h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Informative and beautiful.

Thanks, bod62uk. Can I add your name to the Friends list?

Hi guys,

Yungchen Lhamo, the wonderful Tibetan singer was in Dublin this week, and gave a stunning concert. TSG Ireland haf the honour of chauffering her around, helping her to sort out visas and things. I will post some photos of her on fotki when I've had a chance to process them, and link to this thread.

Her CD "Tibet,Tibet," is a must-have for anyone who likes "world" music, or cares about Tibet. She uses the proceeds to fund schooling and artificial limbs for Tibetan children.

Cheers,

C \|?

Thanks, Chai. Some blokes 'ave all the luck.

http://www.yungchenlhamo.com/

'Tibet, Tibet' is a wonderful album, one of my favourites. I can't wait to see the pictures of Yungchen Lhamo in Dublin... and of you in your chauffeur's cap.

Cheers,

JTG

TYC
November 27, 2004

New Delhi, November 26 - In an astonishing and surprising incidence that took place in Delhi today, more than 60 members of Delhi regional chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) stormed the Chinese embassy situated at Chanakyapuri. The incidence witnessed the participation of 15 girls and 45 boys, that took place at around 2 pm The participants went in a chartered bus and made some spot preparations like painting the face with the Tibetan national flag and keeping their weapons of banners and pamphlets blazing. As soon as they reached the gate of Chinese embassy, they stormed out of the bus like a cyclone and started shouting slogans. At first the police officials tried to disperse the group of patriotic and energetic youths, but in vain, hence they resort to lathi charge. Several RTYC members were beaten up and one of them got seriously injured, as the inspector in-charge kept on beating him even after his arrest till his stick broke into pieces. Mr. Ngawang youten was later hospitalised in the nearby hospital as he was badly injured and was bleeding from his elbow and abdomen.

An inventive and rather unusual thing that these bold students did was that some of them chained themselves to the electric poles, so that the policemen couldn't take them away too easily. They have been successful in this pursuit as it took around one whole hour for the policemen to break the chain and take them into their custody. They also burned the five starred red flag of China and turned it into ashes.

While the RTYC members were being taken to the nearby police station, Mr Norbu Tsering managed to get on the roof of the police van, which was passing through the heavily crowded traffic. He shouted slogans demanding the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek from the Chinese prison.

The president of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Delhi Mr Tsering Tashi stated, 'the activity was organized to get the attention of the national and international media regarding the issue of Tulku Tenzin Delek'. He condemned the heartless treatment of the local police personnel who needlessly lathi charged the peaceful protesters. He further added, 'we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Tulku Tenzin Delek, who is wrongly and unfairly tried by the Chinese
authorities.' He reiterated that their struggle would continue, however the circumstances may be.

16 members including 6 girls and 10 boys were imprisoned and their release is still under great uncertainty. Among the arrested members, includes General secretary and Public Relations Officer of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.

See http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=8317&t=3&c=1

Thanks, Recumbentman. The world can hardly afford to continue to ignore the passions of young people like these.

Here is a link to a recording of Canadian MP Rob Anders' statement in the House of Commons on behalf of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche:

http://www.conservative.ca/audio/20041201-Anders.mp3

TCHRD* Press Statement on Human Rights Day

December 10, 2004

10 December 1948 marked the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). A resolution of the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Declaration as the "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" in respect for human rights.

Member States of the United Nations including China pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Originally the Declaration was conceived as a statement of objectives to be achieved by Governments. However, the fact that it has been accepted by so many States has given it considerable moral weight. In 1968, the UN International Conference on Human Rights agreed that the Declaration "constitutes an obligation for the members of the international community".

On December 10, 1989, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Price for His continues struggle for peace and human rights through Non-Violence. This also marked an important turning point in the history of the Tibetan struggle for freedom in the international community.

However, China as a member of the United Nations and the international community, has failed to respect the principles set forth in the Declaration of Human Rights. Chinese authorities continue to practice a systematic denial of human rights of the Tibetan people.

During 2004, TCHRD has documented, among others, the following events:

· TCHRD received information of 13 new arrests of Tibetans suspected of political activities;

· Tsering Pel, a monk in Machen County in Amdo, was shot dead by Chinese authorities for what seemed to be a verbal scuffle;

· Yeshi Gyatso, a political prisoner, died within a month after his release from a detention Centre in Lhasa. It is believed that he died as a result of torture he suffered in prison.

· Three Tibetans were arrested for protesting against mining activities authorised by the local Chinese government in the Sog County (Ch: Suo Xian) on 4 September, 2004;

· Trulku Tenzin Delek accused on charges of "terrorist acts" and sentenced to death, faces an uncertain fate as his two-year suspended death sentence draws near;

· Over 150 Tibetans still remain detained in the various prisons in Tibet for exercising their freedom of expression;The Panchen Rinpoche, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and many more senior religious leaders' whereabouts still remain unknown;

· China announced the launch of the "strike hard" campaign in Lhasa in October 2004. The Campaign gives unlimited authority and powers to the police to clamp down on Tibetans.

