Blog Assignment #5

This week, Tibetans began protesting the Chinese government’s occupation of their country. As we briefly discussed in previous class when we defined the term “ethnocide”, the Chinese government has occupied Tibet since the 1950s. Since this is an important human rights related topic in the news, this is an issue that our class should gain a general understanding of the situation in this region.

For next week, you can answer one or more of the following questions. The BBC has a great page about the history of Tibet that you could possibly use in your responses.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456954/html/nn0page1.stm

What human rights abuses exist in Tibet?

How does the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights relate to the Tibetan issue?

How has the United Nations reacted to and addressed the situation in Tibet?

Can Tibetans freely leave Tibet?

Can exiles return to or visit Tibet?

How are human rights organizations spinning the Beijing Olympics in 2008? What does such an event symbolize?

Should China be able to host the 2008 Olympics given their human rights records in areas such as Tibet?

What has been international reaction and response (political, economic, human rights) to the Tibetan situation? Why have so few Heads of State and official governments supported an independent Tibet?

How has the Chinese Government reacted to foreign intervention or diplomacy on behalf of the Tibetan situation?

What has been the Tibetan reaction and response to Chinese occupation (non-violence vs. guerrilla warfare)?

Is adopting a non-violent approach a better way to work toward conflict resolution?

What organized efforts in India and the West exist to continue the struggle for a free Tibet? What can American citizens do to get involved ?

What is the function of non-governmental organizations like the International Campaign for Tibet?