March 10, 2009 will mark 50 years since the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959. For the 50 days leading up to March 10, SFT is profiling 50 Tibetans who embody the enduring spirit of Tibetan resistance.

On DAY 48 in the countdown, we honor Ama Ade who spent 27 years in prison for her role in resisting China’s invasion.

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Four Tibet activists from Britain and the United States were detained in Beijing today after unfurling Tibetan flags and two 140-square-foot banners outside the Olympic stadium. The first read, “One World, One Dream: Free Tibet” in English, and the second read, “Tibet Will Be Free” in English and “Free Tibet” in Chinese. The whereabouts of the activists are unknown.

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Tibetans and supporters vow to continue fight against China’s injustice

24 August 2008

Dharamshala: On the final day of the Beijing Olympics, hundreds of Tibetans and supporters in Dharamshala joined protesters across the world to voice their opposition to China’s continuous violence against the Tibetans inside Tibet. Adhe Tapontsang (Ama Adhe), a former political prisoner who spent a total of 27 years in Chinese labor camps since her arrest in 1958, was the Chief Guest at the function before the protest. Rigzin Choenyi and Lhundup Sangmo, two of the famous Drapchi 14 who’ve spent 12 and 9 years respectively in Chinese prison gave their testimony to the gathering.

“We urge the international community, and especially members of the media, not to divert their attention from China after the Beijing Olympics, as the Chinese authorities are likely to intensify their hostility towards Tibetans post-Olympics” said Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet - India. “Tibetans and supporters all over the world are deeply concerned about the thousands of Tibetans who have been arrested and ‘disappeared’ since March this year, and we request governments around the world to pressurize China to release all political prisoners,” he continued. (more…)

[Dharamshala]: When China tried to show the world through its exalted opening ceremony under tight security inside as well as outside the Bird’s nest stadium at 08:08:08 pm Beijing time, Tibetans and supporters in Mcleod Ganj came together at the Main Temple for a candle light vigil wearing black masks across their mouth to protest against the lack of freedom of expression in Tibet.

Hundred butter lamps were lit and prayers were offered to the brave Tibetans souls who were killed or imprisoned for speaking out for Freedom and Justice. (more…)

An appeal for the support of Tibetan People’s Struggle for Freedom, Justice and Human Rights

Your Excellency Sir/ Madam,

The Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement (TPUM) is a global movement of Tibetans launched by four major Tibetan Non-Governmental Organizations based in India. TPUM aims to take control of the political destiny of the Tibetan people by engaging in non-violent direct struggle to end China’s illegal and brutal occupation of Tibet.

Your Excellency, foremost, we express our sincere gratitude and utmost appreciation for the overwhelming humanitarian and political support we have been rendered since China invaded and occupied our country Tibet in 1949. The entire six million Tibetans all around the world cherish this invaluable support and compassion that your esteemed Government and people continue to bestow on us in our most difficult times. (more…)

For Immediate Release

August 8,2008[Dharamshala]: Yesterday, the massive protest of Tibetans and supporters filled the streets of Dharamshala. Today stands testimony to history as China readies itself for the grandeur and the global acceptance that it so direly craves, Tibetans and Tibet supporters around the world are ever more ready to condemn China for its atrocious human rights records and all the lies China has perpetuated to cover its violent and brutal crackdown on Tibetan protesters. More Tibetans and supporters took the streets today in Dharamshala to join the global celebration of protests.

“We urge every freedom loving citizens of the world to take a stand for Tibet and pressure the Chinese government from releasing thousands of political prisoners detained since March Uprising,” said Tenzin Choeying, National Director of students for a Free Tibet - India. “Beijing will try to use the Olympics to divert world’s attention from its atrocities in Tibet to how deceloped China is. Let us all remind Beijing that we are not ignorant.” (more…)

[Dharamshala] - A day before the Beijing Olympics, thousands of Tibetans in Dharamshala became the voice of the Tibetans suppressed in Tibet and condemned China’s brutal and illegal occupation of Tibet. Tibetan supporters filled the streets of Dharamshala and snaked their way through the mountain pass, raising slogans and pleading for the international community to stand up at this critical moment for Tibet.

In the evening, a candle light vigil will proceed from Mcleod ganj square to Tsuglakhang and will be followed by the screenning of a new video footage of the uprisings in March in Tibet. Also, as a part of the Candle for Tibet, the biggest single action in the world for a free Tibet, Tibetans in Dharamshala will also light a candle on the eve of the Beijing Olympics to stand in solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet. (more…)

Preface:

The case of Tibet, even after fifty tragic years of China’s occupation, is yet to be fully recognised and treated as a global crisis - especially by the governments of major countries and, therefore, by the United Nations.

Detailed research, based on eye-witness accounts, has confirmed that well over 1.2 million Tibetans died as a direct result of China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet. The Tibetan people continue to be subjected to the worst forms of discrimination and systematic violations of their basic human rights and policies of ethnic cleansing. (more…)

Media Advisory

August 4, 2008

[Dharamshala] - With only three more days to the Olympics, Tibetans all over the world are gearing up to protest China’s brutal occupation of Tibet. Dharamshala, the heart of Tibetan freedom movement in exile, has been planning and strategizing for months to protest the Beijing Olympics.

Four NGO’s; The Tibetan Women’s Association, the GuChuSum Ex-Political Prisoner’s Movement of Tibet, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet (India), are organizing the protest and are dedicated to ending the human rights violations in Tibet, and to working actively to restore the Tibetan people’s right under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status.

When: August 7-8, 2008

Time: 9:00 am

Where: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

What: Tibetans Mass Protest

Indian and Tibetan Community in Dharamshala jointly welcomed the torch

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2008

McLeod Ganj - After traveling around the world and covering almost every state in India carrying a message of truth and resistance, the Tibetan Freedom Torch, that had a high profile start from Olympia on March 10th arrives Dharamshala - heart of the Exile Tibetans - 5 days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. The Torch is welcomed here by hundreds Tibetans and supporters along the route as it runs through the town Chanting ‘Bhod Gyalo’ (Victory to Tibet).

Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s illegitimate rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. The Chinese government responded with a brutal crackdown to the nonviolent uproar of the Tibetan people, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. Denying the widespread peaceful protest as an indication of the failure of their unjust policies in Tibet the Chinese government began aggravating the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama. (more…)