Pursued for Speaking Out in Exile

Author Mikel Dunham has posted a dramatic account of a Tibetan refugee in Mongolia on his blog. His brother was murdered during the Chinese crackdown inside Tibet and when he spoke out, he himself became a target of Mongolian and Chinese government searches. He is currently in hiding in Mongolia and greatly fears for his safety and the safety of his family still inside Tibet.

Here is one of his emails to Dunham:

Dear Mikel Dunham,
My name is Kalsang. I live in Mongolia. I am Tibetan. I am 34 years old. I fled from the Tibet as a political refugee to India and lived in Dharamsala. Now I hold my identity Card issued by the Government of India as my passport. In 2001, living in India, I graduated the Sarha Buddhist University on the Dharamsala Distt kangra H.P. Then in I have been practicing as a teacher for 1 year in Katmandu, Nepal. Then in 2003 within the frames of an exchange program organized between the Tibetan Foundation and Mongolian Notional University, I came to Mongolia and worked 2 years as a lecturer. Since 2005 year, I taught Tibetan language to Mongolian lamas \ Buddhist monks\ in the Zuun Khuree College of the Dash-Choilin Monastery. At present, I am teaching Tibetan in the ‘Etugen’ University. In 2004 I married a Mongolian women and our marriage is legal in full conformity with the laws and regulations of Mongolia. Now we have a daughter of 2.5 years old.

On 14th March 2008 my brother Lobsang Jinpa from Kham (Minyak) was shot to death by some Chinese soldier during the Lhasan rebellion for freedom and sovereignty of Tibet. He was just holding high the national flag of Tibet.

The Radio Free Asia and the Government of Tibetan solidarity committee after becoming aware of this fact put [the story] on the Tibetan web site. The Chinese tried to conceal all the facts from the world community.

On 20th March 2008 I learned about death of my brother when I called on telephone my relatives still in Tibet. I was in deep shock and sorrow to hear of such tragedy. It seemed to me like my heart was cut through by knife. I could not just sit so I manifested my outrage and protest before the embassy of the China four times. My demonstration became breaking news and broadcasted by Mongolia TV Broadcasters like C1 and TV5, and published through the local newspapers. This news is still up to date. I continue my protesting and claims for justice in peaceful manner.

On 15th April 2008, when I was in the University I was arrested and interrogated by Mongolian police in the detention chamber. The Mongolia police warned me that if I should repeat this manifestation I would be either deported or put in jail.

On 17th April 2008, I called my sister in Tibet. She said that Chinese police had come to our home and deeply frustrated my parents by asking, “Where is your son? They answered that they had not seen me for the last twenty years since the last contact was lost. They also were brave enough to say: “Our son is lost, this is all that we know, and you can even have us killed, but we can’t say anything more.”

The Chinese embassy in Mongolia asked the Chinese police and mass media to provide information about me.

At that time a Chinese [came to me] asking questions. He said if I should have something to send home in Tibet he could help me with that. In fact, I have Chinese citizen ID card and a few Chinese people know about it.

If I am deported from Mongolia I shall be deported to China and not back to India and this troubles me indeed. If I should be deported to China-my last hopes to see my family shall be lost forever. When I was in India, the Indian police once deported one Tibetan to Chinese police and those Chinese tortured him to death. The same story may possibly happen to me…

After publishing this fearsome news my family members remain in anxiety and not aware of what is going to happen, so I truly hope that you, Sir, shall find the ways and means to help us out. I am delighted having reached you at last.

Yours faithfully,
Dharma
Kalsang family Mongolia Ulaanbaatar

Dunham goes on to ask readers to contact the State Department and hold out hopes that Kalsang can receive diplomatic protection.

