[Prof Carr note: David and Richard submitted related posts, so I loaded them both at the same time. Be sure to see and catch Richard's related post below. Other posts remain in the cue. If yours has not yet appeared, it will in time as I space these out, be patient.]
Submitted By: David Dougherty
When Beijing was chosen as host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, many human rights campaigners around the world expressed their discontent since China is often credited with having the worst human rights violations, most notably the 1989 massacre of T******** Sqr. This was justified by the committee as being a “force for good” and China has seemingly committed to using this event to boost their international image.
Ironically, with only a few months before the opening ceremony, yet another humanitarian catastrophe could be brewing.
Many of you may be familiar with the events currently taking place in T****, as they currently dominate international news. They stem from decades of forceful Chinese sovereignty over the region clashing with a T****** desire for independence. A summary of the history behind this rise can be read here.
The recent anniversary of the failed 1959 uprising against Beijing rule has sparked new demands for more autonomy.
Recently, China President Hu Jintao told a T****** delegation that Chinese leadership must “ensure the well-being of T******* improve the work related to religions and ethnic groups, and maintain social harmony and stability.” On March 10 in an annual address, the T****** leader said “he looked forward to the implementation (of Hu’s words).” He continued to state “For the realization of these concepts, economic progress alone will not suffice. There must be improvements in observance of the rule of law, transparency, and right to information, as well as freedom of speech. Since China is a country of many nationalities, they must all be given equality and freedom to protect their respective unique identities if the country is to remain stable.” Beijing did not react well to these words. They conclude that it is evidence to prove that sabotage in Lhasa was organized, premeditated and masterminded by the D***-led government in exile.
In this context, riots erupted in Lhasa. One day later, Chinese forces are said to have been “forced to use a limited amount of tear gas and fire warning shots to disperse the desperate crowds” to control hundreds of Buddhist monks who gathered near the Central Cathedral. There have been claims that more than 2,000 armed police and security personnel surrounded an estimated 500 to 600 monks from the Sera monastery as they marched near a police station, where some of them had been detained.
The “limited” force however caused the death of 10 people, according to Chinese sources. Eye-witnesses speak of at least 100 dead, and it could be hundreds more when all is said and done. Despite China’s restriction of foreign journalists in T**** to gain control over spread of the protests, the uprising continues to escalate all over T****.
We can all surely recognize that Beijing’s handling of this fragile situation is extremely critical in protecting years of human rights progress. With China already being forced to answer criticism of its ethical right to host the games, does this event have the potential to unite the world in an international boycott of the Beijing Olympics? Should it?
[See also Richard's related post below.]
April 21st, 2008
Submitted By: Richard Ciesco
Fear that the 50th anniversary of the T****** uprising against China might be a problem has now become a reality for the Chinese Government. Knowing that any bad press is not needed, especially with the close proximity of the Olympics, the Chinese government are down playing the events that went on in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital last week.
Tension between T******* and Hans, the ethnic group indigenous to China and represent 92% of the population, is nothing new in Western China. China as long seen T**** as part of its country and has had control of the area since the early 1950’s.
T******* live largely confined to segregated urban ghettos and poor villages in their ancestral lands. Lives for T******* revolve most around their Buddhist religion. T******* feel that their culture is being destroyed through forced incorporation with the Han, and that the Chinese has spit on their religious freedoms. T******* view the Chinese as bullies and who are only interested in making money. They want the DL to be able to return, who was forced to flee T**** for exile in 1959 after the failed revolt.
The Chinese government has heavily financed efforts to strengthen control over T****. Billions of dollars have been invested in this region. With economic stimulation in the area an influx of Han has followed. T******* and Hans live in closer proximity and must interact more now than ever. This has caused an increase in tensions in the area, as seen by the recent riots. Relations between the two groups are typically marked by distrust, prejudice and stereotyping. Hans view the T******* as lazy and ungrateful for the economic stimulation that the government has been doing.
Last week a number of protests by T******* m**** ended in bloodshed. The Chinese government blamed the protests on the DL. TV stations in China have been saying the T****** people are trying to have another revolution and have had no mention of the large number of T******* killed during them as told by eyewitnesses. Official reports said only ten T******* were killed during the clashes. Reporters and TV crews have been banned from the area.
After reading these two articles I really am questioning the decision of the Olympic committee to allow the games to be held in China. This is just more proof that the government in China suppresses its people, and should not be held as a role model. It is an honor to be able to hold the Olympics in your country. Having the games held there this summer puts the up on a pedestal. I feel that until they stop controlling their people governments should question their actions like the one here against the T*******.
Governments from around the world need to stand up to the Chinese and make them accountable for their actions. The way the Chinese government is able to break up riots by firing military weapons upon unarmed civilians and get away with it without repercussions is unacceptable. It’s amazing how countries and individuals are willing to turn a their heads because they want to be able to do business with a country even when it is oppressive.
Now I am not saying America is any better, in fact we could even be worse. When we were the super power, we got away with murder many times over because countries were afraid to stand up to us. Even today, with America in Iraq, we get away with many bad things over there without being held accountable. It is the responsibility of people in power to uphold human rights and respect others. Hopefully a country will begin to put pressure on China, (or even the US) to clean up their act. Are cheap Chinese goods worth the price of allowing people to get away with murder?
April 21st, 2008
