Tibetan People’s Self-Determination: Fact or Fiction

In the last three and half decades, there have been many academics and legal discussions about the right to self determination in general and right to self determination for the people of Tibet. Encouraging recommendations, resolutions and conclusions have been drawn, but the fact remains that the people of Tibet have suffered and continued to suffer under the illegal occupation by the People’s Republic of China through military and civil forces. Not only is the occupation in violation of human rights, there has been destruction of cultural and religious beliefs and degradations of environment too. Everything is unparalleled and one may not find a similar case in world history.

We are now at the end of twentieth century and are closely looking forward to enter the twenty-first century which is considered to be an age of civilization and development. However a section of people continue to inhumanly suffer for more than three decades and the rest of the human community is unable to do anything, thus perpetuating the wrong doings of the occupation forces. Many valuable philosophies, theories and systems are enshrined in the knowledge of humanity but these are very difficult to implement or to apply to the people who really suffer.

The objective of raising this issue once again is to discuss it academically and find out what is the basic principle of the right to self-determination and whether the Tibetans are eligible for that. It is hoped that distinguished scholars, jurist and politicians will deliberate as to how the lofty principle and the system of self determination can be really implemented in order to ease the suffering of a section of humanity. There is need to draw a concrete action plan and strategy so that the people of Tibet in exile can move in that direction. If the principle of Tibetan people’s right to self determination is established then authority is also to be located to do something to implement it.

The entire Tibetan community, excluding the present generation, has been influenced by the ancient Indian knowledge and culture which have become part of their lives. From the seventh till the end of the twentieth century the teachings, the philosophical values, the basic norms and the cultural attributes which the Tibetans have imbibed, protected and inculcated are entirely the Indian way of life and culture as transmitted to Tibet. It is good fortune of our times that the culture and values have been retained without modifications. Many people therefore think that the Tibetans are backward and traditional people bereft of modern development and modern education. This is true. Tibetans in Tibet have not been in touch with modernization process and are unfamiliar with the modern political processes, diplomacy and terminology including that of self- determination. In the ancient literature terms like Atma Dipo, Atma Nath (one’s own master). Atma Raksha (self defiance), Atma shoda appear again and again but Atma Nirnaya (right to self-determination) are synonymous with duties rather than with rights. Tibetan thinking is conditioned by what should be their duties and not what should be their rights. It is therefore, taken for granted that they will not have to take the burden of self determination on self but that it would have to be shared by all in order to protect each other. The term ‘self determination’ was therefore not coined nor was this principle ever considered by the Tibetans. However, when Tibetan society and Tibetan nation came under attack , due to certain historical events, Tibetans began to understand the term self determination and realized what legitimately deserved rights Tibetan people had been deprived of. They came to realize that there are men who deprive others of their basic rights by force and human society is not strong enough to provide protection to those who are deprived of these rights, or to get those rights restored.

The world today boasts of human development, of the much scientific and technological advancement of man reaching the moon and beyond, but the conscience of human beings to provide protection to each other’s human rights which possibly did not exist in the ancient times is not there even today.

It is said that when man lands on the moon he begins to float, his body becomes weightless because of the gravitational pull. However, even after reaching the moon the attitude of man – his ego, jealousy, anger, the devious tendency to hurt others and infringe on other man’s rights continues ingrained in his mind. He feels that since he is the first man to reach the moon he has an exclusive right over the area. He feels that others do not have the right to hoist their flags. Only if the evils in their mind could also become light like their bodies, the man on the moon would be a leap for humanity. The fundamental cause of all human miseries is man’s ego and jealousy, resulting in man fighting man. This jealousy remains wherever he goes.

Thousand years ago people used to fight with swords, bows and arrows leading to death and destruction, victories and defeats. Today human civilization has made big progress in the field of science and technology. When the question of was arises we talk in terms of ‘mega death’. Nobody talks about killing of a few people but how many ‘mega death’ does one need to win a battle? Today nobody can win a war. All will perish. This is what humanity has achieved after so much of advancement. The attitude of man to fight and kill each other has remained unchanged through the ages. That is why old, backward, traditional and orthodox people and nations like Tibetans cannot understand the meaning of this new civilization. It is said that right to self determination is the birth right of every human being irrespective of his race and colour. The birth right however is the prerogative of only the rich and the powerful and those who succeed in wielding a wide support and not for those who lose that right at the time if their birth.

