The Tibet Action Institute is an organization that uses digital communication tools and strategic nonviolent action to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Tibet movement in the digital era, co-founded by Lhadon Tethong and Nathan Fretias (also founder and director of Guardian Project) in 2009.[1][2] The organization helps to identify, trace, and resist malware and other online attacks launched against Tibetan activists.[3]
| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
Director | Lhadon Tethong |
| Website | tibetaction |
Activities
edit
In 2012, Lhadon Tethong, director of the Tibet Action Institute, explained self-immolations in Tibet as a response to escalating repression from the Chinese government.[4]
In 2013, Citizen Lab collaborated with the Tibet Action Institute to hold public awareness events in Dharamshala, India, for the exiled Tibetan community on cyber espionage campaigns.[5]
In 2018, Lhadon Tethong said there was a "crisis of repression unfolding across China and territories it controls." and that "it is shocking to know that Google is planning to return to China and has been building a tool that will help the Chinese authorities engage in censorship and surveillance." She further noted that, "Google should be using its incredible wealth, talent, and resources to work with us to find solutions to lift people up and help ease their suffering — not assisting the Chinese government to keep people in chains."[6]
The organization published a report titled "Separated from their families, hidden from the world"[7] in 2021. This report documents China's vast system of colonial boarding schools inside of Tibet.
The report reveals that roughly 800,000 Tibetan children from age six to 18 – 78% of Tibetan students – are living in Chinese colonial boarding schools, separated physically from their families, communities, and culture. Children leave their families to live on-site at these schools, their classes are taught primarily in Chinese, and the curriculum presented is "highly politicized" that is "intended to make [the students] identify as Chinese, instead of Tibetan.[7]
Recognition
editIn 2019, the group received the Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy.[1] In 2024, it was again nominated for this award.[8]
For her work exposing China's network of colonial boarding schools in Tibet, Tethong received the International Campaign for Tibet's Snow Lion Human Rights Prize in 2024.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "DEFENDERS OF HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS IN CHINA TO RECEIVE 2019 DEMOCRACY AWARD ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF TIANANMEN MASSACRE". National Endowment for Democracy. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "2019 DEMOCRACY AWARD RECIPIENT: TIBET ACTION INSTITUTE". NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Sumandro Chattapadhyay (19 August 2015). "Civil Society Organisations and Internet Governance in Asia – Open Review". Centre for Internet and Society (India). Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Simon Denyer (30 October 2012). "China powerless to prevent rising tide of Tibetan self-immolations". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Tibet Action Institute: Safe Travels Online Tech Meet". 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Ryan Gallagher (11 December 2018). "RIGHTS GROUPS TURN UP PRESSURE ON GOOGLE OVER CHINA CENSORSHIP AHEAD OF CONGRESSIONAL HEARING". The Intercept. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Separated From Their Families, Hidden From The World – Tibet Action Institute". 5 June 2024. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "2024 Democracy Award". NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ says, Ten Lhamo (20 March 2024). "Tibetan activist awarded Snow Lion Human Rights Prize". Phayul. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
External links
edit- Tibet Action Institute (in Standard Tibetan)