U.S. Department of State 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Denounces Chinese Treatment of Tibet

15.04.2022

Mandakini Jathavethan

Tibet and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

In its 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State issued its report on China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Tibet). Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State noted that, “the Chinese Government continues to … carry out systematic repression in Tibet.” (Dolma, 2022) He added that arbitrary and detention of Tibetans remains rife, as legal safeguards were inadequate, and due to the lack of procedure and practice to challenge the lawfulness of their detention. 

The report highlighted the lack of respect for civil liberties of Tibetans. “Neither in law, nor practice were constitutional provisions for freedom of expression respected” (U.S. Department of State, 2022). This was exacerbated by the use of pervasive surveillance systems by the Chinese authorities. Censorship or content restrictions continued on even online media. The lack of education in Tibet in the Tibetan language was noted. Currently, Mandarin Chinese is preferred as a matter of policy. Moreover, the report noted that Han Chinese persons, especially retired soldiers were incentivised to move to Tibet, while spearheading campaigns to resettle Tibetan nomads into urban areas. These are efforts to invisibilise Tibetan identities and cultures.

Sources and further reading:

Dolma, Y. (2022, April 13). China continues to carry out systematic repression in Tibet: Blinken. https://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/43-international/7271-china-continues-to-carry-out-systematic-repression-in-tibet-blinken 

U.S. Department of State. (2022, April 12). 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China (Includes Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet) - Tibet. https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/china/tibet/