China employing 'extreme pressure' to relocate Tibetans, HRW report
- In Reports
- 12:14 PM, May 22, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW), it has been revealed that Chinese authorities have forcibly relocated 500 villages in the Tibet Autonomous Region since 2016. This relocation, affecting over 140,000 residents, has been conducted using "extreme forms of pressure," according to the report. HRW argues that these actions amount to a widespread violation of international law.
According to HRW, official statistics from over 1,000 reports in China's state-run media indicate that Chinese authorities have relocated more than 930,000 rural Tibetans between 2000 and 2025. The majority of these relocations, constituting over 709,000 people or 76% of the total, occurred since 2016.
The findings are detailed in a 70-page report titled “Educate the Masses to Change Their Minds; China’s coercive relocation of rural Tibetans”. The report highlights that Chinese officials misleadingly claim that relocation will lead to improved employment and higher incomes, as well as protect the ecological environment.
"In both whole-village and individual-household relocations, Chinese law requires those who have been relocated to demolish their former homes to deter them from returning," the report stated.
Rights groups and the Central Tibetan Administration, based in Dharamsala, have accused Chinese authorities of implementing a series of repressive measures, including forcibly relocating 709,000 rural Tibetans since 2016.
Among those relocated, 140,000 were part of whole village relocation drives, while 567,000 were moved as part of individual household relocations. These relocations involved moving entire villages to locations hundreds of kilometers away are accelerating dramatically in recent years.
The measures alleged by rights groups and the Central Tibetan Administration include forcibly separating children from their parents and enrolling them in boarding schools, widespread surveillance and monitoring, and transnational harassment of Tibetan activists.
HRW argues that the "whole-village relocation" programmes in Tibet constitute forced eviction, violating international law. The government mandates the demolition of relocated individuals' former homes within a year, preventing their return.
According to HRW, between 2000 and 2025, approximately 3.36 million rural Tibetans were affected by other programmes requiring them to rebuild homes and adopt a sedentary lifestyle, even if they were not relocated.
Maya Wang, acting China director at HRW, stated, "The Chinese government claims the relocation of Tibetan villages is voluntary, but official media reports contradict this claim." These reports indicate that residents targeted for relocation face significant repercussions if they refuse to move.
The report relied on over 1,000 articles from China's state-run media between 2016 and 2023. HRW noted that the expansion of digital news media in China has resulted in more news coverage, even though it adheres to strict propaganda guidelines. These reports shed light on the objectives and actions of local officials overseeing relocation programmes.
The report recommends that the Chinese government halt relocations in Tibet until an independent review ensures compliance with Chinese and international law on forced evictions.
Authorities should adhere to human rights standards, explore alternatives to eviction, provide compensation and legal remedies, and cease coercive tactics. Chinese policy mandates household consent, yet HRW found instances of initial reluctance among Tibetan villagers slated for relocation.
Officials resort to intrusive home visits and threats to secure consent for relocations, warning of service cuts if residents refuse. Dissenters face crackdowns and penalties. These actions, combined with Chinese assimilation programmes, undermine Tibetan culture and traditional ways of life.
Image source: ABC News
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