New Research Reveals Possible Human Rights Violations in Tibet

A recently released study by the nonprofit RAND Europe research institute has brought renewed attention to China’s treatment of Tibetans in the autonomous region. The research utilized nighttime lighting data from detention facilities in Tibet to shed light on the state of detention and security measures in the region.

According to the report, there have been increased activities at high-security detention facilities in recent years, hinting at a shift from low-level detention to longer-term imprisonment and detention. The findings have raised concerns about the state of human rights in the region.

Ruth Harris, one of the report’s authors and the director of defense and security at RAND Europe, expressed the importance of understanding China’s “stability maintenance” efforts in Tibet, which have been relatively underreported compared to similar concerns in Xinjiang.

The report examined 79 detention facilities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and revealed growth in nighttime lighting usage at 14 higher-security facilities since 2019. High-security prisons experienced an increase in 2019 and 2020, while high-security detention centers saw growth between 2021 and 2022.

However, some experts argue that the data may not necessarily indicate a shift towards longer-term detention. Instead, they suggest a rise in preventive policing and grassroots surveillance, focusing on identifying individuals who may pose risks and managing them before any perceived threats.

China has been accused of human rights violations in Tibet for decades, with rights groups claiming that the government has sought to suppress Tibetans’ religious and cultural identities. The region has been under China’s rule since 1951, leading to ongoing tensions and international concerns.

Despite international criticism, China has defended its actions in Tibet and stated that the region enjoys social stability, economic development, ethnic solidarity, and religious harmony.

The lack of information flow from Tibet has made it challenging for outsiders to independently verify the situation. Chinese authorities have increased patrols along the border with Nepal to prevent Tibetans from leaving the region, while online sources of information have been taken down and sharing information outside China has been criminalized.

Experts emphasize the need for continued attention to the situation in Tibet, as the region faces ongoing challenges related to human rights and cultural preservation. Further monitoring and efforts to verify information are essential to understanding the conditions and developments in Tibet.