TIBET UPDATE

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The Tibet Update eNewsletter is a bimonthly summary of news and governmental actions related to Tibet. Past issues in PDF format are located at http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/tibet-weekly-updates/.

DALAI LAMA:

An open dialogue between Chinese Citizens and the Dalai Lama

On May 21, an internet dialogue took place between Chinese citizens in mainland China and the Dalai Lama. This exchange was organized by Wang Lixiong, a Chinese intellectual known for his writings on Tibet, who arranged to open a twitter page beginning on May 17 at 10:30AM, Beijing time, onto which Chinese web users could pose questions. Read the complete article, including an English translation of the questions and answers . . .

Many Faiths, One Truth

New York Times Op-Ed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama: When I was a boy in Tibet, I felt that my own Buddhist religion must be the best - and that other faiths were somehow inferior. Now I see how naive I was, and how dangerous the extremes of religious intolerance can be today. Read the complete Op-Ed . . .

The Dalai Lama concludes U.S. visit

The Dalai Lama concluded his two week U.S. visit on May 25, 2010 when he departed New York City for India. During this trip, he visited five states: Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and New York. He participated in a series of events, including public talks, inter-faith dialogues, meetings with Chinese, Tibetan-American communities and others. See www.dalailama.com for more information about this visit . . .

INSIDE TIBET:

ICT Report: A "Raging Storm": The crackdown on Tibetan writers and Artists after Tibet's Spring 2008 Protests

The influential Tibetan writer Shongdung was taken into detention from his office in Xining on April 23 signaling a deepening crackdown on Tibetan writers, artists and educators. Shongdung, is the pen name of Tragyal, the most high profile of some 31 writers, bloggers, intellectuals and others now in prison after reporting or expressing views through poetry or prose, or simply sharing information about Chinese government policies and their impact in Tibet today. Read the complete report . . .

New photocopy rules introduced in Lhasa, Tibet

The Lhasa Public Security Bureau announced new regulations that enforce anyone wanting to make a photocopy in Tibet's capital Lhasa, will soon need to register by name. A China Daily article said that photocopy shop customers will have to register by name and address as the Tibet police had complained after the 2008 riots about separatists' constantly handing out banners and pamphlets with illegal content. Read the complete article . . .

Six monks arrested in early morning raid in Jomda

According to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), on May 15, four monks of Wara Monastery, Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture (TAR), were arrested under suspicion of leading and instigating protests at the county headquarters in Spring 2008. The four monks are currently detained at Jomda County PSB detention center. Read the complete article . . .

ICT Report: Police open fire at Tibetans protesting cement factory pollution

On May 15, in the Tibetan area of Labrang, Amdo (Gansu), police opened fire on Tibetans protesting the pollution caused by a cement factory. Pictures sent from Tibet indicate armed police in riot gear massing outside the factory. According to exile sources, fifteen people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds and injuries from beatings by police. Read the complete report . . .

U.S. GOVERNMENT:

ICT Statement: Tibet and the U.S. - China human rights dialogue

At the conclusion of the first U.S.-China human rights dialogue held in two years, ICT's Director of Government Relations, Todd Stein noted that if meaningful improvements in the human rights of Tibetans and others in the PRC are to be considered within reach, then the human rights agenda needs to be fully integrated into all high-level bilateral engagements. Mr. Stein said, "It would be a mistake if this dialogue resulted in a 'check the box' exercise that sidelined substantive engagement on human rights in any other arena." Read the complete statement . . .

FROM THE ICT BLOG:

My Take on the Dalai Lama of Tibet's World View - May 26, 2010

Survival of the Heart - May 25, 2010