Free Tibet

The Free Tibet Stop Torture mini-site has...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:14:47 +0000

The Free Tibet Stop Torture mini-site has reopened.

www.freetibet.org/stoptorture/

Chinese military in Rebkong February 2013, a set on...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:25:49 +0000

Chinese military in Rebkong February 2013, a set on Flickr.

Incredible images of Chinese military in Rebkong in February 2013. Find out more at www.freetibet.org/join

Facebook doesn't want you to see this picture

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:14:58 +0000

This is Tsesung Kyab, a Tibetan protester who set himself on fire and died yesterday.

More than 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire over the last two years. Images of their protest have been shared all over the web, some more graphic than others, in an attempt to bring the reality of what is happening inside Tibet to the world.

For some reason, Facebook yesterday singled out Tsesung Kyab for special treatment and removed this image from the Free Tibet Facebook page.

Facebook claims the picture was in breach of its community standards which state:

“People use Facebook to share events through photos and videos. We understand that graphic imagery is a regular component of current events, but must balance the needs of a diverse community. Sharing any graphic content for sadistic pleasure is prohibited.”

Comparing attempting to raise awareness of protest to taking “sadistic pleasure” is a thoughtless and ridiculous claim for Facebook for make.

The Chinese leadership must be ecstatic.

Tibetan protests 2012, a set on Flickr.Thousands of Tibetans...

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:07:18 +0000

Tibetan protests 2012, a set on Flickr.

Thousands of Tibetans protested throughout 2012. View our online slideshow with images of the protests:

Chinese state TV broadcast of military gathered in Potala Square...

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Chinese state TV broadcast of military gathered in Potala Square in Lhasa to watch the opening day of the 18th Party Congress. Tibetans were prevented from entering Potala Square, normally a public area.

China's 'friends'

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:31:08 +0000

The Chinese have been particularly good ‘friends’ to Tibetans recently. In fact, after the recent crackdown in Drango, reports suggest every single family in the county has been allotted a special ‘friend’ they can talk to, and perhaps even confide in.

These ‘Chinese friends’, as they are known, are especially interested in Tibetans who may have been talking to relatives who live abroad, or buying petrol.

There are even fears that telephone lines, only just connected after a 5-month long communications blackout, have been bugged. Clearly it’s not been Tibet’s day, their week, their month or even their year.

Take a look around our website and see if you can’t help Tibet be there too, like it’s been there before. Help Tibet be there for you, by being there for it too.

This is Geshe Tenzin Phalsang, the fifth monk from Drango to be...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:03:12 +0100

This is Geshe Tenzin Phalsang, the fifth monk from Drango to be disappeared by Chinese security forces in the last year.

He was disappeared in April after helping Tibetans who had been wounded during the Drango protests in January, where Chinese forces had opened fire on Tibetan protesters, killing two and injuring dozens.

Geshe Tenzin Phalsang joins the Drango Four, a group of Tibetan monks who were disappeared in January, and haven’t been heard from since.

We need as many people as possible to take action. Geshe Tenzin Phalsang and the Drango Four are just a tiny minority of the Tibetans who have been disappeared by Chinese forces. Campaign for their release now.

Two Tibetans have set themselves on fire in 72 hours Protests in...

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:04:00 +0100

Two Tibetans have set themselves on fire in 72 hours

Protests in Tibet have been escalating in recent weeks and continue to do so with events this morning confirming the second self-immolation protest in less than 72 hours and the total number since March 2011 fast approaching 60.

Dhondup, in his mid 50s, set himself on fire at around 0930 am (local time) in the grounds of the ancient Labrang Monastery in Eastern Tibet. The monastery is steeped in history and is well-known for its resistance to Chinese rule, but this is the first self-immolation to take place there.

On Saturday, 27-year-old father of two Lhamo Kyab (pictured) was running towards the Bhora monastery near Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet when he set himself on fire after calling for the Dalai Lama to be allowed to return to Tibet.

Both men died from their protests.

Release the Drango Four

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:12:11 +0100

In January 2012, four monks were seized by Chinese security forces from the city of Tridu. They have not been seen or heard from since.

