Petições

Não deixe de assinar as duas novas petições lançadas pela International Campaign for Tibet !

Aceda a

http://www.racefortibet.org/petitions/

Presidentes de 5 ONGs Tibetanas detidos

Os presidentes das cinco ONGs organizadoras da Marcha para o Tibete, Tsewang Rigzin, B. Tsering, Ngawang Woebar, Chime Youngdrung, Tenzin Choeying e Lobsang Yeshi, foram detidos ontem pelas 9h30 da manhã.

Acusados de se terem "reunido em número superior a 5 ou mais pessoas, com a susceptibilidade de causarem distúrbios à paz pública, após terem sido legalmente informados que teriam que dispersar" (Secção 151 do Código Penal Indiano).

Os cinco responsáveis encontram-se detidos na estação de polícia de Pithoragarh e os três camiões pertencentes à organização foram apreendidos pela polícia.

In
http://tibetanuprising.org/category/home/

"Candle in my window for Tibet"

Caros Amigos,

O Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete aderiu à iniciativa "Candle in my window for Tibet".

Trata-se de uma acção não-violenta com um único objectivo: mostrar ao mundo quantas pessoas se preocupam com a causa Tibetana.

Esta iniciativa apela aos seus participantes para acenderem uma vela pelo Tibete, no dia que antecede a cerimónia de abertura dos Jogos Olímpicos: 07/ 08/ 2008.

Esperamos que partilhem deste mesmo objectivo, que é o de aumentar a consciencialização acerca da causa Tibetana e focar a atenção do mundo no sofrimento do povo Tibetano, que dura há já tempo demais...

Caso desejem tomar parte nesta iniciativa, p.f. acedam a http://www.candle4tibet.org/

Não hesitem em divulgar por todos os V/ contactos !

Anunciem em blogues e websites !

E estejam atentos às iniciativas a desenvolver pelo G.A.T., nomeadamente a "Campanha dos Jogos Olímpicos".

Caso tenham alguma disponibilidade, agradecemos também a V/ ajuda. Contactem-nos!

Saudações

Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete

19 participantes da Marcha para o Tibete ainda detidos

Hoje marca o quarto dia de detenção de 19 participantes Tibetanos na Marcha para o Tibete, que neste momento se encontram no distrito de Pithorag, Estado de Uttarkhand.

Cinco estrangeiros, também eles participantes na Marcha, foram já notificados a deixar a Índia, no prazo de uma semana. Trata-se de três cidadãos Americanos, um Norueguês e uma cidadã Polaca.

In
http://tibetanuprising.org/2008/05/26/19-tibetan-marchers-still-under-detention-foreigners-on-march-ordered-to-quit-india/

“Since 2002, the Chinese government has been hiding behind bad faith negotiations with representatives of the Tibetan government-in-exile. At the same time, Chinese authorities have run a relentless campaign of vilification against the Dalai Lama in Tibet and in China.

For too long the British and other world governments have played along with this charade.

Enough is enough.

As the first world leader to meet the Dalai Lama since the unrest began in Tibet in March, Gordon Brown must use his meeting to cement UK support for a peaceful, negotiated settlement in Tibet".

Anne Holmes
Free Tibet Campaign

25,000 show solidarity with Dalai Lama in Berlin – Dalai Lama concludes Germany visit

Berlin, 20 May 2008 – Concluding his 5-day visit in Germany, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama attended a mass rally organised by the Tibet Initiative Germany (TID) and the Association of Tibetans in Germany (VTD) with support from the German Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) in Berlin yesterday. 25,000 people from all over Germany and the neighbouring countries showed their solidarity with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people in its most difficult hour, supported by numerous artists and speakers. The Dalai Lama’s attendance at the rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate makes it a historical event.