The 2nd session of the 10th National People's Congress in March 2004, made an historic amendment to the Constitution of China by adding the words "human rights". It said, "The State respects and safeguards human rights". However, the amendment fell short of details, leaving the interpretation of the term "human rights" open and ambiguous.

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, expresses its concerns over China's use of the terms - “State secrets” , “social stability" and "public order crimes”, etc., that are being increasingly used against Tibetans to arrest and imprison them. The Centre believes that so long as such excuses continue to be used by the authorities, any amendment to the Constitution will not make a difference.

On the 56th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, TCHRD would like to urge the international community to remain vigilant of China’s human rights policies and practices in Tibet. The Centre would also like to call upon the Chinese government to respect and comply with international standards of human rights practices.

[* Tibetan Centre for Human rights and Democracy]

Here is a short film (choice of formats) from Students for a Free Tibet featuring some of the activities which took place during their Week of Protest in support of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche:

http://www.sftonline.org/theater/tdrweek/index.html

I came across this while looking for am meditation online....

http://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_1031.html Th Flash presentation is narrated by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Thanks, Mudhooks. That's a valuable lesson, one worth taking to heart.

I mentioned elsewhere that Mr. Mia, a Bangladeshi man seeking refugee status in Canada who had been in Sanctuary in First Unitarian, here in Ottawa is now free! On Monday, he was given a Ministerial order allowing him to remain in Canada. His family will also be able to come from Bangladesh to join him.

My Tibetan "beau" in Nepal sent me photos, taken in Kathmandu: http://public.fotki.com/Mudhooks/family_friends_pets/tashi_dawa/

Lovely! Thanks for sharing those. Tashi's a handsome man. He has a kind face.

That's certainly good news about the man from Bangladesh and his family. It does one's heart good to hear a happy ending to a story like that.

You've been a tonic to me today.

JTG

A fire has destroyed 16 residential apartments, shops, and Kailash Hotel in Mcleod Ganj . Although no one was hurt in the blaze, many of those who escaped the flames lost all of their possessions.

For more, please read 'Demise of a Place: An Obituary' by Topden Tsering:

http://www.tibet.ca/en/wtnarchive/2004/12/22_2.html

I've just watched a wonderful, independently-produced documentary about Tenzin Delek Rinpoche,'Sentenced to Die'. It is available from,

http://www.sentenced-to-die.com/

I've made a few updates to the main page of h2g2 Friends of Tibet, most noticeably to the sample Tenzin Delek Rinpoche letter. Hopefully, this will now be more appealing than it was before.

I'll take this opportunity to wish a very happy New Year to all of you. Cheers, everyone!

JTG

Monk Arrested for Possessing Dalai Lama's Portrait
(Gu-Chu-Sum | January 04, 2005)

The Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, an association formed by former political prisoners received information through a reliable source that Phuntsok Tsering, a monk from Magar Dhargyeling Monastery in Tibet, was arrested in December, 2004 on the charge of possessing portrait of Dalai Lama.

It is also brought to our knowledge that Phuntsok was the chant master of Magar Dhargyeling Monastery and was from Magar Phunub, Lhatse Dzong. In December 2004, Lhatse Dzong Police on visit to Magar Dhargyeling Monastery found portrait of Dalai Lama in Phuntsok's room. On further search, books and literatures related to Tibetan nationalism were found. This led to his immediate arrest and was taken to Nyari Prison in Shigatse. We have no clue about his condition and charges levied against him.

Ban on the portrait of Dalai Lama was initially imposed to only the party officials in 1994. It was later made applicable to the public places and monasteries. On 6 May 1996 a major row erupted between Ganden Monastery monks and 11 Work Team members who came to implement the ban portrait of Dalai Lama. 31 monks were arrested in connection with the incident. Since then there had been several cases of arrests on possessing portrait of Dalai Lama.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Ottawa --- Human rights activists are calling on Prime Minister Paul Martin to use his visit to China next week to fix what they call Canada's failed foreign policy. They are especially critical of the federal government's emphasis on opening markets and global trade. Alex Neve of Amnesty International said Thursday that strategy has not "delivered the goods" on the human rights agenda. A spokesperson for the Canada Tibet Committee agreed. Tenzig Dargyal said he's seen no progress as a result of Canada's long-standing policy of economic engagement. The two activists spoke out as Martin prepared for a nine-day Asian tour that will take him to Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Japan and China. He's scheduled to leave on Saturday morning. Dargyal urged the prime minister to demand benchmarks from Beijing on human rights issues and the rule of law. He also asked Martin to encourage China to negotiate a resolution of Tibet's status. Tibet is an autonomous region in southwest China. The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibet's government in exile, is asking for autonomy for the Tibetan people within China. But the issue remains far from resolved as continual reports of human rights violations in Tibet surface. Last spring, Martin became the first sitting prime minister to meet with the Dalai Lama. They discussed human rights in Tibet, and the Dalai Lama asked Martin to continue discussions of human rights with China. "During the Dalai Lama's visit to Canada last year, a clear message of support for Tibet was sent by the Canadian Parliament and Canadian public," Dargyal said in a news release. "It is our sincerest hopes that the prime minister will use the unique opportunity of his first visit to China to build on the goodwill and support conveyed by Canadians for the peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet."