Tibet news
-
Tibetan Village Mourns Leader’s Death Amid Calls for Abbot’s Freedom
The Tibetan village of Ponkor is gripped with anguish following the death of its leader, Gonpo Namgyal, and the continued detention of the revered Abbot Tenpa Dhargyal. Villagers have been holding prayers and rituals, imploring for the safe release of the abbot, who has been in custody since May.
-
Tibetan Activist Jailed for Protesting Illegal Sand Mining in His Village
Tsongon Tsering, a 29-year-old Tibetan from Tsaruma Town in Ngaba (Aba) Prefecture, has been sentenced to eight months in prison by Chinese authorities for protesting online against the illegal sand mining taking place in his local river. The sand mining, carried out by the Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company, has caused significant environmental damage to…
-
Karma Samdrup, Wrongfully Imprisoned Tibetan Environmentalist, Freed After 15 Years
Prominent Tibetan environmentalist and philanthropist, Karma Samdrup, has been released after serving a 15-year prison sentence. Detained on January 7, 2010, Karma was sentenced on June 24, 2010, by the Yanqi Hui Autonomous County People’s Court in Xinjiang, a region that has long been a site of tension for Tibetans. His sentence, which was initially…
-
Tibetan Youth Whistleblower Sheds Light on Environmental Exploitation in Tibet
A brave 29-year-old Tibetan activist has exposed illegal sand and gravel mining in Tsaruma, Kakhog County, as part of a larger pattern of environmental exploitation in Tibet under Chinese rule. His reports highlight the ongoing destruction of the Tsaruma River, which is vital to the Yangtze and Yellow river systems. This incident underscores a broader…
-
China Detains Tibetan Teens Over Resistance to State-Run Boarding Schools
Chinese authorities have forcibly detained four Tibetan students, aged 15 to 18, for refusing to attend state-run boarding schools following the recent closure of the Buddhist primary school at Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in Dzoge County, according to a report by Radio Free Asia. The detentions come as part of the Chinese government’s broader campaign…
-
French Museum Reverts to “Tibet” After Protests Over “Xizang” Labeling Mandated by China
In a significant victory for Tibetan activists, the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris has committed to reverting to the use of “Tibet” instead of “Xizang” in its exhibits. The term “Xizang,” aggressively promoted by the Chinese government as a tool to erase their cultural and linguistic heritage.
-
China Sentenced a Tibetan Monk to 18 Months for Sharing Dalai Lama Teachings Online
Last week, relatives of Tibetan monk Jampa Choephel from Rebkong received confirmation that he had been sentenced to 18 months in jail last August. The family had not been previously informed of the trial or the decision. Rebgong, part of historical Tibet, is now the capital of the Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province.
-
Tibetan Live-Streamer Detained, Assaulted and Suspended for Promoting Language on Social Media
Chinese authorities have escalated their suppression of Tibetan cultural expression by detaining and assaulting Gang Lhaja, a popular Tibetan live-streamer known for advocating the preservation of Tibetan language and culture. Lhaja, who frequently used his platform to teach and promote Tibetan language, was detained, beaten, and had his live-streaming account suspended. This incident is part…
-
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Session Emerges Through Setbacks to Push Forward: Key Takeaways
The 8th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), held from September 11 to 19, 2024, was marked by key legislative discussions, but also significant disruptions and disappointments. The session, which brought together Tibetan leaders, including Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering, dealt with challenges that highlighted the complex dynamics within the Tibetan…
-
Chinese-American Academic Convicted of Spying on Tibetan Activists for Beijing
A recent conviction in the United States has shed light on the continued threats faced by those who advocate for democratic reforms and human rights, including Tibetans, at the hands of Chinese intelligence operations. Wang Shujun, a Chinese-American academic, was found guilty on Tuesday for unlawfully acting as a foreign agent. He was convicted of…