Tsering Woeser awarded 2013 International Women of Courage Award.

Tsering Woeser Tibetan author, poet, and blogger living in Beijing, Honored with the 2013 International Women of Courage Award by the US State Department

The State Department said in a press release: “In a period marked by increasing self-immolations and protests in Tibetan areas of China, Tsering Woeser has emerged as the most prominent Mainland activist speaking out publicly about human rights conditions for China’s Tibetan citizens. Born in Lhasa, Tsering Woeser’s website, Invisible Tibet, together with her poetry and non-fiction and her embrace of social media platforms like Twitter, have given voice to millions of ethnic Tibetans who are prevented from expressing themselves to the outside world due to government efforts to curtail the flow of information. Despite the constant surveillance of security agents and routinely being placed under house arrest during periods deemed to be politically sensitive, Tsering Woeser bravely persists in documenting the situation for Tibetans, noting that “to bear witness is to give voice to,” and asserting that “the more than 100 Tibetans who have expressed their desire to resist the forces of oppression by bathing their bodies in fire are the reason why I will not give up, and why I will not compromise.”

Norwegain Tibet Committee would like to congratulate Tsering Woeser for getting this honor in recognition of her courage and dedication to the cause of Tibet.

Unfortunately she will be not able to come to USA to receive the award. She has been denied travel outside China and denied passport.

Read more on Phayul internet site.

More than 27 Tibetan Community Associations, representing European citizens of Tibetan origin from across Europe, are organizing a mass solidarity rally in Brussels on 10 March 2013 to commemorate the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day of 1959.

Nearly 5,000 Tibetans from several European countries and friends of Tibet from different parts of Europe are expected to converge in Brussels on 10 March to express their solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet, highlight the tragic situation and the self-immolation crisis in Tibet and seek support of the European Union and its Member States for the non-violent freedom struggle of the Tibetan people.

On that day, a grand peace march will start from Gare du Nord at 11.30 a.m and will culminate at Le Mont des Arts in Brussels city centre where a mass rally will be held throughout the afternoon (1.30/2 pm). A wide range of guest speakers from the Central Tibetan Administration, the European Parliament and prominent personalities from Europe will address the rally. On 7 and 8 March, young Tibetan activists and friends of Tibet will engage in lobbying at the European Parliament to apprise them of the current situation inside Tibet and to call upon them to engage in practical steps to support the issue of Tibet.

Since 2009, 107 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet. The most recent were two young Tibetans Tsesung Kyab and Phagmo Dhondup who self-immolated on 24 and 25 February 2013. The messages these protesters have left behind are testaments to their motivations and aspirations of freedom for the Tibetan people and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Restive areas of Tibet are being kept under strict military control and journalists, tourists and other visitors are not allowed to visit Tibet. Criminal prosecutions are being carried out to target the families and friends of those self-immolating. It is evident that Beijing is attempting to contain this new force of resistance through ever more draconian measures.

The spate of self-immolations in Tibet is one of the most drastic forms of political protests the world has witnessed in the past 60 years. We still continue to see no end to it. In response, Chinese government continues to blame His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the outside forces for these acts of self immolations, and continues to impose hard line policies of repressions on the Tibetan people which further fuel dissent and cause such drastic acts of protests by the Tibetans. The self-immolations expose a crisis in the Beijing leadership’s Tibet policy and there is an urgent need for a fundamental change in its approach vis-a vis Tibet.

The European Parliament has adopted an impressive number of resolutions on Tibet and the EU’s High Representative, Lady Ashton, has also issued statements expressing deep concern about the violations of human rights in Tibet and displaying support and solidarity with the people of Tibet. We greatly value the support and are deeply grateful for the expression of concern, support and solidarity by the European Union. However, what has been lacking so far are sustained and coordinated efforts with a clear political strategy and agenda. The EU-China Human Rights dialogue has failed to produce any tangible results in the past 17 years since the start of this dialogue in 1995. During this period the human rights situation in China in general and particularly in Tibet has worsened significantly.

We, therefore, appeal to the European Union and its Member States to:

• Urge China to review its failed hardline policies in Tibet and address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people by resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue.
• Urge China to allow unfettered access to Tibet for the media, the United Nations and International fact-finding delegations to investigate and report on the real causes behind the self-immolations;
• To instruct EU Special Representative for Human Rights to seek access to Tibet and to undertake a fact-finding mission to Tibetan areas on a priority basis;
• To appoint an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs with the primary task of encouraging and facilitating a dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet;

The organizing Committee for the 10^th March European Solidarity Rally

Points of Contact:

- Vincent Metten, International Campaign for Tibet, EU Policy Director (media coordinator), Contact  Cell Phone +32 (0) 473990440, Office +32 26094412

- Mr. Tashi , Media contact ( Tibetan), Contact No. +31 684 933832

- Mr. Lobsang Gangshontsang, Media contact ( English), Contact No. +41794423405

- Mr. Thupten Gyatso, Media Contact (French), Contact No. + 33680729054

Norwegian Tibet committee’s Youth Section

Short background

The Youth Section began with an individual’s involvement. Hallvard Strømsnes came across Tibet Committee stand at Karl Johans gate, Oslo and got a glimse of situation in Tibet through committee members. Thereafter, Strømsnes, along with several of his young friends engaged themselve in Tibet issue and participated in demonstrations with the Committee. After this, these enthusiastic youths in Norway came in closer association to the Committee and its members. Number of youths interested in Tibet issue increased rapidly in number and it continued to increase. Therefore, it was felt a need of a concrete organisation to raise the issue. Finally they came to the conclusion that they should create their own youth organization under Norwegian Tibet Committee. It was in autumn 2012, group of Norwegian youths dedicated to do something for the just cause of Tibet, created a youth Organisation with Strømsnes as a leader.

