Testimony of Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Central Tibetan Administration before the Italian Senate¹s Extraordinary Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

Rome - 5 December 2013

President Senator Luigi Manconi, Commission members, I thank you for this opportunity to testify before the Senate¹s Committee for the Protection of Human Rights on behalf of the Tibetan people.

Tibet¹s association with Italy dates back to 1716, when Tuscan Jesuit Ippolito Desideri arrived in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. He was the first European to have successfully studied Tibetan language and culture. This connection endures to this day with Italy providing a second home to Tibetans who have sought political refuge. Many Italian cities and towns including the great City of Rome have also honored His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an honorary citizen.

In expression of support, the Italian Chamber of Deputies unanimously adopted a resolution on 8 February 2009 calling on the People¹s Republic of China to engage in dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama¹s Envoys to resolve the Tibet issue. It also called for an immediate end to repression in Tibet and on the Italian Government to promote a monitoring initiative on human rights violations in Tibet at the United Nations. Similarly, the Italian Chamber of Deputies¹ Committee for Foreign Affairs passed a resolution on 8 February 2012, reiterating the above recommendations to the Italian government. We thank you for these gestures of solidarity.

Milano, 10 dicembre 2013

Human Rights Day

In occasione della ricorrenza del 10 dicembre, Giornata Internazionale dei Diritti Umani, l'Associazione delle Donne Tibetane in Italia, in collaborazione con l'Associazione Italia-Tibet e il supporto della Comunità Tibetana in Italia-Onlus, organizza a Milano una

FIACCOLATA DI SOLIDARIETA' IN RICORDO DEI 129 TIBETANI
IMMOLATISI CON IL FUOCO PER LA LIBERTA' DEL TIBET

Raduno alle ore 17.30 in Piazza S. Babila

Attraverso Corso Matteotti e Piazza Meda, il corteo raggiungerà Piazza della Scala dove si terranno alcuni interventi e sarà recitata una preghiera.

Dear all,

On 12th October 2013, Orissa Tibetan Settlement was battered by the devastating cyclone Phailin with wind gust of 240km/ph. The deadly storm flattened and destroyed 90 % of the standing crop across 1240 acres. According to the assessment survey conducted at the ground zero by District Agriculture officer and Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration, the estimated loss amounts to Indian rupees 20 million (Swiss franc 0.33 million). Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the settlers.

Amongst others, economically the devastation left a huge hardship to the farmers with debts and loans to commercial banks and cooperative societies. Farmers normally take loans to meet the cost of agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, labor and so on.

The Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) is urgently appealing individuals, institutions and organizations for donations to rebuild their lives.

Please send your donation in the below bank account.

Account holder:      Tibet Bureau Switzerland, 1201 Geneva

IBAN:                          CH87 0025 7257 7559 1604U

October 23 ·  · Taken at Campidoglio Sala del Carroccio

Oggi Palden Gyatso ha condiviso con noi le drammatiche memorie di 33 anni della sua vita trascorsi in prigione. Il pubblico ha ascoltato attento e assorto le sue parole, insieme a quelle degli organizzatori dell'evento e degli ospiti istituzionali che ne hanno sostenuto la realizzazione.

La sala del Carroccio era troppo "piccola", non solo per accogliere tutte le persone che la hanno riempita fin sulle scale ma, soprattutto per contenere la commozione, condivisa, di fronte a un "grande vecchio" che sfida, incurante, gli anni presenti, così come ha fatto per le torture e per gli indicibili dolori del passato. Senza arrendersi o fermarsi mai.

Monaco tibetano, testimone vivente della sofferenza del suo popolo dopo aver trascorso 33 anni della sua vita nelle carceri cinesi. Autore del best-seller "Il fuoco sotto la neve", in cui racconta le torture e le angherie subite dagli aguzzini di Pechino. Rilasciato nel 1992, vive da esule a Dharamsala.

Lunedi 30 settembre, ore 21:00

Milano, Spazio SIRIN - via V. Vela 15