Reply: Urgent appeal to the Chinese government for the thousands of Tibetans affected by the earthquake near the Nepal border

Two weeks have passed since catastrophic floods and landslides struck communities along the Nepal-Tibet border, and hundreds of families are still awaiting aid to cope with the devastation of their communities. Our Participatory Democracy Cultural Initiative (PDCI) and its subsidiary, DemocraciaParticipativa.net (DPnet), speak out here in support of all those affected by this tragedy: those who have lost loved ones, the many who remain missing, and the communities facing the arduous task of recovery and reconstruction.

Chinese authorities have reported 31 deaths and 531 missing persons in Tibet. Regrettably—and in stark contrast to the situation in Nepal—independent journalists, humanitarian organizations, and other observers are unable to access the affected areas in Tibet, making it impossible to verify whether these figures are accurate and up-to-date. However, by aggregating accounts from various sources, the death toll in Tibet is already estimated at a minimum of 53.

We therefore call upon Chinese authorities to provide verifiable information regarding the dead and missing to independent journalists, and to grant humanitarian organizations and other independent observers access to the affected communities so they can report on the tragedy and provide assistance.

Reports emerging from within Tibet make this humanitarian appeal all the more urgent.

Chinese state media have published official accounts of "extensive" relief and support operations; however, the latest report we received from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reveals a harrowing reality: Tibetans are being targeted and punished for posting details online about deaths in the region—details indicating that the death toll is significantly higher than official figures suggest.

That is why we are calling on Chinese authorities to provide verifiable information to independent journalists regarding the dead and missing, and to allow humanitarian organizations and other independent observers access to affected communities to report on the tragedy and provide assistance.

What we are hearing from inside Tibet makes this humanitarian appeal even more urgent.

Chinese state media have published official reports of "extensive" relief and counseling operations, but the latest report we have received from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reveals a harrowing reality: Tibetans are being targeted and punished for posting details online about deaths in Tibet—details indicating that the death toll is considerably higher than official figures suggest.

More than 20 Tibetans have faced police or administrative action over posts related to the disaster they have endured and continue to endure, while firsthand videos have been confiscated and have vanished from social media. Consequently, residents have stopped sharing their experiences for fear of cruel reprisals, leaving the victims to fend for themselves.

Questions also remain regarding the speed with which Chinese aid reached certain Tibetan communities. Sources told the ICT that, in the hardest-hit villages, many deceased residents remain unidentified, and the number of missing persons is unknown. Rescue workers reportedly did not begin arriving in some areas until approximately 60 hours after the flood, and took days longer to reach other zones.

Our call for greater transparency and access to information stems, above all, from a humanitarian imperative. In a disaster of this magnitude, timely and reliable information helps save lives. The Chinese government bears responsibility and has a humanitarian obligation to accept the aid offered to alleviate this horrific tragedy in Tibet before it is too late for many lives.

Gerardo E. Martínez-Solanas and Antonio Llaca
On behalf of the entire PDCI Management Team