Tibetan Uprising

Indian and Tibetan Community in Dharamshala jointly welcomed the torch

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2008

Contact: B Tsering: 9418792810 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)
Chime Youngdung: 9418069179 (Tibetan, Hindi)
Phuntsok Wangchuk: 9418324751 (Tibetan)
Tenzin Choeying: 9816368335 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)

McLeod Ganj - After traveling around the world and covering almost every state in India carrying a message of truth and resistance, the Tibetan Freedom Torch, that had a high profile start from Olympia on March 10th arrives Dharamshala - heart of the Exile Tibetans - 5 days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. The Torch is welcomed here by hundreds Tibetans and supporters along the route as it runs through the town Chanting ‘Bhod Gyalo’ (Victory to Tibet). (more…)

For Immediate Press Release
July 22, 2008

We are today at the crossroad of historic moment in the Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom, truth and justice. Our unity in action and focus in purpose during the following months will not only define the long and strategic preparations that we have made for the 2008 Beijing Olympics but more importantly to realize the true political aspirations of our brothers and sisters who made great sacrifices in Tibet.

The ongoing popular uprising in Tibet which began on March 10 in Lhasa and the spontaneous spread to all parts of Tibet has effectively presented the Tibetan people’s deep-rooted resentments against the Chinese colonial policies, and also the unified face of the Tibetan people as a cohesive force in resisting Chinese communist regime. The uprisings in Tibet further endorsed the nonviolent fabric of the Tibetan struggle and brought to the forefront the appalling human rights situation inside Tibet at a time when China prepares itself for international spotlight. (more…)

For Immediate Release
June 29, 2008

Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin: +91 9805247259
Dr. B Tsering: +91 9418792810
Ngawang Woebar: +91 9418102483
Chime Youngdung: +91 9418069179
Tenzin Choeying: +91 9816368335

MARCH TO TIBET CONCLUDES AS JAILED MARCHERS RELEASED
Tibetans prepare for actions during the Beijing Olympics in August

Dharamsala - After 110 days, the March to Tibet was officially brought to an end on Friday morning with a closing ceremony held at the Tibetan refugee camp in Paonta Sahib. The presidents of the five participating NGOs told the marchers to return to their settlements to enlist and energize their friends and family members to prepare for larger initiatives in August, during the Beijing Olympic Games. (more…)

For Immediate Release
June 20, 2008

Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin: +91 9805247259
Dr. B Tsering: +91 9418335155

ARRESTED TIBETAN MARCHERS ON HUNGER STRIKE FOR SECOND DAY
41 Tibetans arrested in border district, stopped from restarting March to Tibet on eve of torch relay in Lhasa

Shimla - 41 Tibetans headed to the Indo-Tibet border on Shipkila pass to restart the March to Tibet were arrested by Indian police in four separate incidents. 10 Tibetans arrested in Rampur in Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh yesterday sat for the second day of hunger strike today, refusing to eat and drink unless they are released and allowed to continue the march. 21 Tibetans arrested yesterday in Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district, after a day of hunger strike, were promised by the police authorities that they would be allowed to protest China’s occupation of Tibet. On their way from the police station to the SDM office, the marchers took to the street, shouted slogans and pleaded with the authorities to facilitate their safe passage to Tibet. (more…)

***IMAGES AVAILABLE
Watch low-resolution video: http://blip.tv/file/1005157
Download mp4: http://blip.tv/file/get/SFThq-part1a645.mp4

For Immediate Release
June 19, 2008

Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin: +91 9805247259
Dr. B Tsering: +91 9418792810
Tsering Choedup: +91 9816486253 / 9418221605

EXILE TIBETANS PROTEST AT INDO-TIBET BORDER ON EVE OF TORCH RELAY
Three detained at Shipkila border post after staging protest; 38 others detained in Pooh, Reckong Peo and Rampur

