China objects to Dalai meet, calls off boundary talks

Indrani Bagchi, TNN | Nov 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: China demanded that India cancel a Buddhist conference in Delhi which the Dalai Lama was xpected  to address. The conference coincided with the boundary talks between Dai Bingguo and Shivshankar Menon also to be held here. India refused. China cancelled the talks.

Last week, China sent a message to India asking that the government prevent the Dalai Lama from speaking at the  Buddhist conference in the national Capital. A surprised government said the Dalai Lama was a spiritual leader and free to speak on spiritual matters, refusing to agree to China’s request.

The Chinese side upped the ante, demanding the Indian government cancel the conference. India refused to comply, saying this was a spiritual conference and the freedom was an essential part of New Delhi. The Indian side even promised full security to the Chinese delegates. Beijing refused and called off the talks. Although later Chinese officials said they wanted to hold the talks “very soon”, India has reacted coolly. The ball, said sources, is in Beijing’s court.

For a Chinese communist leadership in the throes of a leadership transition, the optics of Dai Bingguo breathing the same air as Dalai Lama may be difficult to sell at home. Sources said, this could have been the reason behind China calling off the talks.

The Chinese approach appeared to have hardened after the recent East Asia summit in Bali, where they showed their disapproval of India’s presence in the South China Sea. In recent months, China has successfully prevented the Dalai Lama from being present for an event in South Africa, by pressuring the South African government.

The Buddhist conference, being organized by the Ashoka Mission, will be held from November 27 to 30 to celebrate 2, 600 years of Buddha’s enlightenment and will host scholars and thinkers from 32 countries. The conference plans all-faith meetings, a dhamma yatra etc. The conference is being held in India because of the nation’s unique position as the birthplace of Buddhism.

Buddhism is also a new element of India’s Look East policy, with Nalanda university and a Buddhist outreach, New Delhi has successfully integrated its soft power with the religion to engage countries in southeast Asia as well as China, Japan, Mongolia and Korea. If India acted against the conference at the last moment, it would be counterproductive, apart from inviting collective wrath that it could not withstand Chinese pressure.

While China has promised $1million for the Nalanda University, it also proposed a “Lumbini project” at Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha. Earlier this year, a Chinese organization believed to be close to the party elite, had promised a $3 billion investment in Lumbini (which would translate roughly to 10% of Nepal’s GDP) with an airport, hotels, highways and a university.

While seemingly innocuous, India suspected that this could be used to promote China-friendly Buddhist leaders in all the three main schools of Buddhism – Mahayana, Hinayana and Tibetan Buddhism. Under Indian pressure, Nepal agreed to cut the Chinese links to the project. Sources here said, China wanted Lumbini to be the focal point for Buddhists in the world. At present, Buddhist travel to India to meet Dalai Lama and to visit Sarnath and Bodh Gaya. Besides, through a project like Lumbini, China may reckon it would be easier to “control” both religion and religionists.

While China is a communist state, its Buddhist traditions remain alive and well. Recent reports said Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to succeed Hu Jintao next year, was born of a Buddhist mother, close to the Dalai Lama, who was even given Buddhist funeral rites. Yet as the party boss next year, Xi has taken a harsh stance on Tibet, vowing to stamp out Tibetan “separatism”.

The recent dissonance between India and China have spanned everything from oil exploration in South China Sea to boundary issues, post-retirement sinecures for diplomats and Chinese stapled visas for Kashmiris.

Dalai Lama Questions Self-Immolations

VOA Tibetan

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama expressed his worries about the increasing self-immolations by young Tibetan monks and nuns in eastern Tibet.

In an interview with the BBC Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he doesn’t encourage Tibetans to set themselves on fire and questioned the effectiveness of self-immolation as a form of protest against China.

“There is courage — very strong courage. But how much effect? Courage alone is no substitute. You must utilize your wisdom,” the 76 year old Buddhist leader told the BBC.

In eastern Tibet, 11 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March, demanding greater religious freedom and return of Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

China has blamed exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for inciting the violence and called the self-immolation demonstrations immoral. The Dalai Lama on November 7 said hard line Chinese policies is the cause of a wave of self-immolations by Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns.

