China demands information about exiled relatives of Tibetans
GHRTV
7.06.2022
Mandakini Jathavethan
Tibet and Human Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Chinese local authorities of the Drago County of the Sichuan province are going door-to-door asking Tibetans to disclose the Covid-19 vaccination status of their relatives living abroad. Other information sought are their cell phone numbers and details of their social media accounts. Their failure to reveal this information may result in their removal from household registries and denial of any state assistance or housing subsidies.
It is not clear why this data is being sought. It is stipulated that tracking the online activities of exiled Tibetans and their expressions of dissent could be used to pressurize, or otherwise harm their relatives living in Tibet.
Sources and further reading:
Tibetan Review, (2022, June 2). China forcing Tibetans in a Sichuan County to provide contact, other details of relatives abroad. https://www.tibetanreview.net/china-forcing-tibetan-in-a-sichuan-county-to-provide-contact-other-details-of-relatives-abroad/
Kunchok S., (2022, June 1). China demands information on COVID status of exiled Tibetans. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/status-06012022153926.html