Goals and Aims of the Tibet Committee’s Youth Section

Tibet Committee’s youth Section’s main goal is to create awareness about situation in Tibet among Norwegain people. We believe that the issue gets far too little attention today, not only from politicians, but from the media and the people in general. Conditions in Tibet are unacceptable, and this needs to be known to the people. Therefore, we have a goal to pass the information on. We plan to create a debate among people through newspaper articles and actions. This will draw the attention of the people on the case and make it relevant. Thus, it will make it easier to national newspapers to write about the oppression of the Tibetan people.

We have previously demonstrated in front of the Chinese Embassy, and now set up a publicity committee, so that we can work more concentrated on getting attention around our message. We believe that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, culture and democracy, and this basic freedom is denied to the Tibetans.

What we do on Tibet committee’s youth section’s meetings?

We are working to improve conditions in Tibet and we are under the Norwegian Tibet Committee. We have over 80 members with steadily increasing number. At the meetings, we often have speakers. we had invited Oystein Alme from the radio station “Voice of Tibet”, who spoke about what they do to improve situation in Tibet. At the meetings, we also plan demonstrations and actions about how we can get awareness about Tibet. We divides the youth in several committees during the meetings. Among other things, we have creative ways to create and organize our website, and a public-relations committee that is working to raise awareness about Tibet. The meetings are often sections with brainstorming where we discuss and debate what we can do to achieve our goals. Meetings are also social and we work a lot with a good team spirit among members of the organization.

Tibet Committee’s youth section, something for you?

Youth is an open and inclusive congregation that is extremely positive to new members. We think it’s always fun with new faces, and there is no obligation to come to a meeting. Seems like something for you, or are you are just curious? Come to our next membership!

Kontaktinfo:

ungdomtibet@gmail.com

OSLO DOCUMENTARY CINEMA AND HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE OSLO

The Human Rights Human Wrongs Film Festival (HRHW) is organised by The Human Rights House Oslo and Oslo Dokumentarkino (the Oslo Documentary Cinema). The first version of the festival was organized in December 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration.

Tibet film evening on 7^th feb.2013 with three Tibetan films

HRHW 2013, Norwegian Tibet Committee and Voice of Tibet welcomes you to a whole evening packed with interesting films and discussions.

The evening will entail several movies and a debate about the situation in Tibet and Tibetans in exile. Every film will be followed by discussion with panel and audience. Members on panel are Ngawang Choephel (Director for Songs in Tibet), Chungdak Koren og Øustein Alma. We look forward to seeing you at Cinemateket February 7.

PROGRAM:

Tibet Night part 1: Two films and debate at 5pm.

Tibet Night part 2: Film Tibet in song at 9pm.

All the events will take place at Cinemateket/ Filmens Hus, screening rom “Lillebil”. Cinemateket is located at Dronningens gate 16.

Tibet Night Part 1: Film no. 1: LEAVING FEAR BEHIND

(Dhondup Wangchen, Tibet 2008, 23 min)

The filmmakers travelled thousands of miles in Tibet, asking and filming what ordinary Tibetans really feel about their situation, about China and about the Dalai Lama. The answers are frank and powerful. The filmmakers were arrested after finishing the film.

Tibet Night Part 1: Debate: TIBETANS: ENJOYING HUMAN RIGHTS – OR VICTIMS OF CULTURAL GENOCIDE?

Chinese authorities say that the Tibetans are living happy and prosperous live fully enjoying religious, cultural and social rights and freedom of expression. On the contrary the Tibetans claim that “Everything Tibetan” is under attack and call China’s repressive policies “cultural genocide”. Whom are we to believe – and what is the real situation in Tibet right now?”

Tibet Night Part 1: Film no. 2: THE SUN BEHIND THE CLOUDS (80 min)

(Ritu Sarin and Tenzin Sonam, Tibet 2009, 80 min)

This film is a potent update on 50 years of Tibetan struggle. The Sun Behind the Clouds looks at China’s occupation of Tibet from the perspective of the vocally secessionist Tibetan youth, and from that of their spiritual leader H.H. The Dalai Lama.

Tibet Night part 2: TIBET IN SONG

(Ngawang Choephel, Tibet 2009, 86 min)

Cinemateket/ Filmens Hus kl 21.00

In cooperation with the Norwegian Tibet Committee and Voice of Tibet.