The Dalai Lama has blamed hard line Chinese policies, which he describes as “cultural genocide,” for a wave of self-immolations by Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns.

The exiled spiritual leader also said hard line Chinese officials have been sent to govern Tibetan areas over the past 10 to 15 years. He said that accounts for the desperate acts of the monks and nuns.

Most of the self-immolations have been centered around the Kirti monastery in Sichuan, where the first self-immolation took place in March.

The action prompted a harsh Chinese crackdown in which the monks and nuns have been subjected to re-education programs and armed security forces patrol the surrounding streets.

Circular from Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kasur  Lodi G. Gyari

Washington, D.C. 11th November 2011

I am sending this circular concerning the changes in the Tibetan  political governance and how these affect me and my work.

As you are aware, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his far-sighted  wisdom, has undertaken yet another step in empowering the Tibetan people by his devolution of his political authority to the elected  Tibetan leadership.  This process is now complete with the relevant amendment of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile in May 2011, coming  into session of a newly empowered Tibetan Parliament in June 2011, and the assumption of office by a newly empowered Kalon Tripa in  August 2011.

In 1990 His Holiness the Dalai Lama had appointed me as Special  Envoy to be based in Washington, D.C for broader international relations. Following the enactment of the Charter of the Tibetans  in Exile in 1991 and my retirement from the civil service of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), I continued serving as the  Special Envoy of H.H. the Dalai Lama.  Since His Holiness was also the head of the Central Tibetan Administration until the recent  changes, there was no conflict in my assisting in the work of the CTA or other concerned officials and organizations.  In this  regard, I have also worked with successive heads of the Office of Tibet in New York, whether it was taking up CTA issues with the  United States Government or other work.

With the changes in the CTA’s structure, the Kashag informed me in  May 2011 of its intention to appoint me to a position under it, as per the amended Charter’s provisions.  I responded by reminding the  Kashag that I had retired from the CTA civil service long time back and so the Charter provision did not apply to my position. It has  been extraordinary privilege to have the opportunity to serve the Gaden Phodrang until the last moment of His Holiness’ direct  political leadership.

Following the recent changes in the governance system, I have  ceased any involvement with issues relating to the Central Tibetan Administration; be it at the broader level of taking them up with  the U.S. or other governments, or minor issues like issuing letters of introduction.  All such issues are being handled by the Office  of Tibet in New York.

This, however, does not imply that I do not have any desire to  assist in the work of the new Administration or that the new Kashag does not have any confidence in me.  It is merely a reflection of  the part of the process of clarifying the structure under the new system in place now. It goes without saying that I am fully  committed to extend whatever support and counsel I can offer to the new Tibetan leadership.  I have also had the opportunity to  discuss  this matter with the new Kalon Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay.

I will be continuing in my present capacity as Special Envoy of H.H  the Dalai Lama for some time for the dialogue process, including in leading our efforts in our talks with the Chinese leadership, with  Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen.  In this capacity, I will continue to be involved with governments, other organizations and individuals to  help with the dialogue process.

The present tragic situation in Tibet and the most repressive  policies of the Chinese authorities makes one wonder if it is even worth making any efforts for the dialogue. On the other hand the  prevailing situation confronts every sensible person that the only way is through dialogue.

Tragic Death of Tawu Nun after Self-Immolation

Today, at around 12.40 pm, a nun in Tawu County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), set herself afire in protest against the Chinese government amid the continued repression of religious freedom and human rights in Tibet.

Palden Choesang, 35 years old, shouted slogans such as “Freedom in Tibet,” “Long live H.H the Dalai Lama,” and “Let the Dalai Lama return to Tibet” before she self-immolated near Namgyal Stupa, a huge stupa in Tawu County.

Latest reports state that nun Choesang died from severe burn injuries. Her body is being kept at Tawu Nyatso Monastery at this moment.

Choesang was born in Drogcho Village, Geshe Township of Tawu County, Kardze TAP. She was a nun at Dakar Choeling Nunnery in Tawu County.