Call SF Mayor Newsom & Ask to Cancel the Torch Relay

Now that the full scale of the controversy that is the Beijing Olympics is beginning to be broadcast around the world through three days of major protests in London and Paris, it is time for San Francisco - the next stop in the torch relay and the only stop on American soil - to cancel the torch relay in San Francisco. The Mayor of Paris had the sense to cancel the remainder of the torch relay and the torch ceremony in Paris following widespread protests from Tibet and human rights activists. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has the advantage of knowing what has happened this weekend. He can make the right decision now and cancel the SF Olympic Torch Relay.

Call Mayor Newsom’s office and politely ask that he take immediate action to cancel the Torch Relay.

Mayor Gavin Newsom
Telephone: (415) 554-6141  – this actually gets you a real person!

You can also email Mayor Newsom at gavin.newsom@sfgov.org. Here’s what I sent him (you can use the same text):

Mayor Newsom:

With global controversy growing over the running of the Olympic torch, and given the brutality of the current Chinese government crackdown in Tibet, it is completely irresponsible for the Mayor’s office to further exacerbate tensions by allowing the torch through San Francisco. We call on you to immediately cancel the Olympic Torch Relay and to officially protest the Chinese government’s plan to run the torch through Tibet.

Sincerely,

F.X. Leach

URGENT APPEAL TO INDIAN CITIZENS & OLYMPIC TORCH-BEARERS

When China’s Torch Comes to India on April 17th - Speak out for Tibet.

We, the undersigned Tibetan individuals and organizations, appeal to all Indian citizens and, in particular, those people chosen to be Olympic torch-bearers, to speak out for the Tibetan people when China’s Torch comes to India on April 17th. At this critical moment, when countless Tibetans are suffering under a violent military crackdown by the Chinese government, we need to show that global citizens support the Tibetan people’s right to be free and to live their lives as they see fit.

The courageous actions taken by Tibetans inside Tibet over the past few weeks demonstrate that Tibetans have suffered unimaginably under a half century of Chinese rule. They are now risking everything and crying out for freedom. By speaking out when the Chinese government brings the Olympic Torch to India you will send a strong message to Tibetans, to the Chinese government, and to the world, that Indians support the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle for freedom and justice.

There are so many ways for everyone to take action.

Online Actions for Tibet

There are many ways to show your support for the protesters inside Tibet. (more…)

Appeal to the Indian Government to Release the 101 Marchers

For Indian citizens, please fax the letter below to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

For citizens of other countries, you can find the contact information for the Indian ambassador in your country here and a sample letter below. Remember, faxing and phoning have more impact than email. (more…)

Indian Day of Action for Tibet on March 24th

In view of the recent protest across Tibet and violent crackdown by the Chinese authorities, Tibetans and supporters in India will marking Monday, March 24th with a national Day of Action for Tibet. As the Beijing Olympic Torch will be lit in Greece, Indians and Tibetans will hold demonstrations, vigils and sit-ins across India to show their solidarity with the protesters in Tibet. We call on all organizations and Tibetan support groups in India to join in these protests, or organize one in their own community.

Actions are already being planned in Kolkata, Chennai, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Dharamsala.

If you would like to plan an action in your city or town, please send us the confirmed details at action@tibetanuprising.org. Make sure to include the city, a description of the event, and contact information of the organizer(s). Questions or requests for more information can be sent to the above address or directed to Shibayan @ +91-989-184-9844.

Join us in the People’s Uprising for a Free Tibet!

TIBET, TIBET! RAISE YOUR FLAG! March 17th - Global Tibetan Flag Day

March 17th marks one week since courageous Tibetans took to the streets and began this incredible uprising inside Tibet. It is also the deadline the Chinese authorities have given to protesters to turn themselves in and they may receive “lenient treatment.”

Most recent developments inside Tibet indicate that protests are spreading across Amdo and Kham. Despite an intense climate of fear and at great risk to themselves, Tibetans continue to rise up.

It is for this reason that we call on Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide to show their solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet by raising the Tibetan flag.

Fly the Tibetan flag on March 17th.

Show our Tibetan brothers and sisters inside of Tibet that we are with them and as they raised their flag, so too will we.