Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)

Kasur Gyari Dolma la made it a point to virtually meet and interact with the Chithue aspirants from Europe and Australasia as she did with those from North America to overcome the communication challenges posed by the COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va_TwWzEBcE

The Europe continent has over 44 countries. This rich continent is currently home to at least 14 Tibetan Communities with 30,000 Tibetans (rough estimation).

Five foreign missions of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) are based in Europe – Brussels, Geneva, London, Moscow and Paris.

The Africa continent has over 50 countries and currently home to one foreign CTA mission, based in South Africa. China has huge/active economic and trade interests as well as diplomatic/political engagements in these two continents. Naturally, China’s engagements in these two continents have impacts on the China-Tibet Conflict which is yet to be resolved. So, what are the roles of Europe and Africa Chithu? How significant is this platform to advance the Tibetan cause?

Tsering Passang, 2021 Europe Chithu Candidate from London will speak live on these vital issues via his social media platform. He will also welcome comments and answer any questions from the public.

Please tune in!Sunday 6th December 2020Time: 7pm UK | 8pm Europe

A week after his initial announcement to run for the Europe seats in the forthcoming Tibetan parliamentary elections of 2021, Tsering Passang spoke on his four “Key Priorities”. Reiterating his intention to stand in the forthcoming elections, the London-based Tibetan parliamentarian candidate used his social media platform to reach out to Tibetans living in Europe and Africa.

Tsering said that as elected Chithu, in addition to his legislative responsibilities in the Tibetan Parliament, he would focus on the following key priorities:

1. Leading, coordinating and strengthening political campaigning and advocacy work on Tibet in Europe and beyond.
2. Supporting dialogue with the Chinese leadership towards finding a lasting political resolution of the China-Tibet issue.
3. Strengthening Tibetan Communities in Europe.
4. Ensuring the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) delivers its vital public services to the Tibetan Communities in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

The London-based aspiring Tibetan parliamentarian shared his ideas on Tibet advocacy, cultural preservation, and strengthening unity amongst the Tibetan communities in Europe through a range of events such as annual lobby days, political rallies, Eurovision style Tibetan festivals, Europe Chithu channel, etc.

Tsering also explained how he intended to achieve his priorities during the five-year term in office:

1. In Europe and Africa, I will work towards strengthening relations with key stakeholders including parliamentarians, government officials, support groups, Buddhist centres, human rights advocates, Chinese dissidents, Tibetan communities, and Offices of Tibet.  I will pursue new alliances and opportunities for the Tibet issue and the Central Tibetan Administration.
2. I will maintain cordial relations with all the key Departments and Offices of the Central Tibetan Administration and find ways to help our communities in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
3. I will make every effort to pay visits, listen to and interact with Tibetan communities in Europe and Africa and to learn about their views, opinions and problems and their solutions during my term as a Chithu.
4. I will release regular updates – both in written and video materials – so that I keep all concerned members informed.
5. In addition to public meetings, I will also make myself available for individual meetings to discuss any issues or concerns and finding amicable solutions.

Tsering responded to questions from the public via his social medial channel on 26th November. So far, eight candidates had declared their candidacies for the two seats (allocated for Tibetans in Europe) in the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, based in Dharamsala, northern India. Exiled Tibetans go to the primary elections of Sikyong (President) and Chithu (parliamentarians) on 3rd January 2021.

(Tibetan Translation as below):

གུས་པའི་ལས་འཁུར་གཙོ་འདོན་ཁག

སྤྱི་འཐུས་ལ་འོས་འདེམས་བྱུང་ན་གྲོས་ཚོགས་ནང་ཁྲིམས་བཟོའི་ལས་དོན་ཁག་ལ་ཆ་ཤས་འཐུས་གཙང་ཞུ་བ་དང་ཆབས་ཅིག་སྤྱི་འཐུས་ཀྱི་ལས་རྒྱུན་རིང་ས་གནས་ས་ཐོག་ཏུ་ཁ་ཡོད་ལག་ཡོད་ཀྱིས་གཤམ་འཁོད་ལས་འཆར་ཁག་ལ་དམིགས་གསལ་ཤུགས་སྣོན་བྱེད་རྒྱུ་ཡིན།

༡ བོད་ཀྱི་ཆབ་སྲིད་ལས་དོན་གྱི་ཐོག་ཡོ་རོབ་དང་ས་ཕྱོགས་གང་སར་བདེན་པའི་ཞུ་གཏུགས་ཀྱི་ལས་འགུལ་ཤུགས་ཆེ་རུ་སྤེལ་རྒྱུ།

༢ བོད་རྒྱའི་འབྲེལ་ལམ་དང་ཞི་མོལ་གྱི་ལས་དོན་ཐད་རང་ནུས་གང་ལྕོགས་ཀྱིས་རྒྱབ་སྐྱོར་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

༣ ཡོ་རོབ་ནང་གི་བོད་རིགས་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག་ལ་གང་འོས་ཀྱི་རྒྱབ་སྐྱོར་ཅི་ནུས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

༤ རྒྱ་བལ་འབྲུག་གསུམ་ནང་ཡོད་པའི་བོད་མིའི་སྒྲིག་འཛུགས་ཀྱི་ཁྱབ་ཁོངས་བོད་མི་ཡོངས་ལ་དགོས་ངེས་ཀྱི་རོགས་རམ་ དུས་ཐོག་ཐུབ་པ་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

གུས་པའི་ཐབས་ལམ།

༡ ཡོ་རོབ་དང་ཨ་ཕི་རི་ཀའི་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་སོ་སོའི་འབྲེལ་ཡོད་མི་སྣ་དང་། གྲོས་ཚོགས་ཁག བོད་དོན་རྒྱབ་སྐྱོར་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག བོད་བརྒྱུད་ནང་བསྟན་ཆོས་ཚོགས་ཁག འགྲོ་བ་མིའི་ཐོབ་ཐང་རྩོད་མཁན་གྱི་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག བོད་རིགས་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག དོན་གཅོད་ལས་ཁང་། དེ་བཞིན་དུ་རྒྱ་ནག་དམར་པོའི་གཞུང་དང་ལངས་ཕྱོགས་མི་མཐུན་པའི་རྒྱ་ནག་གི་ཕྱོགས་འགལ་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག་ བཅས་ལ་འབྲེལ་བ་ཟབ་ཏུ་བཏང་ནས་གོ་སྐབས་དམ་འཛིན་གྱིས་དབུས་བོད་མིའི་སྒྲིག་འཛུགས་ཀྱི་ དམིགས་ཡུལ་ཐོག་ཤུགས་སྣོན་ཐེབས་ཐབས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

༢ དབུས་བོད་མིའི་སྒྲིག་འཛུགས་ཀྱི་ལས་ཁུངས་མ་ལག་དང་བཅས་པར་འབྲེལ་བ་དམ་ཟབ་ཀྱིས་རྒྱ་གར་དང་། ཕྱི་རྒྱལ་གླིང་ཕྲན་ ཁག་བཅས་ན་ཡོད་པའི་བོད་པ་དང་བོད་རིགས་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག་ལ་དགོས་ངེས་ཀྱི་རོགས་རམ་དུས་ཐོག་སྨིན་ཐབས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

༣ རང་ནུས་གང་ལྕོགས་ཀྱིས་ཡོ་རོབ་དང་ཨ་ཕི་རི་ཀའི་ནང་ཡོད་པའི་བོད་རིགས་ཚོགས་པ་ཁག་ལ་ངོ་བཅར་གྱིས་ས་གནས་ མི་མང་གི་བསམ་ཚུལ་དང་། དཀའ་ངལ་སོགས་ལ་གཟབ་ཉན་གྱིས་སྐབས་འཕྲལ་གྱི་དཀའ་ངལ་གང་ཡོད་སེལ་ཐབས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ།

༤ ལས་རྒྱུན་རིང་དུས་བཅད་ཀྱིས་མི་དམངས་ཀྱི་མཁྱེན་རྟོགས་སླད་བསྒྲུབས་ཟིན་པའི་ལས་ཀའི་སྙན་ཐོ་དང་། བསྒྲུབ་རྒྱུའི་ ལས་འཆར་རྣམས་ཡིག་ལམ་དང་ བརྙན་ཐུང་དྲྭ་རྒྱའི་ལམ་ནས་སྤེལ་རྒྱུ།

༥ ལས་འགན་གནད་སྨིན་ཡོང་ཆེད་དམིགས་གསལ་ཡོ་རོབ་སྤྱི་འཐུས་ཁྱབ་ཁོངས་སུ་གཏོགས་པའི་མི་སྒེར་སོ་སོའི་ དཀའ་ངལ་དང་། བསམ་ཚུལ་ལ་ཉན་རྒྱུའི་དུས་ཚོད་ཆེད་འབུལ་གྱིས་སྐབས་བབས་ལས་དོན་ལ་གྲུབ་འབྲས་ཐོབ་པའི་ཐབས་ལམ་འཚོལ་རྒྱུ།

(London, UK | 20^th November 2020)

Tsering Passang is the latest candidate to announce his decision to run for the Europe seat in the forthcoming Tibetan parliamentary elections of 2021. He is passionate about Tibet and the Tibetan issue. Tsering believes that his long commitment to the Tibetan cause and extensive experience in the field makes him a suitable candidate to advance the Tibetan cause both within the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and beyond, including in Europe. The announcement was made online this morning via his social media channel.

