By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Mar 20: Well known Tibetan activist Lhadon Tethong, the Co-Founder/Director of Tibet Action Institute (TAI) was honoured with the ‘Snow Lion Human Rights Prize’ by advocacy group International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) on Saturday, for her pivotal role in exposing China’s colonial boarding schools in Tibet. The prominent activist dedicated the honour to her colleagues and fellow campaigners who aspire to return to Tibet one day at the ceremony.
In a ground-breaking report, Lhadon Tethong and Tibetan educationist turned activist Dr. Gyal Lo unveiled the mass system of China’s colonial boarding schools in Tibet. Their report, titled “Separated from their Families, Hidden from the World,” shed light on the plight of over a million Tibetan children subjected to separation from their families and cultural assimilation into Han Chinese.
In the wake of the collaborative advocacy efforts led by Lhadon Tethong and Dr. Gyal Lo, who exposed the mass systems of colonial boarding schools in Tibet, there have been significant international response condemning China’s actions. During the United Nations Universal Periodic Review session at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on January 23, representatives from 21 United Nations member states collectively expressed concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Out of these, six states specifically recommended China to immediately abolish the coercive nature of its colonial boarding schools in Tibet.
“We applaud the 21 UN Member States who spoke out for Tibet today, and especially Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and the United States for recommending China abolish the coercive colonial boarding school system intended to forcibly assimilate Tibetan children. China thinks it can get away with atrocity crimes, including holding one million Tibetan children in a coercive residential school system designed to stamp out their identity, but today’s UN review shows governments are willing to hold Beijing accountable,” Tethong said.
Alongside her, the organisation Freedom for Hong Kong was also acknowledged for its advocacy efforts. The ‘Snow Lion Human Rights Prize’ is awarded to individuals and organisations showcasing dedication to advancing human rights in Tibet, China, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, as well as those who work to safeguard their endangered cultures.
One Response
Good but will Lhadon La return the award given by Joe Biden govt which categorized her as a ‘ chinese’ national? That is directly against the whole Free Tibet movement, and our cause, imagine being called a Chinese when you are compaining against it, and making it look it is a positive thing.
A patriotic Tibetan person can accept anything, but we will never accept being called a Chinese, or accept Tibet is a part of China. It is sad and unacceptable that many western govts support Chinese govt by adopting One China policy. CTA should campaign amend their policy and reject one china policy.