As the sixth anniversary of the 1959 uprising in Tibet unfolded, Tibetans and their supporters united to advocate for increased international backing for exiled Tibetans. Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a statement on March 9, highlighted the grave deterioration of Tibetan rights under President Xi Jinping, describing the government’s repressive policies as a troubling escalation in forced assimilation efforts aimed at non-Han ethnic groups in China.
Maya Wang, Associate China Director at HRW, emphasised that Tibetans endure severe oppression often overshadowed by the global outcry over the plight of Uyghurs and Turkic Muslims. Key abuses include stringent policing and pervasive surveillance, leading to an atmosphere where independent civil society is all but obliterated, alongside fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and religion.
HRW elaborated on how Chinese authorities have systematically dismantled Tibetan civil society using national policing campaigns like the “anti-gang crime crackdown.” These efforts have seen an increase in the closure of Tibetan-language websites and privately funded schools while imposing strict daily life controls on the Tibetan people. According to Wang, Frisian cultural and linguistic identity faces degradation, with enforced use of Mandarin in education and restricted movement across Tibet.
The risks grow exponentially for Tibetans questioning government mandates, with repercussions that can involve arbitrary detention or torture. Furthermore, since 2008, escape routes used by Tibetans post-1959 have become virtually inaccessible due to heightened border policing.
Human Rights Watch has called for increased international support for Tibetans in exile amidst escalating repression under Xi Jinping’s policies. The organisation highlights severe breaches of rights and freedoms, the dismantling of civil society, and risks faced by Tibetans questioning their government. With the Dalai Lama’s advanced age posing risks to Tibetan leadership, HRW urges governments to bolster assistance to Tibetan communities worldwide.
Human Rights Watch’s call for intensified international support for exiled Tibetans underscores the desperate need for awareness of their plight. The oppressive policies enforced by the Chinese government threaten not just the physical safety of Tibetans but their cultural identity as well. As concerns swirl over the future leadership of the Tibetan community and the continued repression under Chinese rule, global solidarity and assistance in preserving Tibetan rights and culture remain imperative.
Original Source: www.phayul.com