Shimla - Two exile Tibetans were detained by Indian border forces at approximately 10:30am today as they attempted to cross the Indian border into Tibet near Shipkila Pass in Himachal Pradesh. With Tibet in view, the two Tibetans staged an iconic protest, raising a Tibetan national flag, calling for an end to China’s occupation, and denouncing China’s plans to take the Olympic torch into Tibet. Chime Youngdung, President of the National Democratic Party of Tibet, aged 33, along with Konchok Yangphel, Public Relations Officer of Tibetan Youth Congress, aged 29, held up Tibetan flags and a banner reading, “Free Tibet Now,” and started marching the last ten kilometers toward Tibet when they were arrested by Indian border forces. Legdup Tsering, 20, who helped document the incident, was also arrested a few hours later. (more…)

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008

Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin: +91 9805247259
Tenzin Choeying: +91 9410936743
Tenzin Choedon: +91 9756969133

50 MARCHERS ARRESTED CLOSE TO INDO-TIBET BORDER AS CHINA CHANGES TIBET OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY ROUTE

Pithoragarh - Around 9:30am, Indian police arrested 50 Tibetans on their March to Tibet as they entered Dharchula, the last Indian township before the Tibetan border. In groups of 4, the marchers approached the blockade of police officers, attempting to break through in order to continue on their way. The 200 police officers forcefully loaded the groups one at a time onto two waiting buses. It is currently unclear where they will be taken. (more…)

On June 15, the marchers walked 27 kilometers from Askote to Gungatoli. They spent the night at the town’s Junior School.

A close relative to the King of Askote, Mahinder Singh Pal, gave a royal lunch to the marchers. One of the marchers, 74 year old Tenpa, and Virender Singh Pal, 75 year old brother of the King, recognized each other from a meeting 49 years ago. They met in 1959 when Tenpa fled Tibet into exile in India. The reunion was an emotional moment for both men.

Today the marchers walked 17 kilometers to Gothi. Their campsite is only 6 kilometers outside of Dharchula.

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2008

Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin +91 9805247259
Tenzin Choedon +91 9756969133
Pema Dorjee +91 9927606204

MARCHERS TO REACH TIBET BORDER AREA ON EVE OF CHINA’S TORCH RELAY IN LHASA
King of Askote gives Tibetan marchers traditional reception at his palace

Pithoragarh - On the eve of China’s Olympic torch relay in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, 50 Tibetans marching to Tibet are approaching Dharchula, the last Indian township before the Tibetan border. The marchers are currently in Dunga Toli in Pithoragarh district, and are expected to arrive in Dharchula on the morning of Tuesday, 17th June. On Saturday the marchers were give a reception by the king of Askote at his palace. (more…)

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2008

Contact: Mr. Tsewang Rigzin (Tibetan, English, Hindi): +91 9805247259
Dr. B. Tsering (Tibetan, English, Hindi): +91 9418792810
Tenzin Choedon (English, Tibetan): +91 975 696 9133

MARCH TO TIBET RESTARTS AS SIX LEADERS RELEASED FROM JAIL
Leaders declare March will continue despite temporary setback

Nainital - At approximately 2:30 PM today, the March to Tibet restarted from Berinag after overcoming a temporary setback suffered last week when 265 of the marchers were arrested. The marchers broke into song and joy as they saw the snow-capped Himalayan ranges in the horizon. The leaders of the March, who had been jailed for 11 days in Hardwar jail and released on Sunday June 8th, led a group of 50 Tibetans on what is expected to be the most difficult leg of the march. The five presidents and the March Coordinator had been jailed by Indian police since May 27th, charged under Indian Penal Code Section 151 and CRPC sections 116 and 107.

(more…)

At approximately 9:50 PM, the Presidents of five NGOs, Tsewang Rigzin, B. Tsering, Ngawang Woebar, Chime Youngdung, and Tenzin Choeying, and March Coordinator Lobsang Yeshi were taken to Ganai Gangoli, where they were first charged. They were taken to meet the District Magistrate for a hearing of their case.

Early this morning, the 265 marchers detained at Berinag were dropped off at Paonta Sahib, just inside Himachal Pradesh. They received a warm welcome from the Tibetan community there.