Wolfgang Grader, chairman of the TID, says: “We are very grateful for the strong support by the people in Germany since the beginning of the current crisis in Tibet, summiting in the Berlin rally. The atmosphere and the size of the crowd supporting the Tibetan cause today were overwhelming.” In his speech the Dalai Lama emphasized that the Tibet movement is not pro-Tibet and anti-China, but rather pro-justice. He expressed his wish that while the 20th century was one of bloodshed, the 21st century should be one of dialogue. The 7th round of talks between Beijing and the representatives of the Dalai Lama is scheduled for the second week of June.

Since 16 May the Dalai Lama has held four public talks on Peace and Human Rights and met with leading politicians. Among them were the German Federal Minister for Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul (SPD), President of the German Bundestag Norbert Lammert (CDU), the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Bundestag, the chair of the Green Party Claudia Roth as well as representatives of the Liberal Party (FDP).

Para enviar carta aos líderes mundiais do G8, de modo a que

haja um diálogo Sino-Tibetano na reunião G8 que decorrerá este ano no Japão ,

p.f. aceda a

http://www8.atwiki.jp/zali/pages/125.html

Report: U.S. Soldiers Did 'Dirty Work' for Chinese Interrogators

U.S. military personnel at Guantanamo Bay allegedly softened up detainees at the request of Chinese intelligence officials who had come to the island facility to interrogate the men -- or they allowed the Chinese to dole out the treatment themselves, according to claims in a new government report.

Buried in a Department of Justice report released Tuesday are new allegations about a 2002 arrangement between the United States and China, which allowed Chinese intelligence to visit Guantanamo and interrogate Chinese Uighurs held there.

According to the report by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine, an FBI agent reported a detainee belonging to China's ethnic Uighur minority and a Uighur translator told him Uighur detainees were kept awake for long periods, deprived of food and forced to endure cold for hours on end, just prior to questioning by Chinese interrogators.

Susan Manning, a lawyer who represents several Uighurs still held at Guantanamo, said Tuesday the allegations are all too familiar.

U.S. personnel "are engaging in abusive tactics on behalf of the Chinese," she said Tuesday. When Uighur detainees refused to talk to Chinese interrogators in 2002, U.S. military personnel put them in solitary confinement as punishment, she said.

In

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4894921&page=1

Marcha para o Tibete

Mais de 300 Tibetanos, participantes da Marcha para o Tibete, encontram-se determinados a continuarem a mesma apesar dos avisos das autoridades Indianas do distrito de Pithoragarh, adjacente à fronteira com o Tibete.

Os organizadores da Marcha decidiram acampar durante alguns dias em Seraghat de modo a proceder a uma re-avaliação da situação e discutir o assunto com as autoridadesd locais.

Organizadores e participantes mantêm-se fiéis aos princípios da acção directa não-violenta e determinados a dar continuação a esta Marcha, que teve início em Dharamsala, no dia 10 de Março.

Para todas as informações relativamente à Marcha para o Tibete, não deixe de aceder a

http://tibetanuprising.org/category/home/

A T E N Ç Ã O

P.f. aceda a

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/earthquake_wen/

de modo a apelar ao PM Chinês para que

o auxílio chegue também às vítimas Tibetanas

do terramoto ocorrido na semana passada.

"For China's rulers, nothing has been more crucial to maintaining power than the ability to control what people see and hear. If they lose that, neither surveillance cameras nor loudspeakerswill be able to help them".

In
http://www.naomiklein.org/articles/2008/05/regime-quakes-burma-and-china

Solidariedade com as vítimas das catástrofes naturais na China e na Birmânia

Numa hora em que os direitos humanos são cada vez mais assumidos como exigência universal de toda a humanidade e em que crescentemente se difunde a percepção de que todos os homens e sociedades são interdependentes, a vida deve ser por todos encarada como um bem frágil e cuja defesa a todos compete. Somos responsáveis pela construção de sociedades justas e fraternas, desprovidas de quaisquer formas de opressão e em que todos possam revelar o seu melhor. Sobretudo num momento em que a facilidade das comunicações globais permitiria colocar ao serviço de todos o melhor que o património científico, técnico, cultural e espiritual da humanidade tem para oferecer.