Tsering said: “Tibet continues to remain under the illegal occupation of Communist China. The current shift in global attitudes towards China presents a unique opportunity to promote stronger advocacy work on behalf of Tibet on the international forum. The current situation also presents a new opportunity for us Tibetans to strengthen and form new alliances with like-minded nations around the world.  I am therefore keen to use my initiative, experience and social networks and to work hard towards achieving the goals of advancing Tibet’s just cause by challenging Communist China.

“With nearly 20 years of experience as director, fundraiser, programme manager, special adviser, rights advocate, and public events and community organiser for a number of British Tibet-related, membership-based NGOs (charitable, political, advocacy and voluntary community organisations), I know what needs to be done for my community and for our freedom struggle. I am ready to take on a challenging and public leadership role in uniting our people to secure a greater impact for our peaceful freedom struggle and justice in Tibet.”

Running for the Tibetans in Europe’s Chithu seat, Tsering said: “I have shown time and again that, when given the opportunity to lead an organisation such as the Tibetan Community UK as the elected Chairman from 2014 to 2016, I can make a huge impact in a short period of time, whether through public mobilisation or fundraising initiatives. I have proven success  with other Tibet organisations such as the Tibet Foundation, the Tibet Society and Tibet Relief Fund, in securing substantial funds as well as undertaking new initiatives in support of Tibetans inside Tibet as well as for those in exile in the Indian subcontinent.”

Tsering’s latest initiative – the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) – aims to highlight the plight of Tibetans and other persecuted peoples under China’s control. Within months of starting this new platform, Tsering has successfully organised numerous public and online events, and secured political support from British MPs through their parliamentary debates and public statements.

Apart from giving talks in public settings, including schools and universities, Tsering has addressed special forums on human rights and political issues in Geneva and with Chinese student groups at Oxford. In addition to organising many political, cultural and community events, Tsering continues to engage with the UN, and with British and European political figures and their governments on Tibet advocacy work.

Tsering was brought up in a Tibetan refugee camp in western Nepal, home to the Mustang-based Tibetan Resistance veterans.

CONTACT:

BRIEF BACKGROUND

Name: Tsering Passang

Residence: London, UK

Present occupation: NGO Director (Former Chairman of Tibetan Community in Britain)

Education:

1998 – 2001: BSc (Hon) Information Technology, University of Salford, UK

Professional Service:

2019 –         : Director, Tibet Foundation

2017 – 2018: Special Adviser, Tibet Society

2007 – 2016: Sponsorship Programme Manager, Tibet Relief Fund

2001 – 2007: Art & Culture Programme Manager, Tibet Foundation

Community and Voluntary Service

2020 –         : Convenor, Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)

2018 – 2020: Adviser, Tibetan Community UK

2014 – 2016: Chairman, Tibetan Community UK

2014 – 2016: Chairman, Tibetan Refugee Charitable Trust

2014 – 2016: Trustee, Tibet House Trust

2014 – 2016: Council Member, Tibet Society

2014 – 2016: Board Member, Young Tibetan Education Club (Y-TEC)

2009 – 2010: General Secretary, Tibetan Community UK

2002 – 2006: Culture Secretary, Tibetan Community UK

སྐུ་ཞབས་ཚེ་རིང་པ་སངས་ལགས་ནི་བོད་མི་མང་སྤྱི་འཐུས་ལྷན་ཚོགས་སྐབས་༡༧ པའི་ཡུ་རོབ་ཀྱི་སྤྱི་འཐུས་སུ་བཞེངས་མཁན་གསར་ཤོས་དེ་ཡིན།

ཁོང་ནི་ལོ་ངོ་༢༤ རིང་དབྱིན་ཡུལ་དུ་གནས་སྡོད་བྱེད་མཁན་ཞིག་ཡིན་པ་དང་། བོད་མིའི་རྩ་དོན་དང་འབྲེལ་བའི་ལས་འགུལ་ བྱས་དང་བྱེད་བཞིན་ལ། རྒྱ ་བལ་འབྲུག་གསུམ་དང་། བོད་ནང་གི་བོད་མི་ཚོའི་དཔལ་འབྱོར་ཡར་རྒྱས་རོགས་རམ་ཚོགས་པའི་ དམིག་བསལ་གྱི་ངེས་སྟོན་པ་དང་། ལོ་མང་རིང་དབྱིན་ཡུལ་བོད་རིགས་ཚོགས་པའི་རྒྱུན་ལས་ཀྱི་ལས་འགན་སྤྱི་དང་། སྐབས་འགར་ཚོགས་གཙོ་དང་དྲུང་ཆེའི་ཞབས་ཞུ་ཡང་གནང་ཡོད། མདོར་ན། གཞུང་འབྲེལ་མ་ཡིན་པའི་ཡན་ལག་མང་དག་ཅིག་ནང་ལྷག་བསམ་བཟོད་མེད་ཐོག་བོད་མིའི་ངོ་ཚབ་མཚོན་བྱེད་དམ་བཅའ་གཏན་པོ་གནང་དང་གནང་བཞིན་པ་ཡིན།

གཞན་ཡང་བོད་དེ་བཞིན་རྒྱ་དམར་བཙན་གནོན་དང་སྡུག་རྩུབ་བསམ་ཡུལ་ལས་འགལ་བའི་དཀའ་ངལ་ལོ་རེ་བཞིན་ཇི་སྡུག་ཏུ་འགྲོ་བཞིན་པར་བརྟེན། ཁོང་གི་ལས་འཆར་དང་པོ་བོད་མིའི་ཐབ་རྩོད་འདི་བཞིན་འཛམ་གླིང་སྡིངས་ཆའི་ཐོག་གླེང་སློང་གང་མང་བྱེད་ཐབས་ བྱ་རྒྱུ་དང་། བོད་གཞིས་བྱིས་གཉིས་མཉམས་འཛོམས་ཡོང་ཐབས་སུ་འབད་བརྩོན་ཞུ་རྒྱུའི་དམ་བཅའ་གཏན་པོ་ཡོད།

ད་ལྟའི་དུས་མཚམས་འདིར་བཙན་འབྱོལ་བོད་མིའི་སྒྲིག་འཛུགས་ནང་མེད་དུ་མི་རུང་བ་ནི་བོད་མི་ནང་ཁུལ་ཆིག་སྒྲིལ་ཡར་རྒྱས་གཏོང་ཐབས་གལ་གནད་ཆེ་བར་སོང་། ཡར་རྒྱས་གོང་མཐོར་གཏོང་ཐབས་སུ་ཁོང་ནས་ལས་འགུལ་ཇི་འཆར་ཁག་མི་མང་རྣམས་འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ་ཡིན།

བརྗོད་དོན་མཐའ་མར།  ཁོང་གྱི་ལོ་རྒྱུ་དང་བོད་མི་རིགས་ལ་བཅངས་པའི་སེམས་ཤུགས་ཀྱིས་འདས་པའི་བྱས་རྗེས་རྣམས་ཞིབ་ཅིང་ཕྲ་བ་རྣམས་ཇི་བཞིན་གཟིགས་འདོད་ཡོད་མཁན་རྣམས་ཀྱིས་དབྱིན་ཡིག་ནང་གཟིགས་གནང་བའི་ཐུགས་མངའ་ཞུ།

Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, Co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), led the Westminster Hall Debate on Wednesday, 7th October 2020 from 9.30am to 11am. He introduced the debate by stating that Tibet was in the news before but then it got forgotten for a while. The former Conservative Party leader said that this important debate was about China’s rapid expansion of the mass labour programme in Tibet. Sir Iain Duncan Smith also stated that the report was co-published by IPAC with Adrian Zenz, an independent scholar.

