Spring 2009: Tibet in crisis

One year on from 2008, Tibet has slipped from the international media’s headlines with huge areas of the country off-limits to journalists. But while media attention has moved on from Tibet, the crisis in the region has actually worsened since China’s bloody crackdown on protesters last spring.

The whereabouts of more than 1000 Tibetans detained in the aftermath of those protests remain unaccounted for and China has flooded the region with huge numbers of additional troops, placing Tibet under de facto martial law.

Armed Police marching on the Street of Labrang Town, Sangchu (Ch: Xia he) County.

As well as building up a threatening military presence in Tibet’s towns, China is also instilling a climate of deep fear among Tibetans by punishing severely any Tibetan passing on information to the outside world.

Despite the strict controls and huge military presence in Tibet, news of protests continues to filter through, showing that the Tibetan people remain determined to stand up against Chinese rule.

More about the current situation in Tibet

Free Tibet press release 08/04/09: China sentences two to death over alleged starting of fires
Free Tibet press release 22/03/09: Eyewitnesses report over 1,000 Tibetans protest in Qinghai
Free Tibet press release 16/03/09: Tibetans continue to protest in Lithang despite 2,000 elite troops
Free Tibet press release 10/03/09: Three monks arrested in tense Kirti monastery
Free Tibet press release 05/03/09: Tibet under de facto martial law on eve of anniversary
Free Tibet press release 27/02/09: Monk shot by police after setting himself on fire in Ngaba
Free Tibet press release 25/02/09: New photos confirm China flooding Tibet areas with troops
Free Tibet press release 17/02/09: Hundreds protest over two days in restive Lithang

AFP: 08/04/09: Two Tibetans sentenced to death over Lhasa riots
REUTERS: 14/03/09: Tibet quiet and shut off during anniversary
AP: 10/03/09: China's show of force keeps Tibet quiet
AFP 08/03/09: Tension as China prepares for Tibet protests
NEW YORK TIMES 05/03/2009: Ten years after revolt, clampdown on Tibetans
PHAYUL 02/03/09: New protests in Ngaba after officials ban prayer ceremony
TELEGRAPH 27/02/09: Tibetan monk shot by Chinese police after setting himself of fire
RADIO FREE ASIA 26/02/09: Tibetan monks in Lutsang protest march
THE TIMES 21/02/09: China send more troops into Tibet as Hilary Clinton arrives for talks
WASHINGTON POST 19/02/09: Chinese County in lockdown after protests
AL JAZEERA 10/01/09: China braces for more unrest
PHAYUL 24/01/09: China rounds up 5,766 Tibetans in 'strike hard' campaign
PHAYUL 24/12/08: Life term for Tibet activist condemned
AUSTRALIAN 08/11/08: China's iron fist cracks down to subdue rebels

More photos of the current lockdown in Tibet

Videos of the current lockdown in Tibet

The International Tibet Support Network's summary of protests in Tibet in 2009