8 May 2012, The Foreign Policy Institute

As the Obama administration pursues its “Asia pivot,” Tibet is taking on increased strategic significance due to its importance as a source of water and minerals, the militarisation of the Tibetan plateau and the Sino-Indian border, Chinese influence in Nepal, and Beijing’s insistence on deference to its control of Tibet as a “core interest.” The series of self-immolations by Tibetans over the past year demonstrates that 60 years of Communist Chinese occupation has not succeeded in destroying Tibetans’ identity and desire for freedom. This still unfolding unrest and the democratization of the Tibetan government-in-exile make imperative a review of international policies.

Moving forward, what role will Tibet play in the region’s peace and security? Do the US and India have the right policies in place for Tibet? What policies is China pursuing in response to recent events and in anticipation of the future? What are the prospects for achieving the autonomy the Dalai Lama seeks? Can Tibetan Buddhism and democracy provide a bridge between Tibetans and Chinese?

Discussing these vital questions will be Brahma Chellaney of the Centre for Policy Research; Michael J Green of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Lodi G Gyari, special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; and Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, former Indian Foreign Secretary. FPI Director of Democracy and Human Rights Ellen Bork will moderate the discussion.
Click here to watch the full discussion

26 April 2012, International Campaign for Tibet

A new report by the International Campaign for Tibet examines the impact on Tibetan culture of Chinese Communist Party rule in Tibet and concludes that policies and practices targeting Tibetan culture and additional risk factors for serious instability in Tibet require a stronger response from the international community.

The report, entitled ‘60 Years of Chinese Misrule: Arguing Cultural Genocide in Tibet’ is published on April 25, the birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tibet’s Panchen Lama and significant religious figure, who was taken into custody by the Chinese authorities in 1995 and has not been seen since. April is also designated globally as Genocide Prevention Month.

Mary Beth Markey, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, said: “We feel strongly that the report makes a persuasive case that elements of cultural genocide are occurring in Tibet. As such, we are calling for stronger international efforts to address and reverse China’s culturally destructive policies and practices in Tibet. Broadly, we hope the report will be of value to the international discourse around genocide issues, and we welcome the constructive examination of arguments advanced in the report by genocide scholars, and a continuing discussion with country studies experts, human rights advocates, and others.” Read more

Remarks by Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari to the Council on Foreign Relations Washington, DC, April 23, 2012

You know that I have been leading the Tibetan delegation for the dialogue with the Chinese government for the last many years. But I am not here today to give you a report on my progress because there is nothing new to say on that front. My last meeting with my counterparts in Beijing was in January 2010. Ever since, despite sincere and serious efforts on my part, we have been unable to reconvene. With the very critical situation in Tibet, the leadership changes both in Beijing and Dharamsala, and due to some other factors, I do not see any prospect for an early resumption, at least under my watch. However, having spent decades on this effort, I still do passionately believe that ultimately the only way for the Tibetans and Chinese to find a mutually acceptable solution for Tibet is through dialogue. I hope therefore that farsighted thinking and a resurgence of political will can prevail over intransigence among China’s leaders, and I am pleased that the democratically-elected Tibetan leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay the Kalon Tripa (Chairman of the Cabinet) has repeatedly expressed a strong continuing commitment to pursue the Middle Way approach initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Every struggle is unique. In the case of the Tibetan struggle, its uniqueness is derived from the nature of the Tibetan people, the Tibetan Buddhist culture, and the deep historical and personal bond between the Tibetans and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Read more

23 April 2012

25 April 2012 will be the 23rd birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama; this will be the 17th birthday he will spend in captivity.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was just 6 years old when he was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet’s most important religious leaders. Just after this he and his family were taken into custody by the Chinese authorities and he has not been seen since.

Take action now and help us find out where the Panchen Lama is.

18 April 2012

For some well-known Chinese writers forced to live in exile and who expected more of Britain than to roll out the red carpet without question for the Communist Party it was like a punch in the stomach.

The London Book Fair is one of the world’s leading trade fairs of its kind, attracting 25,000 visitors from 110 countries. This year, its ‘market focus’ is on the PRC. The Book Fair and the British Council had an opportunity to uphold cherished British values of free speech and send a strong message to the Chinese Communist Party that Beijing cannot export its censorship to a free western democracy. But they failed - even though no one in the British Council is going to be tortured for saying what they wish, as a Chinese, Tibetan or Uyghur writer can be, or giving space to independent and critical voices, or encouraging genuine dialogue.

Read the full blog by Kate Saunders, London-based Director of Communications of the International Campaign for Tibet.

The video of a peaceful protest during the talk by Minister Liu Binjie of the PRC’s General Administration of Press and Publication, included in this blog, is worth watching.