How China's Policies Change Tibetans' Lives - Human Rights Watch

Photo © 2006 Michel Gounot/Godong/Panos  Over the last seven years, over two million Tibetans, both farmers and nomadic herders, have been rehoused – through renovation or reconstruction – in “New Socialist Villages.”  While the main justification has been economic, the Chinese government has made clear that there are larger objectives – including strengthening control over the Tibetan rural population.  Tibetans have no say in, or ways to challenge, these policies that are radically altering their way of life.  “They don’t have any other skills than farming, and won’t have any herds or land worth speaking of anymore,” said Tenzin Gyaltso, a villager probably facing relocation this year. “How is the next generation going to survive as Tibetans?”  Read more >> share on:   In Lebanon, Police Torturing Vulnerable People  Lebanese Internal Security Forces threaten, ill-treat, and torture drug users, sex workers, and LGBT people in their custody. The abuse of prisoners, especially the most vulnerable people in society, isn’t going to stop until Lebanon ends the culture of impunity in its police force.  See the Latest News in the Middle East/North Africa >> share on:   In the US, Senate Approves Major Immigration Reform Bill It is far past time for the United States to address a broken immigration system that divides thousands of families and denies due process. In passing this bill, as flawed as it may be, the Senate has taken an important first step.  See the Latest News in the United States >> share on:   UN Sets Inquiry into North Korea Prison Camps  After a year of pressure by Human Rights Watch and others, the UN Human Rights Council has agreed to investigate the serious allegations of extrajudicial executions, torture, rape, and the kidnapping of foreign nationals by the North Korean government.  See the Latest News in Asia >> share on:   In Syria, Detention and Abuse of Female Activists  Beyond the daily gun battles, women have been a powerful voice in the opposition in villages and towns across Syria. In response, the Syrian government is punishing women for delivering humanitarian assistance, participating in protests, and supporting the opposition by subjecting them to detention, torture, and sexual assault.  See the Latest News in the Middle East/North Africa >> share on:   SATELLITE IMAGES Images show the destruction of Tibetan homes and the reconstruction of "New Socialist Villages." View Now >> VIDEO Police use violence to coerce confessions in Morocco, leading to unjust trials and convictions.  Watch Now >> TWEET of the WEEK “DOMA is history,” tweets LGBT Program Director Graeme Reed  Follow Graeme Reed >> Twitter reacts to the US Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.  View Now >>