On November 3, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) held a hearing in Washington, D.C. to discuss the ongoing repression in Tibet. Since January 2011, there have been eleven self-immolations in the region- a startling amount that suggests the ongoing occurrence of serious social problems.
Lobsang Sangay, Tibet’s new political leader, addressed the audience on the importance of continued US support to Tibetan refugees and highlighted the main sources of contention between the Tibetan people and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including closures of major Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, the restriction of religious and political freedom, and “patriotic re-education.” Sangay urged the TLHRC Commissioners to pressure the Chinese government to abide by the universal conventions of human rights, and to remind the CCP of the counter-productivity of its current policies toward Tibet.
The current Kirti Rinpoche was the second witness at the hearing. Kirti Rinpoche is the head abbot of Kirti Monastery, an epicenter of political protests in Tibet for several years, most notably during the 2008 protests prior to the Beijing Olympics. The Kirti Rinpoche’s testimony focused on the ever-expanding restrictions placed upon practicing monks in the Amdo region. He also made clear that adolescents are the main age group participating in self-immolation, alluding to the fact that Tibetans growing up under Communist rule are not happy with the circumstances, contrary to the propaganda the CCP continually releases about its ‘successes’ in the region.
“Patriotic re-education” is just one of many political programs imposed by the Chinese Communist Party in Tibet. Not only do the courses drill CCP ideology into monks and nuns, but they also give the authorities power to punish ‘students’ if their answers are not satisfactory. The location and amount of time spent re-educating monks are inconsistent; it becomes mandatory whenever the CCP sees fit. Free Tibet reported that PLA troops surrounded and closed off the Kirti Monastery in Amdo in April 2011. The monastery was enclosed with barbed wire, and highways in and out of the city were closed. Hundreds of monks were forcibly taken to detention centers, amounting to nothing more than arbitrary, unwarranted arrest.
Discrimination toward Tibetans is another rampant problem, which is particularly unjust, as they are being discriminated against in their own homeland. The CCP provides incentives, such as tax subsidizations, for Han Chinese to resettle in Tibet. The Tibet Post International reports that the Han population now makes up 60-70% of the total population in Lhasa. It is speculated that the CCP hopes to assimilate Tibetans into Chinese society and suppress their culture by securing a growing Han presence in Tibet. Due to the dominance and power of Han Chinese in the region, Tibetans face various forms of discrimination in the education system, healthcare, and workforce.
In terms of education, the CCP constantly interferes with Tibetans receiving an education equal to their Han counterparts. The Chinese government routinely charges high tuition fees for compulsory education, making it difficult for families to afford. Funding for schools is concentrated in cities, which are typically occupied by Han Chinese. Schools in rural areas are too expensive for parents to afford sending children to school, or the areas are too poor to build a school or hire a teacher. Tibetan students are assuredly receiving an education doused in Communist principles. Educational institutions are strictly controlled, and lessons are taught in Mandarin, rather than Tibetan. Tibetan language is taught in a separate class, and that is the only class in which children are able to speak in their mother tongue. Tibetan children are required to write in Mandarin, so the written traditions of Tibetan language are beginning to fade.
Healthcare poses the same problems as education, as rural areas are lacking in hospitals and doctors, and the fees are too high for the common Tibetan to afford. The Tibet Justice Centers reports that, “…only Tibetan children whose parents have the 'right' background - a government position or some connection within the CCP - receive subsidized healthcare.”
Tibet’s workplace discrimination has several facets. One is language: even service sector jobs require Mandarin, and Tibetans looking to open a small shop or start a business are often denied permits if they only speak Tibetan. Out of the 3,500-4,000 shops in Lhasa’s traditional markets, only 400-450 of them are Tibetan-owned. Most officials in Tibet are of Han Chinese descent, so positions of power are hard to obtain for the native people. Finally, Tibetans frequently earn less than their Han coworkers.
Although Tibet is classified as an “autonomous region” in China, it is not granted the same political benefits as Macau and Hong Kong. In the November 3rd hearing, Lobsang Sangay expressed the desire of Tibetans to direct their own political affairs in a democratic manner. The Tibetan government is currently in exile, and is forced to operate out of India. Hong Kong and Macau are classified under Special Administrative Region (SAR) status, which gives them the right to conduct economic and political affairs separately from China. The CCP has denied Tibet SAR status, so Tibetans must follow all Chinese policies, and thus have no say in the creation of laws.
Overall, the combination of political, legal, and social restrictions has proved to be too much for many Tibetans to handle. Not only does CCP involvement in the region disrupt the traditional foundations of Tibetan culture, but it represses them in their own homeland. The CCP has spent an estimated $45.4 billion in an attempt to develop the region. Why does the Chinese Communist Party continue to devote time and money to an area that doesn’t seek its assistance? Tibet is a strategic necessity for China: in terms of military strategy, Tibet’s proximity to India is ideal and the Himalayan mountains are a convenient means of border defense. Tibet’s geography is another benefit, seeing as its headwaters are a source to many of Asia’s biggest rivers. In addition, Tibet is rich in natural resources, which Chinese businesses can sell for profit. Last but not least, is the historical line of reasoning: China feels entitled to Tibet, due to its involvement in the region stemming back to the 13th century. The combination of interests leads to the chokehold the CCP has on Tibet, and it appears they won’t be loosening their grip anytime soon.
Sources
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