Image: @tibettruth
With the commemoration of the 1959 Lhasa Uprising on March 10 we’d like to invite friends and subscribers to show support for Tibet’s just cause by joining our online lobby of political representatives.
It only takes a few minutes but sends a powerful communication in support of Tibetan national freedom to your local and regional politician.
For the European Union click here:
Image: torontobhu
It’s been an amazing day of global action for Tibet’s just cause. Rallies around the continents of the world have raised the Tibetan flag and shown solidarity with the Tibetan people and their rightful demands for an independent Tibet. As we write this ongoing actions are still taking place in New York City, San Francisco, Boston and Minnesota.
We put together a slide of selected images to give you a flavor of today’s events. Enjoy the show and accompanying soundtrack 🙂
To Tibetans everywhere remember….Bod Rangzen Tsangma Yin!
Image:rahulsingh
Today is the commemoration of the Lhasa Uprisings of 1959, 1987-89 and 2008 when Tibetans took to the streets to oppose Chinese rule, at a disturbing cost to lives and individual freedom. The response from China’s regime was brutal, mass arrests, torture, Tibetans gunned-down, the record of these protests is bloody indeed.
After the March 10 1959 uprising the Chinese regime was quick to forge the narrative of a failed rebellion, releasing staged footage of Tibetans surrendering and laying down rifles. It was a story taken up by global media and decades later remains a journalistic cliché when reporting on the event.
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No doubt this brings a warm glow of satisfaction to China’s Ministry of Propaganda, yet in consistently framing events in Lhasa on that day as a failure journalists are offering a slanted and less than complete account. For example in focusing on the military supremacy of China’s troops the courage, determination of Tibetans is ignored.
Yet it was their resistance and heroism which organized and protected the Dalai Lama’s journey into exile. That action resulted in the establishment of the exiled Tibetan government, creation of Tibetan settlements in India and the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture for the tens of thousands of Tibetans who followed their leader across the Himalaya.
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Moreover armed resistance to Chinese rule had predated the Lhasa Uprising (Tibetans inflicting significant losses on China’s army), this guerilla movement continued until the 1970s, only to be betrayed by then President Nixon and his advisor Henry Kissinger.
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In truth the Tibetan spirit of defiance for Tibet’s national freedom was not defeated in Lhasa on March 10 1959, as evidenced by the continuence of the struggle, and revealed in mass-demonstrations of the 1980s and during 2008. This is not a failure, but a response of determination, bravery and hope. Such commitment continues today as Tibetans and their supporters around the world come together to raise the national flag of Tibet.
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Journalists who write on this matter need to be mindful of these factors and think carefully about uncritically repeating China’s official line on events in Lhasa at that time. Is it really about being ‘balanced’ when talking of a ‘failed uprising’, minus important factual context? We wonder if the same correspondents and news agencies consistently describe the United States involvements in Afghanistan or Vietnam as ‘failed military campaigns’?
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From the get go here’s the deal….Tibet has been under a military lockdown since the Chinese army invaded and occupied the country in 1950. Since then the nature and intensity of oppression has gone through phases, but what has remained constant is the complete lack of cultural, religious and political freedom for Tibetans.
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One particular trigger for changes to the tyranny imposed upon occupied Tibet occurs in March, when Tibetans recall the Lhasa Uprisings of 1959, 1989 and 2008. Despite assuring the world that Tibetans are content under Chinese rule, the authorities annually flood Tibet with additional paramilitary units. Armored-convoys and military check-points are increased, movement is restricted, and towns placed under siege. Proof that China’s regime is deeply fearful of the reality that Tibetans do not welcome China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
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Reports coming out of Tibet on March 6 have detailed an intensification of so-called ‘security’ measures in Lhasa, Tibetan pilgrims being subjected to interrogation and detention. Another account from Derge (སྡེ་དགེ ) a town in Kham region of eastern Tibet reports that Tibetans have been denied any freedom of movement, even between local settlements. The Chinese regime has ordered Tibetans there to remain at home on March 10 and also shut down access to the Chinese chat application ‘WeChat’.
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Such measures reveal the cold truth that haunts the anxieties of the Chinese authorities. That its propaganda claims on Tibet are reduced to ashes by the fact that Tibetans do not wish to be under the control of China and seek freedom for their culture and nation.
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The Tibetan Youth Congress the largest exiled Tibetan organization dedicated to Tibet’s independence unveiled at a press conference, held yesterday in Dharamsala, Northern India, plans for three days of rallies, a peace march and vigil in Delhi to commemorate the 60th Lhasa Uprising on March 10, 2019.
“Tibet is in a critical state and at this moment in history, it is imperative for us to come together united in our stand for our nation and our people. Let us make our voices heard for our brothers and sisters inside Tibet,” said TYC President Tenzing Jigme
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So here we are again, supporters of Tibet preparing to commemorate the Lhasa Uprising of March 10, 1959, a day on which many Tibetans were killed during a courageous resistance against Chinese rule. The event will be marked by rallies, and marches, at which folk can demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Tibet, and remind the world what Tibet’s cause is all about. An objective reflected by the display of Tibet’s national flag and the raising of banners and placards demanding independence. Behind the appearance of unity however not all those who proclaim to support Tibet uphold the goal of national freedom.
