Chinese police have been interrogating around 1000 Tibetan detainees in various locations throughout Dege county in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The detainees, over a thousand Tibetans arrested during a protest, have been asked to bring their own bedding and Tsampa, a Tibetan staple food, indicating a potentially prolonged detention.
The severity of the situation is further underscored by the fact that many of those arrested were beaten so badly that they had to be rushed to the hospital.
This wave of arrests came in the wake of protests against a dam construction in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. The dam, part of the Gangtuo hydropower station, is expected to force the relocation of two villages and destroy six monasteries, including the Wonto Monastery, known for its 13th-century murals.
The Chinese authorities have imposed stringent restrictions in Dege county, akin to those during the COVID-19 outbreak. The police have been deployed in large numbers to areas where Tibetans have been detained, including in Upper Wonto, to bring the situation under control.
The international community has expressed grave concern over the situation. The Canadian foreign ministry is closely monitoring the situation, urging Chinese authorities to release the detainees. The Tibetan government-in-exile and Tibet support groups from over 42 countries have also expressed alarm over the crackdown.
Despite the Chinese Embassy in Washington stating that China respects the rule of law, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. The escalating control of information by the Chinese government makes it increasingly difficult to gain insights into the situation in Tibet.
This incident has once again highlighted the repressive measures of the Chinese authorities against the Tibetan people. As the crisis unfolds, the international community continues to watch closely.
Image as compiled by RFA
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