In the first half of 2010, crackdowns on Tibetan political activists continued while a worrying trend of persecuting artists, musicians and environmentalists emerged. Despite the ever-present threat of arrest and torture, Tibetans continued to underline their sense of identity as Tibetans by celebrating US President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama and by protesting in Ngaba.

Free Tibet released video testimonies of torture victims read by celebrities to raise awareness of torture in Tibet, and gained the support of over 200 parliamentary candidates in the build-up to the UK General Election. Though China passed new legislation banning the use of evidence obtained through torture from courts, the details of the law made it difficult for torture victims to prove they had been abused. Meanwhile, internet search company Google refused to continue censoring web content in China for a time while the Chinese government sought to popularise a propaganda view of Tibet at the Shanghai Expo. 2010 was marred by a devestating earthquake which hit the Jyekundo (Yushu) area of Tibet, killing over 2,000 people.

June 25 2010: China flouts new torture law less than a month after it is passed

June 14 2010: Tibetans object to Chinese reconstruction plans in Jyekundo

May 25 2010: Police authorisation needed to photocopy materials in Tibetan

May 18 2010: Protesters against factory pollution shot in Eastern Tibet

April 29 2010: China's propaganda: 'Heavenly Tibet' pavillion at Shanghai Expo

April 23 2010: China's removal of monks from quake scene & 21st birthday of Panchen Lama

April 21 2010: Media continues to mislead with "China quake" headlines

April 15 2010: Yushu earthquake a Tibetan earthquake - Tibetan needs to be prioritised

April 14 2010: Tibet quake kills hundreds

April 13 2010: China building a fifth airport in Tibet

March 29 2010: Free Tibet launches General Election website

March 23 2010: Google decision a victory against Chinese censorship

March 19 2010: China's Tibet policies threatening water security for one billion Asians

March 17 2010: Miliband fails to speak up about human rights in Tibet during China visit

March 12 2010: David Miliband urged to make statement on Tibet during China visit

March 9 2010: Crackdown in Tibet

March 2 2010: Chinese government promotes puppet Panchen Lama to key political post

February 25 2010: President Obama shows strong support of Dalai Lama's political leadership

February 22 2010: Tibetans demonstrate rejection of Chinese rule by celebrating Obama-Dalai Lama meeting

February 18 2010: Barack Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama

February 16 2010: Hundreds of Tibetans mark new year with protest in Ngaba

January 25 2010: Hu Jintao's recent hardline rhetoric offers little hope for Sino-Tibetan talks

January 11 2010: Dominic West, Juliet Stevenson, David Threlfall, Alan Rickman support 'Stop Torture' campaign



For earlier press releases, please go to the archive section