News and Views on Tibet

China unclear on democratic concept

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter

Talk about going from bad to worse. First, officials from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa offended common standards of diplomacy – not to mention decency – by advising Paul Martin to have nothing to do the Dalai Lama – or else. Then they rebuked the prime minister for agreeing to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader nonetheless. And by way of making their unhappiness as clear as possible they drew attention in a statement to Canada’s “own problem with Quebec.”

To equate Quebec with Tibet is folly, but folly worth thinking about. It is true that separatist feelings run strong in the secluded and mountainous quasi-state, which is entirely controlled by China. It is true also that Tibetans suffer systematic political and cultural restrictions unknown to Quebecers or any Canadians.

The monks who once numbered thousands in Tibet are now dozens and the great majority of their temples have been destroyed. Political prisoners include followers of the Dalai Lama whose offences against Tibetan society do not extend beyond peaceful protest gatherings and the singing of devotional songs.

The land seizures and mass incarcerations that followed the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 might now be viewed as historical incidents, gone but not forgotten. But oppression is alive and well. China has attempted to re-populate Tibet with ethnic Chinese workers and industrialize the famously beautiful countryside. Mandarin is the official language.

The differences between this brutality and the situation in Canada are almost too obvious to enumerate. Bilingualism is a trans-Canadian policy. Speaking two languages is desirable and expected. How many functionaries from Beijing are required to learn Tibetan? How many Tibetans can aspire to be voted prime minister of China?

No one is imprisoned here for espousing a peaceful political view, on Quebec independence or any other issue. In China such persecution is routine.

Even Francine Lalonde of the Bloc Quebecois felt compelled to comment on the inanity of comparing Quebec and Tibet. However high the feelings or rough the words, debate on separation, in Quebec and across Canada, unfolds democratically. The Supreme Court has spelled out some rules for triggering any separation – a clear majority on a clear question – and it’s worth noting that an additional vital requirement – in an honest secret-ballot election – doesn’t even need to be spoken. The people of Tibet have not been allowed an honest secret-ballot election.

The issue of national sovereignty, central to the Canadian experience, is really secondary in Tibet. The movement to free the country from China’s yoke is based not on questions of constitutional status but on the real and daily mistreatment of an indigenous population.

If Tibetans were self-determining, affluent, culturally robust and richly endowed with rights, then a comparison with Quebec might be worth entertaining. We invite the Chinese to raise the matter again when – and not before – such conditions obtain in Tibet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *