In Tibet, the real situation is not idyllic and allegations of repression occur almost daily. Its economy grew by 13.4% in 2006, the highest figure since 1995. In 2007, over 4 million people visited the country, and its revenues grew by 73.3% to reach 451 million euros. However, the government in exile claims that these resources have been monopolized by the population (China’s majority ethnic group) living in the area, increasingly relegating the Tibetans to the sidelines.

The Dalai Lama has accused the Chinese government of ‘unimaginable and gross violations of human rights’ including ‘denial of religious freedom.’ “For nearly six decades, Tibetans had to live in a continual state of fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression,” he said. The Chinese government’s aim is to limit the enormous influence of the Dalai Lama who is now adored by the majority of Tibetan Buddhists, as well as to block his succession.

The tension reached its peak in March 2008. The eyes of the international community were on China when it was finalizing its controversial organization of the Olympics. The Tibetans took the opportunity to be heard via demonstrations in Lhasa. The response was violent.

The protests, the worst in 20 years, resulted in 19 deaths according to Chinese authorities, and more than 200 according to the Tibetan government. According to Chinese official figures, 1,393 people were arrested and 2,566 were sent home. 700 of them remain unaccounted for, according to Amnesty International.

The horror led to talks between both sides. The current situation: the Chinese government considers the Dalai Lama responsible for organizing the unrest to promote Tibetan independence. The religious leader, for his part, says that his goal is a broad autonomy within China which he calls a way to allow the maintenance of culture, language and religion of Tibet, a branch of Buddhism.

In recent years, the policy proposals of the Dalai Lama have evolved considerably, but Beijing has rejected all initiatives, making the dialogue process fail at least five times since 2002. The Tibetan leader is now 73 years old, and some political analysts think that China is perpetuating the situation while waiting for the Dalai Lama’s death.

A volatile situation where unrests are likely is proof that Tibetans and pro-Tibet independence supporters are tired of ‘peaceful’ resistance.

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Via xinhuanet