Tibet is one of the biggest victims of Human Right Violation to date. It was once an independent state headed by Dalai Lama (Spiritual and political Head of Tibet) but was forcefully annexed into China by then ruling of the People’s Republic of China. Since 1959, people of Tibet have been struggling for their rights such as Freedom of Expression, Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of Identity.
“These 50 years have brought untold suffering and destruction to the land and people of Tibet. Today, the religion, culture, language and identity … are nearing extinction; in short, the Tibetan people are regarded like criminals deserving to be put to death … However, the fact that the Tibet issue is alive and the international community is taking a growing interest in it is indeed an achievement. I have no doubt that the justice of Tibet’s cause will prevail, if we continue to tread the path of truth and nonviolence.” – The 14th Dalai Lama, 2009.
Tibet is a region on Tibetan Plateau in Asia, covering 2.4 million square kilometres, about ¼ of Total Chinese territory. It is the highest region on earth with a mean elevation of 4900 meters. Tibet holds strategic importance due to its proximity with India, the type of terrain it holds and It also is a centre of Buddhist Religion.
Tibetan dispute dates back a century, Tibet declared independence after falling of Qing Dynasty and kept function as Independent protectorate till 1959.
Tibetans signed a seventeen point agreement, handing over their sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China. Now China uses this very document as their validation over Tibet.
HISTORY OF TIBETAN UPRISE:- Timeline
1959- In Lhasa full-scale uprising broke out, tens of thousands die in brutal suppression by Chinese. Tibet was invaded by some 30000 Chinese troops who tortured, molested and raped an estimated 1.2 Lakh Tibetans. Dalai Lama’s government was exiled.
Dalai Lama was offered refuge by India. About 1 lakh people followed Dalai Lama to India and took refuge here, they were made to lose their homeland, to preserve their cultural and religious identity.
1965- Chinese authorities recognized Tibet as T.A.R. (Tibetan Autonomous Region). China retaliated the Indian move of providing Dalai Lama refuge by waging war against India.
1987- Dalai Lama asks to establish Tibet as a zone of peace and reinitiate dialogue for betterment of Tibet and it’s people.
1988- China imposed martial law in Tibet after a serious of riots as the initiations of Dalai Lama failed considerably.
1989- Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as the International community recognized his contribution and selfless efforts to establish peace.
• Present Scenario
This region is administered by China as T.A.R..Tibetans accuse China of carrying large scale Human Rights Violation and changing the outlook of the region by promoting large scale migration of Han people.
Chinese authority always responds to demonstrations by Tibetan people by further restricting already strict norms and snatching basic rights such as freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of religion. Journalists and Reporters are not allowed to report matters of Tibetan people, their grievances often fall on deaf ears.
It is a famous saying that to destroy any society one needs to destroy their faith, this very plan was appointed by China and about 6000 monasteries were destroyed.
In recent turns of events, United States planned to recognize Tibet as Independent as a way out to pressurize China, this move is purely political but still, it serves its purpose of concentrating Global Attention on Plight of Tibetan People for Independence.
By Shubham Yadav