Objective of Tibetan Newsletter of Tibetan Community

" The most important goal of (Tibetan) newspapers should be to report truthfully, the news and changes in the world and in particular on Tibetan affairs in the Tibetan society with authenticity, utilizing to the full extend the freedom of press. Criticism and opinions should be practiced and expressed. The reports should be published as fast as possible, in order to inform the readership and extend their knowledge. “

It has been some time since the Tibetan government in the exile began the democratization process.

In a democracy, press and liberty of opinion is of fundamental importance. Since the Tibetan people voluntarily selected the democratic path, it is very important that the instruments of speech (newspaper and media) are at our disposal.

A strong foundation of  democracy brings good relationship between the people and the government. In order to synthesize, facilitate and strengthen this relationship, television, radio, newspapers and the remaining medias are used.

The Tibetan government in the exile and the Tibetan people have at present different newspapers and magazines along with the emergence of the Internet. These form a bridge between the two.

 In the draft constitution of future Tibet, in the current constitution of the Tibetan government in the exile and in the hopes of a future Tibet by H.H The Dalai Lama, the liberty of opinion is ranked among the basics of  fundamental rights.

Therefore in 1993, with a unanimous resolution in the Municipal Association of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland, on the occasion of the birthday of H.H. 14. Dalai Lama, the first newsletter of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland was published.

The editor, who is selected in accordance to the constitution of the Municipal Association  of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Leichtenstein and their statutes (regional parliament), publishes the magazine with the following objectives:

1) To report with the newspaper and the website, informations relating to the affairs, activities, decisions and deliberations of the Municipal Assembly of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland & Leichtenstein and in other countries.

2) To inform on the activities of the Tibetans in Switzerland and to publish reports on Tibet from other medias.

3) Article and criticism for the promotion of democracy, which H.H  Dalai Lama has constantly encouraged and requested.

4) To publish four copies of the newsletter (Tibetan) in a year.

5) To write as often as possible, articles on the topics of buddhism and history of Tibet.

6) To organize, under the leadership of the Municipal Assembly of the Tibetan community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, lecture series and training courses relating to the Tibetan cause.

Opinions, comments and criticisms about the newspaper and the home pages are welcome and should be sent to the editor.

Chief editor: Mr. Gope Yonten

Objective and Dedication of this Homepage

In the year 1959 the whole of Tibet was occupied by troops of Communist China. Following the occupation 80,000 Tibetans fled to exile.

On the basis of private initiative, the Swiss Federal Council approved the inclusion of a contingent of a total of 1,000 Tibetan refugees in Switzerland within a period of 20 years. In 1963, with the help of the Swiss red cross as well as on the initiative of private individuals, "Association of the Tibetan homes" came in being, which was the first Tibetan group in Switzerland. The older Tibetans found jobs mostly as factory workers while the younger ones got training opportunities.

The goal of the Tibetans consisted not only of securing means of personal survival alone but also the survival of an entire nation as a whole. In this regard, the rescue and preservation of the cultural inheritance was acutely felt. Therefore as a first step, a representative office of His Holiness was opened in Switzerland. For the establishment of a democratic system, elections of the representatives of the respective Tibetan settlement took place for a term of office of 2 years. In 1995, further important steps were undertaken, and the period in office was extended to 3 years and the regional parliament of Switzerland (Sane Drötsog) was established. This and its statute are officially recognized by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

The body of representatives of the people is composed of elected individuals of 2 or 1 person per settlement, depending on the size of the membership of the regional parliaments. The president as well as vice-president of TCSL are selected from among these members. It is ensured through this structure that all reports, resolutions and arrangements of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile can be properly arrived at the  individual settlements and thus to the individual Tibetans.

 The Committee is obliged in the definition and execution of activities of the Tibet Community in the context of the exile constitution and co-operate exclusively with organizations officially recognized by the Government-in-exile.

On the occasion of the Constitution day and during the tenure of the 12th elected representatives of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, in the year 2002, introduced a webpage in Tibetan language. The site contains Informations about the community, its statute, yearly programs, news on Tibet, buddhism, notices of upcoming festivals etc.

Besides the general effort to attract and bring in more prospective readers,in order to cater to the needs of many young in the tibetan community, who grew up in western countries and didn't have a proper grasp on Tibetan literature and also to  western friends, in September 2005, on the occasion of the constitution day, a German-language version of the webpage was officially launched. It served as a site for information about Tibet and a platform for exchange between these various groups.

In the 2009, the existing website underwent modifications in its design. Furthermore, the entire tibetan language part was reprogrammed on unicode. This had the huge advantage of language recognition for all possible visitors.

Due to a great demand for an English language branch in the website tibetswiss.com, on the occasion of Human Rights and the Nobel Peace prize day, we have launched an English-language version in the website, commencing from 10.12. 2010.

The average number of visitors amounts to between 200 and 300 people. We are pleased to have registered about 300,000 customers (conditions 17.10.2010) on our page.

We dedicate this to His Holiness, Kyapgön Gyalwa Jamphel Ngawang Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama, religious and political head of the entire Tibetan people, carrier of the Nobel peace prize and to the innumerable courageous men and women of Tibet, who sacrificed their lives in perfect selflessness for the rights and freedom of our countrymen. 

May His Holiness live for thousand kelpas for the protection and benediction of the Tibetan people.