Amnesty International has released this media briefing ahead of the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising on 10 March 1959, which led to the Dalai Lama fleeing to India. It reveals escalating repression and human rights abuse in Tibet, including:

• Up to 1,400 of those detained in the March 2008 protests still not released, according to official figures;
• Chinese lawyers warned off taking up the cases of detained Tibetan protesters;
• Reports from detainees of beatings and refusal of food, water and medical treatment;
• Tibetan monks, nuns, pop stars, artists and writers detained in ‘crackdown’;
• Human rights abuses including arbitrary arrest, torture, restrictions on free speech and the right to free assembly, and violation of Tibetans’ right to maintain their culture, language and religion;
• Access to foreign journalists and UN human rights experts denied or severely restricted.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

“Basic human rights are being routinely abused in Tibet. Reports from the region depict an increasing crackdown on free speech and the right to protest.

“Many of those detained during last year’s protests have not been released. Those who have been released have told of beatings and appalling conditions.

“Tibetan people have a right to enjoy their own culture, language and religion without fear of persecution.”

• Download the full media briefing (PDF)

ENDS

For further media information contact the Amnesty International UK Press office:
Steve Ballinger: +44 (0)20 7033 1548
Eulette Ewart: +44 (0)20 7033 1552
Out of office hours: +44 (0)7721 398984, www.amnesty.org.uk /p>