Statement for Immediate Release

Contact: Tenzin Choeying, Dharamsala, India +91 981 636 8335
Tenzin Choedon, Dharamsala, India +91 981 647 9812

Tibetans observe Losar by raising the Tibetan National Flag

14 February 2010, Dharamshala: On the auspicious first day of Losar 2137, Students For a Free Tibet (SFT) will launch a new campaign ‘Raise Our Flag’ by distributing 500 Tibetan national flags. Tibetans and supporters will be urged to raise the flags to mark the beginning of the year of the Iron Tiger; a time for change, hope, renewal and an action to express a renewed commitment and solidarity towards the Tibetan movement.

“The National Flag is a symbol of freedom and resistance. Hundreds of national flags were defiantly flown throughout Tibet in the 2008 uprising to amplify the people’s call for freedom. The flag unifies all the Tibetans in our desire to help bring change on the ground inside Tibet.” Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet, India, said.

‘Raise Our Flag’ campaign is supported by a number of local Tibetan businessmen including Chodak from Middleway Tours and Travels. Chodak explained, “As a Tibetan, I find it very inspiring hoisting our national flag on the very first day of Losar. It’s my responsibility to contribute to our cause through such campaigns.”

The modern Tibetan national flag was adopted in 1916. Its first appearance before the world was in National Geographic Magazine’s “Flags of the World” issue of 1934. (more…)

China Jails Tibetan Filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen for 6 Years

Source: Tibet.net (official site of TGiE)

Dharamshala: Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan filmmaker who was arrested by the Chinese government for documenting the current situation in Tibet and Tibetan people’s aspiration for return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, has been sentenced to six years in prison, according to information received by the Central Tibetan Administration.

The sentence was pronounced was on 28 December 2009, according to the report. But it is not known where the filmmaker was tried.

Dhondup Wangchen, aged 35, was arrested with his monk assistant named Jigme Gyatso on 26 March 2008 for making the film “Leaving Fear Behind” in Tibet, which documents the lives of Tibetans under China’s rule, views about His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Beijing Olympics. (more…)

On November 1st, after 10 years at SFT HQ, Lhadon Tethong will be stepping down as Executive Director. She is very pleased to announce that SFT’s current Deputy Director, Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor), will be stepping into this important position.

Read Lhadon’s personal message about the transition at SFT.

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 3rd for an evening of music and celebration to honor Lhadon’s 10 years at SFT. CLICK HERE for more details.