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In 1950 the Chinese Communist Army, the biggest fighting machine in the world, invaded and occupied Tibet, an inde- pendent country the size of western Europe.
More than a million Tibetans - a fifth of the entire population - have died as a direct result of Chinese rule, through murder, starvation and torture. In the early days, the Chinese executed Tibetans by crucifixion and dismembering; children were also forced to shoot their own parents. Today, Tibet has been described as a "laboratory for torture techniques for Chinese security forces" (Asiawatch).
Six thousand of Tibet's ancient monasteries and temples, the storehouses of education and culture, have been destroyed. The Buddhist religion cannot be freely practised, and is being turned into a tourist attraction.
* There has been massive environmental destruction; extensive logging, mining and soil erosion are damaging Tibet's fragile eco-system, and there are persistent claims about the radio- active contamination of land. The deforestation of the Tibetan plateau, the highest land mass of its size in the world, now affects the Indian monsoon, which can lead to severe flooding.
Demonstrations by monks, nuns and other Tibetans are brutally crushed by the Chinese. Many Tibetans live in constant fear of arbitrary arrest and interrogation. But the brave resistance continues.
The Dalai Lama, Tibet's leader in exile, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. He says: "This is the worst pe- riod in our 2,000 year long history. At this time, now, there is every danger that the entire Tibetan nation, with its own unique cultural heritage, will completely disap- pear... at a time when the beacon of freedom and democracy is burning brighter in many parts of the world, what the Tibetan people need is the protection of inter- national concern and support."
photo: Tibet Foundation
Before China invaded in 1950, Tibet was an independent country, in control of all foreign, military and domestic affairs. From 1950 to1959, Tibet unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with China. The consequent uprising in 1959 was brutally crushed by China and thousands of Tibetans followed the Dalai Lama into exile.
Today the Chinese continue, in their own words, a policy of "merciless repression".
Britain negotiated directly with the Tibetan government and had a special friendship with Tibet well before the Chinese invasion, and so has a special responsibility to help Tibetans regain their independence. Chinese colonial rule cannot last for ever. A democratically elected government in exile is waiting in the wings for the day ' when Tibet is free.
Only concerted international › pressure will show China that it must get out of Tibet.
And that's where you can help...
Tibet Support Group UK is an independent membership organisation campaigning for the right of the Tibetan people to freedom and independence. We publicise the latest news from Tibet, brief organisations an dividuals, lobby parliament, organise campaigns and raise awareness of Tibet in general. We work with related organisations in Britain and abroad, but are independent and funded by members and supporters. As a member, you will receive quarterly magazine, an information pack, local group con- tacts and campaign and news bulletins. You will also be
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TSG campaigned for the Prime Minister to meet the Dalai Lama. Although the Foreign Office had written to every MP explaining why the PM would not do so, John Major received the Dalai Lama in December 1991.
The Chinese produced a photograph of Tseten Norgye at the Human Rights Sub-Commssion in Geneva, 1990, after having denied he existed. TSG had instigated a worldwide campaign on the prisoner.
Map producers are responding to a TSG campaign to use the name Tibet, rather than China, in atlases.
The Chinese authorities gave a report on the autopsy of Lhakpa Tsering to the UN in August 1991. TSG had been campaigning for an investigation into the death of this Tibetan in prison.
We need you - to ensure that Tibet is not alone in the world... ...please join Tibet Support Group.