The world stands as a witness to the conflict between Tibet and China that has gone on for decades
and still continues, to the Tibetan people’s dismay. Tibet was once a free country and has a history
as rich as that of any independent nation. China’s illegal occupation of Tibet in the 1950s led to
the demise of the Tibetan nation and unfolded an endless series of oppression and brutality for the
Tibetans. Tibet was forced in all possible ways to be under China’s suppression and through the
entire journey of struggle, many Tibetans lost their lives in the fight and Tibet also started losing
its essence and authenticity. The Tibetan Uprising Day is commemorated every year on the 10th
of March. The first uprising took place in Tibet in the year 1959 during which thousands of
Tibetans protested on the streets of Lhasa in front of the Potala Palace amid rumors of a plot to
harm His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many Tibetans lost their lives, numerous monasteries and
religious relics were destroyed and the whole scenario became a gruesome memory for the
Tibetans to remember. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee to exile to India amidst all the
chaos to secure the future of Tibet and its people.
This year, the 63rd Tibetan Uprising Day was commemorated on 10th march. As expected from
the communist government, the security and surveillance inside Tibet for Tibetans was tightened
and great measures were taken to halt any movement or protest. Tsewang Norbu, a 26 year old
Tibetan singer’s death by self-immolation as a protest against the Chinese rule and cruelty in Tibet
on 25th February, 2022 stirred up much chaos for the Chinese authorities who already had concerns
regarding the nearing of the Uprising Day. Sources from Tibet revealed that military vehicles were
out in the streets while many were blocked anyhow. A source also told Radio Free Asia (RFA –
Tibet) that Lhasa was filled with Chinese military presence, the vehicles were being stopped and
people who were just passing by were also being interrogated for their own assurance. The Chinese
authorities had however started prepping for the day of the Uprising weeks prior to it. They had
hired unemployed Tibetans who resided in the outskirts of Lhasa to be appointed inside the city to
monitor the situation and to inform the communist officials about any suspicious talk or movement.
The places that were targeted and focused upon specifically were the areas of Sera, Drepung and
Ganden monasteries. The hiring of these workers had begun in February and they were sent mostly
to the Lhasa and Shigatse, the two biggest cities of that region. These people are apparently paid
wages but they are said to have been paid more if they were able to provide any useful information
to the Chinese officials. The Potala Palace and other sites were open for visitors but the security
in and around these places had been strengthened to a great extent. Surveillance cameras were
installed in the Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred and significant temple in Tibet and people
were made to register their entries and led on with strict coverage. The lack of basic human right
is apparent from all these impositions which has gone on for decades and have also increased with
time and become more severe on various levels. Tibetans in Tibet don’t have the freedom to hold
gatherings or perform prayer rituals. Their social media account is always under strict monitoring.
All these are done under the false pretext of the spread of COVID-19. Tibetans in Tibet have been
victims of China’s brutality and cruelty since the illegal occupationsTibetans in exile have also taken the much called for initiative to always commemorate the
Uprising Day. Protests are lead all around the world, calling out China for its inhumane acts against
the land and people of Tibet, for its repressive policies in Tibet, for robbing the rights of the
Tibetans in Tibet and for Tibet to be set free under its illegal grasp. The Tibetan Government in
exile has also been fairly active in finding supporters for the cause of Tibet and for upholding the
roots of the nation intact. Sikyong Penpa Tsering also issued a statement in which he called out
China for its forced sinicization of Tibet and also urged United Nations High Commissioner of
Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to investigate the human rights abuse in Tibet as a part of their
planned visit to China in May. Tsering Passang, the London-based founder and Chairman of the
Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) shared his views regarding how he
feels that it is important to let Tibet have full fledged embassies in other countries to give Tibet
the deserving representation. He also talked about how the restoration of peace is absolutely
important and how Tibetans should be allowed to participate in major international bodies like the
UN Human Rights Council and WHO.
Nancy Pelosi’s statement for the Tibetans on the Uprising Day highlights her support for the
Tibetan cause and she also mentions that the Congress is proud to stand with Tibet and its people.
She follows up with how it would not sit right on the moral grounds if the abuse of human rights
in Tibet by China is not spoken about and that the advancement of human rights will only occur
with the lack of liberty and justice. The international support for Tibet has increased over the years,
which is undoubtedly a relief of the Tibetans but the support extended has not been great to the
extent of finally being able to hold China accountable for their innumerable crimes done against
Tibet and its people. Organizations like the UN have never rendered their support or held China
responsible despite the visible abuse of human rights in Tibet and the complete absence of it. The
Tibetan cause and the freedom struggle will go on till Tibet finally gets justice but this would also
pave ways for other ethnicities who are similarly helpless under China’s oppressive rule. The
decline in Tibet’s natural resources due to China’s excessive usage will also affect the Asian
countries that rely on Tibet for its water sources. Tibet’s degradation would lead to huge losses for
the neighboring countries but China will not back done until this matter is taken seriously with
thorough consideration. It is time for Tibet’s call for justice to be tended to and for Tibet and its
people to be freed from the communist China’s brutal rule.
Tibet’s Cry for Justice- The 63rd Uprising Day