As we have witnessed previously rather than affirming the Tibetan people’s right to independence, we can expect some to distort, marginalize or ignore entirely the political aspirations of Tibet’s struggle. Prominent organizations who declare themselves dedicated to Tibetan freedom will assiduously avoid any reference of Tibet’s independence. They will endorse instead (the official line of the exiled Tibetan Administration) for negotiations with China on the basis of accepting marginal improvements in autonomy while leaving Tibetans under Chinese rule. Those protests such groups do organize on the day focus on culturally related topics or other human rights issues (not though the subject of China’s forcible sterilizations, another taboo subject). While these are credible areas of concern such a diluted and selective protest is a long way indeed from the demands and inspiring sacrifices of Tibetans inside Tibet. Who, risking torture and prison, take to the street to assert their nation’s freedom.
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To anyone freshly arrived to the Tibetan cause this must seem a confusing and troubling polarization, and people are right to ask why it is that Tibetans inside occupied Tibet are struggling for independence while Tibet related groups enjoying freedom in the West are promoting campaigns that run counter to the very aspirations Tibetans are being viciously abused and oppressed for.
Let’s take a look see at what’s behind this disabling schism, there are two areas of influence long thought to be responsible. Firstly, the exiled Tibetan Administration, which is engaged upon a course of appeasing China’s regime to encourage talks on so-called ‘meaningful autonomy’. It’s entirely intolerant towards Tibet’s independence, regarding the issue as a barrier to progressing negotiations with the Chinese regime. Through a developed network of contacts, and aided by a conformist and largely compliant exiled Tibetan society, the Administration finds it an easy task to deflect, control, and influence protests, to ensure the desired message is presented.
Evidence for such orchestration manifests itself on March 10, we have reported upon, challenged and exposed a number of such actions, rallies at which there will be virtually no allusion to national freedom for Tibet. Carefully arranged banners that call for ‘talks with China’ others openly declaring ‘Tibetans want autonomy’. Speeches that while honoring the sacrifices of Tibetans propose ‘solutions’ that betray the rightful demands of Tibetans inside Tibet. What of the majority of individuals supporting Tibet, are they oblivious to such manipulation? Unaware that the central message of such protests conflict with the objectives and courageous sacrifices waged by Tibetans inside occupied Tibet?
Info-Graphic: @tibettruth
Innocence of such dark currents or an unfamiliarity of exiled Tibetan politics would explain such an unknowing. The same cannot be said however of those who assume responsibility for arranging rallies on March 10. Such organizations are acutely aware of the nature of the Tibetan struggle inside Tibet, and conscious that Tibetans face vicious reprisals for demanding their national freedom, yet have resisted China’s tyranny to assert that right. Given this reality you may feel it’s kinda hard to understand why such bodies would meticulously assemble protests, yet consistently fail to give prominence to the common political aspiration of Tibetans in occupied Tibet. But then if they are operating to an agenda, one opposed to to Tibetan independence, the situation would be a whole lot clearer, right?
Info-Graphic: @tibettruth
A second corrosive influence is that exerted by foreign governments, which it should be remembered have an invested and vested political and economic interest in maintaining positive relations with Beijing. Implacably opposed to the notion of an independent Tibet, authorities like the United States would not welcome across American cities a unified, forceful struggle for Tibetan nationhood. A prospect that would be considered an injurious distraction for its diplomatic outreach to China. Having followed a policy that submits to China’s bogus claim of sovereignty over Tibet (an acknowledgment that came to prominence following Richard Nixon’s rapprochement with China in 1972) and urged Tibetans to concede to Chinese rule, in exchange for so-called meaningful autonomy, the State Department has long rejected Tibetan independence.
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Since officials within the State Department regard this to be a matter of extreme sensitivity to China, it is within its political interests to have a presence within the wider movement for Tibet, and in particular to exert, where possible, an influence to dilute or silence any actions supportive of Tibet’s national freedom. Without considering the censorial agenda of those opposed to Tibet’s independence it’s tough to identify a reason why, at such protests, organizations consistently exclude even the slightest reference to Tibetan sovereignty. If pressures are being applied to suppress the issue, it denies people, who in all good faith and innocence participate in such protests, an opportunity to channel the genuine political aspirations of Tibetans in occupied Tibet.
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On March 10th, a date of primary importance for Tibet’s people, to deliberately marginalize or conceal the very goal of Tibetans suffering China’s tyranny is an act of callous deception. If you are attending such protests please consider the struggle inside Tibet and express your support by having a placard, banner, or flag that informs people what is being sought, Independence for Tibet!
Image:original photo tsepa baya/info-graphic @tibettruth
Later this year a new executive is set to be installed in the offices of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (New York & New Jersey) and the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey is also to renew it’s staff members. For those Tibetans who are in solidarity with their brothers and sisters inside occupied Tibet these developments may bring about a much needed change in the direction and agenda of Tibetan political activism within New York. A proper debate and the opportunity to elect independently minded representatives, dedicated to the same goal of national freedom as their compatriots in Tibet, may mean an end to the promotion of an officially approved agenda that has blighted the March 10 rally. There are many local Tibetans who work tirelessly for Tibet’s just cause, even more attend events to raise Tibet’s national flag and demand freedom for their country. It is time that their aspirations were respected and given due prominence by organizers of political events. Hopefully the forthcoming changes within RTYC (NYNJ) and Tibetan Community (NYNJ) will mean that next year’s March 10 rally shall offer a more united and forceful message. One in tune with the heartbeat of Tibetans in Tibet.