While pondering over all these contradictions and discussions one may often ask what is the aim of all these exercises? Man lives on hopes and aspirations and he keeps searching for new direction. The goal and objective which the Tibetan people are seeking may not be accepted by many but some will certainly come forward to endorse them. We may not reach the ultimate goal nut the attempt itself will be a measure of self satisfaction.

There are many dilemma. There are questions which raise doubts which in turn are the reason for the troubled thoughts. Man struggles with doubts and when more doubts arise which are enemies of the faith, respect and spiritual strength, we should be able to find answer to such doubts.

The word ‘free’ or ‘independent’ cannot be defined accurately in political language. However in the real life experience, freedom in Tibet was enjoyed without any external intervention. In politics, economics, foreign and internal affairs, Tibet functioned independently. Then, Tibet found her people overpowered by force, by a foreign nation with help of army and by killing thousands of people and keeping others under subjugation. Then, for nine years, freedom was denied. Soon thereafter, many Tibetans were exiled from their country and they experiences what it meant to be without rights and what it was to be a refugee. There is no need to find any logic in these experiences. It has been experienced at first hand. Even if people try to negate this experience it cannot be done because it has been experienced and felt. The Tibetan people are a nation and a community and since Tibet has been occupied illegally by the Chinese, the Tibetan people have a right to self determination.

The role and status of United Nations in this matter is difficult to establish. The United Nations does not follow democratic process nor are her actions consistent. People are convinced, however, that the United Nations is the biggest world organization which has necessary power and influence to be able to protect the rights of people and therefore it has important role to play in the world. When this body takes any decisions it carries weight and importance. Tibetans also accepted this. Thrice in general assembly resolutions were passed saying that the Tibetan people have a right to self determination, and efforts should be made to make it possible. A resolution was passed in 1965. The Indian government took part in it and presented a lengthy argument to prove it. The speeches of Indian representatives are published. All this would not have been attempted at the United Nations without a thought. There must be some basis for the arguments put forward at the UN. In spite of UN resolutions till today no agency, no institution, and no power has been able to implement restoration of rights to Tibetans. Resolutions have remained only on paper. Obviously Tibetans cannot be expected to give much importance to these resolutions.

Then a time came when Tibetan people were told that they should not talk about self determination and this question should not be discussed, as that was not appropriate time to raise the issue of self determination. When reasons were asked it was conveyed that if Tibetan people would also raise the issue which would create difficulties. There is nothing common between the Tibetan and the Kashmir situations. Historically, Kashmir was a princely state within British India but Tibet was independent. When India and Pakistan attained independence, a particular process was followed for integrating over 500 princely states in India or Pakistan. In this process, Kashmir legally acceded to India and the accession was final. On the other hand china with help of its army occupied Tibet by force but the rulers or people of Tibet never acceded Tibet to china. The basis of Kashmiris to ask for self determination is not the same as Tibet’s demand for self- determination. One cannot compare two histories and situations. They are completely different. The argument that because Kashmir is asking for self determination therefore Tibetans should not raise this issue does not hold any logical reasons. If in effect Kashmir does have the right to demand self determination why that right should be denied to Tibet?

These questions are surfacing again and again. if Tibetans are under any false impression or have a wrong approach or views which are illogical, against basic global principles, then they ought to be told where they have gone wrong. The truth has revealed itself. One scholar has mentioned that there is “right without remedy”. Right is there but it is known that there is no remedy; one may understand the situation also.

Tibetan situation is very peculiar. It cannot be compared with any other country. Tibetans are suffering under the brutal force of a foreign country. Everyday situation in Tibet is going from bad to worse. For them, time is running out. While there are showing exemplary patience and endurance, their identity is on the brink of total annihilation. Tibetans are being wiped out from Tibet. After the lapse of some more time, even the Tibet regains its independence, it may be a mere political change as there will be no Tibetans left to enjoy and inhale the fragrance of independence. India has a major stake in Tibet if its own national interests are to be safeguarded.