In their bid to host the 2008 games, the Government of China pledged, among other items, to improve human rights and uphold media freedom. The violent unrest in Tibet in March, the dramatic curtailing of basic rights, including media freedom, in Tibetan areas and the global protests against the Government's policies in Tibet have tarnished the Government’s intended unveiling of a more open and free China.

As the opening ceremonies in Beijing approach, human rights organizations around the world claim the Government of China has not upheld all its Olympic campaign promises, and they are seizing the opportunity to focus attention on the human rights record of the Government.

Recent events in the run-up to the Olympic Games beginning 8 August have only added to the deep-rooted grievances of many Tibetans toward the Government of China.

The most violent protests Tibet has seen in nearly two decades, the March protests in Lhasa, followed by protests in other Tibetan areas, claimed at least 100 lives according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights & Democracy. Official reports from the Government media list at least 18 persons died primarily belonging to the Han ethnic group.

The subsequent lockdown and reports of extra-judicial or summary killings, arbitrary detention and forced disappearance in Tibetan areas has led nearly 70 human rights organizations throughout Asia-Pacific to petition the United Nations Human Rights Council for a special session on human rights in China.

Amnesty International in June published a report demanding the Government release the whereabouts of the Tibetans detained in the March unrest and allow independent observers entry into Tibetan areas. Check out Amnesty International’s videos related to human rights in China below.

While recognizing domestic journalists “already operate under far greater constraints,” in July a report on media freedom in China by Human Rights Watch highlighted the challenges placed on foreign journalists reporting on the Olympics. The report specifically called on the Government of China to lift all restrictions on the access to and the operation of foreign media in Tibetan areas. The organization stated, "...the gap between government rhetoric and reality for foreign journalists remain considerable. Their working conditions today, while improved in some respects, have deteriorated in other areas, dramatically in the case of Tibet."

The Hub shows there is vibrant activity is taking place online as well as on the streets. Activists are uploading videos documenting torch relay protests, calls to action and footage from the 'March to Tibet' - by Tibetans from Dharamsala, India to Tibet. Watch the videos below and elsewhere on the Hub and click the SHARE button to distribute the videos you like best to your friends, family and networks. Then encourage them to get active with the Actions below!

Stop back at hub.witness.org/tibet for more videos, more updates and more actions!

Spotlight

All campaign media

Tibet in the US 2008 Presidential Campaign

ictadmin, Sep 15 08

Witnessed: 372 times

Tibet, United States

Freedom of opinion & expression, Freedom of religion & belief, Indigenous peoples

Tibetan People's Uprising Movement

Anonymous, Mar 17 08

Witnessed: 3145 times

Tibet

Freedom of opinion & expression, Freedom of religion & belief, Minorities

March to Tibet - Interview with Tenzin Tsundue

Anonymous, Jul 9 08

Witnessed: 654 times

Tibet

Freedom of opinion & expression

Leaving Fear Behind: Family Demands Release of Missing Tibetan Filmmakers (Part 1)

Freeforall, Sep 15 08

Witnessed: 372 times

Tibet

Freedom of opinion & expression, Freedom of religion & belief, Genocide