Apelamos assim a que todos se unam, num encontro de meditação ou oração comum pelas vítimas das catástrofes naturais que têm assolado a Birmânia e a China, na plena consciência que os nossos bens, as nossas vidas e o nosso próprio planeta, sendo preciosos, são impermanentes.

Apelamos também a que os governos e a sociedade civil dos nossos países se mobilizem para que sejam canalizadas todas as formas de ajuda para as populações carenciadas e que as autoridades desses países saibam e possam disponibilizar todos os recursos para minimizar o sofrimento das populações nesta tristíssima ocasião.

Saibamos partilhar a dor dos povos vítimas destes acontecimentos e que, pela visão da impermanência, a nossa lucidez e sabedoria cresça e, através da partilha da dor e do auxílio prático a quem sofre, a nossa compaixão sempre se intensifique !

União Budista PortuguesaSongtsen
Casa da Cultura do Tibete
Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete

China arrests 16 monks in Markham County

PRESS RELEASE (TCHRD)
China arrests 16 monks for defying "patriotic re-education"

China arrests 16 monks and 2 lay Tibetans in Markham County according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

For over a month the Chinese authorities have been conducting "Patriotic re-education" campaign in Woeser Monastery and Khenpa Lungpa Monastery in Garthog Township, Markham ( Ch: Mangkang) County, Chamdo Prefecture, (Ch: Qamdo) "Tibet Autonomous Region" ("TAR").

The Chinese authorities have been conducting intense "Patriotic re-education" campaign in Woeser and Khenpa Lungpa Monasteries since the beginning of April 2008. Sources told TCHRD that on 10 May 2008, the Chinese "work team" entered the monasteries to conduct intense and rigorous "Patriotic re-education" campaign which resulted in a bitter and heated arguments between the annoyed monks and the Chinese authorities. However, none of the monks signed off the official documents and nor did they write essays denouncing the Dalai Lama.

In response to the monks' adamant refusal, the Chinese authorities arrested them. On 12 May 2008, 10 monks of Khenpa Lungpa Monastery were arrested. Similarly on 13 May 2008, 6 monks of Woeser Monastery were also arrested. Two lay Tibetans were later arrested on 14 May 2008.

The "Patriotic re-education" campaign was introduced in 1996 in Tibet to undermine Tibetan people's loyalty to the Dalai Lama. It was also intended to win over the "hearts and minds of Tibetan people on the side of the Chinese government. But on contrary it has earned notoriety for its brazen attacks on the religious and cultural sentiments of the Tibetan people.

The Woeser and Khenpa Monasteries each housed fewer than a hundred monks on regular basis. In backdrop of the arrests of monks of Woeser Monastery, the remaining monks left the monastery which brought much sadness to the local Tibetan devotees who were unable to come to terms with a sudden closure of sacred monasteries.

On the other hand, the Chinese authorities and "work team" were conducting major "Patriotic re-education" campaign in Khenpa Lungpa Monastery.

Sources told TCHRD that few remaining monks left the monasteries and returned to their respective homes in a solemn act of protest. On usual days hundreds of devotees flock to the monasteries to offer their prayers and carry out religious rituals. Unfortunately, these days the devotees have none to turn to and a visible pall of silence looms over the monasteries and its surrounding premises, in a desolate and forlorn state.

The TCHRD expresses it serious concern about the well being of the arrested Tibetans. The Centre urges the Chinese authorities to immediately put an end to "Patriotic re-education" campaign and to respect the cultural and religious sentiments of the Tibetan people inside Tibet.