The debate was attended by MPs from all political parties namely – the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party (SNP). The Debate was chaired by Mr Philip Hollobone MP.

This timely debate was welcomed by Tsering Passang of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM. He said, “We welcome and thank Sir Iain Duncan Smith and all the other MPs for taking part in this important debate on China’s rapid expansion of labour programme in Tibet. We are also encouraged by MPs from all political spectrum taking keen interest on the latest developments in Tibet, East Turkistan, Hong Kong and other parts of China. We urge the UK government to use its power and work with international partners and allies to bring about a positive change, dignity and freedoms for Tibetans, Uyghur Muslims and all the other peoples currently suppressed by the Chinese regime.”

Video source: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index…

 
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE GLOBAL ACTION DAY - 1 OCTOBER 2020
By Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)
Contact: Tsering Passang
Email: gatpm2020@gmail.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7927 376 532

1. The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) welcome Statements by British MPs – Tim Loughton and Abena Oppong-Asare from the Conservative and the Labour Parties respectively on the ‘Global Action Day’ – 1^st October 2020.

2. Public Statement by Tim Loughton MP, Co-Chair, The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet – 1^st October 2020

“On the day that the Chinese Communist Party celebrates the National Day of the People’s Republic of China with a characteristic display of military might and global arrogance we join the great majority of the free world in remembering the victims of Chinese oppression past and present. For over 60 years now the peace loving people of Tibet have seen their liberty, their culture and their heritage systematically suppressed and over a million have lost their lives upholding everyday freedoms that we take for granted in the Free World. They continue to be persecuted within Tibet and increasingly amongst the widespread communities forced to live outside of their homeland.

In the last few years the suppression of minorities within Chinese borders has taken an even more sinister turn as we see the latest assault on the liberties of the Uighur people, forced into concentration camps and subject to appalling sterilisation programmes that constitute genocide under UN definitions. In Hong Kong, which has for long been a beacon of freedom and creativity China has thought nothing of reneging on international agreements to bring that population to heal and we stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave citizens who continue to take a stand against the world’s most oppressive superpower.

Whilst the Government of China celebrate power and military force we remember and support those who have given their lives and continue to stand up for liberty and the values of peace and freedom we all represent.” 

3. Public Statement by Ms Abena Oppong-Asare MP- 1^st October 2020

“I strongly believe human rights should be at the heart of UK foreign policy. I have been absolutely horrified by reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang, China. On this Global Day of Action it is important that we speak out against actions that are so clearly wrong that no Government should be able to turn a blind eye. The mass detention of the Uyghur peoples and the efforts to restrict cultural and religious practices targeting Tibetan and Uyghur people must be condemned by all politicians.”

I have long believed the Government should impose sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the persecution of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang. Today I want to echo these calls again and ask that the Conservative Government urgently condemns all human rights violations in Xinjiang, China.”

4. Each year, on 1^st October, the People’s Republic of China celebrate its National Day. This year marks the 71^st anniversary of the China’s occupation of East Turkistan and Tibet. Whilst China celebrates its victorious day, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Taiwanese, Chinese Democracy activists, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers and activists from other Chinese occupied territories join hands together to call on the international community to rise and stand up against the Chinese Communist regime for its brutal crackdown on freedom, democracy and human rights violations. Human Rights activists and those seeking justice from the Communist China are observing ‘Global Action Day’ on 1^st October and organizing events worldwide to create awareness about the Chinese expansionist designs and atrocious policies implemented against the innocent peoples of Chinese-occupied countries. Public demonstrations, lobbying with the MPs and various discourses are taking place worldwide to garner political support for their causes.

5. Freedom and human rights are the fundamental birth rights of every human being but regrettably, the people living under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are stripped off these rights. The brutal illegal occupation of Tibet, arbitrary detention of millions of Uyghurs in internment camps, unreported detention, forced disappearance and silencing of countless Chinese lawyers and activists, loss of fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, erasure of Southern Mongolian’s culture & language, intimidation and bullying of Taiwan illustrates the scale of the existing concerns across the country and among the global diaspora.

6. Tibetan Buddhists and Uyghur Muslims suffer atrocities and acts tantamount to Genocide, masterminded by the Chinese Communist regime in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR and other militarily occupied countries for over the past seven decades. Uyghur Muslims are subjected to mass detention, mass surveillance, restriction of religious and cultural identities, as well as other gross human rights abuses. Over 3 million Uyghurs have been forced into world’s largest detention centres. The confirmed reports have revealed that the Uyghur detainees are forced to eat pork, drink alcohol and denounce their identity as Muslims. They are forced to take pills, injections and are subjected to sterilisation procedures, medical experiments, and organ harvesting. The atrocities and human rights abuse faced by each and every community, particularly the minorities, in China and the occupied areas, is a reflection of the CCP’s clamorous disregard for the rights of the people whom it called their own citizens. This also makes evident the evil and nefarious desire of Xi Jinping to consolidate power and forcibly stifle dissent. There is an extensive and well researched body of evidence, including first-hand testimony, eyewitness accounts, and a range of supportive information from a variety of sources, including Chinese documentation, international media reports, television documentaries and accounts from first hand witnesses testifying gross human rights abuses and forcible mind wash of the minorities in Tibet, East Turkistan etc.

7. It is painful to note the minimal, tentative and generalized response to what is a major human rights concern within Tibet and East Turkistan. This is a right time and the United Nations Organizations (UNO), which is believed to be a torch bearer for the protection of Human Rights of every individual across the globe irrespective of its origin/ethnicity, and the world leadership to address these grave issues on priority and take cognizance of all the human rights abuses in Tibet, East Turkistan and elsewhere in China and its occupied territories.

8. International leadership has just started speaking up against the Chinese brutalities and it is believed that a global initiative and international strategic coalition is much required thing to counter the Chinese government’s totalitarian regime. Last year in October, over 23 countries issued a joint statement and asked China to stop the human rights abuse against Uyghurs but nothing has been done to minimize the suffering of this minority community. China is continuously committing cultural genocide and the world’s silence is deafening. The silence of World community has emboldened the Chinese aggression and onslaught against Tibetans and Uyghurs who are being stripped of their human rights.

9. Although, much damage has already been done, it is high time that the international community should wake up and recognize the threat posed by the Chinese Communist party to peoples living under its rule, and to those countries which are under the influence of China due to the monetary benefits, huge debts etc.

10. In order to ensure that the justice is prevailed, the world leadership must hold Chinese regime accountable for genocide/ crimes against humanity in Tibet/East Turkistan and the members of UNO should slap economic and diplomatic sanctions on China. A special session of UNO should be called urgently and a formal statement issued after passing a resolution on this serious issue. There is an urgent need of an independent inquiry be initiated under the auspices of UN designated body to look into the Genocide and crimes against humanity in Tibet and in East Turkistan and those responsible for these crimes be sanctioned under the international laws. The crimes against the Uyghurs & Tibetans should be recognized as genocide according to the International Genocide Convention.

11. The Chinese companies involved in exploitation or oppression should be held publicly accountable and a boycott action should be considered to put pressure on them to stop facilitating inhumane surveillance on the Uyghur inmates, benefiting from forced labour, and profiting from a systematic abuse of human rights. It is vital that a special rapporteur should be assigned to Tibet and to China’s Xinjiang region, with the task of documenting the suffering of the Tibetans, Uyghur & other Chinese Muslim minorities and presenting a clear picture before the UNO and other international bodies. There is a need to unravel the truth and conduct an impartial assessment, with the participation of independent human rights organisations, of the impact of the Chinese population control programme on the Tibetans, Uyghurs and other subject peoples of the Chinese occupied territories.

