Derechos Humanos / Human Rights

From the Desk of the President of the International Campaign for Tibet
10/21/2023

Recent reports out of Tibet have detailed the activities of Gyaltsen Norbu, the man China’s government appointed as a false “Panchen Lama.” If you’re not familiar with the structure of Tibetan Buddhism, it’s complex, but suffice to say the Panchen Lama is one of the most significant figures in our religion. Traditionally, he has played a role in the process of identifying the next Dalai Lama, and vice versa.

The very fact that China abducted the Panchen Lama selected by the Dalai Lama, and replaced him with their own selected “Panchen Lama” is a gross insult of Tibetan Buddhism. But now the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has taken this another step further, using their selected official to broadcast the CCP’s message calling for “Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.” He’s been turned into a puppet trying to encourage Tibetan Buddhists to endorse Xi Jinping and reject His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

With China’s recent issuing of Order 19, the government is taking the next step in its effort to Sinify Tibetan Buddhism—and their attempts to use the false Panchen Lama to spread adherence to Xi Jinping are all part of their plan. 

This bill introduced by Mia Bonta (D) and presently assigned to the California Senate Education Committee would provide the option for the governing board of a school district to censure or remove a duly elected member from office by a ⅔ vote if the member prevents the board from “conducting its business” or contradicts “inclusive policies, practices, and curriculums.” The bill is clearly targeted at removing school board trustees who oppose politicization and children indoctrination in their schools.

I you are a California resident, you may express your opposition to the bill → HERE

Under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Beijing government is wiping out all elements of Tibetan culture. From deeply held religious beliefs to Tibetan native language, history, and artistic traditions dating back thousands of years.

In particular, in January 2018, Human Rights Watch reported that Chinese government officials were coordinating a “takeover” of the important Tibetan Buddhist monastery at Larung Gar. In a move to assert greater control and bolster its surveillance of religious activities, the government has been demolishing a number of monastery buildings, and placing atheist Communist party officials in important administrative positions. The move appears to more closely align with a long history of religious restrictions targeting the practice and institutions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Nevertheless, the fact is that Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama and the President-in-exile Tencho Gyatso, have expressed their willingness to negotiate a union deal with China if their traditions, religion, and way of life are respected. This has been stated despite the unfortunate example of what is happening in Hong Kong, where the promises of the Chinese government before the annexation have turned out to be totally empty.

On July 11, 2021, a spontaneous street protest in San Antonio de los Baños, near Havana, went viral on social media and thousands took to the streets all over Cuba, marching peacefully and chanting for freedom. Authorities violently put down the protests, militarized the country, and arrested thousands; at least 1,555 detentions were documented by the group Justicia 11J. Peaceful demonstrations and arrests have continued all over the country; to date, at least 909 individuals have been sentenced to prison, 773 are still in custody, and 84 have been forced into exile. After the protests, the Cuban government enabled and encouraged a huge mass exodus that has cost many lives; in 2022 alone, Cuba Archive reported 263 deaths and disappearances of Cubans fleeing the country by land or sea. In the 22 months from July 202 to May 2023, 391,282 border encounters with Cubans, presumed entries, have been reported in the U.S. alone.

Since July 2021, 21 Cubans have been killed by state agents enabled and empowered by the Cuban government. Cuba Archive has to date documented 4,374 extrajudicial killings by the Cuban regime (partial list) since January 1st 1959, of which 3,069 were ordered executions without due process of law. This number excludes thousands more deaths of a political nature from other causes. (All victims profiled below have a record in Cuba Archive's database.)

 
Diubis Laurencio Tejeda, age 36, was shot in the back by Policeman Yoennis Pelegrín Hernández on July 12, 2021, when he fired indiscriminately at a crowd of demonstrators in the neighborhood of La Güinera, Havana, a day after the mass protests began all over the country. 5 other persons were injured by the bullets, including a 16-year-old shot in the legs, and 161 protesters reportedly faced criminal charges. Tejeda’s family was only allowed a two-hour funeral with heavy police presence and forced to have his body cremated. Authorities declared the shooting justified in "legitimate defense." Pelegrín was reportedly promoted and given a better motorcycle.