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FREEDOM FOR ALL
#freetibet

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About
the Tibetans

Tibet has a long and rich history as a nation existing side-by-side with China while political power in Asia shifted between empires and kingdoms. In 1913, the 13th Dalai Lama issued a proclamation reaffirming Tibet’s independence and the country maintained its own national flag, currency, stamps, passports, and army.

 

Following China's Communist revolution in 1948, it invaded Tibet in 1950. Overwhelmed, Tibet was forced to give up its independence. After a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama - Tibet’s political and spiritual leader at the time - fled into exile in India followed by tens of thousands of Tibetans.

Since 1959, China's government has exercised total political control over Tibet, using all the tools of repression to deter and punish Tibetan resistance.

Prior to China’s invasion in 1950, Tibet maintained a unique culture, religion and language for centuries. Today, this culture is under threat from mass Chinese immigration and the strict control of all expressions of Tibetan culture and national identity.

 

China boasts of huge investment in Tibet but its economic development is primarily intended to cement its hold on Tibet and enhance its ability to exploit Tibet's natural resources. Economic development has improved conditions for some Tibetans but overwhelmingly it favors Chinese migrants, continuing to disadvantage Tibetans economically. 
 

Along with other countries around the world, Tibet has changed greatly over the past 70 years. However, Tibetans continue to work to preserve their culture and resist oppressive policies on a daily basis.
 

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Human Rights
Reports 

Why Isn't Tibet Free?

Listen to
Their Stories

Tibetan monk Palden Gyatso recounts his 33 years of imprisonment by the Chinese government, a punishment inflicted on him for his peaceful advocacy on behalf of the Tibetan people. He describes the beatings, starvation, and electric shock torture that he endured during his imprisonment. Despite the abuse he suffered, Gyatso still has hope that Tibet will one day be a free and independent nation and coexist peacefully with China. He emphasizes that the struggle for freedom must be peaceful, even in the face of violent Chinese government repression.

Tenzin Tsundue

Activist Tenzin Tsundue is no stranger to lockdowns. His family came as refugees from Tibet to India, and he was born ‘in-exile’ in India. 

He’s been arrested 16 times, for his protests and for the violation of restrictions on the movement of foreigners in India. Now it's common for him to get detained when a Chinese leader or Head of State visits.

Chemi Lhamo

Chemi Lhamo is an outspoken Tibetan-Canadian Human Rights Activist. She was born in 1996 in Mysore in the south of India and her family was part of the Tibetan exiles of the 1960s.  Chemi’s journey is remarkable. Fully committed to her studies, she was captain of her school’s volleyball and basketball teams and was elected class president of the Parkdale Collegiate Institute in Grade 12. In 2014, she attended the University of Toronto in the neuroscience and psychology program and was elected vice-president of the Scarborough Campus Student Union. In February 2019, she became Student Union president.

Stay Connected
with Tibetan Rights Advocates

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Chemi

Lhamo

Chemi Lhamo is an outspoken Tibetan-Canadian Human Rights Activist. She was born in 1996 in Mysore in the south of India and her family was part of the Tibetan exiles of the 1960s.  Chemi’s journey is remarkable. Fully committed to her studies, she was captain of her school’s volleyball and basketball teams and was elected class president of the Parkdale Collegiate Institute in Grade 12. In 2014, she attended the University of Toronto in the neuroscience and psychology program and was elected vice-president of the Scarborough Campus Student Union. In February 2019, she became Student Union president.

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  • Twitter

Tenzin Tsundue

Activist Tenzin Tsundue is no stranger to lockdowns. His family came as refugees from Tibet to India, and he was born ‘in-exile’ in India. 

He’s been arrested 16 times, for his protests and for the violation of restrictions on the movement of foreigners in India. Now it's common for him to get detained when a Chinese leader or Head of State visits.

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  • Twitter

Lhadon Tethong

Lhadon is one of the most influential young leaders and recognizable faces in the Tibetan freedom movement and was awarded the first annual James Lawson Award for Nonviolent Achievement by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. 

Get to know
Tibetan Human Rights Institutions

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STUDENTS

FOR

A FREE TIBET

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and nonviolent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice.

Twitter: @SFTHQ

Webpage: studentsforafreetibet.org 

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FREE TIBET

Free Tibet's vision is a free Tibet in which Tibetans are able to determine their own future and the human rights of all are respected. Free Tibet campaign for an end to China's occupation of Tibet and for international recognition of Tibetans' right to freedom.

Free Tibet mobilize active support for the Tibetan cause, champion human rights, and challenge those whose actions sustain the occupation.

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TIBET WATCH

Tibet Watch document and expose the ongoing human rights abuse in Tibet using a wide range of sources. Our researchers collect information from a network of brave individuals who are committed to ensuring that the world hears the truth about China's repression and brutality - and Tibetan resistance. We also carry out interviews with newly arrived Tibetan refugees, monitor Chinese government websites and media, track changes in policy or law and review both Tibetan and English language news. 

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TIBET ACTION

Tibet Action Institute combines the power of digital communication with strategic nonviolent action to advance the Tibetan freedom movement. We bring together expert campaigners, strategists, and technologists to develop and implement visionary strategies and innovative training, education, and technology programs, equipping Tibetans with the tools and knowledge to achieve human rights and freedom in Tibet.

Twitter: @tibetaction

Webpage: https://tibetaction.net/

#freetibet

Say NO to Beijing 2022

The human rights situation in Tibet is more appalling than ever and the Chinese government wants to use another festival of sport to legitimise its brutal policies. It falls to us to speak out.

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