12. As part of the ‘Global Action Day’ – #ResistChina, the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) has just released an interview with Mr John Billington, the Goodwill Ambassador for London-based Tibet Foundation, an international development charity, and former Chairman of Tibet Society, the world’s oldest Tibet support group. 

The 84-year old sympathetic Briton, who is very familiar with China’s occupation of Tibet and East Turkistan, said, “I think there are legitimate grounds for criticising China, and we have reached a point where opposition to China is now very widespread. So, I think this does give an opportunity to those countries which feel that their freedom has been taken away by Chinese invasion, by Chinese occupation, as you rightly termed it. There is chance for them to form a coalition of countries which want to regain their independence from China.”

The 32-minute interview with the China analyst was conducted by Tsering Passang, Convener of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities.

This interview can be watched through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ccFk3y7Fug&feature=youtu.be

This morning, my delicious lunch which I brought with me was left behind on a seat of the London Cannon Street bound (Thameslink) train. As I hurriedly got off at London Bridge station around 7.45 am to change for my next train to London St. Pancras station, I forgot to take my lunch box which was put in a white cotton bag. In it you will find some clean rubber hand gloves as well, but no dessert – sorry! The founder may enjoy my delicious lunch!

I was actually listening to one of my favourite Tibetan pop songs by Tenzin Choegyal singer/musician from Canada and I got carried away when the train pulled into the London Bridge station.

I enjoy cooking and eating plenty as well! I started cooking at the age of about 12, my mother used to tell me! Last night, I cooked a delicious meal for my wife and I – kids wanted pizza. It was one of my favourite meals – a Chinese style with Tibetan input!

The lunch box contained plain boiled basmati rice, which we bought from the Morrison store. The aubergine was slow fried. Pork chop was cut into smaller pieces and slow fried in olive oil. Oh yes, garlic was fried first until it got brownish. And there are some red chilies sauce. For my last night cooking, I only used soya and hoisin sauces which we bought from a local Vietnamese supermarket.

My name is Tsering Passang and I am a charity worker – currently the Director of Tibet Foundation. Soon this 35 year old Tibetan charity will cease to exist. Previously, I served as the Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain. I have nearly 20 years of experience of working in the Tibet world – in the NGO sector primarily.

I see myself as a born Tibetan activist. I was born and brought up in a refugee camp in a remote part of Nepal before I came to the UK 24 years ago. I vividly remember the older generation of our people in the Tibetan refugee camp – telling me that Britain has all the historical documents that proved Tibet was an independent country before China’s invasion of my parents’ homelands. I never forget those words particularly from an elder called – Azin, my neighbhour, who sadly passed away a year ago. He was a tall, a man of few of words who was born in the far eastern part of Tibet in Yunnan province (Jupa). He was absolutely right. The documents are well documented in the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office archives.

I passionately continue to advocate for the rights of the Tibetans as well as other persecuted minorities in China including the Ugyhur Muslims. I love the Chinese people and have many Chinese friends but I also love challenging the Chinese Communist regime openly for causing so many problems not only in Tibet but now around the world.

Whenever I get time, I also try to upload on my social media (facebook & twitter) including my personal blog: www.tsamtruk.com Just recently, I started an online platform to raise the plight of the Tibetans and other minorities in China including the Uyghur Muslims through – Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) – http://www.facebook.com/GATPM2020

If you like my post, please share it! Thank you for reading my post and I wish you a lovely day!

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama turned 84, over 250 former CTA staff gathered together in Dharamsala this past week to offer a long life prayer ceremony for His Holiness. The event also turned into a reunion of sorts for hundreds of former CTA staff who worked tirelessly alongside His Holiness the Dalai Lama for decades. Among these are Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, Gyari Pema Gyalpo, Phunstok Wangyal and Tsering Dorje who worked as the Representative of His Holiness in the United States, Japan, UK and Switzerland in the early 1970s and 1980s. Watch them sit together and discuss about their stint as His Holiness’ Representative, the challenges they faced and their future hopes for Tibet. PS: Don’t miss the section where they also talk about their visit to Tibet in 1980. They were all a part of the second fact finding delegation to Tibet.

ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION APRIL 25, 2020, (Time: 7pm IST, 9:30am EST)

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic across the world, an important part of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery’s 31st birthday celebration of the 11th Panchen Lama (Gedun Choekyi Nyima) this year will be an Online Pancel Discussion and keynote Speech by CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay. The following experts will also speak and answers any questions from the audience.

• Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of Central Tibetan Administration, India
• Ven. Zeekyab Rinpoche, Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, India
• Ms Sophie Richardson, China Diretor, Human Rights Watch, USA
• Dr Tenzin Dorjee, Commissioner, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), USA
• Mr Arif Virani, Member of Parliament, Canada
• Mr Metteo Mecacci, President of International Campaign for Tibet, USA
• Moderated by Ms Pema Tulotsang, Asia Officer at National Endowment for Democracy, USA

The agenda for the online panel discussion will cover the following issues:

In view of this live discussion, we are happy to invite questions from the public based on the issues raised above. Please email your questions before the panel discussion starts to office@tashilhunpo.org

1. I. The 11th Panchen Lama’s tragic life story
2. II. The importance of Panchen Lama’s lineage to the Tibetan Buddhism
3. III. The release of the Panchen Lama from the clutches of the Chinese government

Please ensure that your questions are specific and to the point. The online panel discussion will be aired via Bluejeans and streamed live on Facebook.

This special online panel discussion is organised by Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Bylakupee, south India. https://www.facebook.com/Tashi-Lhunpo-Monastery-India-210377766072245/

We are very saddened by the passing of Jamyang Choegyal Kasho (popularly known as Jamchoe-la within the Tibetan Community in London) in the early hours of 24th March. We remember him in our prayers and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Jamchoe-la is the first British Tibetan (living in the UK) known to have been infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). According to his close friend, Jane O’Sullivan, Jamchoe-la was admitted to King’s College Hospital in south London on 15th March after initial flu-like symptoms. Two days later, doctors diagnosed COVID-19. Jamchoe-la was already known to have serious underlying medical conditions.

Jane, who has known Jamchoe-la since 1992, said that he was always very grateful for the compassionate medical care he received from staff at King’s College Hospital. The hospital is one of London’s largest and busiest teaching hospitals, with a strong profile of local services.

Jamyang Choegyal Kasho was born in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1938. Educated in Tibet, India and Beijing, he became completely fluent in the Chinese language and ways of thinking, whilst also attaining mastery of Tibetan and English. In 1991, after a career as a middle-level official in Tibet, he became the first (and probably only) Tibetan official and Party member of that rank to defect while on an official visit abroad. He then spent some 20 years in London as a translator, advisor and analyst of exceptional ability, working alongside those studying and publishing commentaries on contemporary Tibetan affairs.

Jamchoe-la was a philanthropic person and a generous supporter of voluntary community organisations and charities including Tibet Foundation. Only a few weeks ago, Jamchoe-la donated to our “Give Elders Dignity” appeal – in aid of elderly Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal. He also often sent money to his friends, intended for poor people as well as for commissioning pujas in India.

His book, “In the Service of the 13th and the 14th Dalai Lamas: Choegyal Nyima Lhundrup Kashopa – Untold Stories of Tibet”, was published by Tibet House, Germany, in 2015. Jamchoe-la painstakingly dedicated many years to producing this book, to tell what he described as the “Untold Stories of Tibet” as seen through his own eyes and family experience.

In the Foreword, Professor Robert Barnett, former Director of the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University, New York, and co-founder of the Tibet Information Network (TIN), wrote, “Kashopa Choegyal’s book is unique in many ways. It provides a detailed glimpse into the inner world of Tibetan elite politics in the first half of the twentieth century. Focusing on the last decade of the period between the 1910 and 1950 invasions of Lhasa by armies from China, it details the life and thinking of his father, a leading government official at that time. Several works about that epoch have appeared in English in recent years, written by other leading aristocrat-officials or their offspring, including at least five by the Dalai Lama or his immediate family. But those writers and their subjects had fled with the Dalai Lama in 1959 and had little knowledge of events in Tibet following their departure, as well as limited familiarity with Chinese language or politics. This book is thus the first of its kind, and the first to be written in English without a ghost writer or intermediary by a Tibetan brought up and educated in the Chinese system.”

