chinese Consulates in the U.S. Until the U.S. Gets One in Lhasa, Tibet
A House panel says China cannot build new consulates in the United States until it allows a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet. The language was contained in provisions to authorize a U.S. consulate in Lhasa and a Tibet section in the U.S. embassy in Beijing. These were included in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 20, 2011.
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A Conversation with the Dalai Lama
The Tibetan Parliament had twice urged His Holiness to reconsider, but he had declined even to read a message from them or meet with legislators. His mind was made up. On May 29th, the papers were signed and the Tibetan charter amended. The act marks a remarkable and voluntary separation of church and state: For the first time in more than 350 years, the Dalai Lama is no longer the secular as well as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
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Xi Jinping: China Will 'Smash' Tibet Separatism
Xi Jinping, who is due to succeed President Hu Jintao in 2013, said he would fight against "separatist activities" linked to the Dalai Lama.
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Dalai Lama Defends Meeting at White House with Obama
The Dalai Lama is defending his weekend visit with President Barack Obama, saying he was gratified "to show an old friend's face". The Chinese government slammed the administration for the meeting Obama had with the Tibetan spiritual leader on Saturday, saying it would damage Chinese-American relations.
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Despite China's Objection, Obama Meets with the Dalai Lama
President Obama met with the Dalai Lama on July 16 at the White House, despite objections.
There were questions about whether Obama would meet with the spiritual leader given China's objections to his visiting the White House.
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Top U.S. Lawmakers Meet with Dalai Lama
Meeting with top U.S. lawmakers a day after his 76th birthday, the Dalai Lama cited the principle of church-state separation in his recent decision to step down as the political head of an exiled movement.
US House Resolution Honours His Holiness
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on 6 July welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Washington, DC, and recognising his commitment to world peace and a mutually beneficial solution to the issue of Tibet through dialogue with the Chinese Government.
Protests in Kardze
Tibetans in Kardze, Eastern Tibet have staged several protests as unrest grown in the region. Within June alone, a total of 26 Tibetans, including women, youths, monks and nuns have taken part in five separate protests. During the protests, slogans called for the return to Tibet of the Dalai Lama, for his long life, freedom for Tibet and they also threw leaflets in the air. They have reportedly received beatings and several have been detained by the Chinese authorities. The area is known for frequent protests against Chinses rule, especially during the 2008 protests. Travel restrictions for monks and nuns are apparently in place inside the main town.
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Thousands flock to Dalai Lama's ancient Buddhist ritual in DC
The Dalai Lama will celebrate his 76th birthday today in downtown Washington, D.C., as thousands gather to take part in an ancient Buddhist ritual and a call for world peace. Meanwhile, international political observers wait to see if the exiled Tibetan leader will be granted a meeting with President Obama, just a few blocks away.
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June
Latest news from Ngaba
On 15 June monks at Kirti Monastery reported that camera crews arrived to the monastery to film a religious ceremony they were ordered to take part in. They refused saying that the government has staged the ceremony for propoganda purposes.
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Tibetan writer jailed over 2008 writer commentary
A Tibetan writer, Tashi Rabten also known as Therang, has been sentenced to four years in jail in south-west China. On 2 June 2011, he was sentenced in a closed court trial on the charge of 'inciting splittism'.
Click here to read more on Tashi Rabten (Therang)
Click here to read BBC article
Dalai Lama visit to Washington DC/Chicago July 2011 Schedule
Public Talk in Washington DC, USA, on July 9 on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, free admission.
Public Talk in Chicago, IL, USA on July 17 at the University of Illinois, Chicago
Discussion in Chicago, IL, USA on July 18 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
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June 28: White House Mum on Dalai Lama Meeting Ahead of Scheduled Visit Next Week
The Dalai Lama is scheduled to lead a high-level Buddhist teaching tour in the US next week, however, the White House has remained silent regarding the spiritual leader's visit. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has met with the U.S. presidents in every visit to Washington since 1991. He is scheduled to arrive in Washington DC on July 6. A meeting with the president would allow discussions of the politcal situation in Tibet as well as his decision in March to step down as Tibet's political leader.
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June 27: Dalai Lama to Host Washington D.C. Peace Festival in July
The Dalai Lama will visit Washington next month for an 11-day peace rally that is being billed as "the largest gathering for world peace in history".
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June 11: After the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama's official role in the Tibetan exile administration has ended. The Central Tibetan Administration is based in Dharamsala in northern India. Last week, the CTA finalized changes to its charter that leaves the Tibetan spiritual leader without a formal position in the political affairs of Tibetan exiles, nearly 100,000 of whom live in India. It's a terrifying prospect for the many Tibetans who rely on the Dalai Lama for political as well as spiritual guidance. But the move challenges Tibetan exiles to strengthen a secular, democratic system first envisioned by the Dalai Lama decades ago.
