Can China hold back the tide of discontent in their own soil and Tibet?
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Can China hold back the tide of discontent in their own soil and Tibet?
18 Aug 2011 22:32
Dr. Lobsang Sangay
was sworn into office
as the new Kalon Tripa of Tibet on Monday, Aug. 8, replacing the Dalai Lama as political leader of the Tibetan people.
This was a move to facilitate open talks with Chinese leaders that have for many years refused to deal with the Dalai Lama.
Last July the Chinese Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, emphasized the connection between the Chinese struggle for democracy and the Tibetan struggle for autonomy and human rights, and Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy, outlined that Tibet's government in exile offers a democratic model and serves as a guide for China that may include an elected national assembly overseen by an independent judiciary, a constitution establishing a democratic government, religious freedom and the separation of religious and political authority.
Regretfully, that question for democracy is seen with suspicion by the People's Republic of China, fearing a sort of "Jasmine Revolution" in their soil. But there are signs emerging of Chinese citizens risking serious reprisals to show openly their dissatisfaction with the present regime.
China is attempting to hold back the tide insisting in covering-up many internal incidents and campaigning to show a false front of economic prowess and communal prosperity. Chinese authorities go to great lengths to repress the truth and curtail media reports.
These cover-up efforts provoke much harder reprisals when aimed to suppress reports of events in Tibet. Official reports only allow a showcase of economic progress and never match the testimonies of eye witnesses, presenting instead the views of Chinese propagandists insisting that the people of Tibet are content under Chinese rule.
Evidence of unrest is cropping up across China. At least five bombings have been reported in recent weeks from the provinces of Jiangxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Heilongjiang and Shaanxi. There was a report of one suicide bomber who posted an online account of a government "land grab" that took his home from him; he had petitioned officials for ten years with no results. Others have risked arrest and reprisals by protesting openly. China's most prominent critic, artist Ai Wei Wei, was arrested at a Chinese airport and detained. He was held incommunicado for more than 10 weeks and his wife and family were not informed and could not find him during the whole period of his detention. He was forced to confess to "economic crimes" and silenced. Speaking out requires great courage - yet more and more Chinese are unable to remain silent any longer.
The situation in Tibet is much worse. There is a long history of oppression in Tibet, speaking to the immense courage of Tibetans risking so much when seeking justice and dignity from China's leaders. Following the death of a young monk, Phuntsog, who set himself on fire in protest of China's repressive policies, Chinese authorities locked-down the Kirtri Monastery. Religious practice was constrained, monks were forbidden to leave the monastery grounds while townspeople were forbidden to approach the monastery gates. For a period of time, even deliveries of food were denied.
A report distributed on the mail by the International Campaign for Tibet describes that "Guard posts were set up and several hundred government officials were stationed at the monastery. Security cameras monitored the monks at all times. Some 300 young monks were forcibly removed from the monastery for "patriotic re-education" and at least two townspeople who protested their removal were beaten to death in the streets. Many Tibetans were arrested. Businesses and schools were forced to close; all travel was prohibited."
Very soon the new American Ambassador, Gary Locke (photo), will have the opportunity to help the Chinese government understand and heed the will of the people - specially the people of Tibet. The US is the most important client for Chinese exports and a goal for huge Chinese investments. Therefore, the Chinese government has very little choice but to listen to reason and peaceful arguments advanced by a hopefully restrained but firm US diplomatic policy. But this is only possible provided the new ambassador understands such a policy as a priority.
The International Campaign for Tibet is promoting a petition that all readers may send to Ambassador Locke asking for his proactive negotiation in favor of the Tibetan people. It may be addressed to:
Ambassador Gary Locke
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
The petition may read as follows:
Dear Sir,
I respectfully ask you to be aware of a "Jasmine Revolution" where Tibetans are demanding their human rights and better governance from China.
China is taking cruel reprisals against Tibetans asking for their basic rights.
You have arrived in China at a very sensitive time. Please stand ready to use your diplomatic power to underline US displeasure for human rights violations and to do all you can to help the brave people of Tibet as they seek the universal freedoms of assembly, religion and speech.
Sincerely,
This was a move to facilitate open talks with Chinese leaders that have for many years refused to deal with the Dalai Lama.
Last July the Chinese Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, emphasized the connection between the Chinese struggle for democracy and the Tibetan struggle for autonomy and human rights, and Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy, outlined that Tibet's government in exile offers a democratic model and serves as a guide for China that may include an elected national assembly overseen by an independent judiciary, a constitution establishing a democratic government, religious freedom and the separation of religious and political authority.
Regretfully, that question for democracy is seen with suspicion by the People's Republic of China, fearing a sort of "Jasmine Revolution" in their soil. But there are signs emerging of Chinese citizens risking serious reprisals to show openly their dissatisfaction with the present regime.
China is attempting to hold back the tide insisting in covering-up many internal incidents and campaigning to show a false front of economic prowess and communal prosperity. Chinese authorities go to great lengths to repress the truth and curtail media reports.
These cover-up efforts provoke much harder reprisals when aimed to suppress reports of events in Tibet. Official reports only allow a showcase of economic progress and never match the testimonies of eye witnesses, presenting instead the views of Chinese propagandists insisting that the people of Tibet are content under Chinese rule.
Evidence of unrest is cropping up across China. At least five bombings have been reported in recent weeks from the provinces of Jiangxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Heilongjiang and Shaanxi. There was a report of one suicide bomber who posted an online account of a government "land grab" that took his home from him; he had petitioned officials for ten years with no results. Others have risked arrest and reprisals by protesting openly. China's most prominent critic, artist Ai Wei Wei, was arrested at a Chinese airport and detained. He was held incommunicado for more than 10 weeks and his wife and family were not informed and could not find him during the whole period of his detention. He was forced to confess to "economic crimes" and silenced. Speaking out requires great courage - yet more and more Chinese are unable to remain silent any longer.
The situation in Tibet is much worse. There is a long history of oppression in Tibet, speaking to the immense courage of Tibetans risking so much when seeking justice and dignity from China's leaders. Following the death of a young monk, Phuntsog, who set himself on fire in protest of China's repressive policies, Chinese authorities locked-down the Kirtri Monastery. Religious practice was constrained, monks were forbidden to leave the monastery grounds while townspeople were forbidden to approach the monastery gates. For a period of time, even deliveries of food were denied.
A report distributed on the mail by the International Campaign for Tibet describes that "Guard posts were set up and several hundred government officials were stationed at the monastery. Security cameras monitored the monks at all times. Some 300 young monks were forcibly removed from the monastery for "patriotic re-education" and at least two townspeople who protested their removal were beaten to death in the streets. Many Tibetans were arrested. Businesses and schools were forced to close; all travel was prohibited."
The International Campaign for Tibet is promoting a petition that all readers may send to Ambassador Locke asking for his proactive negotiation in favor of the Tibetan people. It may be addressed to:
Ambassador Gary Locke
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
The petition may read as follows:
Dear Sir,
I respectfully ask you to be aware of a "Jasmine Revolution" where Tibetans are demanding their human rights and better governance from China.
China is taking cruel reprisals against Tibetans asking for their basic rights.
You have arrived in China at a very sensitive time. Please stand ready to use your diplomatic power to underline US displeasure for human rights violations and to do all you can to help the brave people of Tibet as they seek the universal freedoms of assembly, religion and speech.
Sincerely,
Moderators: Miguel Saludes, Abelardo Pérez García, Oílda del Castillo, Ricardo Puerta, Antonio Llaca, Efraín Infante, Pedro S. Campos, Héctor Caraballo