The identities of 18 Tibetan arrestees are:
1) Ngawang Tenzin, age 40, Woeser Monastery
2) Tenphel, age 19, Woeser Monastery
3) Rigyang, age 21, Woeser Monastery
4) Choegyal, age 23, Woeser Monastery
5) Lobsang Gyatso, age 19, Woeser Monastery
6) Tsangpa, age 17, Woeser Monastery
7) Lodoe, age 15, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
8) Namgyal, age 18, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
9)Butuk, age 13, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
10) Jamyang Lodoe, age 15, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
11)Tsepak Namgyal, age 15, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
12)Kalsang Tashi, age 17, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
13)Jandup, age 21, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
14)Wangchuk, age 22, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
15)Tenpa Gyaltsen, age 26, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
16)Passang Tashi, age 3o, Khenpa Lungpa Monastery
17)Dhargye Garwatsang, age 19 (lay)
18)Kunchok Tenzin, age 21 (lay)

Na imagem Rik Verbrugghe ciclista belga durante a 4ª etapa do Giro d'Italia.

Ao fundo lê-se "Tibete Livre" em Italiano.

Sempre que tenha oportunidade demonstre também o seu apoio pelo Tibete !

É a forma de mostrar que apesar de a R.P.C. o ter fechado ao resto do mundo e as violações dos direitos humanos dos Tibetanos continuarem, nós podemos expressar a nossa opinião, por um Tibete Livre!

Olimpíadas Tibetanas 2008: Um Mundo,Muitos Sonhos!

Têm hoje início as Olimpíadas Tibetanas que decorrerão até 25 de Maio, em Dharamsala.


As Olimpíadas Tibetanas pretendem oferecer uma plataforma de celebração dos Jogos Olímpicos aos jovens Tibetanos.

Terão lugar campeonatos femininos e masculinos e cada participante tomará parte em 10 provas diferentes.

Para todas as informações p.f. aceda a
http://www.tibetanolympics.com/

Press Release

Direitos Humanos no Tibete:
Audição com a Comissão Parlamentar de Negócios Estrangeiros e Comunidades Portuguesas da Assembleia da República

A União Budista Portuguesa, a Songtsen- Casa da Cultura do Tibete e o Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete a convite da União Budista Portuguesa, foram convocados, para uma audição com uma Delegação da Comissão de Negócios Estrangeiros e Comunidades Portuguesas da Assembleia da República que se realizará na sexta-feira, dia 16 de Maio, às 11:30 horas e em que será exposta a situação relativa à repressão dos Direitos Humanos no Tibete após os graves acontecimentos desde Março. A audição foi convocada por carta assinada pela Exma. Sra. Deputada Dra. Leonor Coutinho, Vice-Presidente da Comissão e Relatora para esta questão.

Esta audição segue-se à apreciação pela Comissão Parlamentar de Negócios Estrangeiros e Comunidades Portuguesas da Petição nº 443/X/3ª a favor da aprovação pela Assembleia da República de uma moção que condene a violação dos Direitos Humanos e da Liberdade Política e Religiosa no Tibete, apresentada pela União Budista Portuguesa e pela Songtsen- Casa da Cultura do Tibete em audiência com o Exmo. Sr. Presidente da Assembleia da República, Dr. Jaime Gama, no dia 7 de Abril de 2008.

A petição já deu origem a um voto de condenação pelos acontecimentos ocorridos no Tibete, publicado no Diário da Assembleia da República em 29 de Março de 2008.

14 de Maio de 2008
UBP/ CCT/ GAT

Para mais informações p.f. contactar:
Paulo Borges: telem: 91 811 30 21

Now Tibet is not so far

"When I packed my sleeping bag that early morning before sunrise for this long journey, I placed a white (khatak) scarf at the alter of His Holiness and said I have decided, whatever happens, I will make my way through. Walking for almost 70 with 300 people covering more than 900 kilometers through Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, we reached Almora town yesterday in the Kumaon Mountains in the north Indian state of Uttrakhand. From here Tibet is not very far.

The March to Tibet began from Dharamsala on 10th March, the same day similar uprisings happened all around the world, organized by Tibetans and Tibet supporters, even in Tibet – a global Tibetan uprising. We started with 100 core marchers, on our way many more joined us. As we leave Almora tomorrow into the high mountain valleys towards Tibet, we are 300 marchers and eight support marchers who are foreigners from different countries, some of whom have been with us from Dharamsala.

