Tibetan Information Office (TIO) is based in Canberra.

Update on Tibet Demonstrations, 31 March 2008

Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – China still trying to dupe the world through imperceptive tactics

The People?s Armed Police (PAP) was at Kirti monastery (in Ngaba County) on March 29th and 30th.

The PAP staged events taking pictures of the monks holding portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan flag while behind cameras the monks were severely beaten. The PAP also took pictures of monks using computers who were forced to do so.

China has been condemned by the world community for their blatant abuse of human rights, and the above incidents at Kirti monastery prove that Chinese authorities are attempting to forcefully portray a positive image to the world community.

Many Tibetan hunters have been vowing to stop poaching and have been turning in their arms to various monasteries. Such an act has been a traditional practice in Tibet since the monasteries (seen as a sacred place) are the ideal place to make such vows and poachers have faith in the monasteries to never allow their use again or to engage in their sales.

Chinese authorities have been using the current situation to send out a false message that monasteries are stock-piling arms for use in future demonstrations.

On March 28th, large numbers of PAP arrived at Kirti monastery and a huge number of monks were arrested.

Jomda (Ch: Jiangda) County, Chamdo Prefecture, “Tibet Autonomous Region” – Protest by monks

On March 30, monks of Wara monastery led a demonstration.

The County officials asked a senior lama from Wara monastery to stop the protestors and as a result the demonstration has ended temporaily. No further details are available at the moment.

In Jomda County and Derge County (Karze “TAP”) a huge military deployment has been made and suppression continues.

Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – Monks arrested at Achok Tse-nyi monastery

In Achok Tse-nyi monastery, Ngaba County, a group of monks were arrested while the People?s Armed Police (PAP) was conducting a thorough search of the monastery.

Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – 16 arrested from Gomang monastery

In Gomang monastery, Ngaba County, People?s Armed Police (PAP) conducted a thorough search of the monastery.

Also, 16 monks from the monastery were arrested recently.

Dzoge (Ch: Ruo’ergai) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – 17 arrested at Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery; searches continue.

On March 29, 17 monks from Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery, Dzoge County, were arrested by the People?s Armed Police (PAP).

On March 30, each of the monks? quarters was thoroughly search by the PAP.

March 29, 2008

Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – Monks arrested at Adhue monastery

A group of monks were arrested while the People?s Armed Police (PAP) was conducting a thorough search at Adhue Monastery, Ngaba County.

Nyarong (Ch: Xinlong County) County, Karze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan Province – Monks reject “Patriotic re-education” classes

Chinese governmental “Work teams” arrived at Shiwa monastery, Ralang Township, Nyarong County, for “patriotic re-education” classes. During one particular class, monks shouted slogans such as “Free Tibet” and “His Holiness the Dalai Lama should be welcomed to Tibet.”

As a result, around 200 military personnel arrived at the monastery to suppress the determined monks.

Information on arrests made is not currently available.

There are around 160 monks at Shiwa monastery.

March 28, 2008

Sershul (Ch: Shiqu) County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) “Tibet Autonomous Province,” Sichuan province – “Patriotic re-education” campaign proving a failure

More than 40 heads of monasteries from Sershul County were summoned by the State Administration of Religious Affairs so that they could be given “patriotic re-education” classes.

Each of the 40 heads of monasteries did not comply with the Chinese demands to participate in the classes.