They are:

Thinley, 42, business manager for the Drango monastery
Tashi (or Dralha) Thupgyal, 31, accountant for Drango monastery
Tulku Lobsang Tenzin, 40, from Gochen monastery
Geshi Tsewang Namgyal, 42, teacher and academic from Drango monastery

They travelled to Tridu, following protests which had just taken place in Drango, when Chinese authorities opened fire on protesters, killing two and injuring dozens more.

Internet cafe

Although the monks were not involved in protesting, it is believed the authorities suspected they were trying to send information about what had happened. Some of the monks are said to have been rounded up by security forces in an internet cafe.

It’s been more than nine months since anyone heard from the Drango Four, even though no charges have been brought against them and no information given regarding their whereabouts or wellbeing.

We need as many people as possible to take action. They are just a few of the hundreds of Tibetans who have been disappeared by Chinese forces. Campaign for their release now.

Take action for the Drango Four. Missing since January.

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:40:13 +0100

Take action for the Drango Four. Missing since January.

The Drango Four

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:35:00 +0100

Around eight months ago, four Tibetans were disappeared by Chinese security forces. We know that some were taken at an internet café, other than that, their current whereabouts and well-being is unknown.

The monks (from order of left to right) are: Thinley, who is a business manager at Drango monastery; Tahsi (or Dhala) Thupgyal, an accountant at Drango monastery; Geshi Tsewang Namgyal, who is a teacher and academic form Drango manastery and Tulku Lobsang Tenzin, a lama from Gochen monastery.

Jamyang Palden (pictured) set himself on fire in Rebkong on 14...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:50:44 +0100

Jamyang Palden (pictured) set himself on fire in Rebkong on 14 March. He died on Saturday evening as a result of the injuries sustained during his protest. He had been protesting against the ongoing brutal occupation of Tibet by Chinese forces. Jamyang’s self-immolation sparked further protests, documented on video here.

More than 50 people have now set themselves on fire in Tibet as...

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:02:00 +0100

More than 50 people have now set themselves on fire in Tibet as a protest against China’s brutal occupation. World leaders remain silent. Free Tibet

Tibet is not represented at the Olympics, that’s why we...

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:40:46 +0100

Tibet is not represented at the Olympics, that’s why we are asking people who are near Olympic locations or signs to do things like this. See the slideshow so far and get involved.

The Tibet flag is a ‘restricted item’ at Olympic...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:31:48 +0100

The Tibet flag is a ‘restricted item’ at Olympic venues. Join our campaign to get the flag represented at London 2012. Fly the flag

This is Lobsang Lobzin who set himself on fire and died in...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:32:00 +0100

This is Lobsang Lobzin who set himself on fire and died in Tibet. The wave of Tibetan protests shows no signs of abating. Free Tibet!

Full story

Chinese state mouthpiece China Daily today published an article...

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:12:00 +0100

Chinese state mouthpiece China Daily today published an article claiming 1 million Tibetan nomads “have chosen” to resettle into purpose-built concrete housing. But does this gentleman really look like he would choose to live in one of these houses?

In fact, China’s policy forcibly removes nomads from their traditional lands and plans to forcibly resettle another 13,400 nomadic families by 2015. This policy is destroying the nomadic way of life in Tibet.

This is Jigme Dolma. A 17-year-old Tibetan girl who was beaten...

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:30:22 +0100

This is Jigme Dolma. A 17-year-old Tibetan girl who was beaten and detained by security forces for calling for freedom for her country. Free Tibet!

This is Dargye who set himself on fire in Lhasa on 27 May along...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:04:06 +0100

This is Dargye who set himself on fire in Lhasa on 27 May along with his friend Dorje Tseten. Dargye survived but we currently do not know anything else about his condition or current whereabouts.

Nyawang Norpal, aged 22 (left), and Tenzin Kaldrup, aged 24...

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:13:00 +0100

Nyawang Norpal, aged 22 (left), and Tenzin Kaldrup, aged 24 (right), set fire to themselves on 20 June in Zathod Township, Eastern Tibet. Read the full story on our website.