All along the route the Indian people have welcomed us with warmth, cheered our spirit and in some places offered us water and shelter. At most places we spent our nights in Ashrams, Gurudwaras and schools, sometimes on empty grounds on the roadside, where the local municipality provided water in tankers driven by tractors. Indians have a culture of going for long journeys across their country for pilgrimages and therefore hospitality is a natural custom. The police have been sending an escort all along the route in jeeps or on motorbikes passing the security duty from one district to the next.

You must be aware that we were arrested by Indian police in Kangra District on the 13th March and jailed us for 14 days. The second batch of the March was launched three days later and that carried on the March spirit. After our release, all 100 of us rejoined the March, but there is already a court case slapped on us. At the end of the last month, Choeying, Lobsang Yeshi and I had to appear in Dehra court and will have to do that again in June.

I learned that some people had the impression from various media reports that the March had been canceled. I myself received phone calls from few people whose doubts I cleared. Seeing an imminent confrontation at the border His Holiness did advise the organizers against the continuation of the March, but after seeing the courageous non-violent uprisings that happened all over Tibet and the ongoing Chinese crackdown on our people in Tibet, our commitment was revitalized by their sacrifice and inspired us. Now we can't stop it. So we re-launched the March to Tibet from Delhi on the 19th April after a temporary halt.

The journey from Delhi passing through UP was difficult; it was extremely hot, dry and dusty. The trucks and buses on the highway threatened to run over us sometimes rushing by our ears, and sometimes stopping by to pick our campaign flyers that we were handing out on the road. As we walked one after the other in a long single file like the multiple legs of a millipede - one long body. Even when the head has taken the next turn, the tail is still trailing behind from the last corner.

The Marchers wake up at 4 am, after washing and packing sleeping bags, tents and mattresses, we have breakfast and start walking at 5 am. Usually walking for 6 to 7 hours a day we cover a distance of 20-25 kilometers, sometimes walking even 27 or 28 kilometers. The logistics and kitchen team move ahead in trucks and set up the camp. At many places water is luxury. We bathe under hand-pump water taps on the roadsides; scores of monks bathe together sometimes in wheat fields. It's a great experience answering nature's calls in open fields under the moonlight with a jug of water by your side.

Most of the marchers are Buddhist monks from the three monastic universities in south India; some old people who escaped from Tibet along with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1959, the eldest one being 78. The youngest are two 17 year old boys, born and brought up in India and have never seen Tibet. There are several young mothers who left behind their family in the care of their husbands. Our communication team tries to reach out to the outside world and also arranges opportunities to talk to local media. During the evening gatherings, after the daily prayer, the media coordinator tells the news. Many times the Marchers applaud Tibet support actions taken in different parts of India and abroad. The protest against the torch in London, Paris, San Francisco, Canberra and Tokyo received huge appreciation. The ongoing Tibetan protests in Kathmandu are highly appreciated understanding Nepalese police brutality.

We are now starting the last leg of the March. From Almora to the border is now barely 200 kilometers, and it will now be cold as we ascend higher into the Himalayas. I know returning to a homeland that is still under foreign occupation is not easy. Chinese military will of course guard the border with machine guns, even Indian police will find an excuse to stop us. Confrontation is inevitable, but we are not stopping. We may even have to camp at the border for a long time, might have to call for international support and participation. We march into uncertainty.

The March to Tibet is a process for us to return to our homeland and reclaim our right to be in our native land in freedom. Whatever happens, we have deep commitment to non-violence; we will not retaliate. We may be beaten, jailed or even shot at, but we are not giving up. And for me there is no other plan in life other than this March. For all of us marchers, this is our life commitment.

