Woeser is honoured for her courage in speaking for those who are silenced and oppressed, for her compelling combination of literary quality and political reportage, for recording, articulating and supporting Tibetan culture, and for her active commitment to self-determination, freedom and development in Tibet, The Prince Claus Fund said in its press release.
During the mass demonstrations against Chinese rule and violent crackdown in 2008, Woeser’s blogs became the main source of information for the world. Relaying details from her contacts in Tibet, Woeser posted daily reports on the protests, human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings. At the height of the protests, more than 3 million internet users visited Woeser’s blog and her daily updates were translated into numerous languages. Woeser has been barred on earlier occasions by Chinese authorities from leaving China to accept the Norwegian Author’s Union’s 2007 Freedom of Expression Prize in Oslo and the International Women’s Media foundation’s 2010 ‘Courage in Journalism award’ in New York.
Chinese authorities continue to prosecute suspected protesters
A court in southwest China has charged three Tibetan monks with “intentional homicide” for hiding a fellow monk and preventing him from getting treatment after he set himself on fire, state news agency Xinhua reported 2 September. Overseas rights groups say that the monk, named Rigzin Phuntsog, committed the act to protest against government controls on the restive region of Tibet. Phuntsog set himself on fire on March 16 and was hidden for 11 hours. He died the next morning after treatments failed at a local hospital. At least three Tibetan monks have immolated themselves in China since 2009. In March 2008, Tibetan protests led by monks in Tibetan capital Lhasa were suppressed by police and turned violent.
Following last week’s sentencing of three Tibetan monks to lengthy jail terms, two more Tibetans have been given jail terms in separate incidents in eastern Tibet for carrying out protests against Chinese rule. the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said that Samphel Dhondup was sentenced to three years in jail by a Chinese court in Kardze, Tibet in August. Samphel Dhondup was arrested by the Kardze Public Security Bureau along with two other Tibetans, Lobsang Phuntsok and Lobsang Lhundup on July 10. Their whereabouts had remained unknown until the sentencing. “They raised slogans and distributed pamphlets saying ‘Freedom for Tibet’, ‘Long Live H.H the Dalai Lama’, ‘Return of the Dalai Lama’ and ‘ May the Dalai Lama and all Tibetans unite soon’ TCHRD said.
Tibetan scholar monk who gave torture testimony detained for fourth time
Jigme Guri, a Tibetan scholar monk from Labrang monastery was taken into police custody on August 20, and there are serious fears for his welfare among those who know him. This is his fourth detention. After release from an earlier detention, Jigme Guri recorded a video testimony in Tibet of racist treatment and torture in custody.
According to the same sources, on August 21, the day following his arrest, around 20-30 armed police and Public Security Bureau officials raided his quarters at Labrang (Chinese: Xiahe) monastery and confiscated his computer, books and documents. blogger Woeser speculated that his detention “could perhaps be a late settling of accounts related to his video testimony telling the world the truth about the oppression of Tibetans. His second period in detention began on March 22, 2008, following protests at Labrang monastery on March 14 and 15, 2008. Although Labrang Jigme did not take part in the protests, the authorities suspected him of being a ring-leader. He was detained and tortured for over a month, ending up in hospital.
Meeting with President B. Obama
Obama hosted the talks with Dalai Lama in July, 2011 despite a warning from Beijing to call off the meeting, which it likened to interference in China’s internal affairs. It warned that bilateral ties could be damaged.
The Dalai Lama said the meeting was “wonderful,” pointing out that Obama showed “genuine concern” for the plight of the Tibetans, who are facing a harsh crackdown by the Chinese authorities. Obama is the “president of the greatest democratic country, so naturally he is showing concern about basic human values, human rights, religious freedom,” the 76-year-old leader told reporters as he retreated to his hotel after the meeting.
China reacted angrily at the scheduled meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama, suggesting that it was interference in its internal affairs. “The issue regarding Tibet concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we firmly oppose any foreign official to meet with the Dalai Lama in any form,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.
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