"Tibetan[s]
are denied fundamental rights, but the authorities are especially
rigorous in suppressing any signs of dissent among Tibetans, including
manifestations of Tibetan religious beliefs and cultural identity."
China
invaded Tibet in 1950. Inside its borders and across the world,
Tibetans have never stopped believing Tibet is a nation. After more
than 70 years of occupation, Tibetans still resist China's rule and
defy its oppression.
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1. Tibet is a country in the
Himalayan mountains. By land-mass, it should be the world’s 10th
largest nation. |
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2. In 1950, China invaded its
neighbour and seized control by force. Tibetans have lived under
China’s military rule ever since. |
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3. Tibetans attempted to take
back their country in an enormous uprising in March of 1959. The
protests were crushed with brutal force. |
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4. Fearing for his safety, the
Tibetan’s young leader, the Dalai Lama, was forced to flee across
the mountains to India, where he still lives today. |
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5. Tibet was divided up and
incorporated into Chinese provinces. The largest of these is the
so-called “Tibet Autonomous Region” or TAR. |
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6. Despite its name, the TAR
is anything but autonomous. China rules with an iron fist, and Tibet
is ranked amongst the “worst of the worst” for human rights
violations. |
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7. China continues to insist
that Tibetans are happy and prosperous, but won’t allow journalists,
tourists or diplomats to see for themselves. |
|
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8. More than 100 countries
have achieved independence in the time that Tibet has been occupied. |
|
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9. Tibetans have never stopped
resisting the destruction of their culture and way of life. Their
protests continue to be guided by their Buddhist faith and its
non-violent principles. |
