Chinese Authorities Target Tibetan Language Advocate Despite His Release From Prison

19.04.2022

Mandakini Jathavethan

Tibet and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

Chinese authorities ordered certain hotels in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) to deny lodging to a Tibetan language rights advocate. Tashi Wangchuk had dropped by Tibetan schools in Golog, Rebgong and Malho in the Qinghai province to advocate for the use of Tibetan language in Tibetan schools. Tashi is known to be staying with his brother in Siling, where he is required to undergo a 15-day quarantine against COVID-19. His personal safety is concerning as he continues to be monitored and surveilled. 

Tashi Wangchuk had been released in 2021 after serving a prison sentence for inciting separatism. In reality, his legal battle against Chinese officials to incorporate and promote the usage of Tibetan language in Tibetan schools within the TAR had been documented by the New York Times. 

China appears to be employing a policy of bilingual education in TAR. However, in effect, Tibetan language is side-lined and Mandarin Chinese is imposed. This is in violation of China’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to provide holistic education to children in their mother-tongues, and to foster tolerant and multi-cultural environments.

Sources and further reading:

Tibetan Review. (2022, April 16). Released Tibetan language rights activist at it again, China bans him from hotels. https://www.tibetanreview.net/released-tibetan-language-rights-activist-at-it-again-china-bans-him-from-hotels/ 

Kunchok, S. (2022, April 15). Tibetan language advocate barred from hotels in Tibet. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/barred-04152022105059.html