Group photo of the Auckland Tibetan community members with former Tibetan political prisoner Ven. Golog Jigme.
Auckland: Members of the local Tibetan community warmly received Ven. Golog Jigme, a high profile former Tibetan political prisoner and human rights activist, at the Auckland airport on 10 January 2024 and held a dinner reception in his honour on 12 January.
On the day of the dinner reception, the Auckland Tibetan Association (ATA) organised a talk session with Ven. Golog Jigme followed by a Q & A session with the public.
Ven. Golog Jigme spoke about his covert political activities that started in the nineties, where he distributed His Holiness’s 10th March statements. By 2004-05, he had become more determined and active in his approach. He has been described as a monk of moral integrity and a sincere social worker by locals in Tibet. He later participated in the 2008 Tibetan national uprising as well as making the documentary film Leaving Fear Behind with Dhondup Wangchen. This resulted in him being arrested thrice between 2008-2012 and tortured almost to death before he managed to escape one night.
ATA President extended heartfelt gratitude to the renowned former Tibetan political prisoner for his courage and sacrifice for the Tibetan cause. A member of the community said, “You have truly lived up to your name – Jigme, which means ‘fearless”.
In conclusion, Ven. Jigme stressed the importance of unity in the exile community, stating, “We only make the People’s Republic of China’s job easier if we are not united”.
Golog Jigme will spend the coming weeks in New Zealand, travelling through the South Island with his family. This is his second visit to the island nation in the South Pacific.
-Report filed by OoT Canberra
