Two more monks, Lobsang Kalsang and Lobsang Konchok, both 18 or 19 years old, set themselves alight as a means of protest on Monday 26th September, while reports say another named Kalsang Wangchuk did so on 3rd October; all are said to have survived. It brings the number of such incidents this year to five.
SFT UK national co-ordinator Pema took the issue to China’s Vice Ambassador to the UK Qin Gang at the Labour Party conference, asking him why Tibetan monks are denied basic freedoms under Chinese occupation. Meanwhile in Tibet, Tibetans marked Chinese National Day by hanging of a huge Tibetan flag. Read more>>
China is forcing 2.25 million Tibetan nomads off their ancestral lands and into desolate tenement housing reminiscent of the reserves which Native Americans were moved into.
SFT UK is raising awareness of this issue by asking exiled Tibetans to take photos of themselves holding colourful images of the Tibetan plateau while standing in dreary urban environments. Tibetans want to continue living on the grasslands; it’s up to us to oppose China’s forced resettlement policy. Read more >>
Tibet’s nomads have lived sustainably on the Tibetan plateau for thousands of years. But now the Chinese government is moving 2.25 million nomads; a third of the population of Tibet, off their land and into desolate tenement housing complexes.
It’s like being thrown into reservations or ghettos; Tibetans are being denied their right to choose how they live. One resettled nomad said “Life here is incredibly hard. People are suffering from hunger and hardship. Nobody wanted to move here … we live in fear.” Read more >>
Over a thousand Chinese troops have placed Tawu Nyitso monastery under lockdown following the death of the monk Tsewang Norbu, who set himself on fire on Monday 15th August to draw attention to the suffering of the Tibetan people.
China was criticised for its handling of a similar situation at Kirti monastery this year, and has sentenced three Tibetans to 10-13 years, effectively framing them for murder despite Phuntsok Juratsang intentionally setting himself on fire as a means of protest. Read more and TAKE ACTION! >>
SFT UK were delighted to be a part of Free Tibet! Action camp in Germany between 5th and 11th August, and are more confident and inspired than ever to bring freedom and independence to Tibet!
Action camp, organised by Students for a Free Tibet and Tibet Youth Association of Europe, brought together some 50 activists from around the world to be trained in all aspects of non-violent direct action. We all learnt a lot from each other and will use this training going forward! Read more>>
Monks at Kham Lithang Gonchen in Eastern Tibet have defied orders from the Chinese state by enthroning a life-size image of the Dalai Lama during the Jang Gonchoe Chenmo festival.
It is considered illegal to even own a picture of the Dalai Lama in much of Tibet, and is punishable by arrest and torture. 5,000 people attended the event in Lithang, lining up to show their support for the Dalai Lama. On 30th July, it transpired that at Labrang monastery, a visit by the CCP’s fake Panchen Lama has been postponed due to public discontent. Read more>>
