Dharamshala, Friday, 4 February 2022: China has been implementing policies that are aimed at wiping out Tibetan identity since Tibet was occupied by China. Since then, Tibetans are denied human rights, religious freedom, and language rights. China hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing at such a critical situation inside Tibet is a clear failure of the international community to stand up against China. Tibetans and other oppressed people under the Chinese regime have been living under oppressive Chinese policies. Moreover, Chinese people themselves are denied freedom and equal rights. Thus, 1.4 billion Chinese people are living under the draconian rule of the Chinese Communist Party. China does not deserve the right to host the Winter Olympics in Beijing with such clear evidence of human rights violations and abuses. Therefore, we firmly oppose China hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, and recognize the failure of the governments and countries supporting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
The expansionist policies of the Chinese Communist Party have stretched beyond China to pose threat to all parts of the world. The threat of the Chinese Communist party is apparent from the developments of border aggressions at the India – Tibet border, conflicts at the South China Sea, and war threats to Taiwan. With new trade deals, leading democratic countries of the world are fostering one of the world’s worst threats to democracy. As a consequence, China has been advancing its influence and power to all parts of the world. It is high time for the leaders of the free world to stop their “quiet diplomacy” against China and move forward to protect democracy. China is a threat to democracy. If China continues to go on with its atrocities, the world is in danger of moving apart from democracy.
It has been more than 70 years since Tibet was colonized by China. Tibetans have never stopped struggling for their rights and freedom. Today, five major Tibetan NGOs are joining to organize a hunger strike to protest against the oppressive policies on Tibetans and reiterate that China does not qualify for the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. We are joining in solidarity with people all over the world who are also victims of Chinese colonization like the Tibetans. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 167 Tibetans have self-immolated to protest against the repressive Chinese occupation. The situation inside Tibet has been severely deteriorating. China has violated international laws, and ironically also failed to enforce the laws prescribed under the Chinese Communist Party’s ethnic autonomy system. Tibetans inside Tibet are living under severe restrictions and repression. There are increased reports of arrests of dissents and enforced disappearance inside Tibet. The recent demolition of a giant Buddha statue in Drago, Kham, and ten – year sentence of prominent Tibetan writer Go Sherab Gyatso is clear evidence. As such, we call on China to release Tibetan political prisoners including Panchen Rinpoche immediately without any conditions.
Organized by:
Tibetan Youth Congress
Tibetan Women’s Association
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Gu Chu Sum Movement Association of Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet – India