For daily updates and photos about the march and to read personal stories of the Marchers please visit: http://www.tibetanuprising.org/ We have a number of non-Tibetan support Marchers who have been walking with us for a couple days or longer, and some right from the beginning. If you are interested in joining please contact our coordinators: Sherab Woeser sherabwoeser@yahoo.com (cell phone: 0091-9418394426) and Lobsang Yeshi (cell phone: 0091-9410936742 / 9756969141). If you are far away or can't join us, you can help spread the word. Donations of sleeping bags, shoes and mattresses can be of great use. Your financial contribution can help feed the Marchers and give water to keep us going. I count for every Tibetan's contribution towards this movement.

Bod Gyalo! (Victory to Tibet!)"

Tenzin Tsundue, on the way to Tibet

May 13, 2008Almora, Uttarakhand State, India

The Dalai Lama in Berlin - European Tibet Solidarity Rally

The Dalai Lama, the leader of the Tibetan people and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will attend and address the rally in Berlin on May 19, 2008, at the closing of his visit to Germany. The rally will take place in front of the Brandenburg Gate, a place that has a great symbolic meaning for German and world history.

This event has been organised at short notice and needs your support! This rally is to show that people in Germany and Europe are standing in solidarity with the Tibetans in Tibet who are experiencing severe repression as a result of the ongoing harsh crackdown by the Chinese authorities against Tibetan protesters. The protests by Tibetans against Chinese misrule began in Lhasa on March 10th and quickly spread across all Tibetan areas in the following days and weeks.

Artists and public figures will appear on the stage to support Tibet and the Dalai Lama.

We appeal to you to make this event a great success. Call and send this email to your friends in Germany and ask them to join this rally. It would be even a greater to see you there!

The Tibet Solidarity Rally is organised by the Tibet Initiative Germany (TID) and the Tibetan Association of Germany (VTD) supported by human rights organisations such as the Society for Threatened People .

Place/Time: Brandenburger Gate, Berlin, Monday, May 19, 2008, 16.00 - 18.00 hrs.

For more information: see http://www.dalailama-berlin.de/

Boris Eichler

Tibet Initiative Deutschland e.V.Public Relations

Greifswalder Str. 410405 Berlin

Germany

Tel.: +49-30-42081521,

Fax: 42081522

http://www.tibet-initiative.de/

office@tibet-initiative.de

Media Release

I am deeply saddened by the loss of many lives and many more who have been injured in the catastrophic earthquake that struck Sichuan province of China. I would like to extend my deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to those families who have been directly affected by the strong earthquake on 12 May 2008. I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and those injured in the quake.

The Dalai Lama

In
http://www.dalailama.com/news.248.htm

Lhadon Tethong em entrevista

Lhadon Tethong, Directora Executiva de Students for a Free Tibet entrevistada no programa The Hour, da cadeia televisiva CBC/ Canadá.

Aceda à entrevista através de:

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=2112

"Awareness is great but action is what you need."

Obituário

A few days before his death, Pema Tashi told his best friend, Leki Dhondup, that “Tibet has given me so much and I want to give back to the cause. If necessary, I will contribute my life to the struggle.” On May 10, Pema drowned in the Kosi River at Kakri Ghat, Uttarakhand, during the March to Tibet.

Born in Arunachal Pradesh to non-Tibetan parents, he decided to become a monk by the age of six. Pema delighted his parents with his decision and journeyed down to Sera Mae Monastery to take his vows of monkhood. When he saw the announcement about the March to Tibet, he said, “I was happy because I had always wanted to see Tibet. I have lived in a Tibetan community for a long time and have always viewed Tibetans as compassionate people and this motivated me to join the march. Since I have made up my mind to go on this march, I am fearless.”

When arrested with the other 100 Core Marchers at Dehra, Himachal Pradesh, Pema said “I felt the agony and the status of a homeless refugee.” Once released from house arrest, Pema rejoined the march only to develop problems walking. They allowed him to switch to the tent building crew where he earned the reputation as a hard worker and a joker. In fact, everyone knew of Pema’s infectious joking and his friend Leki said, “he couldn’t be quiet for a minute.” He eventually got the nickname “Man of the March.” Other marchers would never refer to him as Pema. In fact, most didn’t even know that name. They simply called him “the Man.” It was said that without him on the march, there would be no joking.

