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New Report on Tibetan Refugees in Nepal Reveals Alarming Expansion of Chinese Influence
December 10, 2023
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In recent years, the growing Chinese influence in Nepal has been so extensive and thorough that many Tibetan refugees living in the Himalayan state have begun calling it “Second Tibet”, alluding to the fact that the level of restrictions they experience is second only to Tibet, which is known as one of the least-free places in the world, revealed a report released today by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in conjunction with the Seoul-based Asian Dignity Initiative (ADI).

The report titled ‘Languishing in Limbo: Tibetan Refugees in Nepal’ confirms previous findings that Nepal, once known for providing a safe haven for Tibetan refugees fleeing Chinese government repression, has become a highly unsafe and insecure place for Tibetan refugees to exercise basic human rights including freedom of religion, culture and expression.

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Tibetan singer Palden sentenced to three years in prison as China intensifies constraints on freedom of expression
December 5, 2023
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A Tibetan singer named Palden has been sentenced on an unknown date a few months after his detention earlier this year in Golog (Ch: Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,  Qinghai Province, in the Tibetan province of Amdo. 

While details on Palden’s imprisonment still remain vague, it has emerged that the singer was apprehended after he shared a patriotic Tibetan song on the Chinese social media platform KuaiShou. He was held in an undisclosed location for an extended period of time before getting sentenced on unknown charges.

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Picture of Tibetan guidebook “Engaging with the UN Special Procedures”
October 24, 2023
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24 October 2023 – To mark the 78th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) founding, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has released “Engaging with the Special Procedures”, a Tibetan guidebook on one of the most significant human rights mechanisms: the Special Procedures.

Part of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) framework, the Special Procedures constitute a vital cadre of independent human rights experts and working groups. As such, the mechanisms address a broad spectrum of thematic human rights issues, encompassing civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights.

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China’s re-election to Human Rights Council exposes the crisis facing UN human rights system
October 13, 2023
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Last Tuesday, China retained its membership in the Human Rights Council, the UN’s premier rights body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights globally. China received 154 votes in its reelection bid, up from 139 it received in 2020. This is the sixth time China has been elected to the Council. 

“That China, with its long and egregious human rights record, can get itself elected to the Human Rights Council time and again is symptomatic of the deep ills that plague the UN human rights system,” said Ms Tenzin Dawa, executive director of TCHRD.

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Webinar calls China out on its Transnational Repression campaign
October 10, 2023
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On 11 October, seven advocacy groups representing Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, Han Chinese, Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians and Tibetans spoke against China’s transnational repression campaign in a webinar organised by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Ms Joey Siu, a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong, outlined the cautious measures taken by activists due to fear of reprisals against their families and relatives. She emphasised China’s use of both state-affiliated and non-state-affiliated actors in suppressing dissent.

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TCHRD concludes a successful week of advocacy at the United Nations in Geneva
October 2, 2023
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The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), represented by the executive director, Ms Tenzin Dawa, and researcher, Mr Ngawang Lungtok, actively participated in the working sessions of the 54th Human Rights Council session. This participation included attending side events, delivering oral statements, and meetings with various diplomatic missions and NGO partners based in Geneva, Switzerland.  

In the lead-up to the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the People’s Republic of China scheduled for January 2024, these engagements helped drew attention to the deplorable policies and actions undertaken by the Chinese government in Tibet.

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Unveiling enforced disappearances through the Tibetan experience – a panel discussion on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance
August 31, 2023
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In 2012, China amended its Criminal Procedure Law, introducing a provision in Article 73 that marked an unconventional departure from established legal norms. This provision enabled a practice known as “Residential surveillance at a designated location” (RSDL), which allowed authorities to detain individuals without formal arrest for up to six months. Notably, this detention could occur at a location chosen by the police, circumventing the need for disclosure, due process, and the possibility of judicial review.

This departure from conventional legal procedures raises concerns as it legalises the use of “enforced disappearance.” This practice starkly contrasts China’s obligations under international human rights treaties it had ratified, such as the International Covenant on Economic,  Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. China has also signed and ratified the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and is accountable to other customary international laws.

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China must stop persecuting Tibetan language rights advocate Tashi Wangchuk
August 24, 2023
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he Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) strongly condemns the continued persecution of the well-known Tibetan language rights advocate Tashi Wangchuk, who had been released from prison in 2021 after serving five years’ prison term on the trumped-up charges of “inciting separatism”.

Since his release from unjust imprisonment, Tashi Wangchuk has faced persistent restrictions and limitations on his movement and activities even as he continued to advocate for the promotion and protection of the Tibetan language.

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Concerns over well-being of writer Dhi Lhaden despite release from prison
August 10, 2023
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Writer Dhi Lhaden’s release following four years of confinement raises concerns over the uncertainty surrounding his physical and psychological well-being, compounded by the limited accessibility of information relating to his present circumstances.

In addition to media reports, TCHRD sources have confirmed the release of Lhaden and his return to his residence, an occasion met with much joy from fellow Tibetans. However, no immediate and comprehensive information can be obtained about his current physical and psychological condition due to heavy restrictions placed upon him and others to stop any information from being shared with outsiders.

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TCHRD Makes Submission for China’s UN Universal Periodic Review 
August 1, 2023
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The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) submitted a UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report ahead of the fourth periodic review of the People’s Republic of China in January 2024. 

The submission outlined a number of concerns and recommendations on specific human rights issues, including repression of Tibetan Buddhism, systematic attacks on the Tibetan language, freedom of expression and association, denial of legal rights of detainees and prisoners, and torture.

TCHRD will conduct a series of advocacy and lobbying activities in the months leading up to the review, targeting embassies in New Delhi and permanent missions in Geneva, respectively, so that States will raise the issues during the interactive dialogue with the PRC government.

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