| Quote: |
At least 80 people have been killed in unrest following protests by Tibetans against Chinese rule, the Tibetan government in exile says.
Indian-based officials said the figure was confirmed by several sources, even though China put the death toll at 10.
The Dalai Lama called for an international inquiry into China’s crackdown, accusing it of a “rule of terror” and “cultural genocide”.
Chinese troops were out in force in Lhasa, Tibet’s main city, on Sunday.
Hong Kong Cable TV reported that about 200 military vehicles, each carrying 40 to 60 armed soldiers, had driven into the city.
Loudspeakers broadcast messages, such as: “Discern between enemies and friends, maintain order.”
China tightly restricts Western journalists’ access to Tibet and it is sometimes extremely difficult to verify what is going on. |
Something about monks rioting gives me hope. Hopefully this will serve as an example.I hope people will get behind them and maybe even boycott the Olympics.
More likely though is that, as happened in Myanmar recently, they will get the crap kicked out of them and in a few months the rest of the world will forget it ever happened.
What I am hating is that the Indian government is acting like a coward and not backing Tibetians.
| paul_indo wrote: |
| I hope people will get behind them and maybe even boycott the Olympics. ... |
If it could in any way be shown that a boycott is more than simply the collective and reciprocal pats on the backs of those not attending, I would perhaps consider this, although even then I would have serious misgivings. The half a dozen boycotts to date accomplished nothing, chances are most have forgotten them completely.
On the other hand, if guests, athletes and/or press could produce something close to the impact of this picture, then we might actually get somewhere.It's interesting to see the world back Kosovo, but not Tibet. Tibet and China have had quite a history. A lot of Chinese people are quite passionate about Tibet being apart of their Republic. Whether or not that is based on fact or fiction, i don't know, but that is how they feel.
| MaxStirner wrote: |
| if guests, athletes and/or press could produce something close to the impact of this picture, then we might actually get somewhere. |
Human rights protest, as depicted in the picture, was not about one country conquering and ruling another. It was a worldwide movement, and still is, concerned with the rights of any minority or oppressed groups within society.
Although the Tibet situation obviously fits some of the criteria it is more to do with China invading and suppressing an entire country. It is to do with upholding international law and National sovereignty.
I doubt Tibet themselves will have any athletes competing, and what would be a salute of solidarity with them? It is an interesting idea though, just don't see how it could be applied here.
I believe that, due to the Chinese governments great fear of humiliation, boycotts and public statements would have a profound effect on the situation.
eg. if we can't send our reporters to Tibet we won't send them to the Olympics.
I am sure this won't happen as the world doesn't actually care that much about Tibet, but it would be interesting if it did.I actually read today that it was up to 99. The worst part is, you wonder, "how long can they last?" They're monks, but they're not being supported by a major government, no significant action is being taken to help them, and in the face of the PRC, a lot of diplomats aren't that militant.
| Quote: |
Sydney Herald, Australia
March 23, 2008
China vows to smash Tibetan protests
China today turned its back on appeals for dialogue with the Dalai Lama, vowing to smash anti-China forces in Tibet, where it said the death toll from recent unrest had risen to 19. |
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/china-vows-to-smash-tibetan-protests/2008/03/23/1206206900187.html
This is China's latest response. How can the world seriously consider holding the Olympics in China when most of their human rights progress is mere rhetoric? And when push comes to shove they prefer shoving to talking anyway.
I agree there is some merit in giving countries like China the carrot of normal relations, but only if they respond with genuine change and respect for human rights.
Poverty can't be fixed overnight but the way issues like this are dealt with can be instantly changed by a mere decision of government to act fairly and responsibly.
