Tibetans in exile

20 Stories

Self-Immolation Failing, Tibetans Turn to New Protest

Lhakar emphasizes all things Tibetan

(Newser) - Since 2009, 112 Tibetans have died by setting themselves on fire to protest for the independence of Tibet from China. But increasingly Tibetans, both those in exile and those in China, are turning away from grisly self-immolation and instead are protesting through "Lhakar," as assertion of Tibetan identity...

New Tibetan Prime Minister Sworn In

Lobsang Sangay will follow Dalai Lama's policies

(Newser) - A Harvard-trained legal scholar was sworn in today as the new head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, taking over from the Dalai Lama as leader of his people's fight for freedom. Lobsang Sangay, who was elected in April by tens of thousands of Tibetans in exile, was surrounded by hundreds...

As Dalai Lama Pulls Back, Tibetans Elect Political Head

Lama will remain as spiritual leader

(Newser) - Tibetans in exile elected Harvard-educated academic Lobsang Sangay as their new prime minister today, hoisting him into the role of political leader that the Dalai Lama is vacating, the Wall Street Journal reports. Until now, the prime minister, or “Kalon Tripa,” of Tibet’s government in exile has...

Dalai Lama Giving Up Political Role

Spiritual leader making way for elected head of exiled government

(Newser) - The Dalai Lama is relinquishing his role as political leader of Tibet's government-in-exile to make way for an elected figure. The 75-year-old leader—speaking in India on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule—stressed that he isn't retiring and will remain as his people's spiritual guide...

Dalai Lama to Tibet: You Need 2 of Me

(Newser) - The Dalai Lama has told Tibetans his successor should not bear the burden of being both spiritual and political leader to their community, the Independent reports. "When we put the whole responsibility in the person of the Dalai Lama, it is dangerous," he said in a video address...

China, Dalai Lama Steel for Battle Over New Tibet Leader

Dalai Lama prepared to break with tradition in selection process

(Newser) - With the Dalai Lama nearing 74, Chinese officials and Tibetan spiritual leaders are steeling for the possibility of competing successors after his death. Historically, the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has been found within Tibet, which has been controlled by China since 1951. Chinese officials insist on adhering to tradition,...

Tibet Strategy 'Failed': Lama
Tibet Strategy 'Failed': Lama

Tibet Strategy 'Failed': Lama

Leader to meet 600 exiles on Monday; he may relinquish power or take harder stance

(Newser) - Nearly five decades since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet, he and his followers are growing restless. Last month, the Lama announced that the “middle way” strategy he pursued for 30 years—an attempt to negotiate autonomy for Tibet rather than pure independence—had failed. “As far as I’...

Dalai Lama's Advice Runs to Earthier Tones

Exile's Indian headquarters draws seekers of celestial, and not-so-celestial, guidance

(Newser) - Driven by questions both spiritual and secular, more Westerners are heading to the Dalai Lama's headquarters-in-exile, the Wall Street Journal reports. Humble despite being proclaimed a “God-King,” Tibet's spiritual leader has sought “opportunities to be interactive” in the Indian town of Dharmsala—seeing a wide variety of...

Nepal Detains 560 Tibetan Women

Cracks down on 3 all-female protests against China

(Newser) - Nepalese authorities today arrested 560 Tibetan women, including Buddhist nuns, for protesting China's actions in three all-female rallies across Kathmandu. They marked the first protests of their kind, and the largest round-up since China's crackdown in the region in March; the prisoners will be freed later. Nepal, home to 20,...

Dalai Lama to China: Stop Smearing Me

But he calls new talks with Beijing 'respectful' and promising

(Newser) - If Chinese leaders truly believe the Dalai Lama was behind the Lhasa riots, “then they should go to Oslo and see to it that I am stripped of my Nobel Peace Prize,” the spiritual leader tells Der Spiegel. The Tibetan leader is tired of China’s accusations, and...

