Tibetan People
By Avery Goforth
Brief History
The tibetan people are a part of China, but hope to some day be independent. In 1949, China's People's Liberation Army invaded Tibet, and killed more than 10,000. Later, The Tibetan Cultural Revolution started and Tibetan suffered through some of the worst human rights abuses ever. This was called, "Smash the Four Olds." Tibetans were killed for any use of old custom, old habits, old cultures, or old ideas. Then, they were put in labor camps. More than 250,000 died in those labor camps. China continues to harm the Tibet people and their enviorment. They dump toxic wastes into their rivers, endangered species are purposely hunted, and they build nuclear plants near them. Many die from disease and famine.
Location
Autonomous region in southwestern China, controlled by China since the 1700's.
Considered Homeland
Tibet
Language
Tibetic Language, or Bodic
Conflicts and Violence
China is very violent towards the people of Tibet. They made them work in labor camps, put many in to prisons, beat them, raped the women and made the pregnant ones get abortions, children are beaten, people are bit by dogs and burned with cigarettes. Whips, electric items, belts, chairs, and clubs are used to abuse them. 250,000 were killed.
Movements and Independence
The People's Republic of China (PRC) claims that Tibet is an integral part of China. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile maintains that Tibet is an independent state under unlawful occupation.
Influential People
1. Dalai Lama- Spiritual Leader of Tibet. Won Nobel Peace Prize and travels the world and speaks about compassion and how it's key to a happy life.
2. Jetsun Pema- Activist. Served president of the Tibetan Children Villages school systems for 42 years.
3. Tsering Dolma Gyaltong- Spiritual Leader. Revived the Tibetan Womens Association.
Rights
Honestly the really have no rights. They are run by China, still treated pretty horribly, do not have the right law systems, and human rights here are pretty unknown. There isn't freedom of speech, religion, assembly, or press.
Where They stand today
They still have close to no rights, and are still not very independent or free. The Chinese government wants to wipe out all of the tibetan people without a trace. 1.2 million tibetans have died but they still keep hope and focus on their goals of becoming free. The tibetan people continue to try to keep their customs and culture alive, but it's really hard when you constantly having people around you being killed for doing so.