"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."
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MAHATMA GANDHI

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In this video, hear ICT’s President Matteo Mecacci, share about his appointment as Director of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. This is BIG news—check it out!

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The Board of Directors of the International Campaign for Tibet is very pleased that ICT President Matteo Mecacci has been appointed by the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as the new Director of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, based in Warsaw.

ICT Chairman Richard Gere said, “I’ve known Matteo for many years from his work with the World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet. We were happy to have him join us as President during an exceptionally challenging time for human rights and democracy in the world, which is uniquely challenging in Tibet and for the Tibetan community in exile. Matteo has done a terrific job in leading our international efforts and we are sad to see him leave, but this is an extraordinary opportunity- not only for Matteo- but for us to continue our work together for human rights. We congratulate him on this special appointment and wish him great success in this new chapter.”

Under the leadership of interim President Bhuchung K. Tsering and interim Vice President Tencho Gyatso, the Board of Directors will work closely with Matteo to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and seamless implementation of ICT’s mission, including passage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act.

Read the statement online

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You have a big job ahead of you, Robert A. Destro, the new special coordinator for Tibetan issues in the State Department, told Tibetan American youth at an International Campaign for Tibet event last month. Destro was speaking live on Nov. 19 on ICT’s Tibet Talks alongside young Tibetan leaders Aftab Pureval, clerk of the courts for Hamilton County, Ohio, and Dawa Lokyitsang, a PhD student at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Read more online

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ICT’s Tencho Gyatso was one of the main speakers at “Religious Freedom in Tibet: The Appointment of Buddhist Leaders and the Succession of the Dalai Lama.” The virtual event on Dec. 4 was hosted by Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, permanent representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

Read more online

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The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Nov. 18 urging “the swift enactment” of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act, a comprehensive bill that will dramatically upgrade US policy on Tibet, particularly on issues related to the succession or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, water security and environmental concerns. The resolution also promotes autonomy for the Tibetan people and offers them support over a number of issues they face under the repressive rule of the Chinese government.

Read more online

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Lizzy Ludwig, ICT’s Director of Development shares on behalf of the entire ICT Team how much gratitude we have for our truly incredible community (spoiler alert: it’s a lot!) and the wonderful progress we’ve made together toward a more just and peaceful Tibet. Watch the video and learn how you are making a difference!

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ICT's 2021 wall calendar Tibet: Sacred Journeys is finally available in our online store!

In the vastness of the Tibetan plateau, there were not only thousands of monasteries and temples but also a myriad of sacred mountains, lakes, rivers, boulders, and other elements of the natural environment that were either deemed to manifest sacred entities or charged with special blessings. The Tibetan people are singularly devout, and the tradition of pilgrimages goes back thousands of years, with pilgrims from across the farthest reaches of the Tibetan plateau wishing to go on yearlong pilgrimages at least once in their lives—often on foot, with some even prostrating themselves full length on the road for the entire journey. This calendar shares a glimpse of such sacred journeys in the lives of Tibetans.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have a limited quantity of this year’s annual calendar, so grab yours today!

We also restocked many of our popular prayer flags and will have some new items coming soon, so check out www.savetibetstore.org for the latest!

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The EU Global Human Rights Sanction Regime targets individuals, entities and bodies responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. ICT welcomed the adoption of the new regime and called on the EU and its Member States to use this new mechanism to target Chinese officials responsible for grave human rights violations in Tibet.

Read more online

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China began its seventh national population census in November this year with about 7 million staff scheduled to visit homes for registration work, according to Chinese state media. While projected as a means to collect information needed for the government to shape its economic development plans, some changes in the forms this year raise questions about whether the census will be used to further tighten control over the people.

Read more online

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“I would like to thank you for your support for the Tibetan people, during your time in Congress and the previous administration, as well as for your statement in September this year,” His Holiness wrote to the incoming US president. The Dalai Lama added: “I wish you every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the United States and in contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.”

Read the rest of the Dalai Lama’s message online

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The fifth plenary of the 19th Chinese Communist Party Central Committee meeting, which took place Oct. 26-29, started the process of formulating the 14th Five Year Plan, which will cover 2021 to 2025. The five-year plans are an integral part of China’s governance strategy. This report looks at the 13th Five Year Plan as it relates to Tibet and how it has shaped Chinese policies toward the Tibetan people.

Read more online

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama enjoys gazing at the freshly snow-covered Dhauladhar Mountains across from his residence in Dharamsala, India on a beautiful, clear autumn day, Nov. 27, 2020. (Photos: Tenzin Jamphel)

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Three years ago, during a mock exercise Chinese police in Guiyang City challenged the BBC’s John Sudworth to go anywhere in the city without being found by them. Within seven minutes after the reporter left the surveillance control room, he was caught by security officers based on his location caught on camera. Through this mock exercise, China sent a loud message: the Chinese state is omniscient and omnipresent.

Read more online

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A new podcast from the International Campaign for Tibet is presenting in-depth discussions with US officials, Tibetan leaders, psychologists, professors, activists, artists and others engaged with and inspired by the Tibetan cause.

Interested? Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Learn more at savetibet.org/pod/

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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!

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]