Category: Tibet

Blinken must raise Tibet, Panchen Lama on China trip

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn Tibet, writing

April 23, 2024

by International Campaign for Tibet

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken must raise the “deteriorating” situation in Tibet both privately and publicly during his trip this week to China, the International Campaign for Tibet said today.

ICT, an advocacy group that promotes human rights and democratic freedoms for the Tibetan people, sent a letter to Blinken today, 22 April, 2024, on behalf of its roughly 50,000 members in the United States. Blinken is scheduled to visit China 24-26 April.

In the letter, ICT President Tencho Gyatso urges Blinken to “raise the issue of Tibet during your meetings with Chinese leaders later this week as well as publicly in front of the press.”

The topics for Blinken to address include China’s kidnapping of the Panchen Lama, the high-ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader who will turn 35 during Blinken’s trip; China’s attempts to interfere in the succession of the Dalai Lama, who is now 88; and China’s responsibility to resume negotiations with Tibetan leaders to resolve Tibet’s status.

China has occupied Tibet, a neighboring country in the Himalayas, for over 65 years, turning it into one of the worst human rights crises in the world. Under China’s iron rule, Tibet now has a global freedom score of 0 out of 100, according to the watchdog group Freedom House. Click here to read more.

ICT Launches New Political Prisoner Site

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn Tibet2 Comments

from the International Campaign for Tibet

Missingvoices.net, a new ICT website about Tibetan political prisoners, was recently launched by ICT-Germany.

The new English language site is in support of Tibetans who have been imprisoned or who have “disappeared” in the course of the violent crackdown on overwhelmingly peaceful protests in Tibet since March 2008.

ICT is working to lobby world governments to take up the cases of prisoners, and we try to help families of prisoners, who have lost a loved one and are sometimes their only wage earner. Please help us remember and support the thousands of peace-loving, brave Tibetans who have risked their freedom and their livelihoods to support the Dalai Lama, their ancient culture and the human rights of others in their communities.

One of the unique features of Missingvoices.net is that visitors can upload a video statement of support for detained Tibetan political prisoners. Last week, along with the release of our new report, A Great Mountain Burned by Fire: China’s Crackdown in Tibet, ICT published a list of more than 600 Tibetans who we believe have been sentenced, detained or who “disappeared” in total disregard to basic human rights.

Visitors to Missingvoices.net can also learn more about prison conditions in Tibet and sign a petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao. They can also watch powerful testimonies of former Tibetan political prisoners.

We will continue to add new content to Missingvoices.net in the months ahead as ICT redoubles its efforts to secure humane treatment and the release of political prisoners on our watch list. I hope you will take a moment to visit Missingvoices.net soon.

In solidarity,

John Ackerly
President