"It’s in keeping with the philosophy of nonviolence. That’s what the movement was always about, to have the capacity to forgive and move toward reconciliation."
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CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS

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In this video, Matteo shares the latest news, including the long advocated for implementation of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (RATA) that you helped get passed in 2018, and the launch of ICT’s Tibet 2020 campaign. Check it out!

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The State Department has announced that pursuant to the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (RATA), Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for keeping Americans out of Tibet will be denied entry to the US.

Reacting to the announcement, ICT President Matteo Mecacci said, “Through this decision about sanctioning Chinese officials responsible for denying access to Tibet to Americans, the US is sending Beijing a clear message that it will face consequences for its human rights abuses and continued isolation of Tibet from the outside world.”

Read more online

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As the United States approaches the November presidential election, ICT is launching a campaign to raise awareness of China’s oppression in Tibet among the US public and presidential candidates.

Sign the petition today!

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Birthday wishes spread across the globe as His Holiness the Dalai Lama turned 85 and world leaders, activists, artists and International Campaign for Tibet members all celebrated the joyful occasion.

ICT—which has served the vision of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people for more than three decades—honored His Holiness’ birthday with a live online event Monday, July 6, 2020, featuring ICT’s first president and several of its longtime members, as well as by collecting over 7,500 birthday wishes for His Holiness from members of our community. Thank you to all of you who joined in the celebration!

Watch the Tibet Talk event

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“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. He was not only a leader of the American civil rights movement; his principled commitment to non-violence and justice made him an inspiration and a moral beacon to the world at large.”

Read the rest of the Dalai Lama’s statement here.

ICT joins His Holiness in honoring the life of Congressman John Lewis who, like His Holiness, understood the importance of nonviolence, peace and justice, set an example and practiced it all his life.

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Five years after the renowned monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche died in a Chinese prison, new restrictions have been imposed on Tibetans in his hometown of Lithang to prevent them from noting the occasion. Sources who wished to remain anonymous informed ICT that Tibetans in Lithang were ordered not to participate in any public events on July 12, including burning incense, propitiating the deities, going around without any reason, gathering in public, or sending photos on WeChat. There were warnings of unspecified “consequences” for anyone who violated the restrictions.

Read more online

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Two Tibetans are facing multiple years in a Chinese prison on charges of “subversion” and “leaking state secrets” after they composed and circulated a song in praise of the Dalai Lama. A Tibetan source who wished to remain anonymous said the lyricist, Khadro Tseten, was sentenced to seven years, while the singer, Tsego, was sentenced to three years.

Read more online

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Founders Kim and Kalsang Yeshi’s mission when they launched Norbulingka in Dharamsala, India over 25 years ago was twofold; preserving Tibetan culture and creating a source of livelihood for Tibetan refugees in need. By creating an environment where exiled master artisans passed on their knowledge of religious art to young Tibetans in need of work, they did just that. The dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm of Norbulingka’s community has helped change the lives of more than 1,000 Tibetans, assuring not only their livelihood, but a future for Tibetan art and culture.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Norbulingka. But, you can help. Shop the impressive collection of thangkas, malas, apparel, home goods and more in their online store and support this community of artisans and scholars while getting a beautiful piece of Tibetan handiwork. Use code “THANKYOU” for 10% off your order.

And, if you have the opportunity to travel to Dharamsala one day, we highly recommend a visit to explore Norbulingka’s beautiful campus, eat at their delicious restaurants and witness firsthand the splendor of Tibetan art!

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For obvious reasons, the timing of John Lewis’ death last week felt like a heavy blow. Not only have most of our lives ground to a halt in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but our country is also in the midst of a massive reckoning over racial injustice. And now we have lost the light of one of the last remaining luminaries of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Read more online

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Tibet Talks are streamed through Facebook Live and on our website at savetibet.org/live

AMBASSADOR PAULA DOBRIANSKY
Former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues (2001-2009)
 

 
Thursday, July 30, 2020
1 pm EDT / 10 am PDT

Ambassador Dobriansky served as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues during the George W. Bush presidency (2001-2009) and played a pivotal role in coordinating US policy on Tibet at the highest levels of government, both in the US and internationally.

The conversation will aim to provide information and raise awareness about Tibet for the American public as part of the Tibet 2020 campaign launched by ICT.
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Recordings of past Tibet Talks, including the July 16 conversation with Conrad Anker, a master alpinist, climber and Rowell Fund for Tibet board member, and ICT Board Member John Ackerly, are available at www.savetibet.org/live!

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In these trying times when many of us are doing more of our shopping online, you can provide a little extra support for ICT through the AmazonSmile Program. Through this FREE program, Amazon will make a donation for the value of .5% of your qualifying Amazon purchases to ICT! All you have to do is designate ICT as your charity of choice and be sure to use smile.amazon.com every time you shop with Amazon.

These small donations add up to significant funds for ICT- funds that are especially needed and appreciated during this challenging time!

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The latest edition of ICT’s annual wall calendar, The Dalai Lama: Glimpses into a Life of Wisdom, features 12 photographs of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the renowned Indian photographer Raghu Rai, who has closely followed His Holiness' life. Today His Holiness, who has retired from his Tibetan political leadership, devotes himself to promoting human values and religious harmony everywhere while continuing to draw attention to the rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage, which he feels has much to contribute to the development of world civilization. This calendar is a tribute to the Dalai Lama by the International Campaign for Tibet.

Add a little inspiration and positivity to your home office during this challenging time. We have fewer than 100 copies left, so order yours today!

Visit the ICT store

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Though we know it is the dedication, compassion and heart-connection to Tibet that motivates our community to donate to ICT’s work, we wanted to share this provision from the CARES Act that incentivizes charitable giving during this challenging time.

Section 2204 of the CARES Act provides for a special incentive for charitable contributions: a universal tax deduction of up to $300 is provided for charitable contributions on 2020 tax returns when the standard deduction is taken. This provision reinstates the opportunity for gifts of all sizes to qualify as tax deductible. While this above-the-line deduction doesn’t apply to donors who itemize their deductions, an additional tax incentive that increases the cap on charitable contributions from 60% of your AGI to 100% will benefit itemizers, too.

Please consult your tax advisor regarding these new 2020 tax deduction opportunities.

The Tibet Update Newsletter is a summary of news and governmental actions related to Tibet.

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International Campaign for Tibet
1825 Jefferson Place NW | Washington, DC 20036 | United States of America
Phone: (202) 785-1515 | Fax: (202) 785-4343 | [email protected]