Prominent Tibetan historian and Canada Research Chair in Religion and Society in Asia at the University of British Columbia, Professor Tsering Shakya also wrote, “Jamyang Choegyal has written a compelling case for his yab dampa pa, noble father’s place in the recent history of Tibet. As he writes, he is not writing what might be called an objective history, but the truth as he and his family see it. Yet it is a frank and detailed account of an important Tibetan historical period and as such it provides a window into the political life of Tibet. The publication of the book adds to our understanding and knowledge of Tibet.

“By writing this book, Jamyang Choegyal has served faithfully his noble father’s memory, but also provided a source of information on the recent history of Tibet for future generations of Tibetans, for whom the recollection of a once free and independent Tibet will surely provide inspiration.”

Jamchoe-la is survived by his daughter and a grandson in Tibet.

(This tribute piece was written for Tibet Foundation website, first published on 24th March 2020.)

Kasur Lobsang Nyandak confirms his readiness to lead the Tibet Movement at “critical time of our history”.

Tibetans worldwide are now getting actively engaged in the discourse of the next Sikyong election. The incumbent Sikyong, President Dr. Lobsang Sangay, leaves the highest office of the Central Tibetan Administration when he completes his second five-year term in 2021.

After seeing Kasur Lobsang Nyandak named as a possible successor to Dr. Sangay on social media recently, I contacted him via LinkedIn. I asked the respected former Finance and Foreign Minister if he was serious about running in the forthcoming Sikyong election. Nyandak responded within hours by writing, “I have given serious thought before making the decision to run for Sikyong. Given my 30+ years of serving the community at various positions, I felt I can serve best to our cause and people at this critical time of our history.”

His confirmation is excellent news for the Tibet Movement. In him, I see a highly experienced, capable and trusted former Tibetan diplomat, who is a politically savvy public figure, having lived in the West for nearly 15 years and travelled the world as Foreign Minister for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

In my view, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak ticks all the right boxes for any serious Tibetan leadership contender aspiring to enter the Office of The Sikyong.

Nyandak gained special prominence when he won his parliamentary seat in 1996. He was known for his non-sectarian view and commitment to promoting unity in the Tibetan community. At the time, Nyandak was heading the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), the only Tibetan-run human rights organisation. It was monitoring gross violations of human rights, and political and socio-economic marginalisation, as well as the curtailment of the religious rights of the Tibetan people in Chinese-occupied Tibet. In addition, Nyandak was actively engaged in advocacy work on behalf of the Tibetans in Tibet. He also spearheaded various vital educational programmes to promote Tibetan democracy in the exiled Tibetan community. Nyandak founded the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in 1996. Earlier, he had served in various roles within the Tibetan community, including as a leading activist of the biggest Tibetan NGO network – the Tibetan Youth Congress. He also served as Vice President and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the National Democratic Party of Tibet.

In 2001, the former Kalon Tripa, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, chose Lobsang Nyandak as one of his small team of Cabinet members. Nyandak became a minister at the age of 35. During his five-year tenure as Kalon, Nyandak held three major portfolios in Professor Samdhong Rinpoche’s administration. He was the Minister for three Departments – Information and International Relations (DIIR); Finance; and Health.

Nyandak actively promoted Sino-Tibetan dialogue. As the Kalon for the DIIR, he organised exclusive seminars between Tibetan and Chinese scholars. He also served as a member of the Task Force of the Sino-Tibetan Dialogue for over a decade.

As Finance Minister, he oversaw the healthy fiscal budgets of the Central Tibetan Administration. He was instrumental in setting up the Tibetan Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) within the Department of Finance. Today, the SARD manages core funding which supports the vital needs of the exiled Tibetan administration.

As Health Minister, he oversaw many health initiatives, including preventative measures to improve public health and the introduction of free medication to the poorer sections of the Tibetan refugee community.

From 2008 to 2013, as the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak established high-level diplomatic relations and worked with many US and Canadian governmental officials and diplomats. During his public service career, he developed internationally an excellent network with a wide range of influential people – potentially of great benefit to the Tibetan cause when he becomes the next Sikyong.

His international development work includes managing and raising vital funds from individuals and major donor sources to support the Tibetan refugee community in India and Nepal. As President of the New York-based Tibet Fund, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak has conducted multiple field trips to India and Nepal. He knows the realities on the ground there, and has a deep understanding of the enormous and often complex challenges faced by the Tibetan refugee community.

I am endorsing Kasur Lobsang Nyandak as the next Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration.

I believe Kasur Lobsang Nyandak is the right candidate at the right time for the Central Tibetan Administration. I hope there will be many like-minded friends, who care deeply about our Tibetan cause, who will give their vital backing to Kasur Lobsang Nyandak in the forthcoming election. In our efforts to preserve Tibet’s unique cultural heritage and support each other, we must march forward in unity to seek justice for Tibetans in Tibet whilst finding practical ways to help the Tibetan Diasporas.

Kasur Lobsang Nyandak says, “Together, we build Tibet’s future”. Let’s build it together by supporting Lobsang Nyandak for Sikyong 2021.

Official website: https://lobsangnyandak.com/

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KasurLobsangNyandak/

*Tsering Passang is former Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain (2014 – 2016). He is also an advisor to the incumbent Council of Tibetan Community in Britain (2018 – 2020). Tsering currently works for the London-based Tibet Foundation as its Director. Tsering’s blog: https://tsamtruk.com

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(This article was specially written for Tibet Foundation Newsletter Spring 2019 Issue No. 74 by Tsering Passang.)

Soon after the Communist Party of China (CPC) came to power in October 1949, the People’s Republic of China was established and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers marched into Tibet.

On 23rd May 1951, the “Seventeen-Point Agreement” was signed between the representatives of the independent Tibetan Government in Lhasa and the Chinese Communist Government in Peking. Tibetans have always maintained that the agreement was signed by the Tibetan representatives under the duress. His Excellency Lukhangwa, the lay Tibetan Prime Minister, plainly told Chinese Representative Zhang Jingwu in 1952 that the Tibetan “people did not accept the agreement”.

Nevertheless His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, who was a young teenager at the time, decided to work with the Chinese “in order to save my people and country from total destruction”, wrote in his memoir. For eight years, the Dalai Lama tried to abide by the terms of that document. He even relieved his Prime Minister Lukhangwa from the post, who made no secret of his staunch opposition to Chinese rule.

In 1954, the Dalai Lama visited Peking. During his nearly 6 months’ stay he had met with many Chinese leaders including Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Chou En-lai on a few occasions. Both of them gave assurances to him on Tibet’s good future.

In 1956, at the invitation of the Mahabodhi Society of India, the Dalai Lama travelled to India to join the 2500th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Buddha. During his India trip, the Dalai Lama met the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and expressed his intention to seek asylum in India. Nehru advised the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet. At the same time the Chinese Premier Chou En-lai travelled to Delhi where he met both Nehru and the Dalai Lama and had urged the young Tibetan leader to return to Tibet. Finally, the Dalai Lama returned to Lhasa.

By early 1959 a large number of PLA soldiers, about 20,000 were stationed in Lhasa alone. The tension was now rising in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa. Tens of thousands of Tibetans from east Tibet were retreating towards Lhasa while fighting continued in the east. In early March 1959, the PLA invited the Dalai Lama to attend a planned cultural show at its headquarters without any Tibetan bodyguards. The date for the theatrical show was set for 10th March. The general public in Lhasa became suspicious and over 30,000 Tibetans gathered at the Norbu Lingkha, the summer palace for his security and requested him not to attend.

The Dalai Lama, who was then 24, faced a difficult dilemma. In his autobiography, ‘My Land and My People’ the Dalai Lama wrote, “…as if I was standing between two volcanoes, each likely to erupt at any moment. On one side, there was the vehement, unequivocal, unanimous protest of my people against the Chinese regime; on the other hand, there was the armed might of a powerful and aggressive occupying force.” Three Tibetan ministers tried to reach some agreements with Chinese generals but failed.

With the huge crowd surrounding the Norbu Lingkha palace, it was almost impossible for the Dalai Lama to leave. On the night of 17th March, the Dalai Lama decided to leave Lhasa. According to his autobiography, the Dalai Lama disguised as an ordinary soldier and marched out of his summer palace on a horseback “unchallenged [and moved] towards the dark road beyond”. He reached safely into exile in India on 31st March 1959 after two weeks of treacherous journey. Some 80,000 Tibetan refugees followed him into India, Nepal and Bhutan.

