Protests for demanding a “Free Tibet” continue to increase as the 2008 Beijing Olympics quickly approaches. On August 1, 2007, Tibetan, Runggye Adak, was detained after rallying a crowd in western China to support the return of exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government was quick to respond, resulting in the detention of several hundred supporters, including Adak.
Tibetans deny Chinese claims of rule over Tibet. Chinese troops entered the strongly Buddhist region in 1950 and established formal rule in 1951. The Dalai Lama, who is the Tibetan spiritual leader, eventually fled to Dharmsala, India in 1959 amid calls to de-legitimize his rule.
Despite the recent arrests, we believe the Tibetan protests will continue in the near to mid-term, along with increase attention by Chinese government officials.
Protests for Freedom
Since winning the highly anticipated bid for the 2008 Olympics, protests in the usually repressive country continue to rise. In 2004 upwards of three million people took part in protests throughout China.
As cell phones and the Internet have become more widespread, people are now able to easily share feelings of disaffection rooted with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Censorship remains an obstacle, however, the Internet has made all-encompassing censorship increasingly difficult for the government to monitor and deter dissenters before they act.
The recent demonstration for the return of the Dalai Lama indicates that while the government is losing its grasp on media censorship, it has no intention of loosening control over Tibet. On September 1, 2007 the Chinese government will choose a new “Living Buddha.” This is a significant move because Tibet’s Living Buddhas are spiritual leaders in Tibetan religious communities and oversee the training of monks, giving them tremendous influence over Tibetan people.
Foreign Tibetan activists have also increased protests inside China. On August 7, 2007, six foreigners – including one Canadian, one Briton and four Americans – were detained on the Great Wall outside of Beijing by Chinese government officials, after hanging a sign that read “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008” in Chinese and English. The protest was timed to coincide with the one-year mark to the 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2007. Two more Canadians were arrested the following day and all eight protestors were subsequently deported on August 9, 2007. In April 2007 five American students were also expelled after hanging a similar banner at the base camp of Mount Everest in Tibet.
Additionally, on August 8, 2007, approximately 20,000 exiled Tibetans organized demonstrations in six countries around the globe to protest the Beijing Olympics and China’s right to rule Tibet.
International Response
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has provided a limited response when asked about the increase in protests. Hopeful that the Olympics can be a “catalyst for constructive dialogue,” the IOC states that their main focus is sports, not politics. Speaking at the August 8,2007, opening event marking the one year countdown to the Olympics, the IOC President remarked, “Beijing and China will not only host a successful Games for the world’s premier athletes, but will also provide an excellent opportunity to discover China, its history, its culture and its people, with China opening itself to the world in new ways.” However, that is exactly what the protestors are trying to highlight. The protestors on the Great Wall claim that the IOC awarded Beijing the Olympics thinking the human rights violations would improve; however, conditions have worsened, particularly in Tibet.
Ironically, the Dalai Lama himself does not outwardly support these protests. He has asked for wide autonomy for Tibet within China and does not affiliate himself with any of the activist groups, sometimes even speaking out against protests. Recently the Dalai Lama asked fourteen Tibetan exiles to end a month-long hunger strike.
Outlook for the Year
We believe free Tibet protests will likely continue in the near to mid-term. As the 2008 Olympics nears, groups advocating freedom for Tibet will become bolder and pose more frequent demonstrations. Although the majority of protests remain small, non-violent and easily controlled, the potential exists for extreme action if the IOC continues to ignore the protestors’ call for action. However, Tibetan activists are only one of many groups seeking to gain international attention for their cause in China.
