News & Resources

The 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, underscored the importance of multilateral engagement on Tibet. At the session that concluded on March 25, twelve countries and the European Union (EU) called on China to ensure the human rights of the Tibetan people. The United States, Germany and the Czech Republic specifically highlighted the issue of criminalizing and sentencing families and associates of Tibetans who have self immolated, and said such a policy has only further exacerbated tensions. The EU called on China to re-engage in constructive dialogue with the Tibetan people and allow free access to the Tibetan Autonomous Area. Below are excerpts from the Government Statements on Tibet.

Five remarkable individuals were presented with the International Campaign for Tibet’s Light of Truth Award by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Switzerland on Saturday (April 13, 2013) for their outstanding contributions to the Tibetan cause.
ICT’s Light of Truth Award is the most prestigious award in the Tibet movement and has been presented over the years by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of ICT. Previous recipients include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late Václav Havel, Chinese scholar and writer Wang Lixiong, Elie Wiesel, Martin Scorsese and the people of India.

This week His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Dharamshala for New Delhi from where he left for Europe for a three-nation visit. His Holiness will give a series of teachings and public talks in several European countries such as Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom from 11 – 20 April.

One of Tibet’s longest-serving political prisoners, Jigme Gyatso, has been released from prison after 17 years. During his imprisonment he endured severe torture on several occasions and was imprisoned in Gutsa detention center and also in Drapchi and Chushur prisons in Lhasa. Images received from Tibet show Tibetans waiting to welcome him back to his home area in the Tibetan area of Amdo following his release on March 31.

The latest edition of the Tibet Brief, an ICT publication for policy-makers, providing concise information and perspectives on the political, economic and human rights situation in Tibet. This editions mainly focuses on activities carried out in Brussels around the 10 March such as the Solidarity Rally, the EU Lobby Days and Kirti Rinpoche’s visit to Europe and hearing at the European Parliament.

On 10th April the ALDE group is organising a conference on Tibet entitled “Tears of Tibet”. This is a joint initiative by MEPs Ojuland and Donskis. The discussion`s starting point will be the worrying number of self-immolations in Tibet since February 2009 (111 so far). The conference will then touch upon many different issues to highlight the impact of Chinese policies on human rights and the environment in Tibet.

On 14 March 2013 the European Parliament (EP) voted its report on EU-China relations. The Rapporteur in charge of drafting the report was MEP Bastian Belder (NL, Europe for freedom and democracy) of the Committee of Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET). The main positive aspect pointed out in this report is the recent, vast economic development […]

During his stay in Brussels, from March the 6th until March the 11th, H. E. Kirti Rinpoche testified in the European Parliament and met with Belgian government officials. The visit also included a participation to the European Solidarity Rally for Tibet on March the 10th, where he joined the demonstration and also addressed the supporters during the rally.

Statement on EU-China relations by Commissioner Füle on behalf of the HR/VP, 13 MArch 2013 President, Honourable Members, On behalf of HRVP Ashton, I welcome this balanced report by the rapporteur, Mr BELDER, setting out the European Parliament’s views on the developing European Union-China relationship. It comes at the right time when new leaders will […]

Nearly 4,400 people from 17 Tibetan communities in Europe and their supporters came together on March 10 in Brussels to commemorate the March 10 anniversary of the 1959 Tibet Uprising and the fifth anniversary of the protests that swept across Tibet from March 2008. Tibetans and their supporters gathered to march through the streets of […]