Today was the last day of a ‘*Nyung-ney*’ practice, a religious fast by monks of Tawu Nyatso monastery and local Tibetans that was held in the premises of the Namgyal stupa. According to sources, nun Choesang self-immolated at a road nearby the Namgyal stupa.

Shortly after nun Choesang’s self-immolation, many police arrived, placing heavy restrictions on the area around Nyatso monastery.

Latest reports state that nun Choesang died from severe burn injuries.
Her body is being kept at Tawu Nyatso Monastery at this moment.

Press Release From The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile

Statement Of Gratitude To The World Community For Their Continued Support And Solidarity With The Tibetan Cause

Since the peaceful protests of 2008, the situation inside Tibet has been continuously deteriorating. The repressive and unjust policies pursued by the Chinese government with regard to Tibetan religion, Tibetan language, Tibetan culture, finance and politics are meant to oppress, discriminate and restrict and suppress the rights of the Tibetans. So much so, the Tibetans inside Tibet are increasingly becoming second class citizens in their own country.

The Chinese government has also been resorting to arbitrary arrests and torture of Tibetan youngsters and intellectuals, without giving a fair trial, while the Chinese settlers spread across the three provinces of Tibet have been resorting to illegal acquisition of traditional Tibetan lands, making the lives of Tibetan farmers and
nomads very hard.

And the Chinese government, instead of addressing the issues facing the Tibetans inside Tibet, keeps on denouncing His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his middle way approach for a genuine autonomy for Tibet through its false propaganda. Therefore, out of helplessness and desperation, 10 Tibetans including a nun, have self  immolated since March this year, calling for freedom and the safe return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

In view of the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet, the US Administration, Denmark’s Administration as well as the British and the European Parliament have expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan people through press statements, resolutions and discussions in their respective Parliaments. Similarly, various Non-governmental Organisations, Tibet Support Groups, Chinese Democratic Organisations and activists across the world have
carried out campaigns and activities calling for the world’s attention towards Tibet. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is deeply grateful and would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to all the support and help extended.

The Chinese government have imposed heavy restrictions and have suppressed the basic rights of Tibetans in the whole of Tibet particularly in the areas where, self  immolation protests have taken place recently. Therefore, we urge the United Nations and peace loving nations across the world to stand up for truth and justice and pressure the Chinese government for the human rights violations taking place there. Furthermore, an independent investigation should be carried out in the areas of  Ngaba in Amdo, Tawu and Karzey in Kham to ascertain the ground realities prevailing in the region.

The stories of development and a harmonious society churned out by the Chinese propaganda machinery is a lie and without any basis. It is a tactic adopted by the Chinese government to hide the truth and fool the world.

We also urge the various Non-governmental Organisations, Tibet support groups and individual Tibet activists to continue their campaigns and activities calling for the attention of the world and peace loving people towards the issue of Tibet.

German MPs urge Chancellor Merkel to raise Tibet with Hu Jintao

Phayul (Tuesday, November 01, 2011)

By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, November 1: With the G-20 summit scheduled to begin in the next few days, a group of German Parliamentarians urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to raise the Tibetan issue during the summit.

The three German Parliamentarians – Mrs. Sabine Weiss MP (CDU), Mr. Harald Leibrecht, MP (FDP) and Mrs. Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler MP (SPD) in an open letter urged Chancellor Merkel to boldly raise the issue of Tibet with Chinese president Hu Jintao at the summit.

“The situation inside Tibet is currently escalating at a dramatic pace. Tibetans need more political support, especially from Europe,” The MPs said.

“We should not convey the impression that human rights are being traded for economic success and commercial relations.”

The open letter also urged the German government to advocate for an immediate end to China’s repressive policies in Tibet.

“We hope that you can use the G20 Summit to call on the Chinese government to respond to the Tibetan people’s legitimate demands with a meaningful dialogue instead of force,” the letter said.

The MPs acknowledged the German Chancellor for meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader in the Chancellery in 2007, and applauded her for setting an example to other German leaders in the future.

In recent months, ten Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire, calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tibetans and Tibetan supporters all over the world are gearing for a global campaign during the G 20 summit calling upon world leaders to put pressure on China to consider the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people.

