By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BEIJING, China – Chinese authorities launched a 42-day “strike hard” campaign in Tibet since Jan. 18, 2009. According to the Chinese-language state-run Lhasa Evening News, “Within three days of the launch of the winter “Strike Hard” campaign, the Lhasa municipal public security bureau had deployed 600 officers and around 160 police vehicles, and had conducted raids on seven housing blocks, 2,922 rented houses, 14 guest house and hotels, 18 bars and three Internet cafés in Lhasa.”
The authorities in Lhasa had rounded up and interrogated 5,766 Tibetans in the first three days of the campaign. Dharamsala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) contends that the main objective of the campaign is probably to find participants in last year’s Lhasa unrest. TCHRD assistant director Jampa Monlam said that police questioning is focused on last year’s March 14 demonstrations that turned into rioting in Lhasa. “They are asking people where they were during the March 14 incident in Lhasa, whether they have an alibi, and so on. If you can’t prove where you were during that time, you will probably be detained.”
In addition, all visitors are required to apply for a temporary residence permit from the police if they wishes to stay for more than three days and less than a month in Lhasa, TCHRD said.
“Strike hard” campaign was first launched in China in 1983 to fight corruptions and crimes. However, the motive of launching this campaign in China and in Tibet is very different. The motive of launching such campaign in Tibet is to intimidate and eliminate those supporting Tibetan independence and human rights activists in Tibet.
For more information, please see:
Punjab Newsline – China grills 5766 Tibetans under winter “Strike Hard” campaign in Lhasa – 23 January 2009
Radio Free Asia – China ‘Strikes Hard’ in Tibet – 26 January 2009
Tibetan Review – 5,766 rounded up in Lhasa under winter ‘strike hard’ move – 26 January 2009
World News – 5766 Tibetan people questioned in winter ‘Strike Hard’ campaign – 24 January 2009
