Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Central Tibetan Administration, addressing the gathering during Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage award ceremony.
Dharamshala: On the 8th death anniversary of prominent Tibetan political prisoner late Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) attended the conferral of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage at Norbu Guest House in Dharamshala on 12 July 2023. The award ceremony was jointly organised by the Tibetan Women Association (TWA), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and International Tibet Network (ITN) in honour of the renowned late political prisoner’s life and his courage.
Dorjee Tashi, a well-known Tibetan entrepreneur who the Chinese authority detained in 2008 as part of the communist government’s response to a massive uprising in Tibet, and his sister Gonpo Kyi, who held a series of overt protests to seek justice for her brother, are the recipients of this years Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage. According to the organising committee, “Dorjee Tashi has been awarded the medal for his philanthropic activities, support and dedication to the Tibetan people, whereas his sister, Gonpo Kyi, has also been honoured for her unwavering determination to fighting for her brother’s rights to justice.”
Given the pair’s unable to collect the medals, Tibetan Women’s Association and Students for a Free Tibet received the awards from the event’s chief guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering on behalf of Gonpo Kyi and Dorjee Tashi, respectively.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, in his address, lauded the indomitable spirit of Tibetan political prisoners and activists inside Tibet and their determination to fight for freedom despite the repressive policies of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He rebuked the Chinese government for imposing harsh policies and inhumane treatment of political prisoners and called on PRC to uphold international human rights laws. Given Beijing’s reputation for not regarding international laws, Sikyong apprised the gathering about the ongoing differences between China and its neighbouring as well as other democratic countries to highlight the repercussions of PRC’s reckless actions.
The guest of honour, former Tibetan political prisoner and filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, along with Ven. Tsering Dorjee, a student of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, and Wangdhen Kyab, a senior researcher at Tibet Watch, also addressed the gathering. Dhondup Wangchen and Ven. Tsering Dorjee recalled their participation in political campaigns inside Tibet, while the latter presented a brief profile of Dorjee Tashi and Gonpo Kyi. Similarly, a video message from Nyima Lhamo, the niece of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was also played during the ceremony.
Lobsang Yangtso from International Tibet Network hosting the event.
Ven. Tsering Dorjee, a student of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
Wangdhen Kyab, senior researcher at Tibet Watch
Former Tibetan political prisoner and filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen addressing the gathering as guest of honour.
Projection of Dorjee Tashi and his brief life story.
Projection of Gonpo Kyi and description of her activism.
Tibetan Women’s Association receiving the medal on behalf of Gonpo Kyi.
Student’s for a Free Tibet receiving the medal on behalf of Dorjee Tashi.
A glimpse of the award ceremony.
