March 31, 2008
It seems like every day a new report is out about Tibetans protesting the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the Chinese government that is hosting the games. Where did this whole thing come from? It seems like it started all of a sudden one day, and now it’s everywhere. What is it all about?
This will require a quick history lesson: In 1971, The Qing Dynasty that ruled China established the Dalai Lama and his regents as the spiritual and political leaders of Tibet. They continued in their rule through 1951. In 1911, Tibet proclaimed its independence from China, and although no other country recognized Tibet, it continued as a de-facto independent state until 1950.
In 1950, the Chinese army invaded Tibet, and easily overran the small Tibetan army. Since then the Tibetan government led by the Dalai Lama has been in exile, and the Chinese government has been in control of the region. Chinese citizens were moved in to populate the area, and many Tibetans feel that their culture is being threatened.
March 2008 saw a flare-up in anti-China protests by Buddhist Monks living in Tibet, and has spread in advance of the China-hosted Olympics.
Whether or not China should relinquish some or all of its control of Tibet is one question, but the real issue is the way China has responded to the Tibetan protesters. Hundreds of peaceful protesters have been arrested, and journalists and diplomats have been barred from the region.
The US and the EU are pressuring China to change its ways, but this only highlights the question the world must be asking itself about choosing China to host the Summer Olympics. Will China clean up its human rights record? Will China stop persecuting members of the Falun Gong groups? Will China put pressure on the Sudanese government to stop the massacres in Darfur? Will China stop its ruthless crackdown of Tibetan dissent?
This is what the Tibet protests are all about. This is what we can all be thinking as we head towards the Summer Olympics that are only 129 days away.
Leave a Comment » | 
Social Action Issues | Tagged: activism, china, current events, human rights, olympics, tibet | 
Permalink
Posted by eimatai
March 3, 2008
Since 2001, Chinese officials have been working feverishly to prepare for the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics. It was a long and arduous process to get Beijing selected as the host of this world event.
Chinese officials were paranoid about the impression they would give off to the millions who will have their eyes trained on the country and its citizens. Training was implemented to accustom Beijing residents to western customs such as standing in line and not spitting in public. A squad of sign-checkers were sent to scour the city in search of businesses displaying poorly worded English.
Limits on driving and the shutting down of factories were timed months in advance to minimize the smog that plagues this coastal city.
One thing, however, China was unable to clean up in time for the games: its human rights record.
China has long been criticized of committing human rights violations, and it was hoping to use the Olympic games to clean up its image. Instead, it is becoming a forum for the world to focus in on the horrible acts of the Chinese government.
One of the most recent things to be focused on is the fact that China is a key ally and supporter of the Sudanese government. Despite this fact, it has done little if anything to pressure the Sudanese to end the years of bloodshed that have destroyed the region of Darfur.
Protests were conducted in cities across the world, and people were calling for divestment from the Olympics. In a sign of solidarity with this movement, Steven Spielberg resigned from his post as director of the Opening Ceremonies.
As we get closer to the Olympics, we must think what we can do to use this opportunity to put pressure on the Chinese government. Let’s make this an event of global change, not global shame.
Leave a Comment » | Social Action Issues | Tagged: china, darfur, human rights, olympics, steven spielberg | Permalink
Posted by eimatai
