For decades, exiled from their homeland, nearly 2,000 Tibetans converged upon Paris, a city of liberty and activism, to voice their dissent against the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to France. Against the backdrop of Place de la République, a symbol of democracy and protest, they stood united, their voices echoing through the streets, demanding recognition for their long-standing plight.
This is President Xi’s third visit to France since he came to power and his second under President Macron.
On Sunday, people protested holding placards that read — “Dictator Xi Jinping, your time is up,” “no to Chinese totalitarianism” — among others. They also protested against China’s support to Russia against Ukraine and even asked Beijing to stay out of France.
‘Free Tibet’
Amid the call for ‘Free Tibet’ at the heart of the protests, participants also lauded France for its exemplary human rights record.
Karma Thinlay, president of the Tibetan community in France, told AFP that according to him, President Xi desires to eliminate Tibetan tradition and culture, asserting that he “is a dictator.” This statement was made as the Chinese leader arrived in Paris on Sunday afternoon for a two-day visit.
Thinlay also warned French president Emmanuel Macron saying that “China is a country where all rights are violated” and France “cannot do business serenely, with confidence” with Beijing.
In a letter sent on 20 April to the French president by five Tibetan associations, they urged President Macron to talk about Tibet with his Chinese counterpart, a_Radio France_ report said.
Tenzin Woeser, president of the Association for a Free Tibet said that the French president should shift the focus from discussing the Tibetan minority to addressing the Tibetan people instead, the report further said. He emphasized that according to international law, only the people have the right to self-determination and can request independence. Woeser added that if the president refers to Tibetans as ethnic minorities or by any term endorsed by the Chinese Communist Party, it discourages China from engaging in dialogue with the Tibetan government-in-exile or the Dalai Lama.
What is the Free Tibet Movement all about?
The Free Tibet Movement is a global campaign advocating for the autonomy and independence of Tibet from Chinese rule. It emerged primarily in response to China’s occupation of Tibet, which began in 1950. Tibet had historically been a sovereign nation, but in 1951, China claimed sovereignty over Tibet through the Seventeen Point Agreement and gradually increased its control over the region.
The movement seeks to raise awareness about human rights abuses, cultural repression and environmental degradation in Tibet under Chinese rule. It calls for the restoration of Tibetan autonomy and the protection of Tibetan culture, religion (particularly Buddhism), language and way of life.
The movement has employed various tactics, including peaceful protests, lobbying governments and international organisations, cultural initiatives and campaigns to boycott Chinese goods. The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, has been a prominent figure in the movement advocating for non-violence and dialogue in resolving the Tibet issue.
However, the movement faces significant challenges due to China’s economic and political influence, as well as its tight control over Tibet and its suppression of dissent. Despite this, the Free Tibet Movement continues to garner support worldwide from individuals, human rights organisations and governments sympathetic to the Tibetan cause.
