Dalai Lama in Mongolia | ICT's Response to Election | Update on Larung Gar

ICT's WORK ICT’s President Responds to U.S. Presidential Election Results As we all reflect on the results of one of the most consequential presidential elections in US history, we want to reassure you that at the International Campaign for Tibet, we are busy assessing the changes and challenges ahead. While international issues and the respect of human rights were not central during the presidential campaign, the issue of Tibet and the protection of its unique cultural, religious and political identity is overwhelmingly supported by millions of people both at home and abroad, despite China’s far-reaching efforts to silence Tibetans. ICT is dedicated and committed to making sure that the next administration and Congress will continue to keep Tibet high on their agenda. Your support gives us strength, and we will continue to work hard with passion and resolve to challenge China’s oppressive policies in Tibet through institutions in the US and around the world. Read the full statement here. Your Petitions Delivered to the Presidential Candidates ICT delivered over 8,000 petitions to the Clinton and Trump campaigns on November 1, 2016, one week before the presidential election. Thank you to everyone who signed the petitions to the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates urging them to strengthen and reiterate American support to the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet. With a new President and Administration coming, your voice of support for Tibet is that much more important! ICT Makes Presentation at North American Tibetan Association Conference On November 11, 2016, ICT’s Bhuchung K. Tsering and Tencho Gyatso made a presentation on the work of the International Campaign for Tibet to the participants of the 15th North American Tibetan Association Conference in Boulder, CO. In addition to explaining the programs of ICT, they spoke about the election of a new President and the role the Tibetan American community could play in drawing the attention of their members of Congress and the President to the Tibetan issue. The conference was held under the auspices of the Office of Tibet in Washington, D.C. and attended by Representative Penpa Tsering, two members of the Tibetan Parliament from North America, Pema Chagzoetang and Tsewang Rinzin, and the Tibetan Minister of Finance, Karma Yeshi, attended as the chief guest. There were over 21 Tibetan communities represented from North America comprising of over 50 participants. In addition to ICT, presentations were made by representatives of the Tibet Fund as well as the Students for a Free Tibet. DALAI LAMA Outpouring of Support During Dalai Lama Visit to Mongolia The four-day trip to Mongolia saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama give Buddhist teachings to immense crowds in a sports stadium and included a visit to Gandan Tegchenling Monastery and participation in an International Conference on Buddhism and Science in Ulaan Baatar. This high level of interest and participation from the Mongolian public is a sign of the close cultural and religious ties between Tibet and Mongolia, which extend back hundreds of years. Successive Dalai Lamas have also visited Mongolia, and the fourth Dalai Lama was born there. Mongolia welcomed His Holiness despite warnings from China, which has serious economic leverage on the land-locked Asian nation. INSIDE TIBET Distress and anguish at Larung Gar as monks and nuns compelled to leave Distressing scenes of monks and nuns being forced to leave Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in the last few days have emerged on footage shared on social media. Many monks and nuns have been compelled to sign a document stating that they would not return to the globally renowned religious center in Serthar, eastern Tibet. Separately, RFA has reported that an annual Larung Gar festival called Dechen Shingdrup, or Accomplishing the Pure Land of Great Bliss, has been cancelled by Chinese authorities. Respected scholar monk Labrang Jigme released from prison Labrang Jigme returned home last month after being released two months after his five-year prison sentence expired. Formerly a monk at Labrang monastery in Amdo, who had been previously imprisoned and severely tortured in 2008 and 2010, Labrang Jigme is well-known as a writer and intellectual who is the only known Tibetan to record on video in Tibet an account of his own imprisonment and views on Chinese policies against the Dalai Lama in which he gave his full identity. Suffocating religious freedom in Tibet: China’s draft regulations on religious affairs The Chinese government has drafted a revision of its religious affairs regulations that may have a far reaching effect on Tibetan Buddhism, as it will consolidate the state’s repressive approach towards religious groups. These religious affairs regulations should be assessed against the background of a new set of laws that can be viewed as a systematic development of a security architecture, which – with regard to Tibet – dates back to the time before the presidency of Xi Jinping. Please see our in-depth report on these developments here. Two Tibetans, including well-known writer, detained just after release from prison Two Tibetans, including a prominent writer who had just been released after serving several years in prison, were detained again shortly afterwards, according to sources. Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, a teacher by profession, was released from prison and allowed to return home on September 16 (2016), a year before the end of his five and a half- year prison sentence. The next day, he was detained again and is back in detention. It has also been reported that Samdrub was detained again on Sunday (September 18), less than a month after his release from prison after serving five years. Chinese police closely monitor event honoring Kirti Rinpoche RFA has reported that police in Ngaba present at the opening of a lavish new residence for exiled leader Kirti Rinpoche closely watched the gathered monks and forbade any mention on printed invitations of him. “Chinese authorities ordered the monastery not to send out invitation cards mentioning Kirti Rinpoche’s residence,” one source told RFA. “Instead, they had to say they were inaugurating a library built next door.” DISCUSSION ICT's Blog: Ideas, Advocacy & Dialogue on Tibet Please join the conversation and stay updated by subscribing to the ICT blog's RSS feed. » What will be President Donald Trump’s Tibet Policy? By: Bhuchung K. Tsering » Why does Tibet matter in the discourse on the democratization of China? By: Bhuchung K. Tsering VISIT OUR STORE Shop for the Holidays AND Support Tibet! Gift Idea #1 ICT’s recently released 2017 wall calendar features the works of twelve contemporary Tibetan artists who offer an exciting glimpse into a new realm of Tibetan cultural expression. Quantities are limited, so buy yours today for $14.99 + shipping through our online store or by calling (877) 259-9209. Gift Idea #2 ICT’s online store offers Tibetan Prayer Flags in a variety of sizes and materials- all handmade by Tibetan and Nepali artisans. Check out our selection online or call (877) 259-9209. Gift Idea #3 Use ICT’s greeting cards to send warm wishes to loved ones, or put together a set to give as a gift! You can find a collection of cards in our online store that range from Contemporary Tibetan art to drawings by Tibetan children from their time at the Refugee Reception Center. These lovely cards share the beauty and impact of Tibetan culture and show your solidarity with Tibetans. Gift Idea #4 Displaying a quote from His Holiness and ICT’s logo, this bag is a wonderful way to show you stand up for Tibetans while out and about in your community. It also makes a great gift! Purchase yours today for $15 + shipping through our online store or by calling (877) 259-9209. This year, why not give a gift that combines your warm wishes with your wish for peace in Tibet? Find all of these items and more at www.savetibetstore.org. IN THE NEWS New York Times photo story on Yarchen Gar Tibet’s second-largest “gar,” which means monastic encampment in Tibetan. Story by Edward Wong Photos by Gilles Sabrie for the NYT View all of the images and read the story » SUPPORT ICT WHILE YOU SHOP! Support us when you shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1570071 and Amazon donates to the International Campaign for Tibet. The Tibet Update eNewsletter is a summary of news and governmental actions related to Tibet. Past issues are located at www.savetibet.org/newsroom/tibet-weekly-updates.

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