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After years of finding nothing but fault with China's human rights record, a major New York-based monitor said conditions had improved in the past year. Human Rights Watch, in its "World Watch" report published yesterday

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The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said on January 14 that the visit by representatives of the Dalai Lama and releases of some high-profile Tibetan prisoners opened a new chapter in China-Tibet relations, but that there was "little" change for Tibetans in the year 2002.

Three Tibetans refugees, including two teenagers, who were arrested while attempting to transit through Nepal to India, were each given three-year prison sentences by a Nepalese court on January 8, 2003.

The Maha Bodhi temple illuminated by candles and decoration lamps during the Kalachakra festival in the town of Bodh Gaya, believed to be the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, in the Indian state of Bihar, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003. The Kalachakra festival is the largest Buddhist's prayer ceremony of the year. Photo by Vikram Kumar

Tibetans gathered at the traditional site of Buddha's enlightenment for their largest prayer ceremony of the year have taken advantage of the crowds to campaign for a boycott of Chinese products.

A group of Buddhist monks opposed to the Dalai Lama and arrested in Bihar for threatening to immolate themselves are continuing their fast in jail.

A Chinese court was expected to have a second hearing Jan. 10 for two Tibetans convicted and sentenced to death for allegedly bombing and inciting separatist activities in Tibet in April, 2002.

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Amnesty International Local Group 133 in Somerville, MA, is organizing a Get on the Bus (GOTB) trip to New York for a day of human rights action on April 14, 2003, during which they will highlight the case of the 14 Tibetan nuns in Drapchi Prison.