As they approached what was to be Pema’s last campsite, he marveled at “the beauty of newly entered hills and felt a sensation of coming to his homeland.” After building the tents at the campsite, Pema jumped into the cold and cloudy water of the river, apparently hitting his head on a rock. He spent too long underwater and passed away a few hours later at the Almora Hospital. The entire march spent several hours in prayer for his soul and a team of monks stayed up all night praying over his body. His body was cremated the next morning with a mountain of katas.

To a hard worker, a lover of jokes and a warm person with a brave heart who died before he reached his home, everyone on the March to Tibet sends our prayers with you, Pema.

In
http://tibetanuprising.org/

Statement by Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kasur Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari

Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen and I had the honour of briefing His Holiness the Dalai Lama immediately after our arrival yesterday from China. Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, joined us in the briefing. We also briefed the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Dolma Gyari, this morning. The Speaker, Mr. Karma Choephel, is currently on an official visit.

On 4 May 2008 in Shenzhen, China, we met with Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party. We would like to express our appreciation to the hosts for accepting our suggestion to hold this informal meeting in Shenzhen as well as agreeing to a meeting of principals without aides. Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar were our counterparts for the last several years. This long relationship made it possible to have open and frank discussions in a friendly and respectful atmosphere, despite the prevailing tense and grave situation in Tibet.

Our main purpose of seeking this urgent informal meeting was to discuss the critical situation in Tibet. There were strong and divergent views on the nature as well as the causes of the recent tragic events in Tibet. These views were expressed in a frank and candid manner. On our part we rejected categorically the accusation made against His Holiness the Dalai Lama of instigating the demonstrations and unrest in Tibet. Instead we made it clear that the events in Tibet are the inescapable consequences of wrong policies of the authorities towards the Tibetans, which goes back several decades. The recent crisis in Tibet is a clear symptom of deeply felt grievances and resentment of the Tibetans with these policies. The task at hand is to address the legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people in a realistic and constructive way.

We have stressed the importance of ending the current repression throughout Tibet. We have called for the release of prisoners, to allow those injured to be given proper medical treatment and give unfettered access to visitors, including the media. We have also called for an end to the "patriotic re-education" campaign which is deeply resented by the Tibetan people.

We also rejected the accusation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is sabotaging the Olympic Games 2008. On the contrary, we made it clear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently and unambiguously supported the Beijing Olympic Games right from the beginning.

Despite major differences on important issues both sides demonstrated a willingness to seek common approaches in addressing the issues at hand. In this regard, each side made some concrete proposals, which can be part of the future agenda. As a result an understanding was reached to continue the formal round of discussions. A date for the seventh round will be finalised soon after mutual consultations.

We welcome the recent statement of President Hu Jintao that his government is "serious" about the dialogue and his acknowledging that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is being "conscientious and serious". This statement is encouraging at a time when there is growing skepticism about China's sincerity in resolving the Tibet issue through dialogue.

08 May 2008

Dharamsala

Primeiras condenações após protestos de Lhasa

"Following trial according to law at Lhasa City Intermediate People's Court, verdicts have been issued on trials of the first instance finding Basang [Pasang] and a total of 30 defendants guilty of the crime of arson, the crime of looting, the crime of stirring up criminality, the crime of gathering others to attack organs of the state, the crime of obstructing public duties and the crime of theft.

