NEWSLETTERS
Tibet Update – August 2025
INSIDE:
Hear from ICT’s new Executive Director, Ryan Fioresi
—
Last month, ICT welcomed Ryan Fioresi as our new Executive Director. In this video, hear from Ryan firsthand about his role and some of ICT’s priorities.
Tibetan activists face intense scrutiny during Xi Jinping’s Lhasa visit
—
Heavy-handed tactics, including pervasive surveillance and large-scale security forces continue to be increasingly deployed across Lhasa and all of Tibet, underscoring China’s determination to project a false veneer of harmony while silencing dissent. By undermining freedoms and reinforcing a climate of fear, the Chinese authorities’ actions highlight the urgent need for sustained international scrutiny of human rights in Tibet.
Dalai Lama delivers Buddhist teachings in Ladakh
—
Earlier this month the Dalai Lama delivered teachings to an estimated 50,000 people in Ladakh, India. “Not so long ago I had a vision of the Buddha before me,” the Dalai Lama told the audience. “He looked up, saw me and beckoned me to him. He said a few words that invoked bodhichitta and emptiness, which made me very happy.”
Tsang Monastery senior leader commits suicide amid Chinese oppression
—
On August 18, 2025, Shersang Gyatso, a 52-year-old senior leader at Tsang Monastery, took his own life after facing Chinese authorities’ intense scrutiny, intimidation, and repressive intrusions into his monastic community. His death followed heightened state surveillance around the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday on July 6, mandatory ideological indoctrination, interference with traditional religious practices, and the forced expulsion of young monks from Tsang Monastery.
ICT statement: China’s broken promises to Tibetans cloud the TAR’s 60th anniversary
—
September 9, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the so-called “Tibet Autonomous Region.” While Chinese state media is striking a predictably upbeat tone on the anniversary, the reality is that Tibetans have little to celebrate.
“For our brothers and sisters in Tibet, the last sixty years have lurched from one calamity to another,” said International Campaign for Tibet President Tencho Gyatso. “Instead of forcing Tibetans to put on a performance of gratitude, China must change course and put the interests of the Tibetan people ahead of their own compulsive need for power and control.”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering lauds Central Tibetan Administration milestones
—
Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited the Bir Bhoetsog Tibetan Settlement as part of his ongoing official engagements. “Continuous sustenance of Tibetan settlements and institutions is vital to ensure the survival of the Tibetan freedom struggle,” Sikyong said during his visit. “Until and unless the Tibet-China dispute is resolved, sustaining these aspects is essential to keep our efforts and movement alive.”
Much-reduced State Department report documents China’s abuses in Tibet
—
As in previous years, the State Department’s 2024 Country Report on Human Rights Practices for Tibet confirms ongoing and serious human rights abuses against the Tibetan people, including disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrest, and restrictions on religious freedom. Alarmingly, however, this report lacks the deep substance of past editions.
- Hear from ICT’s new Executive Director, Ryan Fioresi
- Tibetan activists face intense scrutiny during Xi Jinping’s Lhasa visit
- Dalai Lama delivers Buddhist teachings in Ladakh
- Tsang Monastery senior leader commits suicide amid Chinese oppression
- ICT statement: China’s broken promises to Tibetans cloud the TAR’s 60th anniversary
- Sikyong Penpa Tsering lauds Central Tibetan Administration milestones
- Much-reduced State Department report documents China’s abuses in Tibet
- August is National Make a Will Month, and ICT is sharing a free tool with our supporters!
- ICT’s 2025 Wall Calendar … Now just $5!
- Smart Giving: A savvy choice to make a big impact during periods of financial unpredictability
SUPPORT TIBET
August is National Make a Will Month, and ICT is sharing a free tool with our supporters!
—
August is Make-a-Will Month, and we're sharing a free tool for our entire community to make their wills and make an impact—for their futures, their loved ones, and if they so choose, ICT's work for Tibet. By documenting your wishes in a will, you can protect the individuals in your life, plan for all of your assets, and even include an optional gift to ICT to build your legacy with us. You will help the Tibet movement for generations to come. We've partnered with FreeWill because their secure online resource can help you create your will within 20 minutes for free.
Make my will to make an impact »
ICT's 2025 Wall Calendar … Now just $5!
—
ICT's 2025 calendar, The Heart of Compassion | Honoring the 90th Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is now on sale for just $5 plus shipping! We are overjoyed to have worked in collaboration with Tenzin Geyche Tethong and his book, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography in creation of this special edition calendar celebrating the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Smart Giving: A savvy choice to make a big impact during periods of financial unpredictability
—
From climate change to the survival of democracy, Tibet is at the heart of the biggest challenges facing our world. That's why we're thrilled to share financially smart ways to give that will promote human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet:
- Stock: When you donate appreciated stock, you can save on two types of taxes by avoiding capital gains tax and often getting a full deduction for the value of your gift.
- IRA gifts: If you're 70.5 or older, donations from your IRA reduce your taxable income and can help meet a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) if you must take one.
- Donor-Advised Funds: With a grant recommendation from your Donor-Advised Fund, you can give from the money you've already set aside without spending an additional cent!
- Crypto: A donation of appreciated cryptocurrency can help you avoid capital gains taxes and get a big tax deduction.
We hope you consider the donation option(s) best for you, and together, we can shift the balance toward compassion and kindness.
When you give these types of gifts, please use the tools linked above so we can track your gift, send you the right receipt and ensure you get the tax savings you deserve.