Worsening Tibet situation condemned on eve of China’s crucial party congress

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President Xi Jinping arriving for his speech at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo courtesy: NYT)
President Xi Jinping arriving for his speech at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo courtesy: NYT)

(TibetanReview.net, Oct18, 2017) – Five major exile Tibetan and Tibet campaign groups have come together on Oct 17, the eve of the 19th national congress of the Communist Party of China, to condemn China’s hardline policy on the Tibet issue over the past five years under current President Xi Jinping. Addressing a joint press conference at Dharamshala, India, the groups have said President Xi had belied expectations for changes for the better in Tibet when he took office in 2012. They have said the situation in Tibet had, in fact, gone from “bad to worse”.

“When Xi Jinping was appointed as president of Communist Party of China, many around the world hoped for positive change and the relaxation of the harsh policies in Tibet; however, Xi has failed to live up to these expectations and hopes,” the ANI news agency Oct 17 quoted the groups as saying.

“The situation in Tibet has gone from bad to worse with increased censorship, violation of basic human rights and the denial of freedom of religion and the right to study the Tibetan language,” they have added.

The groups – consisting of the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet – have called for stepped up efforts to further condemn the Chinese leadership and what they have called China’s failed policies in Tibet.

“We the five Tibet NGOs strongly protest Xi’s leadership in the years to come and will continue our freedom struggle until justice is served for Tibet,” they have said.

That is because the groups do not expect the situation to improve as President Xi looks to consolidate his power during the upcoming party congress for the next five years. “Despite his concerted efforts to restore his image in the global arena, he (Xi Jinping) will never be seen at par with any global leader with legitimacy as long as situation inside Tibet and China do not change for the better,” Dorjee Tsetan, SFT Executive Director, was quoted as saying.

He was also reported to have urged the international community to further strengthen its voice against Xi’s rise.

Representatives from five Tibetan NGOs at the joint press conference at TYC HQ. Oct. 17. 2017. (Photo courtesy: Kunsang Gashon/Phayul)
Representatives from five Tibetan NGOs at the joint press conference at TYC HQ. Oct. 17. 2017. (Photo courtesy: Kunsang Gashon/Phayul)

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