Highlights
– March 10, 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against the Chinese government
– Chinese authorities shut down Tibetan websites
– Dalai Lama refers to China’s rule over Tibet as “hell on Earth”
Referring to Chinese rule over Tibet as “hell on Earth”, the Dalai Lama has used some of his harshest words yet to describe the daily existence of his people in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. As a result of, or perhaps in anticipation to, the Chinese government has taken as hard a line to stifling dissent on the Internet as it has in the streets of Tibet.
Internet Crackdown Accompanies Security Increases in the Streets
Chinese efforts to maintain order in Tibet have been matched by attempts to suppress dissent in cyberspace. According to a number of popular websites, known for hosting anti-China chatter regarding Tibet, there appears to be a coordinated effort by Chinese communication providers to disrupt the dissemination of any information surrounding the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising.
High Peaks Pure Earth, a site known to provide English-language translations of Tibetan blogs, has been shut down. The site allegedly lost access to two major Tibetan language blog and discussion forums.
According to screen shots posted on TIS-509787, a number of websites, particularly ones with English translations, have been shut down. The usually active www.tibetcm.com has been closed down.
The China Mobile Group Tibet customer service hotline sent a cell phone message to all its subscribers in the Tibetan Autonomous Region:
• “Dear customers, our company has decided to renovate our network during the period March 10 to May 1. This will have some effects on the quality of communications. We ask for your understanding of the inconvenience this will cause.”
All telephone calls to Tibetan areas within China from outside China have been blocked. Some private Tibetan websites such as the Tibetan’s Culture Website tibetcul.cn and the Tibetan Buddhism website “Kamageju China Forum” have been asked to “close for maintenance.”
That Chinese authorities would censor Internet activity, particularly surrounding an anniversary as the Tibetan Uprising is of little surprise given its penchant for stifling dissent. We expect those sites to become active again in several weeks.
Internet Chatter Up, Protests Down
Online websites and blogs have provided a constant forum for individuals throughout the international community to advocate for Tibetan independence. Much of the chatter on these forums aims to revive the spirit of the Tibetan national uprising of 1959 by engaging in nonviolent direct action. The goal, according to most bloggers, is to “bring about an end to China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.”
In the days surrounding the anniversary of Tibet’s failed uprising, most bloggers have been discussing the intensity of police and armed forces in the region. Bloggers on TIS-509787 believe the continued military presence at monasteries in the days leading up to the anniversary has been hindering the quality of life for the lay and religious residing there.
• “China has moved thousands of soldiers and paramilitary police into Tibet in recent weeks, using overwhelming force to try to intimidate and suppress Tibetans as March 10th approaches.”
In addition to referring to Chinese rule over Tibet as “hell on Earth,” the Dalai Lama stated, “the religion, culture, language and identity, which successive generations of Tibetans have considered more precious than their lives, are nearing extinction.”
Bloggers responded to the Dalai Lama’s unusually harsh words, suggesting that his stance reflects the bleakness of the conditions in Tibet and the poor prospects for political progress. Some expressed confusion, as the Dalai Lama remains more moderate that many of his followers and question whether progress will be made. The uncharacteristic words by the Dalai Lama will likely lead some of his younger followers to more extreme measures than he would advocate.
Outlook
The Chinese authorities will continue suppressing Tibetan resistance to the rule of Beijing both physically and in cyber-space in the near term. In the Dalai Lama China has a moderate partner willing to work toward autonomy within China. He is still the leader of the Tibetan resistance movement, but is aging and losing control to younger advocates of more coercive action. In the long-term China will regret not having negotiated with the moderate Dalai Lama when it is faced with armed resistance from those willing to die for an independent Tibet.