The young and charismatic Dalai Lama re-established Tibetan Government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, northern India. A staunch believer in democracy, the Dalai Lama introduced this western democratic system into the Tibetan society, stage by stage since 1960. In 2011, the Dalai Lama decided to fully relinquish his previously inherited political leadership, for nearly 400 years by the Dalai Lama Institution, by passing the historic seal to the directly elected Sikyong (or otherwise known as the President) Dr. Lobsang Sangay (a legal scholar from Harvard University), of the Central Tibetan Administration (de facto Tibetan Government-in-exile).

Under his amazing leadership, the Dalai Lama established a network of Tibetan settlements, schools, hospitals, monasteries, nunneries as well as cultural institutions to provide vital education, healthcare, welfare needs and cultural preservation in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Internally, his visionary leadership in exile for the Tibetan society has kept its identity and culture alive. Externally, especially after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, exactly 30 years ago, the Dalai Lama gained new celebrity status on the global stage which helped to promote the Tibetan issue. His message of peace and non-violence for resolving conflicts, promotion of religious harmony and human values got greater recognition. Today, the Dalai Lama, aged 83, is not only a Tibetan spiritual leader but he is a highly respected moral leader too on the world stage.

Since coming into exile, Tibetans in India and around the world observe this poignant 10th March anniversary every year to condemn China’s repression in Tibet whilst remembering those who died in their struggle for freedom. In Dharamsala as well as in major Tibetan settlements across India, the official functions include recitation of Buddhist prayers and singing of political Tibetan songs. Every year, the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile issue official political statements on this day. These are available on the CTA website www.tibet.net and also it’s live webcast on http://www.TibetOnline.tv.

Non-governmental Tibetan organisations such as the Tibetan Youth Congress, which call for Rangzen (Independence of Tibet), often organises political demonstrations around this historic date. This can include demonstrations at the Chinese Embassy in Delhi or engaging in hunger strikes in front of the United Nations buildings in New York to draw their attention to the Tibetan plight.

Nepal is currently home to about 10,000 Tibetan refugees. Due to the Chinese pressure on Nepal, their activities including the celebration of the Dalai Lama’s birthday are strictly controlled. Unable to observe this year’s 10th March commemoration event, many Tibetan youth activists from Nepal travelled to Delhi to join the political demonstrations organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress.

In London, this year, several hundred members of the Tibetan Community and Tibet supporters gathered opposite Downing Street. After a short rally with speeches, the demonstrators marched through central London to the Chinese Embassy by chanting loud slogans – calling for human rights, religious and political freedoms in Tibet. Later, an evening function was organised at the Indian YMCA where the visiting Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament from Dharamsala and London-based Dalai Lama’s Representative gave addresses. 

Tibetans in the UK often try to reach out to the British politicians to secure their support. Messages of support from several British MPs and MEP were read out at the evening function. In addition to the statement of support from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet (APPGT), Ms Karen Lee, a Shadow Minister from the Labour Party sent her support in her own words. She wrote:

“I’d like to apologise for my absence today, but I’d like to send my solidarity to all of those still struggling for the freedoms of Tibetans. 

Today is a historic day of commemoration. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the uprising in Lhasa. Together we remember 85,000 people who gave their lives for their beliefs and in order for future generations to be proud Tibetans.

As a socialist, I wholeheartedly believe in a community’s right to self-determination. The right of Tibetans to determine their own political, economic and cultural future. 

The courage of peaceful protesters across Tibetan territory is admirable, especially at a time when Tibet is being squeezed and oppressive measures are tightened. The current struggle is in aid of advancing freedoms and human rights, but in the 21st century, these should already be afforded to Tibetans.

Many do not remember a time before Chinese rule, but this does not deter them from protecting Tibet’s proud cultural heritage.

I’d like to end by sending my support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and all of you in attendance today. I am sorry for my absence, but my thoughts, and those of many others around the world, are with those in Tibet, and one day you will be free.”

 

(London, 22 November 2017)

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay arrived in London on Wednesday morning for a two-day official visit.

The President of the Central Tibetan Administration (also known as Tibetan Government-in-exile) was accorded very warm reception at the world’s busiest airport – London Heathrow. Dr Sangay was received by Chonpel Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his colleagues at The Office of Tibet as well as by members of the Tibetan Community in Britain.

A further reception was accorded by Phuntsok Dalu, Culture Secretary, on behalf of the Council of Tibetan Community UK at the London Paddington station. The Sikyong arrived in the British capital by Heathrow Express, a 15-minute high-speed train journey from the world’s busiest airport. After a short drive, the Sikyong arrived at the hotel where a small contingent of Tibetan Community members accorded their final and formal reception.

In the capital, the Tibetan Leader has scheduled meetings with the parliamentarians and government officials. It is unlikely that he will meet with the British Prime Minister. During his last visit to the UK a year ago, Speaker John Bercow has met with the Sikyong. He was later acknowledged of his presence during a live parliamentary debate in the House of Commons, which was broadcast on the BBC Parliament.

As part of his current five countries’ tour, the Sikyong earlier visited Denmark, Sweden and Norway, which was coordinated by the London-based Office of Tibet. The Sikyong arrived in London from Canada. This is Sangay’s third official visit to the UK in the last six years after he was first elected in 2011. He flies back to Delhi on Thursday night.

China’s Top Tibetan Legislator Challenged during University Talk in London

[Tsering Passang, London]

Padma Choling (Baimachiling in Pinyin in Tibetan or Pema Thinley), Member of The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC; Chinese: 全国人民代表大会常务委员会) and a Vice Chair of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of NPC members, led a delegation including of at least three other senior Tibetan and two Chinese officials from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Beijing to the UK.

Choling, who spent nearly five decades of his life in Chinese military and politics, was a former Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (from 2010 to 2013). Choling is notoriously known for his rhetoric against the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Dharamsala-based Tibetan Government-in-exile.

He continues to say that there’s no Tibet issue; Dalai Lama must stop Tibetan independence activities; and the Tibetan spiritual leader must recognise Taiwan as a part of China.

Choling began his four-day of UK tour in the morning of Saturday 25th March, when he met with Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council.

Padma Choling said that China’s people’s congress at different levels stands ready to strengthen communication with their counterparts in Britain and Manchester City and to promote the exchanges between the two countries and its peoples.

Councillor Murphy said that she was happy to see the cultural diversity in China and hopes to visit Tibet.

On Monday 27th, Choling attended an hour-long afternoon session, at the request of the Chinese Embassy in Westminster University, London.

Professor Dibyesh Anand chaired the session, titled “Development in Tibetan Regions” with Padma Choling.

The Indian-origin International Relations professor started by saying that the Westminster University has previously welcomed Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. He also said that the University has previously invited many other Chinese and Tibetan scholars.

“In this university, and also in other academic institutions in the UK,” Anand said, “I hope that the platforms we provide for different views to discuss their arguments would help to reach agreements.” He further said, “Even if agreements are not reached, at least, we should respect each other’s point of views.”

“In this light,” Anand added, “we are happy to host Padma Choling, a senior Tibetan official from China” to share his perspective on Tibet.

Choling spoke very briefly about his visit goals and introduced his delegation team.

Choling said that during his current visit he hoped to learn how the UK maintains its policies on ethnic relations. He was pointing out that Tibet is one of the 56 minorities in China.

Choling’s presentation included a short video propaganda – Beautiful Tibet – which was about 8 minutes long. He said that the film captures the “development and happy lives of the Tibetan people in Tibet” under Chinese rule.

The propaganda video was extremely impressive with very bright and colourful, even the Tibetan farmers are wearing brand new clothes when they work in the farms.

After the film screening, Anand thanked Choling for his presentation and raised several points before inviting questions from audience.

The audience was mostly filled by the Chinese delegation side including their embassy officials and media team. Less than 20 Westminster University’s staff, students and others including London-based Tibetans attended the afternoon session which lasted about 75 minutes.

Choling was asked why the Chinese Government has not produced any Tibetan Party Secretaries in Tibet even after 50 years of the Chinese rule. He was also asked whether any discrimination against the Tibetan people by the Han Chinese prevails which forbid the ethnic minority to reach to the top level leaderships.

