22 October 2010

Unprecedented protests by thousands of Tibetan students have been taking place since 19 October in eastern Tibet.

The protests have been sparked by Chinese educational reforms in Tibetan Autonomous prefectures in eastern Tibet which stipulate that all subjects will be taught in Chinese and textbooks will be in Chinese language. The policy has already been implemented in other areas across the Tibet Autonomous Region, including in primary schools. The use of Tibetan is being systematically wiped out as part of China’s strategy to cement its occupation of Tibet.

This policy is not only a threat to the survival of the Tibetan language but is a direct violation of Article 4 of the Chinese constitution which states: “All nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages and to preserve or reform their own folkways and customs.”

The Secretary of Qinghai Province, Qiang Wei, who announced the policy in October visited Rebkong on 21 October where over 5,000 students took to the streets and stated that the education reforms must be implemented without hesitation.

Write to the officials in charge of the proposed language reform in Qinghai Province.

Postal address : Party Secretary Qiang Wei
No.35 Wusixilu, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China

Send an email to Qinghai Party Secretary Qiang Wei

Email to: webmaster@qh.gov.cn

You may use the sample text below. Copy and paste the text into your email and add your name.

Dear Party Secretary Qiang Wei, and Director-General of the Education Department Wang Yubo

I am outraged that China forces Tibetan students to abandon their own language and study exclusively in the Chinese language.

This policy is not only a blatant violation of Article 4 of China’s constitution that guarantees the right for minorities to use their language in education but it also threatens the survival of Tibetan language and culture.

Furthermore, this policy which is already implemented in the Tibet Autonomous Region has resulted in Tibetans being disadvantaged in education and employment. Tibetans struggle to follow classes in Chinese which is not their first language and are at a disadvantage with their Chinese classmates resulting in high drop-out rates and the highest illiteracy rates in China’s regions.

I urge you listen to the Tibetan students and

- Abandon the proposed reform in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in Qinghai Province
- Ensure that Tibetan language is the primary language of education in Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures
- Guarantee that no reprisals will be taken against students, parents or teachers who protested against the proposed reforms

Yours sincerely

Please send copies of any responses to Free Tibet to help us monitor the situation. 

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