By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Mar 21: The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), based in Dharamshala, has released its 2023 annual report, shedding light on the deteriorating situation within Tibet over the past year. Published in Tibetan, English, and Chinese languages, the comprehensive 27-page document delves into the multifaceted and ongoing “escalation of crackdowns on freedom of expression, religion, and belief” in the region.
In broad strokes, the comprehensive report highlighted heightened restrictions concerning the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and education, both in physical and virtual domains. It cited how Chinese authorities have assumed direct oversight and censorship of all digital platforms under the pretext of maintaining social stability. Furthermore, the report documents China’s practice of arbitrary detention and torture of Tibetans, often resulting in unjust sentencing and the maltreatment of political prisoners held in undisclosed locations, leading to fatalities either through custodial abuse or due to untreated health conditions.
In addition to these longstanding human rights violations, the TCHRD emphasised China’s controversial re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2023. This development, according to the group, illustrates how authoritarian regimes like China can manipulate and obstruct the human rights system, undermining the UN’s capacity to enforce global adherence to international human rights standards. The rights group also condemned the Chinese authorities’ imposition of Mandarin Chinese as the medium of instruction in Tibetan schools, despite international calls to cease coercive colonial boarding schools aimed at promoting the Chinese language.
“The ongoing injustices and human rights violations in Tibet underscore the urgent need to address the human rights abuses in Tibet perpetrated by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government must release all Tibetans detained for merely exercising their human rights and political freedom in the political, economic, social, cultural, or any other areas of public life,” the group stated.
TCHRD called upon individuals, governments, civil society organisations, and all intergovernmental and supranational bodies to exert pressure on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans. They urged the Chinese government to uphold principles of equality and non-discrimination, ensuring the rights of Tibetans across all spheres of public life.
