Human Rights Crisis

Photo: Shirt worn by Tibetan victim of Chinese military violence. Brown spots are blood stains.

Visited Tibetan museum to better understand situation here. Impossible, I think, to leave without feeling overwhelming sadness and frustration. Some excerpts:

"The systematic eradication of Tibetan culture and religion saw the destruction of over 6,000 monastaries and temples by the Chinese military. The handful still standing today are used as tourist attractions, army barracks, or public toilets..."

"I participated in a peaceful demonstration with five other nuns from my nunnery. We were immediately arrested and taken to a detention center. I was interrogated for two months. We were hung from the ceiling, cigarettes were stubbed on our bodies, and we were beaten seriously with metal wires. Female prisoners had electric batons inserted in their private parts..."

"Approximately 1.2 million Tibetans died [so far] as a result of Chinese oppresion through executions, torture, hunger, and labor camps. Since 1959, about 100,000 Tibetans fled to neighboring countries. Many die on the way from Chinese attacks or harsh conditions..."

McLeod Ganj (where I live) is in Nothern India, SW of the Tibetan (or Chinese, depends who you ask) border. His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled here in 1959. Tibetans I've met trekked across the Himalayas to get here. Many get frostbite, some lose fingers/toes.

Situation for Tibetans in China is getting worse. Dalai Lama's response remains amazingly tempered: "His Holiness has never condoned violence. He is cautious of his condemnation of Chinese atrocities, never using language of hate or anger... H.H. considers himself a follower of Gandhi."

Last room of the museum has pictures of H.H. (His Holiness) meeting with world leaders and religious figures, including G.W., Pope John Paul and Nelson Mandela. In another photo he recieves Nobel Peace Prize. The systematic eradication of the Tibetan people is an internationally recognized Human Rights disaster, so why does it continue?

The Chinese government is not held accountable for violating international law. Businesses around the world continue to enjoy cheap labor, manufacturing and imports from China. The Olympic Committee Chose Beijing as the site for the 2008 Olympics (not supposed to be hosted by Nation that commits Human Rights violations). Neither UN, nor US, slaps them on the wrist (perhaps because they're a nuclear superpower?).

Suggestions and comments are welcome.