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Important debate

The Vrienden van Tibet, organize a candle vigil in Gent on the 25th of April to commemorate the birthday of HH the Panchen lama: Gedun Chökyi Nyima. and the victims of Ngaba and Kirti Gompa in Amdo Tibet.
From 2pm unto 4:30 pm. Al people are requested to gather at St Baafsplein in Gent

A. whereas the occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China prevents the Tibetans from electing their representatives in the territory of Tibet democratically,
B. whereas more than 82 000 exiled Tibetans across the world were invited to vote on 20 March 2011 to elect the new Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan government in exile,
C. whereas several thousand Tibetans in Nepal did not get permission to vote from the Nepalese authorities in Kathmandu, under increasing pressure from the Chinese Government,
D. whereas already during an earlier round of voting in Nepal on 3 October 2010, Kathmandu police confiscated ballot boxes and shut down the Tibetan community voting sites,
E. whereas on 10 March 2011 the Dalai Lama announced that he would formally relinquish his political leadership role in the Tibetan exile government which is based in Dharamsala, India, in order to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement on the eve of elections to choose a new generation of Tibetan political leaders,
F. whereas the Government of Nepal has claimed that demonstrations by Tibetans violate its ‘One China’ policy, has reiterated its commitment not to allow ‘anti-Beijing activities’ on its soil and has thus imposed a blanket ban on the movement of groups of Tibetans in an attempt to appease the Chinese authorities,

G. whereas the Nepali authorities, particularly the police, have repeatedly been reported as violating basic human rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and association of Tibetans in exile in Nepal; whereas these rights are guaranteed for all persons in Nepal by international human rights conventions to which Nepal is party, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
H. whereas the overall situation of many refugees in Nepal, in particular the Tibetans, gives cause for concern,
I. whereas the EU reaffirmed its commitment to support democratic and participatory governance in the EU’s external relations by the adoption of its Council conclusions on Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations on 17 November 2009,
1. Underlines the right to participate in democratic elections as a fundamental right of all citizens that must be upheld, protected and guaranteed in every democratic state;
2. Calls on the Government of Nepal to uphold the democratic rights of the Tibetan people, who are conducting a unique internal election process which has existed since 1960, to organise and to participate in democratic elections;
3. Emphasises the importance of peaceful democratic elections to the strengthening and preservation of the Tibetan identity both inside and outside the territory of Tibet;
4. Urges the Nepali authorities to respect the rights of Tibetans in Nepal to freedom of expression, assembly and association as guaranteed for all persons in Nepal by international human rights conventions to which Nepal is a party;
5. Calls on the authorities to refrain from preventive arrests and restrictions on demonstrations and freedom of speech that deny the right to legitimate peaceful expression and assembly during all activities undertaken by the Tibetan community in the country and urges the Government of Nepal to include such rights and to ensure religious freedom within Nepal’s new constitution, due to be enacted by 28 May 2011;
6. Calls on the Nepalese authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations and their own domestic laws in their treatment of the Tibetan community and urges the government to resist the strong pressure exerted by the Chinese Government to silence the Tibetan community in Nepal using restrictions which are not only unjustified but also illegal under domestic and international law;
7. Considers that the continuation of the full implementation of the ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ on the Tibetan refugees by the Nepali authorities is essential for maintaining contact between the UNHCR and Tibetan communities;
8. Calls on the European External Action Service through its delegation in Kathmandu to closely monitor the political situation in Nepal, especially the treatment of the Tibetan refugees and respect for their constitutionally and internationally enshrined rights, and urges the EU High Representative to address the concerns about the actions taken by the Nepalese Government to block the Tibetan elections, with the Nepalese and Chinese authorities;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government of Nepal and the Secretary- General of the United Nations.

Jamyang Jinpa, a monk in the northwestern province of Gansu, died on April 3, three years after taking part in the demonstration at his Labrang monastery
This Tibetan monk who in 2008 joined a protest in front of foreign journalists in China has died after allegedly suffering "severe torture" while in detention.

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Europe Chithue debate

Belgium, January 8 - With just over two months until the final round of the 3rd kalon Tripa and the 15th Chithue elections of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile, the Tibetan Community in Belgium deemed it highly crucial to provide the public an opportunity to listen to their candidates and debate key issues that matter them the most and the movement at large.
Therefore, they organized a debate of the Europe chithue candidates in the Permeke library in Antwerpen.

The invitation was extended to all the ten candidates short listed in the results of preliminary elections but only six candidates accepted to participate in this debate; From R to L, Mr. Thupten Gyatso from France, Ms. Chungdak Koren The six EU Chithue candidates, Jan 08, 2011.
from Norway, Mr. Samdho Jampa Tsering, Mr. Wangpo Tethong, Mr. Sonam Monkhar from Switzerland and Venerable Thupten Wangchen from Spain.
The objective of the debate was to introduce the candidates to the public and to enlighten them on various aspects of the forthcoming elections and to facilitate the Tibetan people in making the right decisions. The debate afforded the candidates the opportunity to explain their agendas, policies and leadership plans.

The intensive five hour debate was attended by over one hundred Tibetans with an active participation. All the major issues from the middle way approach of our Central Tibetan Administration to exploring ways of strengthening campaigns in the EU to the retirement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama were covered.
The candidates unanimously stressed the importance of preserving our rich culture and being useful members of the society. They equally emphasized the importance of this.
The debate ended with a note of thanks from the President of the Belgium Tibetan Community, Mr. Tsaye Kelsang, to the candidates for traveling all the way to Belgium to participate in the debate and to the public for their active participation. This was followed by a dinner hosted to the candidates by the Belgium Tibetan Community.

Report filed by the Belgium Tibetan Community.
Candidates for election of Kalon Tripa

Sno

Name,

Native Residence,

Total votes in preliminary round

1

Lobsang Senge Lithang

US

22489

2

Tenzin Namgyal Tethong Lhasa

US

12319

3

Tashi Wangdu Lhoka

Europe

2101

Candidates for election of 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile

Sno

Name,

Native Residence,

Total votes in preliminary round

1

Thupten Wangchen Kyirong

Spain

657

2

Wangpo Tethong Lhasa

Swiss

430

3

Chungdak Koren Phari

Norway

427

4

Samdo Jhampa Tsering Ae Lhagyari

Swiss

252

5

Monkhar Sonam Phuntsok Tsang Gyaltse

Swiss

Volunteer

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Important news: Please read it very carefully.
On Saturday 8 January 2011, frmo 10 AM untill 13hrs PM, Tibetan Community Belgium, would like to have a debate on modifications of the Tibetan Communities rules and regulations.
It is very important to hear your opinion, before finalising it.
And from 13 hrs till 17 hrs. we will organize a debate with 10 European Chithue candidates.
Please prepare your questions and please, try your best to come, it is really very important.
Venue: Permeke library "De Coninckplein" (Kali park) Antwerpen

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Jobs

http://www.kalachakra2011.com/tickets.html
Today - Wednesday, Dec. 15th. Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster at noon US east coast time. Here are the links:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500455695063C16
11-day ticket package
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500458AF1CC5AA4
8-day ticket package
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500458AF7875B7D

http://www.tibetswiss.ch/europe-chitue-bo.html for Tibetan.
http://www.tibetswiss.ch/exileparlament-europe.html for English