Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 19: Tibet has once again received the lowest possible freedom rating in the Freedom in the World 2025 report by Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights organisation. The region was given an overall score of 0 out of 100, reflecting severe restrictions on political rights and civil liberties under Chinese rule.
According to the report, Tibet scored -2 out of 40 for political rights and 2 out of 60 for civil liberties. This marks the second consecutive year that Tibet has received a zero rating, further cementing its status as one of the least free country in the world.
“Tibet is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government based in Beijing, with local decision-making power concentrated in the hands of Chinese party officials,” the report states. “Authorities are particularly harsh in suppressing Tibetan religious beliefs and cultural identity, imposing policies that weaken the presence of ethnic Tibetans.” The report also highlights forced assimilation tactics, including mass surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and the relocation of Tibetan communities.
From 2017 to 2023, Tibet received a 1 out of 100 rating, with a political rights score of -2 and a civil liberties score of 3. However, in 2024, the score dropped to 0, a trend that has continued into this year.
The ongoing suppression of political and religious freedoms in Tibet has drawn widespread international criticism. Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the CCP’s policies in the region, citing mass surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and the forced assimilation of Tibetan culture as key concerns. Reports also indicate increased government incentives for Han Chinese migration to Tibet, further reducing the ethnic Tibetan population’s proportion.
