Dharamshala: As China prepares grand celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the "Tibet Autonomous Region" (TAR) on 9 September, Tibetan rights groups say the event only hides the reality of decades of repression and cultural destruction.

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), based in Washington, strongly criticised the upcoming celebrations, saying the past 60 years under Chinese rule have brought nothing but suffering for the Tibetan people.

In a statement issued on 6 August, ICT President Tencho Gyatso said, "Instead of forcing Tibetans to put on a performance of gratitude, China must change course and put the interests of the Tibetan people ahead of their own compulsive need for power and control."

Autonomous in name only

The "Tibet Autonomous Region" was officially formed in 1965, but ICT claims it covers less than half of Tibet's historic land. Large parts of the provinces of U-Tsang and Kham are not included.

The group says the TAR was established only after a broken promise of autonomy that followed China's military takeover of Tibet in 1950 and the controversial 17-Point Agreement signed in 1951.

Since the TAR was formed, no Tibetan has ever been appointed Party Secretary, the most powerful political position in the region. According to ICT, only Han Chinese officials have held the role, including Chen Quanguo, later sanctioned by the United States for human rights abuses, and Wu Yingjie, who is now under investigation for bribery.

The advocacy group says Tibetans continue to live under harsh restrictions. These include:

  • Banning images of the Dalai Lama
  • The disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama
  • The forced use of Mandarin Chinese in schools and courts, even though Tibet’s constitution protects local languages

In 2023, Human Rights Watch revealed that thousands of Tibetan children are being sent to boarding schools to encourage cultural assimilation.

ICT also raised concerns about:

  • The forced relocation of Tibetan nomads
  • Mining and dam construction on Tibetan lands
  • Environmental damage and loss of traditional ways of life

These activities are happening without proper consent from local communities, ICT said.

Independent group Freedom House ranks Tibet as one of the least free places in the world, giving it 0 out of 100 in its freedom score.

The situation in Tibet has also raised alarms from the U.S. State Department, United Nations agencies, and the European Union.

As the Chinese Communist Party prepares to hold public events across TAR cities, rights groups warn the world not to be fooled.

According to reports by Phayul, groups like ICT believe the anniversary celebrations are nothing more than a “spectacle” designed to hide 60 years of occupation and oppression.

With ANI inputs