China: UN experts warn of severe human rights restrictions

on Tibetan Buddhist monasteries

GENEVA (1 November 2011) – A group of United Nations independent experts voiced grave concern over reports of heavy security measures, in and around the area of the Tibetan Buddhist Kirti monastery – which houses some 2,500 monks- and other monasteries in Aba County, an area of Sichuan province with many ethnic Tibetans in south-west China.

“Intimidation of the lay and monastic community must be avoided, and the right of members of the monastic community, and the wider community to freely practice their religion, should be fully respected and guaranteed by the Chinese Government,” stressed the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt, noting that the recent deployment of security forces is reported to include officers in riot gear, soldiers with automatic rifles, and trucks and armed personnel on the streets leading to the monastery.

Further measures are reported to include security raids and surveillance within monasteries, with police presence inside and outside monasteries to monitor religious activities. “Such restrictive measures not only curtail the right to freedom of religion or belief, but further exacerbate the existing tensions, and are counterproductive,” Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt said.

His comments were echoed by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mr. Maina Kiai, who warned that “such measures seriously impede the exercise of the right to association of members of the monastic community.”  

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue, added his voice expressing his “deep concern about allegations of restrictions to Internet access and mobile messaging services within Aba Country, as well as journalists’ lack of access to the region.” In his view, “rather than taking such measures, the Government should instead listen to and address the legitimate grievances of the monastic community.”

The heavy security measures adopted have resulted in increased tensions between the Chinese authorities and members of the monastic community, in particular since March 2011, a period which has seen an escalation of protests by both lay persons and members of the monastic community, calling for religious freedom. The severe restrictions on freedoms of religion, expression and association, have led to hundreds of monks reportedly leaving the monastery, with many being arrested or subjected to enforced disappearance.

“Any enforced disappearance is unacceptable and such practices are in violation of international law,” said the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, Mr. Jeremy Sarkin, expressing concern that a proposed revision to the Chinese Criminal Procedure Law will legalise enforced disappearances in the country. “This heinous practice is not permitted under any circumstances. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify an enforced disappearance.”

Another UN expert panel, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, expressed concern about the recurring practice of arbitrary arrests and detention of monks in the area of Sichuan province. “No individual can be arrested on the ground of peacefully exercising the rights and freedoms guaranteed under international human rights law,” stressed Mr. El Hadji Malick Sow, the Group’s Chair-Rapporteur.

The Independent Expert on minority issues, Ms. Rita Izsák, also called on the Chinese authorities to fully respect and uphold the rights of minorities including their rights to freely practice their religion and culture. “Allegations suggest that this is far from the case in this region and I urge the Government to cease any restrictive practices and refrain from any use of violence or intimidation.”

China Lashes Out at Dalai Lama’s Visit to Mongolia

VOA Tibetan

China says it has lodged a strong protest with neighboring Mongolia over a visit this week by the Dalai Lama.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced the protest at a briefing in Beijing Tuesday.

“We have always opposed any country providing a platform for the Dalai Lama to engage in activities to split China in any form. China has lodged a strong protest to Mongolia.”

He said China has always opposed any country providing the exiled spiritual leader with a platform to advocate independence from China for his native Tibet.

The Dalai Lama began a series of lectures and prayer sessions in Mongolia Tuesday after arriving from Japan, where he blamed Chinese policies for the self-immolations of 11 Buddhist monks and nuns in ethnic Tibetan areas of China.

The Dalai Lama has long insisted he seeks only a degree of autonomy for Tibet, along with better protections for the region’s traditional culture.

But the Chinese spokesman charged that he uses every opportunity to advocate for Tibetan independence.

“The Dalai Lama always uses the opportunity of furtive visits to publicize Tibetan independence, smear the Chinese government and play up issues related to Tibet.”

He said the spiritual leader also uses his travels to smear the Chinese government.

Tibetan-style Buddhism is widely practiced in Mongolia, whose political survival has long depended on a delicate balancing act between its two giant neighbors, China and Russia.

Senior Mongolian religious leaders have stressed the purely spiritual nature of the Dalai Lama’s visit.