The defendants Basang [Pasang], Suolang Ciren [Sonam Tsering], and Ciren [Tsering] were sentenced to life imprisonment according to law; the defendants Jinmei [Jigme], Gesang Bazhu [Kalsang Bagdro], Gema Dawa [Karma Dawa], Duojue [Dorje], Mima [Migmar], Awang Quyang [Ngawang Choeyang] and Bazhu [Bagdro] were sentenced to fixed terms of 15 years and above; the defendants Yajie [Yargyal], Qupei Zhazi [Choephel Tashi], Duoji Dajie [Dorje Dargye], Awang [Ngawang], Gesang Ciren [Kalsang Tsering], Mima [Migmar], Suolang Ciren [Sonam Tsering], Luoang Sangdan [Kelsang Samten], Cidan [Tseten], Peisang Zhaxi [Palsang Tashi], Laba Ciren (Sr.) [Lhagpa Tsering Chewa (Sr.)], Luosang Zhaxi [Lobsang Tashi], Laba Ciren [Lhagpa Tsering], Taqing [Darchen], Tudan Jiacuo [Thubten Gyatso], Zhaxi Jiacuo [Tashi Gyatso], Gesang Dunzhu [Kalsang Dondrub], Danzeng Jiancai [Tenzin Gyaltsen], Gesang Nima [Kalsang Nyima] and Yixi [Yeshe] were sentenced to differing fixed terms of between three years and 14 years.

In

http://savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1303

PRESS RELEASE *The Kashag condemns sentences imposed on 30 Tibetans*

We condemn the arbitrary sentences imposed on the 30 Tibetans involved in the recent protests in Tibet. The penalty imposed on the 30 Tibetans ranges from three years to life imprisonment for merely exercising their freedom of expression. These sentences are disproportionate to what the Chinese authorities say are the "crimes" they committed.

These trials were not free and fair and transparent, did not follow the due process of law and the accused were denied independent lawyers to defend their case.

We fear that many such arbitrary trials will follow to lock up all those Tibetans presently under detention. All such future trials must be open and transparent. Those under trial deserve independent lawyers who can defend their case without fear and favour.

Most importantly we urge the Chinese government to do away with this pretence of a fair trial and release immediately all those Tibetans presently in detention.

The Kashag

1 May 2008

Dharamsala

'No agreement' during Tibet talks

Chinese officials and representatives of the Dalai Lama ended day-long talks without a breakthrough but agreed to more talks, Chinese state media say.

The two sides would to hold further dialogue at "an appropriate time", Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting - in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen - was the first since violent protests by Tibetans in March.

Beijing says the Dalai Lama incited the violence. He denies this and accuses the government of human rights abuses.

The two Chinese delegates "answered patiently" questions raised by the two representatives of the Dalai Lama, Xinhua said.
But they told the representatives that recent unrest had created "new obstacles" to dialogue, it added.

The US welcomed the meeting. "We have long encouraged the resumption of a dialogue between Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
"We hope discussions can lead to better understanding."

In

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7382582.stm

China - Legado dos Jogos Olímpicos: Direitos Humanos

Participe:
Nos dias 4 e 5 de Maio, altura em que a chama olímpica reentra em território chinês, depois do périplo por várias cidades, a Amnistia Internacional, com o apoio da União Budista Portuguesa, realiza várias acções de rua, com o objectivo de sensibilizar a população para as violações de direitos humanos cometidas neste país.

Nesta acção convidaremos as populações a carimbarem quatro telas que contem as preocupações da AI em relação a este país: a aplicação da pena de morte, a detenção punitiva sem julgamento, a repressão dos defensores de Direitos Humanos e a censura injustificada da Internet.
No local poderão também subscrever um postal para as autoridades chinesas que apela ao respeito pelos direitos e pela dignidade humana, valores intrínsecos ao espírito olímpico. Estas telas e postais serão posteriormente entregues ao Embaixador da República Popular da China em Portugal.

Datas e locais:

4 de Maio – S. Martinho do Porto - Largo Frederich Ulrich – a partir das 14h30

5 de Maio – Lisboa – Largo do Chiado – a partir das 18h00

4 e 5 Maio – Matosinhos – Jardim Basílio Teles (junto ao coreto) – a partir das 15h

5 de Maio – Vila Nova de Famalicao - Universidade Lusíada – a partir das 11h00