What About Tibet?

Tibet is a small nation in east central Asia that for over 50 years has been in great political and humanitarian distress. For thousands of years Tibet had existed as an autonomous nation nestled at the roof of the world in the himilayan mountains. It has its own distinct language and culture and a unique spirit deeply steeped in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.

In 1949, Tibet's neigbor, the People's Republic of China under the Control of Chairman Mao Zedong and his "Cultural Revolution" invaded and subsequently occupied Tibet. Since then unthinkable violations of fundamental human rights have have been commited against the peaceful and non-violent citizens of Tibet. Since the Chinese occupation over one million of Tibet's population of six million have died as a result of torture, starvation and execution by Chinese athorities. The list of attrocties includes Tibetans being beaten, gassed, imprisioned, tortued and executed for peacefully protesting the occupation, hanging protest posters or even just singing protest songs. Nuns have been imprisioned and brutally raped, including cases of violation with such implements as assult rifles and electric cattle prouds. Young children were given guns by chinese soldiors and forced to murder their own parents. The Panchen Lama, a spiritual leader of Tibet, was only six years old at the time of the occupation. He was arrested and taken to China, never to be seen again. It is assumed he was either executed or starved or tortured to death. Over 6,000 monastaries, which in Tibet also act as schools and centers of learning and medicine, have been destroyed along with their contents, irreplacable treasures of Tibetan art and culture. And as a result, many young Tibetans are growing up ignorant of their own cultural and spiritual identity and being forcibly indocrtinated into the Marxist iealogy of their Chinese oppressors.

The true govenment of Tibet, lead by the 14th Dalai Lama lives in exile from its people and homeland. Because of their dedication to the Buddhist understanding that stresses non-violence, they refuse to battle the brutaity of their oppressors with further brutality.And despite all the things that they have endured, the Tibetan people seek a poitical and diplomatic means to resore their rights and self-determination. Numerous appeals have been made to many of the worlds nations to put political pressure on the Chinese government and demand their withdraw from Tibet.

The U.S. Goverment has yet to take any action against China that could force a resolution of its unlawful occupation of Tibet.

So, we have invaded Iraq under the suspucion that it may be producing weapons of mass destruction and because it has launched invasions against its neiboring nations in the past.

Well The People's Republic of China has an arsanal of over 3500 nuclear weapons, the largest stading army on earth and has invaded and occupied Tibet for over half a century.

So either, we don't care, or the nations we trade with can violate human rights all they please, or we only invade countries that don't have oil fields.

But what do you think about this?

And as a side note, as a people we need to raise awareness of the situation in Tibet. The Tibetan people are counting on us to be free. So write your congressmen/women about how you feel and get your friends and family involved. If enough people speak up we can make a difrence. The Tibetan people have a beautiful culture and way of life that could disapaer forever if we don't get involved. So speak up,be heard and show your love for Tibet! :D Thank You!!!

Show all stories by   Author:  14407 ( Click here )