Tibet – a cultural genocide? Tibet in Song is a heartbreaking tale of cultural imperialism, exploitation and resistance. The film provides a raw and uncensored look at how China aims to transform Tibetan culture. The film is giving voice to Tibetans engaged in the fight for their cultural heritage and speaking out against Chinese policies.

Ngawang Choepel was sentenced to 18 years in prison for making this film. He was released after six years of relentless protests from, among others, Amnesty International and his own family. Tibet in Song is a heartening tale of cultural exploitation and resistance, including Ngawang’ own imprisonment for filming folk songs in Tibet, and ends with a look at Tibet today, a country still plagued by Chinese brutality, yet still willing to fight for the existence of its own cultural heritage.

The film celebrates the traditional Tibetan folk music and encompasses a harrowing journey into the past fifty years of cultural repression inside Chinese controlled Tibet.

Introduction and Q&A with film director Ngawang Choephel.

Below are two replies to Zhao Jun’s article which was published in the same newspaper on 20 December. The first is my reply and the second is from the Norwegian Tibet Committee’s Acting Chair Grzegorz Odor.

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Chungdak Koren, European representative of the Tibetan parliament in exile

18 December 2012

If the Chinese Ambassador to Norway Zhao Jun’s reports on Tibet in his article on 17 December are true, then why is Tibet closed to foreign journalists? Journalists are not allowed to go to Tibet. There are even strong restrictions on foreign tourists. It’s quite strange if the Ambassador believes that Tibetan people are satisfied and happy in Tibet.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama handed over political power to a democratically elected political leader in 2011 and is now only a religious leader of the Tibetan people. The Ambassador’s one sided focus on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an unsuccessful attack in terms of the political situation in Tibet. In our eyes, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not done any of the things the Chinese authorities believe he has done, such as a desire for war and the division of China. The exile government wants greater autonomy within China’s territorial boundaries and the Dalai Lama has said he would like to visit China on pilgrimage if the Chinese authorities will accept this. The answer, however, has been negative to his request. What His Holiness the Dalai Lama wishes is peace between the Tibetan and Chinese people and basic human rights. This is what he believes is the basis for stability in the future.

Over 90 Tibetans since 2009 have self-immolated to death as a protest against Beijing, the biggest wave of political self-immolations in modern history. The demand of the self-immolators is more freedom for Tibetans, for the Chinese authorities to respect Tibetan religion, culture and language and His Holiness the Dalai Lama must return to Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a religious leader and has a moderate and pragmatic attitude toward China. He is a key person for a peaceful solution for Tibet. Given the situation, it is a pity that the Ambassador continues to accuse the Dalai Lama for China’s own failed policies in Tibet since the occupation in 1950. It is both unproductive and extremely regrettable.

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Seeing is Better than Hearing
Grzegorz Odor
Board Chairman, Norwegian Tibet Committee

The Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jun (article of 17 December) must be familiar with the Chinese proverb “Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.” It would have had a greater positive effect on China’s reputation if China allowed foreign and Norwegian journalists to travel to Tibet under the Ambassador’s own initiative and recommend the same to the “Norwegian friends.”

Since we are on the reading material we would recommend to the Ambassador the “Tibet report” by Gongmeng Institute from 2009, a progressive think tank founded by Chinese lawyers from Beijing University. They concluded that the cause of the protests in Tibet is China’s failed policies, and that it is inappropriate to continue to blame “foreign powers”.

Unfortunately, Tibet has been totally closed to foreign journalists. Tibetans who have sent pictures of protests abroad have been punished with long prison sentences.

Read more on the page of United Nations Human Rights page

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The initiative launched by local Tibet support groups in France is aimed at “preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet” and to bring international concern over the “destruction of Tibet’s rich cultural heritage” in the parliaments and governments of democratic states.

On October 6 [2012], the city of Montbeliard in eastern Franche Comte and the municipality of Amfreville la Mivoie became the latest Municipalities in France to adopt Tibetan villages. While Montbeliard formally adopted Kharta, a small Tibetan village at the foothills of Mount Everest, Amfreville la Mivoie adopted Phari in western Tibet.

According to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration, the mayor of Montbeliard during the adoption ceremony underlined the importance of Tibet’s unique cultural identity and its preservation, which he said faced destruction at the hands of China. He also emphasised on the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, which he said needed to be upheld and supported, while rendering the city’s total support to the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people.

Speaking to Phayul, Tsering Dhondup, secretary of Bureau du Tibet in France said the main purpose of adopting the villages in Tibet is to “express support to the Tibetan people’s freedom and respect for their fundamental human rights.” “As of now, direct link between the places in France and Tibet is not possible due to the Chinese government but nevertheless it sends a strong message of political support,” he added.

To join the adoption campaign, Municipal Councils in the towns and cities have passed a motion “requesting European or UN resolutions, human rights, environment, and Tibetan cultural heritage to be respected in occupied Tibet.” After adopting a Tibetan village, the Municipality places a plaque symbolising the adoption of the Tibetan village at the entrance of their office.

Original article.

See video from Australian Broadcasting Corporation here.