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| Karma T. Youngdue |
Since then, March 10 has been a day of remembrance and defiance, symbolizing the enduring struggle of Tibetans for freedom and autonomy. Despite decades of increasing repression and cultural assimilation policies imposed by the Chinese government, Tibetans continue to assert their rights and preserve their unique cultural heritage. From peaceful protests to international advocacy efforts, the Tibetan Uprising Day serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity for Tibetans worldwide, inspiring ongoing efforts to secure justice and self-determination for their people.
This year, the People's Republic of China (PRC) authorities implemented harsh measures to quell peaceful Tibetan protests in Derge, Tibet. Consequently, there have been widespread instances of arbitrary detentions and injuries inflicted upon Tibetan civilians. Over the past month, Tibetans have been protesting the proposed construction of a hydroelectric power plant, which would entail the forced displacement of hundreds of Tibetans from their ancestral village. Moreover, this project threatens the destruction of centuries-old monasteries, dating back to the 13th century, which safeguard a treasure trove of ancient relics and Buddha murals.
On Feb. 14, 2024, more than 300 Tibetans staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Derge County government office in Karze, located in the historical province of Kham, now part of Sichuan Province. Their protest aimed to stop the construction of a hydroelectric dam and reverse the official directive mandating the relocation of Tibetans. Subsequently, on Feb. 20 and 21, a substantial number of county officials and security personnel gathered at the Wontoe and Yena monasteries in Wonpotoe township, to prepare for demolition.
In a desperate plea, many Tibetans knelt and appealed to Chinese officials to halt the demolition. However, on Feb. 22, Chinese police deployed in the area resorted to extreme violence, wielding weapons and causing injuries that required hospitalization for numerous participants in the peaceful protest. Moreover, this crackdown resulted in widespread arrests and detentions of Tibetan individuals.
The building of the Kamtok dam, which is part of the proposed construction of 13 dams along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, known as Drichu in Tibetan, threatens to inundate two villages: Wonpotoe in Derge County, Karze, and Shepa Village in Jomda County, Chamdo. Additionally, it poses a threat to six monasteries situated along the riverbanks, namely Yena, Wontoe, Khadho, Rabten, Gonsar, and Tashi Monastery. The immediate risk of permanent destruction to the ancient relics and murals of historical and religious significance is particularly concerning for the Wontoe and Yena monasteries.
Tibetan demonstrators are mainly worried about the lack of genuine consultation by the Chinese authorities with local Tibetans. They fear that the planned dam construction jeopardizes their traditional livelihoods and their way of life. Despite its substantial power generation capacity of 1.1 million kilowatts, the electricity produced by this hydroelectric plant will only benefit Chinese cities through the ultra high voltage “West to East” transmission network, with Tibet seeing little to no significant advantage from the project.
The recent suppression of peaceful Tibetan protestors in Derge County underscores the Chinese Communist Party's deliberate disregard for the basic rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people. Currently, Chinese authorities have enforced a total internet blackout and suppressed information regarding the protests on social media platforms as part of an extensive security crackdown in the region.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, stated, “The suppression of non-violent protests in Derge, along with the Chinese authorities' indifference to the fundamental rights of Tibetans, is utterly unacceptable. These punitive actions underscore China's prioritization of its communist ideology and economic interests over respecting and upholding the fundamental human rights of Tibetans. We call upon the PRC government to immediately release all Tibetans detained during the Derge protests and to honor the rights and aspirations of the Tibetan people. It is imperative for the world to listen to the voices of Tibetans and address the harsh realities of Chinese governance in Tibet.”
Tibetans and their supporters in Toronto are marking the 65th anniversary of the uprising on Sunday, March 10, 2024. They will hold a peaceful protest from Parkdale, also known as The Little Tibet, to the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. Additionally, two buses will depart from Toronto to Ottawa, with Tibetans and supporters from Montreal joining in. Together, they will stage a peaceful protest and march from Parliament Hill to the Chinese embassy in Ottawa.
Please share this information with everyone in your network to bolster our campaign to halt the construction of large-scale hydro power dams, which pose significant ecological and environmental risks. With your assistance, along with the support of your local government and the international community, we can strive to put an end to the current crackdown and prevent the forced displacement of Tibetans from their ancestral lands.
Karma T. Youngdue is former vice-president of the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario and Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre. Currently, he is president of the Ngari Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Toronto. He also works as software engineer at LexisNexis Canada.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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