Tibetan singer arrested over “independence” song/ENG

2012. április 23./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, April 23: Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet have arrested a well-known Tibetan singer on suspected charges of singing songs calling for Tibet’s independence.

Lo Lo, 29, was arrested on April 19 in Yushul region of eastern Tibet. According to Lobsang Sangyal, an exile monk in south India, the singer’s arrest came months after he released an album titled “Raise the flag of Tibet, sons of the snow.”

The title song of the album calls for independence of Tibet and reunion of the Tibetan people – messages that are common to the slogans raised by the 35 Tibetans who have self-immolated in Tibet since 2009.

“To promote loyalty to the Land of Snows, For the complete independence of Tibet, With a realised understanding of our objectives, Raise the flag of Tibet- sons of the snow,” a portion of the lyrics reads.

In the song, Lo Lo further sings for the “return of the saviour” to Tibet and “reunion of the Tibetan people.”

Lo Lo’s arrest is part of a wider crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals, writers, and artists, including singers and filmmakers.

Tibetans promoting Tibetan national identity and culture have been the target of China’s ongoing onslaught on intellectuals, especially after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In mid February, another popular Tibetan singer, Ugyen Tenzin was arrested by the Chinese government for praising the His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the elected leader of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.

Ugyen was arrested after a month when his album went viral in the Tibetan regions of Chinese occupied Tibet.

Last September, Choegon, a 19-year old famous Tibetan singer was arrested from the Tibetan capital Lhasa while on an invitation to attend a music concert.