China began its occupation of Tibet in 1949. The Tibetan resistance to the Chinese occupation led to the National Uprising on March 10, 1959 and the flight of the XIV Dalai Lama into India.

During the 20 years following the uprising, 1.2 million people-one fifth of the Tibetan population- died as a result of China’s policies. More than 6,000 monasteries, temples and other cultural historic buildings were destroyed.

Although China’s policies relaxed somewhat after 1979, the situation in Tibet has worsened in recent years. The primary threat to Tibetan culture today is the Chinese government’s policy of relocating ethnic Chinese into Tibet, where they receive job opportunities denied to the Tibetans. Chinese outnumber Tibetans two-to-one in several cities and valleys, especially in eastern Tibet.

Peaceful demonstrations continue in Tibet despite violent reprisals from the Chinese security forces. Thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned and tortured for political or religious activities. Tibetan are rarely permitted to leave the country.

Although they do not recognize the Tibetan government in exile, governments in Europe and America, in particular, have condemned human rights violations in Tibet. Unfortunately, China is successfully using is growing economic leverage to thwart efforts to peacefully resolve the situation.

Tibet continues to pay a tragic price for the world’s failure to seriously call China to account for its brutal and illegal occupation of this formerly independent nation.