China’s Censoring Technology Being Transferred and Used by Other Repressive Regimes

Not surprisingly, the technology the Chinese government has developed and that developed by western companies on behalf of the Chinese is now being exported to repressive regimes around the world. I guess the internet really is leading to democratic changes!!

Outrage at Zimbabwe bugging plan

Zimbabwe’s opposition and civil society groups have expressed anger at a proposed law to monitor communications. The bill proposes a monitoring centre, apparently with Chinese technology, that would eavesdrop on telephone, internet and other communications.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5301146.stm

Tibetan music on the web

SFT friend and TIPA musician Sonam Tashi (aka Acho Danny) is featured today on my other blog:

“The dranyen is very much a folk instrument, but what Danny is doing with it goes well beyond tradition, and speaks to his worldly experiences and open mind. His music uses distortation and phase effects, mixes in western blues scales, and adds some retro-sounding electric drumkits here and there. He’s also got a great baritone voice – think Tom Waits meets a chanting monk. Its fun, interesting, and different.”

You can read the full blog post here: http://openvision.tv/blog/?p=66

SFT’s Feature Speakers for 2006

Every year Students for a Free Tibet provides chapters with speakers to come talk about Tibet and the Tibetan independence movement at their schools. This year we’re proud to announce a panel of five speakers who will be able to speak to a diverse range of topics about Tibet. Our featured speakers are Geshe Lobsang Tenpa, Han Shan, Mikel Dunham, Thupten Tsering, and Sonam Zoksang.

Learn more about them and how you can get them to talk at your school on the SFT website.

On Notice!

Stephen Colbert, er, me, puts the following people on notice, so watch out!

Do you want to put anyone on notice? Do it here.

10 Years for a Thought Crime

I grew up in the cradle of my nation. I saw my people live in a higher place in this world. But when I lay on the ground to watch the world, I cried. Those tears were a reasonable response to what was happening in the world. I grew up with the love of my parents. When my parents’ foreheads were creased with love, I cried. These were tears of emotion. Therefore I decided that I would do something for my nation and people like my parents.

I know that doing things, even contributing one’s life to the cause of a nation, raises very difficult questions. I would rather use my words to talk to other people than be an example to lead other people.
–Dolma Kyab

Dolma Kyab, a twenty-nine year old Tibetan from Amdo, is now serving ten years in prison for writing these words in an unpublished manuscript. Dolma was charged with espionage and now suffers in jail for his writings. No evidence or formal charges have ever been made available to the public. Yet another tragic case that shows that thoughts are crimes for Tibetans inside of Tibet.