Choling responded by saying “There are many Tibetan Party Secretaries in county and prefectural levels but the current Party Secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region is half-Tibetan.” He added, “There are no discriminations against the Tibetan people in China.”

Tsering Passang, an exiled-born Tibetan challenged Choling by saying, “I disagree with your response on the discrimination issue.” He added, “As a matter of fact, there are discriminations against the Tibetan people by the Han Chinese in Tibet.” The former top Communist Tibetan official was made aware that the exiled Tibetan respected his response. Passang also said that he understood the official government position that Choling holds.

Larung Gar Demoliations

Passang then asked Choling about the ongoing demolitions at the Larung Gar Institute. He said: “We are very deeply concerned by the ongoing demolitions and the forced removal of Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns from the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute. We often hear that the Chinese government put a lot of efforts towards the preservation of the Tibetan culture: yet; this includes the Tibetan Buddhist heritage? Can you please shed some light on the ongoing destructions at the Larung Gar? Why is the government involved in the destruction of this Tibetan Buddhist culture and heritage site, in contrast to its claim on the preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage? Can you please urge the senior Chinese leaders, policymakers and decision makers in Beijing to not go against their own statement of preserving the Tibetan culture?”

Choling replied by saying that Tibet has “1700 temples including several mosques in TAR”.

He said that there are 40,000 ‘professional’ monks. “Government has allocated huge funds for the maintenance of spiritually significant Tibetan cultural sites including the Potala Palace and the Jokhang temple.” He said that a number of Tibetan historical sites are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.

Instead of answering the demolitions and removal of monks and nuns from the Larung Gar Institute in Serta, Choling said that it does not fall within Tibet (meaning the Tibet Autonomous Region). Ironically he also chose to even told-off the exiled Tibetan to be mindful with asking question to the right person next time, indicating the question should be asked to someone who comes from Serta where the Larung Gar is located and not the TAR.

More questions followed.

Sino–Tibetan Relations

On the ten rounds of dialogues between Beijing and Dharamsala, Choling said that the status of talks should be asked to the Dalai Lama’s former representatives – “Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen” – directly on why this did not move forward. He said that the Central Government conducted ten rounds of talks with the Dalai Lama’s representatives. He added, “The Central Government hasn’t changed its position.”

Choling stated that “Dalai Lama must renounce Tibetan independence; accept Taiwan as part of China; and he must stop splittist activities.”

He further added that “Lobsang Sangay is not qualified to contact with the Chinese Government” as he allegedly “leads an illegal organisation.”

Lesson on Ethnic Relations

Choling was asked what lessons he has learned on ethnic relations whilst in the UK from its dealings with Scotland and Wales, referring to his own opening remarks on learning from the UK during the tour. He responded by saying that the delegation arrived in London from Manchester and following his further engagements in London, he was leaving the country the next day.

Choling said that he had met with the deputy leader of the Manchester City Council. He also said that he did not get enough time to learn about the ethnic relations this time.

About Chinese Communist Party

Choling was also asked, instead of being so critical of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile, as a Communist Party member for nearly 50 years, what did he really know about the Chinese government.

To which, Choling replied, “I joined the party in 1970”. From birth to present, Choling said that he is “deeply proud to be harmonious with the 56 ethnic groups in China”. He said, “I myself have benefitted a lot from my work, servicing the Tibet Autonomous Region, in the fields of development and reconstruction.”

Choling also said that his “mother is still alive and is in her 90s, who is a believer in Buddhism.” “My mother doesn’t interfere in my belief and I have never interfered in her belief.”

Self–Immolations in Tibet

On Self-Immolations, Choling acknowledged that “over 100” have engaged in this action. He said, “These took place in Tibetan inhabited areas outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. There was only one case of self-immolation near the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. That person was from Gansu Province.” He also raised the question of the role Sikyong Lobsang Sangay in relation to the self-immolations.

Spiritual Life in Tibet

On Spiritual belief in Tibet, Choling acknowledged “a good question.” “Many people asked me this question. The majority of the people in Tibet believe in the Buddhist belief to support their life.” He added, “But it is not their pillar of life. I used to tell Tibetans in rural areas. First, you should live a good present life.”

Responding to a student’s question, Choling said that “since the peaceful liberation and the founding of TAR [1965], Tibet is now fully integrated into China.” He added by saying, “When I was in the Office [as TAR Chairman], I used to say, ‘I want Tibet to be the role model’ for the development of ethnic relations in China.’”

Meeting Dalai Lama and Chinese Visas

Whilst summing up the session, Professor Dibyesh Anand, asked, “If the Dalai Lama comes through this door, would you respect him or … leave the building?”

Choling replied, “I don’t want to see that man, to be honest.”

The moderator repeated his earlier assertions by saying, “In this university and in the UK academic institutions, we very much welcome and encourage frank and open discussions even though we may not agree with each other.”

Anand then asked, “Can we expect the same treatment in China? Can our straight-talking students get visas for China or not?”

Choling replied, “Exchanges are good and communications are important.”

Anand continued, “So … do you want our students to come to China.”

Choling responded by saying, “We will invite you to China at an appropriate time. As you know, there are red tapes in China.”

Further engagements

On Tuesday 28 March, Padma Choling and his delegation met with Crispin Blunt MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and Richard Graham MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for China.

China’s Outreach with Tibetans Overseas

After the four-day UK trip during which they met with a small number of UK based Tibetans, who were invited to a dinner, courtesy of the Chinese Embassy, Choling and his delegation left for Switzerland on Tuesday, where they were also expected to meet with some Swiss-based Tibetans.

The Chinese Government in recent years has been increasing their outreach with Tibetans living in western countries. Unfortunately, this has directly implicated Tibetans in these western countries engaging less on Tibet’s political struggle as well as other mundane community affairs.

In addition, the dedicated Chinese Embassy officials in these countries maintain regular contacts with some of the Tibetans to undermine Tibetan freedom movement and damage their unity.

A special interview with Honourable Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration in India. Dr Sangay was re-elected during the recent election and he is currently serving his second five-year term in the office.

During his six-day official visit to the UK from 29th October to 3rd November 2016, the Londonney Tibetan Productions were pleased to secure an interview with the President of Tibet’s government-in-exile. This special interview was conducted by Tsering Passang on 1st November. 

(By Tsering Passang, London)

In May 2011, I told Honourable Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay in Dharamsala that I did not cast my vote to him during the 2011 Kalon Tripa election. He simply returned a smile. And then I said, ‘Majority of the Tibetan people elected you to lead the Tibet Movement as the Executive Head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and it is now your responsibility to fulfil their aspirations. I accept the election result and I will now be supporting you as my political leader as well’.

The incumbent Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay won the 2011 election with a big margin against the two heavyweight candidates – Trisur Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Kasur Tashi Wangdi, who both served in the Kashag (Tibetan cabinet). Sikyong Sangay recently stated that he still enjoys a good and cordial relation with the two CTA veterans, who between them had accumulated over 70 years of public service in the Central Tibetan Administration.

In the 2016 final Sikyong election, there is only one challenger against the incumbent Sikyong Dr Sangay, who is seeking his re-election to complete the foundation of works he started during his first term. The contender is the incumbent Tshoktso Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, who comes across as a strong Middle-Way advocate. Tsering bagged just over 10,000 votes in the preliminary round last autumn whilst Sangay scored over a massive 30,000 votes.

Last year, Tshoktso Penpa Tsering publicly stated that he would refuse to share platforms with the Rangzen (Tibetan independence) advocate, Mr Lukar Jam, who secured third in the Sikyong’s preliminary election. The former Tibetan political prisoner failed to make it to the final round of Sikyong election due to new rules set out by the Central Election Commission.

Unlike the incumbent Speaker, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay chose not to take the hard-line stance against the former Tibetan political prisoner, who is also the current President of GuChuSum, a well-respected Tibetan NGO representing ex-political prisoners, who all escaped from Tibet into exile. The GuChuSum changed its political stance from Rangzen to Middle-Way approach in recent years.

In this 2016 Sikyong election, we have been witnessing a big change compared to the 2011 Kalon Tripa election. Unlike the previous elections, the current two Sikyong candidates criticise each other, which is acceptable as this is a part of the democratic practice. What is unfortunate is that there are strong negative campaigns on both sides compared to the 2011 election. These were primarily initiated and carried out by the candidates’ respective supporters/camps; some are utterly baseless, which are uncalled for. The Tibetan democracy and the Tibetan electorates deserve better than this.

