Frequently Asked Questions

Are you against the Olympics?
We are not against the Olympics but are against the way that the Chinese government has been exploiting the Games in an attempt to legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet.  Tibetans and supporters around the world are demonstrating to oppose this exploitation of the Games and speak out for Tibetans suffering under China’s occupation of Tibet.  At this critical moment, we are taking actions to shine the Olympic spotlight on China’s brutal occupation of Tibet and show the Chinese leadership that it must take immediate steps towards meaningfully addressing the Tibetan people’s right to independence.

Why are you making the Olympics political?
It is the Chinese government who has politicized these Olympics.  The Chinese government has been using the Beijing Olympics as an excuse to escalate its repression in Tibet and in attempt to legitimize its occupation of Tibet.  The Chinese government has filled Olympics advertising with images of happy, dancing Tibetans, used the Tibetan antelope as a mascot, and paraded the Olympic torch through Tibet and up Mt. Everest, in an attempt to convince the world that Tibet is merely an exotic part of China, rather than a land and people suffering under brutal military occupation.  In the name of “security,” the Chinese government has been cracking down on Tibetans, arresting and detaining thousands of Buddhist monks for instance, in order to prevent protests during the Games.

Are you trying to provoke the Chinese?
We are pro-justice, pro-freedom and pro-Tibet; we are not anti-China or anti-Chinese.  These actions are messages to the Chinese government that its oppression of Tibetans and occupation of Tibet must end.  The Chinese government has used the Olympics as an excuse to repress Tibetans as well as Chinese citizens like Hu Jia, a Chinese activist and writer currently serving a 3-year prison sentence for suggesting that the Chinese authorities put human rights before the Olympics.

Don’t you think it’s insensitive to protest after the earthquakes in China, and after the torch was in the earthquake zone recently?
Like people around the world, we have been deeply saddened by the human toll of the earthquake.  At the same time, we are extremely concerned about the crisis in Tibet.  Across Tibet this spring, Tibetans bravely rose up to call for their human rights and freedom, and, since then, hundreds of Tibetans have been killed and thousands remain detained or missing in China’s violent and ongoing crackdown.  Tibetans continue to face killings, beatings, arbitrary detentions, and disappearances, and live under a terrible climate of fear.

Are there going to be protests inside Beijing during the Olympics?
There are many people worldwide who support Tibet and want to see an immediate end to the current clampdown in Tibet and human rights and freedom for Tibetans.  There are protests and demonstrations in cities worldwide in support of human rights and freedom for Tibet.

What are you asking or hoping that athletes will do?
We are appealing to athletes to show support for Tibet in whatever way they feel comfortable.  At every Olympics, an athlete inspires the world with their courage and character.  At the Beijing Games, we believe this athlete could be the one who is an example not only of determination and athletic skill, but also of universal values of liberty, justice, and human dignity.  There are countless ways that athletes can support human rights and freedom for Tibetans – from simply expressing solidarity for Tibet in media interviews, to displaying the banned Tibetan flag in an Olympic venue.  For suggestions, see www.AthleteWanted.org.

Aren’t you concerned that athlete will get hurt or could get in trouble for showing support for Tibet at the Olympics?
Supporters of human rights and freedom, including athletes, have a right to express their values.  We don’t want anyone to do anything that they believe could place them in danger.  We are concerned for the safety of the athletes and all people who will be in Beijing during the Olympics and appeal to the Chinese government to respect the fundamental right of freedom of expression.  We respect that only the athletes can decide what is appropriate for them to do.  We also know that some athletes may already be considering speaking out for Tibet and we encourage them to carefully consider their actions, and know that Tibetans and supporters worldwide will do what we can to express our support and gratitude for their statement of support.

Doesn’t the Dalai Lama support the Olympics?
We support and admire the Dalai Lama’s tireless efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Tibetan plight.  At the same time, we can see that the Tibetan people are suffering terribly right now as the Chinese leadership tries to violently silence their voices.  So as people of conscience we believe it is imperative that we take action and speak out in support of the Tibetans inside Tibet.

What is the situation in Tibet now?  Isn’t it calmed down?
The international media has not been allowed free access to Tibet so much of what we know is from Tibetan sources on the ground.  They report a terrible situation – a massive military presence, house-to-house searches, arbitrary detentions and arrests, beatings, disappearances, stifling religious restrictions, and thousands of people missing.

Couldn’t demonstrations around the Olympics make things worse in Tibet?
The situation in Tibet at the moment is grave and has become worse since the Chinese government was awarded these Olympics.  Tibetans in Tibet have repeatedly cried out for international support.  Tibetan supporters are demonstrating around the world to shine the Olympic spotlight on China’s ongoing brutal occupation of Tibet and stand in solidarity with Tibetans calling for human rights and freedom.  Now is the time for action.

How do you feel about the violence by Tibetans in March?
The Tibetan freedom struggle has been overwhelmingly nonviolent and to this day the vast majority of the Tibet movement states a strong commitment to nonviolence.  It has only been in reaction to incredible brutality that there have been a few occasions, over decades of occupation, when Tibetans have violently fought back against their oppressors.

What will SFT do after the Olympics?
Along with Tibetans and supporters around the world, we will continue to organize and take action to press the Chinese government to end its occupation of Tibet - and to let the Chinese government know that this is an issue that will never go away until Tibetans have freedom.

RECENT REPORTS FOR MORE INFO

Chinese authorities’ broken promises threaten Olympic legacy, by Amnesty International, July 2008.

China’s Forbidden Zones, Shutting the Media out of Tibet and other ‘Sensitive’ Stories, by Human Rights Watch, July 2008.