Mar 10, 2010 in Featured, News
Phuntsok Nyidron, a former Tibetan political prisoner (2nd L) at the human rights conference in Geneva on 8 March 2010
Geneva: The Second Geneva Summit on Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy is being organised jointly by over 25 human rights groups from across the globe.
The Tibetan Women’s Association in Switzerland is one of the organisers of the two-day conference which started yesterday in Geneva. The conference features political dissidents and activists from Iran, China, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and Vietnam.
John Suarez of the Cuban democracy group, Directorio, opened the session. Recalling the spirit of the summit’s co-chairs, Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa, he urged human rights defenders to come together, brainstorm and collaborate.
Another Cuban dissident, Nestor Rodríguez Lobaina, has been barred by the Cuban government to attend the conference. “Yet, thanks to the mobilization of international organizations and civil society, you can contribute to making sure democracies fulfill their responsibility to humanity,” said Isabel Rochat, Conseil d’Etat of Geneva. “We may forgive but we will never forget. That is the best response to indifference.” Read the rest
Mar 8, 2010 in Featured, News
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reads from scripture during a grand long life offering organised by the Central Tibetan Administration and the general Tibetan populace in Dharamsala, India, on 2 March 2010/ Photo:Tenzin Choejor/Office of His Holiness
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama lauded the unflinching courage and sincerity of Tibetans living inside Tibet in raising their voices for the cause of Tibet, which he described as an issue of truth and justice. (Click here to watch video)
His Holiness expressed deep appreciation for the long life prayer offerings presented to him by the Central Tibetan Administration and the people of Tibet out of common reverence, bond, sincerity, aspiration and hope.
We offer prayers to those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for Tibet under the repression of the Chinese government, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told a large Tibetan congregation at the main Buddhist temple here this morning. Thousands of Tibetans attended the official long life offering ceremony.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama prayed for the speedy recovery and long life of thousands of Tibetans who were wounded by brutal Chinese police beatings during the peaceful protests throughout Tibet since 10 March 2008. Read the rest
Mar 8, 2010 in Featured, News
Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche (c) addresses a two-day symposium on Tibetan women's empowerment in Dharamsala on 4 March 2010/Photos by Sangay Kyap/TibetNet
Dharamshala: A two-day deliberation on how to facilitate and empower Tibetan women to take full and active participation in social, political and economic and other administrative activities in the exile community started this morning at Gangchen Kyishong.
Around 40 women participants and representatives from departments and offices of the Central Tibetan Administration are taking part in the first-ever symposium on women empowerment from 4 – 5 March. It is an initiative of the Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) under the supervision of the Kashag and Department of Finance.
On 2 September 2008, the incumbent 13th Kashag laid down policy vision for the empowerment of Tibetan women in the diaspora. SARD has been initiating a series of programmes including trainings, discussions, workshops and counsellings to educate and encourage Tibetan women to take more proactive role at various administrative levels.
In his keynote address to the participants, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche said since the beginning of human civilization in Tibet, Tibetans in their entire history have not experienced problems such as gender inequality or gender oppression and exploitation. Particularly since the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, the importance of gender equality explained in Buddhist teachings have flourished in Tibet, and continue to do so even to this day, he added. Read the rest
Feb 23, 2010 in News
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Saturday a more open China could help its people to better understand the issue of Tibet.
“Censorship … is the source of the problem,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in an interview with Reuters in Beverly Hills.
“The Chinese people have no opportunity to know our issue,” said the His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who advocates “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet within China.
“Once China becomes an open society — freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of information — all this unnecessary fear and doubt will reduce,” His Holiness said. “That’s the real answer for this problem.”
“Americans can help in this change,” His Holiness said, adding the lack of free information has helped the Chinese government portray him as a demon.
“Do I look like a demon?” His Holiness joked, holding his fingers beside his head to make horns. Read the rest
Feb 23, 2010 in Featured, News
Los Angeles: In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Larry King on Sunday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama underscored that his “Middle Way Approach for seeking a mutually beneficial solution to the issue of Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China is in the best interests of China”.
Larry King during an interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Holiness started his second day in Los Angeles with a forty-five minute interview with Larry King on popular talk show – Larry King Live. King started off by asking about His Holiness’ meeting with President Obama and asked what His Holiness wanted from Obama. His Holiness answered that he stated his three main commitments: promotion of human values, promotion of religious harmony and the Tibetan issue.
His Holiness said he had “requested President Obama to urge the Chinese government for dialogue and contact with the Tibetans, and requested help, such as scholarships, for Tibetans in refugee communities as well as Tibetans in Tibet”.
Larry King asked His Holiness if America could maintain good relations with China while at the same time supporting Tibetan independence. His Holiness answered that “there was no contradiction in keeping good relations with China and supporting Tibet because they were not seeking independence but a genuine autonomy. Our concern is basic rights for the six million Tibetans inside Tibet”. Read the rest
For more information | 
