Let the games begin

The real issue behind the Tibetan protests

Jessica Stewin, Volunteer Staff

The Dalai Lama recently invited international observers and Chinese officials to investigate his office, in order to see whether he had any role in inciting the latest anti-Chinese violence in Tibet. He also threatened to resign as leader of Tibet if the bloodshed continues. What is really at stake here is not simply the Dalai Lama’s situation, but rather, the future of the Tibetan people.

After decades of repressive Chinese rule, the frustrations of Tibetans have developed into public protests and riots. With the upcoming Winter Olympic Games coming to China, the spotlight now shines on the nation; with media’s focus shifting further east, Tibetans are crying out for change. It has been estimated that 80 protesters have died in the Chinese crackdowns on protests. However, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas notes that the United Nations had no independent reports of what was happening in Tibet and that they “have completely conflicting numbers in terms of how many people died.”

Suspicions have surfaced that the demonstrations were planned by the Dalai Lama in order to disrupt the Beijing Olympic Games. In fact, Chinese authorities have gone so far to suggest that these actions are “deliberate sabotage.” Even if the protests are a deliberate attempt of “sabotaging” Chinese authority, it is safe to assume that this situation is far beyond a protest or attack on a sporting event. The Olympics have provided a platform for protestors, but this is simply a stage, not a motivation.

In the Dalai Lama’s public address, he reaffirmed his support of nonviolent protest and greater autonomy for Tibetans but stopped short of demanding Tibetan independence. Further, he condemned the burning of Chinese flags and attacks on Chinese property. Stressing that violent courses of action were “suicidal” for the Tibetan cause, the Dalai Lama’s remarks revealed his uneasiness with the violence in Tibet and by the increasingly radical calls from Tibetan exiles in India. The Tibetan Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for restraint and dialogue. During a press conference, the Dalai Lama pointed out that as far back as 1987 he told a British journalist he would resign if violence ever became out of control. Thus, his threat of resignation is not coming out of left field but is consistent with the leader’s previous statements and is not a resignation from any spiritual role — merely from his political position.

The Dalai Lama said he is open to resuming peace talks with Chinese officials and suggested that if there was “mutual respect” and a willingness to take Tibetan grievances seriously, a solution could be reached quickly. His Holiness went on to say that “since we are not seeking independence, actually we are helping the Chinese government to build harmonious society, happy society and Tibet remain within the People’s Republic of China, happily. I am helping them, if they look at the situation calmly. But so far it’s full of suspicion, so therefore they cannot see reality.”

China’s reputation is at stake in the confrontation over Tibet, and finding a solution swiftly should be a priority. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for restraint from both Chinese forces and Tibetan demonstrators, but is that really enough? The Dalai Lama has called for respect, the United Nations for restraint, and China is pointing at suspicious conspiracy theories. The issue here is not sporting events or Dalai Lama conspiracy theories. The issue is the call from Tibetans for freedom and independence, which is being belittled with trivializing by communist China theories in a time of radical protests and bloodshed.

Jessica Stewin is a University 1 student.