TIBET UPDATE

Support Tibet | Get Updates | Follow Us    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/. INSIDE TIBET ICT Report: Tibetan monk dies of self-immolation during Protest In a second reported self-immolation this year, Tsewang Norbu, a 29 year old Tibetan monk from Nyitso monastery in Kardze, Kham, eastern Tibet died on August 15 after setting himself on fire to protest Chinese rule in Tibet. Tsewang was heard raising slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, before setting himself alight. ICT’s President Mary Beth Markey said, “[Today’s terrible news] underscores the critical nature of the situation in Tibet. The Chinese government has failed to impose its will on the Tibetans and it will continue to fail until it responds to their legitimate grievances.”  Read More >> ICT Report: Troops surround monastery as Tibetan monk dies after setting himself on fire & calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet Following the August 15 incident of self immolation, authorities have deployed heavy troops to restrict entrance and exit from the monastery. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) reported that thousands of local Tibetans went to the monastery and tried to gain access; those who could not go past armed police at the gates gathered around the monastery in prayer. There are over 200 monks at Nyitse monastery and residents from nearby areas fear possible severe crackdown on the monastery.  Read More >>  Thousands enthrone the Dalai Lama’s portrait in Tibet From July 15-25, 2011, thousands of Tibetans gathered at Kham Lithang Gonchen, for the 10 day religious congregation of Jang Gonchoe Chenmo where, defying Chinese authorities, the organizers of the event publicly enthroned a life size portrait of the Dalai Lama with full religious ceremonial gaiety. Around 100 monasteries participated in the congregation.  Read More >> ICT Report: Chinese government imposes visit of its Panchen Lama on Tibetans Troops surround Labrang Tashikyil monastery: Security has been stepped up in the Labrang area of eastern Tibet (Amdo) and foreigners have been told to leave due to an anticipated visit by the Chinese government’s hand-picked 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu. Most Tibetans are loyal to Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the young man recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama, who was taken into police custody in 1995 at the age of six and has not been seen since. Read More >> EXILE TIBETANS ICT Report: A new era in Tibetan politics as head of Tibetan exile democracy is inaugurated On August 8, 2011, in Dharamsala, India, Lobsang Sangay, took oath of office as the new head of the Tibetan exile government. Dr. Sangay pledged to carry on “the great legacy” of Tibetan elders and to strengthen the Tibet movement until freedom is restored. His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a powerful speech at the inaugural ceremony, reiterating that the power lies in the hands of the billions of people on this earth, not with kings and religious leaders. Read More >> The full text of the Lobsang Sangay’s speech is available here. A summary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speech is available here. FROM THE ICT BLOG We invite you to join the conversation and to stay updated by subscribing to the blog's RSS feed. America's "splittist" - August 17, 2011 Lobsang Sangay, a raised profile in Washington, D.C. - August 5, 2011 Tibet: Risks from the debt ceiling deal - August 4, 2011 2011 ROWELL FUND APPLICATION Since its founding in 2003 the Rowell Fund for Tibet has provided small grants for projects in the Tibetan community (in Tibet and in exile). Projects eligible for funding include those which are managed by Tibetans and fall within one of the following categories: Environment/Conservation, Photography, Humanitarian Projects, Journalism/Literature, or Women’s Projects. Applications for the 2011-2012 Rowell Fund are now available online and may be submitted electronically or by mail during the month of September. A Tibetan version of the application details is available here. BECOME A FRIEND OF TIBET ICT relies on the consistent support of a special group of supporters called Friends of Tibet. These automatic monthly gifts provide a steady, reliable source of income and ensure we will have the funds when we need to respond to emergencies and unexpected opportunities as they arise. Click here if you are interested in becoming a Friend of Tibet or would just like to receive more information. Tashi Delek!

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