Ethnic Minorities In China Tibetans And Uighurs Roundtable Congressional Executive Commission On China 107th Congress 2nd Session PDF Download

This report provides information on the historical and current situation in Tibet, with the aim of contributing to public understanding of the problems. It consists of two parts. The author of part one compares the theoretical basis for relations between the Chinese Government and minority groups with actual practice in the largest autonomous region, Tibet. His account outlines life in Tibet before, during and after the 1950-1959 uprising, and describes the situation today regarding education, religion, language and administration. He points out that the professed desire of the government to preserve minority cultures has not worked in practice and that Tibet is the least successful example of relations between the government and a minority group. While health and welfare of minority groups may have improved, official policy has led to the suppression of Tibetan religion and culture with the aim of integrating the Tibetan people in Chinese culture. He contends that political oppression and human rights violations are continuing. The author of part 2 describes the history of Tibet and of the Dalai Lamas, and of the Chinese invasion and its aftermath, including the situation of Tibetans in exile. He concludes that racial discrimination is becoming increasingly part of the Tibetan problem and warns that the longer the delay in reaching a settlement, the more likely that any traces of Tibetan culture remaining will be destroyed.