Another Tibetan Singer Arrested...

Worldwide fans of Gepe - AKA Gaybay, Gebhe, Gepey - are still anxiously awaiting news on the recently arrested popular Tibetan singer from Ngaba, Amdo. According to various sources (including RFA, Phayul and The Tibet Post) 27 year old Gepe was arrested by Barkham County Public Security Bureau shortly after performing at a concert on May 24th 2014. You can view his performance at the concert prior to his arrest HERE.

Despite the concert organizers having applied to authorities for a permit in advance to allow for Gepe's performance, the fact that he calls for recognition of the Tibetan language as well as (rather than instead of) other languages, and the audience appreciating and supporting the performance, shortly after his activity on stage he was forcefully removed and detained. Not even his family have knowledge of his current whereabouts, conditon, or an official reason for his arrest. Quote from a translation of one of the songs that Gepe performed at the May 24 concert - 'Knowing other languages is good, But we will be perished if we ignore our mother tongue.'

Although China has arrested multiple performers in recent years, only a few are well known outside of Tibet. Unlike some of the other Tibetan singers who have been arrested, Gepe has many fans living outside of Tibet/China. You only need to view some of his Youtube videos to witness the strong appreciation he has acquired from many countries. Free Tibet are currently running a campaign, supported by Peter Gabriel and Techung among others, calling for signatures on their petition to free 11 popular Tibetan singers. You can read more and sign the petition HERE. 

Meanwhile, China claims in its recently released White Paper 'Progress in China’s human rights in 2013' that “The socioeconomic rights of ethnic minorities are fully protected” and that "The cultural legacies of Tibet are effectively protected, and the local religion and traditional customs and social mores are respected.”

You can hear Gepe's 2012 album in full HERE - although it has been banned inside Tibet/China. 

Recent Petition

The latest victims of arbitrary detention, intimidation and 're-education' are monks situated at the Tonkyab Monastery in Tibet's Golok Gabde. Initially, the internet and phone lines were blocked following Chinese arrival at the monastery earlier this month. This was followed by the news that non-registered monks were to be expulsed, and that those remaining were to be forced to stay inside the monastery to be politically re-educated.

This latest move is because one monk wrote a book based on his understanding of the self-immolations which have been increasing since commencing in 2008. More than 100 Tibetans, both ordained and laymen, have now chosen self-immolation as their drastic expression of rejection to the Chinese oppression and its continued violent enforcements. It is also their call to the world outside Chinese ruled Tibet for the return of their right to freely practice their chosen religion and pay respect to their exiled religious leader, HHDL.

China refuses to talk with the Tibetan political leaders in exile, continues to use brutality and intimidation to force Tibetans to obey its dictations, and refuses to listen to the desperate call from the Tibetan population for the freedom to practice its peaceful religion and culture, therefore the problems remain. There had been hope that the new Chinese leader would resume talks with the Tibetans in exile and show tolerance if not full respect for the Tibetan population, but this has not been the case.

Recently a petition was started calling for China to stop its arbitrary detention policies  - which can be signed anonymously if so chosen. I include the link HERE for those interested in taking this  action in support of Tibet.

Tibet in Sydney

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to be among circa 5000 people in attendance at HHDL's teachings on Nagarjuna. This was a major event for myself, as I am sure it was for many of those attending this and the other recent events offered. I had never before attended an event with HHDL.

Several things stood out for me. Firstly, although the crowd was not entirely made up of Tibetan Buddhists, there was a strong representation of such among those present. Having had no contact other than through written word and online groups with such, it was a relaxing and enjoyable experience to be in the same building with so many people practicing the same path as I for the first time.

Secondly, I noticed the importance of HHDL to the Tibetan population. Whereas I and many others both respect and appreciate HHDL, the Tibetans seem to cherish him considerably. This was brought out strongly when a chanting-meditation session lead by a Tibetan woman occurred shortly before an afternoon session. It made me realize just how important HHDL is to the Tibetan people and allowed me to appreciate and understand his presence even more, myself.

Finally, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect to the Tibetan people and learn a little more of the culture of an amazing country. Among the various activities, were Tibetan music played during the lunch break, stalls with information, books, and contact with Tibetan people and groups, and a display of traditional Tibetan dancing performed in front of HHDL!

THE UNMISTAKEN CHILD

The Buddhist concept of reincarnation, while both mysterious and enchanting, is hard for most westerners to grasp. Israeli filmmaker Nati Baratz uses the story of monk Tenzin Zopa's search for the reincarnation of his own master to exemplify the power of that concept. Unmistaken Child (http://www.unmistakenchild.com/film.php) is a new documentary that simply  follows Tenzin Zopa as he embarks  on what becomes afour-year search by foot, mule and helicopter for the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a world-renowned Tibetan master. Christal Smith speaks with writer and director Baratz about the journey, the challenges and the mixed reactions from westerners grappling with this very different perspective on life after death. 

 

http://www.unmistakenchild.com/film.php  

Article from: http://thetibetconnection.org/index.html

Chinese Army violates int’l border in Ladakh

Sept 6 – After helicopter incursions into Indian airspace, the Chinese Army has brazenly violated the International Border in Ladakh region and painted boulders and rocks in the area red. The Chinese troops entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into the Indian territory near Mount Gya, recognised as international border by India and China, and painted the boulders and rocks with red spray paint, official sources said.

The incursions were reported from the area, generally referred in the Chumar sector in east of Leh, and painted “China” in Cantonese with red spray paint all over the boulders and rocks, they said.

The 22,420 ft Mount Gya, also known as “fair princess of snow” by Army is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and regarded as international border by the two countries.

The border patrol discovered the red paint markings on various rocks and boulders along the Zulung La (pass) on July 31 and that the Chinese had entered into the area and written “China” all over the place, the sources said.

When asked to comment on the issue, an Army spokesperson declined to answer any queries regarding this saying it was an operational matter.

Though the spokesperson refused to answer further questions, senior Army officials said the issue was being downplayed as three of its Generals were currently in Beijing and Lhasa under an exchange programme.

This incident was viewed with seriousness by the officials as the Chinese have made foray into these areas for the first time since independence and sprayed the area with red marking as deep as 1.5 to 1.7 kilometres of the Indian territory.

The border forces talked to the locals located along the border in Ladakh and Spiti from where they came to know about the incursions by the People’s Liberation Army of China in this area.

River Pareechu, which runs through Himachal Pradesh, has been a headache for frequent floods, enters Tibet from this region only.

Before this, Chinese helicopters had violated the Indian air space along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region only in June and also helli-dropped some expired food.

Reacting to this, the Army spokesperson had said “there was a report of a helicopter flying in the area south of Chumar, where India and China have differences in perception on the Line of Actual Control. It was reported by grazers.”

India and China have been engaged in talks over the Line of Actual Control and had exchanged maps in 2002. In the western sector (East Jammu and Kashmir), the Samar Lungpa area, between the Karakoram Pass and the Chipchap river, is contentious, with Chinese maps showing the LAC to be south of the Samar Lungpa.

This is the northernmost part of the border, far to the north of Leh. But while the Indo-Tibetan Border Police operates north of the line the Chinese claim to be the border, they remain south of the Lungpa.

South of the Chipchap River are the Trig Heights, comprising Points 5495 and 5459.

Chinese troops frequently enter the area and in fact, they have a name for Point 5459; Manshen Hill. The area, south-east of Trig Heights, called Depsang Ridge is also contentious. Differences were found when Chinese small-scale maps were interposed on large-scaled Indian ones.

Article from Phayul.com