My personal observation on the incumbents Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Tshoktso Penpa Tsering

The Tibetans in Exile have a wonderful opportunity to elect their Political Leader who can represent them both at home and abroad. We should be able to place our confidence in the chosen candidate, who will be serving the Tibetan people during the next five years as our Sikyong.

In my view, it is better to look objectively at what these two candidates have done in the past, at least during the past four to five years in their respective offices and then analyse and decide whether the candidates are likely to deliver what they said they would do for the Tibetan people to secure freedom and justice in Tibet whilst getting the Dharamsala-based Central Tibetan Administration and its affiliated bodies in the Indian sub-continent and abroad, in order or not during the next five years as Sikyong.

The Incumbent Tshoktso Penpa Tsering 

I think Tshoktso Penpa Tsering has done an amazing job as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament who conducted its affairs in good order during this last parliamentary term. There was only one exception when he briefly walked-out of the parliament after a Chithue raised a previously unfounded allegation against the Speaker.

Tshoktso Penpa Tsering has travelled extensively with his parliamentary colleagues and promoted the Tibetan cause in many countries in addition to his parliamentary duties in Dharamsala.

Tshoktso Penpa Tsering also seems to have some good ideas on strengthening the Tibetan communities outside the Indian sub-continent amongst his other initiatives but we have not heard these in details.

We would like to know how Tshoktso Penpa Tsering intends to implement those good ideas into practical actions, including raising the required capital funds.

We would also certainly like to hear more of his plans and policies to bring about alternative change to the incumbent Sikyong’s legacy rather than dwelling on the Kalachakra postponement and other less important issues.

Tshoktso Penpa Tsering did say that he was unable to organise the planned International Convention of World Parliamentarians for Tibet this past year due to some technicalities but nonetheless he did organise such conventions in the past, drawing international parliamentarians’ support for Tibet, which shows his capabilities.

The Incumbent Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay

Over the past four years, I have been observing Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and his administration very closely. Surprisingly, the Harvard legal scholar, who had no previous experience in administration, impressed me tremendously especially with his smart move as the ‘People’s Sikyong’ both at home and abroad.

To start with, Sikyong Sangay formed a great Kashag team, who delivered the public services beyond expectation. The only unfortunate news is the untimely resignation of Kasur Dicki Chhoyang from the Kashag.* (Please see the postscript section at the bottom of the article for details on the resignation issue.)

Some of the achievements observed over the past four years:

Honourable Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay knows how the media world works. He uses it effectively to raise the plight of Tibet throughout the world.

Sikyong Sangay sets his aims and objects high when visiting foreign countries. He is unafraid to meet with foreign leaders, senior officials and politicians to garner support for Tibet and the Tibetan people both politically and through other practical means.

As alumni of Harvard, Sikyong Sangay has an added advantage which he uses unashamedly in his favour to share the story of Tibet and the Tibetan people to influential people. He was invited by numerous high-profiled Think Tanks and delivered lectures on Tibet in various countries in addition to speaking in front of over tens of thousands of students, a move likely to engage new young supporters for Tibet.

Sikyong Sangay said that he wanted to build direct link between Washington and Dharamsala, which he did. The New York-based Office of Tibet was moved to the newly acquired office buildings in Washington.

Evidence of improved ties with the United States is visible after President Obama publicly supported the Middle-Way policy, championed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in 2014.

More frequent visits by international dignitaries to Dharamsala observed in recent years. Institutional grants, US government and other foreign grants increased during Sikyong Sangay’s administration to support the Tibetan refugee community.

Most importantly, relations with the Indian Government both at the central and the states level have developed further under the incumbent administration. Thanks to the amazing work of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and his star colleague Kalon Gyari Dolma, who fully supports the incumbent Sikyong’s re-election.

These all show that the incumbent Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay is capable of garnering increased political as well as other practical support from countries such as the US, Canada and India, who are close allies of Tibet and the Tibetan people.

Department of Home:

(Useful source: http://tibet.net/2015/10/home-kalon-thanks-govt-of-india-for-40-crore-financial-aid/

The FRR Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has recently provided a grant-in-aid of Rs. 40 Crore for a period of 5 years commencing from 2015 – 2016 to 2019 – 2020 to the extent of Rs. 8 crore per annum. The aid is provided to supplement the administrative expenses incurred by Tibetan settlements in India.

This is an amazing work of the CTA’s Department of Home towards the sustenance of the Tibetan settlements in India.

Department of Education:

• Increased scholarships for Tibetan students in India, Nepal and Bhutan;
• Increased and reserved scholarships for Tibetan students in Nepal

What it shows is that the Sangay’s administration can raise funds to support the education of young Tibetan students in colleges or universities with a long term goal to create a self-reliant community, once educated/qualified.

The previous yearly scholarships of 150 for college/university students, is now increased to over 630 scholarships per year. This is a massive increase!

Department of Finance:

(Useful source: http://tibet.net/2015/03/state-of-cta-finance-is-good/ )

In four and half years, the CTA budget has increased by over 100%. That is amazing achievement. In 2010, the annual CTA budget was just over 1 billion Indian rupees. In 2015-2016, the CTA budget increased to just over 2 billion Indian rupees. In 2016-2017, the CTA budget will increase to 2.2 billion Indian rupees.

The incumbent Sikyong recently stated that based on needs of the exiled community and from his past record, he is confident of sourcing new untapped funds to reach the annual budget to 2.5 billion (2500 million) Indian rupees by the end of the next Sikyong’s office term.

Department of Security:

Securing enhanced security services for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in human resource as well as financial and high-end technologies that enable the landing of plane ferrying His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Gaggal airport in the outskirt of Dharamsala during the poor weather from the concerned State and Central governments is a massive contribution.

Department of Health:

(Useful source: http://tibet.net/2016/01/tibetan-medicare-system-tms-announces-70-subsidy-to-the-most-vulnerable-sections-of-the-tibetan-population-in-india/ )

“In 2009 CTA survey, it was found that over 45% of the Tibetan exile community suffers from diseases such as Cancer, Tuberculosis, Liver cirrhosis, Diabetes and heart diseases, which require a high degree of secondary and tertiary care. Lack of an adequate healthcare coverage has been a major cause of high mortality as well as a primary cause of poverty and financial insecurity amongst the community.

Under the leadership of the Kashag of Honorable Sikyong Dr.Lobsang Sangay, the Department of Health had launched the implementation of TMS Health Plan on 1st April, 2012. Since then, TMS is being implemented successfully, for close to four years now and has provided an equitable and comprehensive healthcare coverage to the Tibetans living in India. During last four years, 49,000 Tibetans have enrolled in the TMS and more than 2000 have availed the benefits till date.  However, more participation of the Tibetan public is crucial to build TMS stronger and self-reliant; and to pre-empt financial constraints faced by the Tibetans during medical emergencies.

The revised TMS Health Plan got operational from 1st April 2015 and aims to further strengthen health care mechanisms by providing sustainability to the existing TMS Health plan. With this, the revised TMS Health Plan proposes to cover all the exile Tibetan population in India.”

Conclusion

Based on these findings, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has finally earned my vote in 2016! Although I extend my best wishes to both candidates but I will be praying for the incumbent Sikyong Dr Sangay’s victory in this forthcoming election which will be held on 20th March.

In the next five years, I would like to see Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay to complete his unfinished tasks and pursue more political as well as related practical support for Tibet and the Tibetan people from Europe and Asia Pacific regions.

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*Postscript: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay formed a great Kashag team in 2011. The only unfortunate news is the untimely resignation of Kasur Dicki Chhoyang from the Kashag. It is a blow to the Sangay camp as Chhoyang’s resignation comes at a critical moment of weeks before the final election which is to be held on 20 March. The erstwhile Kalon chose to submit her resignation on a weekend by visiting the Sikyong’s residence. She immediately called a press conference after tendering her resignation to the Sikyong.

 

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Useful Links:

https://lobsangsangay.wordpress.com/meet-dr-lobsang-sangay/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobsang_Sangay

http://www.sikyong2016.com/biography-of-penpa-tsering