Tibetans Under China: Human Rights Violation

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Tibetans under China: Human Rights Violation

Background

What Country did the Human Rights Violation take place?

Many organizations and countries think that human rights are being violated in Tibet. There are many ways it is being done. The rights that are being violated are political, economic and social, for example, freedom of speech or movement. The people of Tibet suffer from the violation of their rights a lot. They do not have a legal status, and their leader Dalai Lama has to live abroad. Dalai Lama himself calls the situation a “cultural genocide”.

Describe the Human Rights Violation that took place.

The Chinese government is constantly destroying the cultural, religious, and national identity of the people of Tibet. The government is making Chinese population move to the areas that originally were populated by Tibetans to make them the minority. And Tibetans have to move to other areas when their homes are being destroyed by the government. Also, the government is not supporting the Tibetan language, making everyone study Chinese (Mandarin). That might lead to the extinction of it because Chinese language is dominating. Tibetans who support the autonomy or independence of Tibet are being arrested.

Who was involved in the violation?

The majority of the population of Tibet was involved in the violation of their rights. Many people have to move to other areas after their homes are being destroyed. Young people do not get the education in their language, they have to study Chinese. Supporters of independence and autonomy are being arrested. In fact, the freedom of speech for Tibetans is in even worse situation than in China in general. The freedom of religion is close to non-existent because the government controls all the churches and monasteries. Tibetans also cannot count on fair justice.

Who committed the Human Rights Violation? Who was it directed against?

The Chinese government, judicial system, law enforcement authorities constantly commit Human Rights Violation against the people of Tibet. The violation is directed literally against all the Tibetan population, like families, children, monks, local politicians and activists. The activists’ rights are violated the most because they are often arrested for expressing their opinion.

Human Rights

Define Human Rights

According to The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.” (OHCHR, 1996-2016)

Were there significant individuals who played a role in ending the violation?

United Nations had a special commission investigating the Human Rights Violation in Tibet. According to the official report of this commission, the Chinese government should start negotiations with Tibet government in exile to find the solution of the situation and stop the Human Rights violation. Also, people on the West organize campaigns in support of Tibet, such as Free Tibet Campaign (1987), International Campaign for Tibet (1988), Students for a Free Tibet (1994). Many Western celebrities take part in this campaign. Some experts think that Western activists only make the situation worse, because it seems like they interfere in internal affairs of China. But anyway the biggest role plays Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists and at some point the head of Tibetan government in exile.