Dalai Lama's Home-in-Exile Is Hippie Haven

Ex-pats turn Himalayan town into counterculture zone

(Newser) - Western ex-patriots have turned the Dalai Lama's home-in-exile into a hippie hotspot, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The Himalayan town of Dharamsala, population 20,000, has become a center for for espresso-sipping yoga-lovers and web-surfing monks. Many more come in search of wisdom, but the town is not without its...

China Skewers House Speaker
 China Skewers House Speaker 

China Skewers House Speaker

Media rips Pelosi, touts Olympics as triumph of 'good over evil'

(Newser) - Chinese state-sponsored media today blasted US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her stance supporting Tibet.  Belligerent  editorials from the official Xinhua news agency ripped Pelosi as "the most disgusting person" and a "protector of mobsters, arsonists and murderers." Pelosi has urged President Bush to boycott the...

London Erupts in Torch Protests

Activist grabs torch, 25 busted in street battles with cops

(Newser) - Despite massive security, London erupted today in a series of protests along the route of the Olympic flame relay, and a "free Tibet" protester managed to grab the torch before police wrestled him to the ground, reports the Guardian. At least 25 protesters were busted as scores of police...

India Tries to Placate Both China and Tibet

Home of exiled Dalai Lama plays delicate balancing act

(Newser) - India enjoys a trade relationship with China, its fellow powerhouse economy, that experts value at around $40 billion this year. But it also hosts the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government in exile, and about 100,000 Tibetans who live in the country. As tensions in Tibet continue, writes the Washington ...

Bush Urges China-Tibet Dialogue
Bush Urges China-Tibet Dialogue

Bush Urges China-Tibet Dialogue

Protesting monks disrupt tour of foreign journalists in Lhasa

(Newser) - President Bush called Chinese President Hu Jintao today and urged Beijing to begin talks with the Dalai Lama, the BBC reports. Bush also pressed for greater access to Tibet for journalists and diplomats, the White House said. China today allowed a small group of foreign reporters into Lhasa for the...

China Rips Dalai Lama for Olympic 'Sabotage'

Leader plotting to hold games 'hostage,' says Beijing

(Newser) - Beijing is charging that the Dalai Lama incited recent protests in Tibet as part of a "terror" plot to ruin the Olympic games, Reuters reports. "The Dalai Lama is scheming to take the Beijing Olympics hostage to force the Chinese government to make concessions to Tibet independence,"...

Official China Paper: 'Crush' Tibet Protests

McCain slams continuing crackdown

(Newser) - The newspaper of China’s ruling party has called for a move to “resolutely crush” Tibet’s protests against the government, the AP reports. “We must see through the secessionist forces' evil intentions” and maintain “social stability,” said the People’s Daily. Meanwhile, Beijing has asked...

India Crushes Tibetan March
 India Crushes Tibetan March 

India Crushes Tibetan March

Police bust exiles trying to march back home

(Newser) - Indian police stopped a group of Tibetan exiles marching back to their homeland after just 30 miles, reports the BBC. The activists set off Monday from Dharamsala, the seat of the exiled Tibetan government, heading for the Chinese border on the 49th anniversary of a failed Tibetan coup to throw...

Tibetan Voices Grow Louder
Tibetan Voices Grow Louder

Tibetan Voices Grow Louder

Plight of Tibet is back in the spotlight

(Newser) - Nearly a half-century after China brutally crushed Tibetan opposition and sent the Dalai Lama into exile, calls for China to give Tibet more freedom are stronger than they have been in decades. While Beijing remains unwilling to budge, activists plan to use China's time in the Olympic spotlight to show...

Tibetans Begin Trek Home to Protest China Policies

Thousands bid farewell to marchers as they leave Dharamsala

(Newser) - Cheering thousands bid farewell to more than 100 Tibetan exiles as they began a trek today from India back to their homeland to protest China's rule over Tibet.  "Everybody is pumped up," said one marcher. "Many people were in tears as they said goodbye." ...

20 Stories