March 17, 2008

Trouble in Tibet

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, watches helplessly from India as his people protest

By Kathryn Satterfield

As Monday drew to a close in Tibet, officials urged protesters to surrender or suffer "harsh consequences." Tibet is a region of China near the Indian border. Tibet has struggled against China's strict control, but Chinese leaders consider Tibet part of their nation.

AFP/GETTYIMAGES Chinese troops ride into Lhasa on March 16.

After nearly a week of anti-China protests, the streets of Lhasa, Tibet's capital, erupted in violence on Friday, March 14. Chinese troops poured in to crush the riots. "If these people turn themselves in, they will be treated with leniency within the framework of the law," said Tibet's governor, Champa Phuntsok. The governor was appointed by Chinese officials.

A History of Unrest

The protests began on March 10 to mark a painful anniversary for many Tibetans. On that date in 1959, Tibetans launched a failed uprising against Chinese rule in the region. The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, fled and has been living in exile in India ever since.

Tibet had been isolated and largely independent until 1950, when Chinese troops moved in. China's crackdown on Tibetan language, culture and the Buddhist religion in the 1960s has been a source of conflict between the Chinese government and the Tibetan people ever since.

On March 14, the demonstrations by Buddhist monks started peacefully. Things took a turn when Tibetans in Lhasa began attacking Chinese residents and burning their businesses. The violence was in response to decades of repression and recent crackdowns on the Buddhist religion by the Chinese government.

The World Watches

Over the weekend, hundreds of young Buddhist monks, nuns and ordinary Tibetans in India and other neighboring countries held marches to show their support. "His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) advises patience," says Nwawang, 33, who fled Tibet for India more than 10 years ago. "But we must act now before Tibet, our homeland, our culture is wiped out." Many human rights groups hope that with the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing, Chinese leaders will feel pressured to change their nation's policies.

On Sunday, the Dalai Lama told reporters that he favors a "middle path" of self-rule within China, rather than demanding Tibet's full independence. Still, he strongly criticized the restrictions on Buddhist practices. He also expressed his distress over recent events. His government-in-exile received reports that 80 Tibetans had been killed. "I feel very sad, very serious, very anxious," he said.

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