SAVE TIBET, SAVE LHASA

Ngawang Sangdrol, a former Tibetan political prisoner, has started a petition to save her home, Lhasa from China's destruction. Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, has stood upon the roof of the world for thousands of years. The old city of Lhasa is a UNESCO world heritage site and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism, culture and commerce. Now the Chinese government is destroying the heart of Lhasa, evicting Tibetan residents to make way for theme parks, shopping malls, and parking garages. Ngawang Sangdrol, a former Tibetan political prisoner from Lhasa, has launched a petition to save her beloved city: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/help-stop-the-destuction-of-my-home-lhasa-tibet Ngawang is asking UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to designate the old city of Lhasa as a heritage site "in danger" at its annual meeting later this month in Cambodia. This would put enormous pressure on the Chinese government to stop the destruction of Lhasa. Sign Ngawang Sangdrol's petition urging UNESCO to protect Lhasa: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/help-stop-the-destuction-of-my-home-lhasa-tibet The fact that the Potala Palace and the Jokhang area of old Lhasa are listed on the World Heritage Site is a huge source of pride for China. UNESCO has the power to help stop China's destruction of Lhasa by designating it as a "World Heritage Site in Danger". If Lhasa is listed as a site in danger, the Chinese government will have to stop the construction or face losing Lhasa's World Heritage status, a major embarrassment it wants to avoid. Ngawang Sangdrol's personal story reminds us of the power of individual actions. At the age of just 13, she took part in a peaceful demonstration calling for the long life of the Dalai Lama and Tibet's freedom. She was sent to prison where she recorded freedom songs with fellow Tibetan nuns, resulting in her sentence being increased to a total of 23 years. Following an international campaign on her behalf, Ngawang was released in 2002. Now living in the United States, she continues to advocate for Tibet's independence and the protection of its culture and heritage. Sign her petition to UNESCO and then double your impact by forwarding this link to a friend or family member: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/help-stop-the-destuction-of-my-home-lhasa-tibet Together, we can join with Ngawang Sangdrol to help save Lhasa. With hope and determination, Pema Yoko International Grassroots Director

mas ilegal es ocupar un pais TIBET NO ES CHINA

China considera "ilegal" que el Dalai Lama nombre a un sucesor

(AFP) – Hace 1 día 

PEKÍN — China calificó este lunes de "ilegal" que el Dalai Lama, jefe espiritual de los tibetanos, nombre a un sucesor por considerar que la concesión de ese título le corresponde al Gobierno central chino.
"El título de Dalai Lama es atribuido por el gobierno central y es ilegal en cualquier otro caso", declaró Hong Lei, portavoz del ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores chino, dos días después de que el Dalai Lama declarase que él será el encargado de elegir a su sucesor.
El jefe espiritual de los tibetanos y Premio Nobel de la Paz en 1989 tiene 76 años y vive en el exilio desde 1959.
"Cuando me acerque a los 90 años, consultaré a los grandes lamas de las tradiciones búdicas tibetanas, a los tibetanos y a otros adeptos del budismo tibetano, y procederé a una reevaluación de la institución del Dalai Lama para saber si hay que perpetuarla o no. En base a eso decidiré", aseguró el sábado el Dalai Lama.
Según la tradición tibetana, los monjes tienen que identificar a un muchacho que reúna una serie de características reveladoras de que es la reencarnación del último jefe espiritual.
El Dalai Lama ya ha barajado en otras ocasiones la posibilidad de romper con la tradición eligiendo a un sucesor antes de su muerte u organizando elecciones.
"Un conjunto de ritos religiosos y de convenciones históricas conforman la reencarnación del Dalai Lama y nunca se ha tenido por costumbre que un Dalai Lama elija a su propio sucesor", afirmó Hong.
En China, el Partido Comunista en el poder se ocupa de los asuntos religiosos y nombra a los dirigentes de las confesiones toleradas en el país pese a asegurar que otorga libertad de culto.
En 1995 Pekín rechazó la elección del Dalai Lama sobre la reencarnación del Panchen Lama, la segunda autoridad religiosa del budismo tibetano.
El Panchen Lama elegido por China, Gyaincain Norbu, tiene actualmente 21 años y suele ser objeto de elogios del Gobierno chino en el Tíbet. Por el contrario, el nombrado por el Dalai Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, no fue visto en público desde 1995, cuando fue detenido por China.
Pekín afirma haber "liberado pacíficamente" al Tíbet ocupándolo en 1951 y controla estrechamente esta región autónoma.
El Dalai Lama reclama una autonomía real para el llamado techo del mundo pero Pekín lo sigue considerando un "separatista" peligroso.
Este lunes, dos bonzos del monasterio de Kirti, en una región tibetana del sudoeste de China, intentaron inmolarse con fuego, informó la agencia China Nueva citando a las autoridades locales.
La policía intervino inmediatamente después de que los dos se hubieran convertido en antorchas humanas, añadió.
Según la ONG Free Tibet, con sede en Londres, los monjes gritaron "larga vida al Dalai Lama" justo antes de prenderse fuego.
El monasterio tibetano de Kirti fue escenario de protestas la pasada primavera después de que el 16 de marzo un monje se inmolara con motivo del aniversario del comienzo de los disturbios antichinos de 2008 en Lhasa.

SFT's news

Dear Mike, On May 4th, Amnesty International honored His Holiness theDalai Lama at its 50th anniversary event in Los Angeles. During the presentation, I had the opportunity to represent SFT and ask a question on stage. As His Holiness exited with his entourage, he stopped to speak with a few of us. I held out a khata (traditional greeting scarf) and as I greeted him, he held my hands and said, "Don't give up; you all must continue your work. Never lose hope, because change is definitely coming." He went on to say that in light of the increasing pace of change in China, it is important to work with the Chinese people – writers, intellectuals, artists, the opinion-makers of society. The previous day, I had spoken at a conference bringing together Chinese dissidents, Tibetan activists, Mongolians, Uyghurs, and Taiwanese to discuss opportunities and develop strategies for advancing our respective struggles for freedom, democracy, and human rights.  I explained to His Holiness that our global network was engaging in strategic Chinese outreach by connecting with key democracy advocates, writers, artists, students, lawyers and intellectuals. He assured me our efforts will make a difference and that change is imminent.  In that moment, I felt the immensity of the work ahead of us, but also had the distinct feeling that victory was inevitable. With your help we can bring about freedom in Tibet. Please donate today to support SFT's work.  http://sft.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1345&1345.donation=form1 As we build new and strategic alliances, we must continue to challenge China's abuses in Tibet at every turn. I was reminded of this minutes after His Holiness left, when I joined Lobsang, the official videographer for the award ceremony. Lobsang is from Ngaba, the county in Amdo, Tibet that is under attack by Chinese security forces. His 15-year-old cousin, Norbu, was shot dead by China's armed police on March 16th, 2008 for taking part in a peaceful protest for Tibetan freedom. Three years after the day Norbu was shot, Phuntsok Jarutsang, a 20-year-old monk, lit himself on fire in an act of protest against China's repression, and troops have since laid siege on Kirti monastery.  Thanks to the more than 4,500 people on this list who have taken action, China's crackdown has not gone unnoticed. Please send a letter now to U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging them to raise Tibet and human rights during next week's U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue.  Please sign now: http://sft.convio.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=792 Together, we can ensure that one day soon, people like Lobsang – and all Tibetans – are united with their families and homeland.  Please donate today: http://sft.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1345&1345.donation=form1 Thank you for all you do for Tibet, Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor) Executive Director