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June 7: Tibet Under Chinese Rule Rated Among Ten Most Repressive Societies
Freedom House, an independent U.S. based-watchdog organization that supports the expansion of freedom around the world, released Worst of the Worst 2011: The World's Most Repressive Societes, its annual report identifying the world's most flagrant human rights abusers at a June 1 press conference during the 17th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Click here to read more
June 2: Richard Gere Testifies to US Foreign Affairs Cmte. on Tibetan Policy Act
During a hearing in the U.S. House of Congress on religious freedom, democracy and human rights in Asia on June 2, celebrity actor and chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet, Richard Gere, gave testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the status of implementation of the Tibetan Policy Act. The hearing also included two other acts on Burma and North Korea.
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June 27: Chinese Premier in UK visit
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Wen Jiabao the Chinese Premier visited the UK for trade talks. The British Prime Minister David Cameron failed completely to speak up for Tibet and human rights during the meetings. Free Tibet and supporters protested Wen's visit. We held him accountable for the human rights abuses in Tibet. Click here for photos
May
May 11:Hillary Clinton blasts China's human rights
In an interview with the Atlantic US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced China's reaction to dissent as a "fool's errand," saying Beijing was trying to stop the course of history.
May 9: US and China Dialogue underway
The US- China Strategic and Economic Dialogue takes place 9-10 May 2011 in Washington D.C. The Dialogue, which involves more than a dozen government agencies from both countries, was established in April 2009 and represents the highest-level bilateral forum to discuss a broad range of issues between the two nations. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said that the US will, "raise human rights issues, not just generally but specifically, specific cases. We ask our Chinese interlocutors for explanations about disappearances, about arrests, and legal procedures which we feel are either lacking or inappropriate."April
April 13: Kirti Monastery under lockdown
Chinese authorities have surrounded Kirti Monastery and are refusing to allow monks to enter and return freely. It has been reported that many of the monks have been taken out of the monastery and beaten. The monastery under lockdown is the same monastery of the young monk who self-immolated last month in protest of China's occupation of Tibet.April 8: US envoy speaks out against Chinese human rights
Departing US envoy to China Jon Huntsman spoke out in a speach in Beijing against China's recent human rights abuses. Most noteably he challanged China's right to imprision Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and the situation in Tibet. Mr. Huntsman's remarks show a trend in US foreign policy towards presuring China to respect human rights.March
March 22: Tibetans vote for new political leader
As the Dalai Lama begins to step down from his role as political leader of the Tibetan people Tibetans from all over the world have voted for the new Kalon Tripa, or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile.March 16: Monk self-immolates
A monk from Ngaba, Tibet has lit himself on fire in protest of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Reports indicate that the flames engulfing the young monk were put out by Chinese police who then beat him until he died. March 10: Dalai Lama steps down as Tibetan political leader
The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, has stepped down as the Tibetan political leader in lew of a democraticaly elected Prime Minister. The elections for the new PM will be held on March 14.March 8: China imposes new restrictions to Tibetan Travel
The PRC has imposed new restrictions to foriegn visitors to Tibet. The government's official reasoning is overcrowding and inclimate weather. The further ristrictions have increased international unease about the situation in Tibet. March 5: Tibetans Celebrate Losar
Tibetans worldwide began the 15 day lunar new year celebration of Losar.March 3: Tibetan Government in Exile holds PM debate
The Tibetan Government in Exile held debates to elect their new prime minister. The debates were held in Washington D.C. and a new PM will be announced after the March 20 election.March 1: Tibetan-Americans Lobby Congress
Tibetan-Americans protested in Washington D.C. to force Congress to pass concrete policy towards a political solution in Tibet.
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For information about Free Tibet's March 12th Mass Lobby of Parliment click here
February
Feb 23: US envoy to meet with Dalai Lama
The US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, arrived Dharamshala, India for a two-day visit which he will address Tibetan issues and meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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Feb 15: US speaks with Nepalese PM about Tibet
Visiting US under secretary of state Maria Otero raised the issue of Tibetan refugees within Nepal with Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and urged him to follow the international practice of providing safe transit for trans-country refugees.
14 Feb: Tibet mourns over death of Dalai Lama’s nephew
Jigme K. Norbu, His Holiness’ nephew died during a 300-mile "Walk for Tibet," a charity walk to raise awareness of the Tibetan struggle for independence after being struck by a motor vehicle.
January
19 & 20: China's President Hu Jintao is on an official state visit hosted by President Obama
Expected date of arrival: Tuesday, Jan 18th
Confirmed state visit and dinner: Wednesday, Jan 19th
Expected day of meetings and possible visit to the Capitol Hill: Thursday, Jan 20th
Click here for details on protests planned.
Take Action: Send a letter to President Obama and call on him to stand firmly on human rights in Tibet during the visit or contact your local group to organize a protest.