Press Release: Dharamshala receives “Tibetan Freedom Torch” 5 days ahead of the Beijing Olympics

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…)

Statement of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement

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…)

Press Release: March to Tibet Concludes

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…)

More Photos of Protest on the Indo-Tibet border

Photos from June 19.

(more…)

Legal Update on Arrested Marchers

GuChuSum President Kusho Ngawang Woeber and March Coordinator Tsering Choedup travelled to Rebkong Piu to learn about the situation of the 31 marchers who were arrested while they attempted to cross the India border to Tibet on June 19. Permission for the visit was granted thanks to the efforts of Shimla RTYC President and Shimla Tenzin la who is also a member of the Local Assembly.

From the 31 marchers arrested, 10 who had crossed the inner line were released this morning on personal bond after a hearing before the Chief District Magistrate of Rebkong Piu. Ten others were released on assurity and personal bond from Rampur. The other 11 marchers have their hearing on June 26 before the Sub Divisional Magistrate at Rebkong Piu. The Organizing Committee is working on the documents for their release.

Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet India, Lobsang Yeshi, March Coordintor and Tenzin Tsundue, activist and award winning poet, had their 4th hearing before the Dehra Sub Divisional Magistrate regarding the ongoing case from their arrest in March. Two witnesses - a local videographer and Sub Inspector Bhagat Singh Thakur - made statements after being cross-examined by the lawyer for the three. They are being charged with ‘threatening to breach public peace and tranquility’. The statements from the cross-examination were recorded and will be used for the final judgment which has been postponed until August 27.

The defending lawyer, Mr. Jitendra Rana is a volunteer with the Human Rights Law Network which is based in Delhi. Mr Rana runs its Dharamshala chapter with his lawyer colleagues.

In total, 169 marchers have been imprisoned since the beginning of the March and all marchers, including the presidents have been arrested once or twice.