Chinese oppression in Tibet warrants our attention
By Margo Fultz
"Free Tibet" stickers line bumpers of cars all over the nation, if not most of the industrialized world, but what does it mean? Does it mean someone is giving away some free Tibet? Is "Tibet" a person needing to be let out of jail? What is this "Tibet"? While many people do know it is a country, many fail to understand the reason behind the phrase "Free Tibet."
The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Tibetan people, as many know. In 1949, communist China invaded the country and took full control of Tibet in 1959. The Dalai Lama fled to India and has continuously worked for greater independence and peace of the Tibetan people. While the Tibetan refugees are struggling to sustain their identity, the future of the Tibetans still living in Tibet is in jeopardy with the Chinese Communist government's suppression of the Tibetan culture. Along with the destruction of sacred monasteries and destroying many innocent lives, the People's Republic of China (PRC) had further demoralized the Tibetan people by kidnapping and imprisoning the 11th Panchen Lama and his family in 1995, only six years old at the time (the Panchen Lama is second in command to the Dalai Lama). The PRC then replaced him with its own "Panchen Lama." The PRC refuses to admit that this is a "false prophet" of sorts. The Chinese communist government is doing all in its power to censor and hide its inhumane activities from the nation and the world.
This past Sunday, Sept. 30, marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at Nangpa Pass. Similar to the denial of the kidnapping of the Panchen Lama and his entire family, the PRC has once again chosen to cover up the truth. As shown in actual footage, shot by fellow mountain-climbers, it is evident that a cold murder by the Chinese border patrols was committed. On Sept. 30, 2006, 75 defenseless Tibetans were crossing the Nangpa Pass into Nepal to escape the oppression and the atrocities happening in Tibet. Around 10:30 a.m. local time, the Chinese border patrols shot a 17-year-old nun in the head, leaving her dead in the mountains. Another Tibetan was shot twice and left fatally wounded in the Himalayas. Along with the two cold murders, 24 were known to be arrested and later detained, which included children as young as 7 years old.
Even more alarming, the Chinese government refuses to acknowledge their actions by continuously stating that the Chinese border patrol were acting in self-defense. While all the evidence points toward the PRC as the catalyst of this devastating event, the PRC continue to deny their involvement. This shooting caused enragement and protests worldwide against the Chinese government for its lack of humanity. As a response to this brutal shooting, people from all corners of the world have joined to ask one simple question: "China: Would you shoot me too?"
This is not an anti-Chinese article. Rather, this is in opposition of the Chinese communist government and its blatant disregard for fundamental human rights, the environment and world peace.
As part of the Students for a Free Tibet campaign, we are speaking for all the Tibetans who are suppressed and kept in silence by the Chinese communist government. We want to educate and raise awareness about the atrocity and horror happening in Tibet. As stated in the mission of the Students for a Free Tibet, we strive to work for a world free of oppression, in which there is respect for the earth and all living things.
Margo Fultz is a junior nursing major.
