By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – China has sentenced 76 people involved in rioting during the March 14 violence in Lhasa, and detained more than 950 since last year’s deadly riots in Tibet, state media reported. The report comes at the most sensitive time in years: the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan rebellion on March 14.  The local government has launched a “strike hard” campaign to stop rebels from celebrating the 50th anniversary.

Tsering Shakya, from the Institute for Asian Research at the University of British Colombia, said: “The security setup and the preparedness of the security is on very high alert, so there is no element of surprise that the protesters could use. It is really very, very unlikely that there could be any protests like there were last year.”

The deputy mayor of Lhasa, Cao Bianjiang, said fresh unrest could not be ruled out.  He emphasizes he wanted to focus on fostering growth that would ensure stability, but exiled Tibetans were scared this would make them irrelevant. “We hope for peace and stability in Lhasa. However, some people do not want to see Lhasa enjoy economic growth and people enjoy happy life, ” Cao said.

A year after monks’ protests, Buddhist monasteries have reopened, but officials keep a very tight security.  Inside of the historic Drepung monastery, monks take patriotic education classes on Chinese law, and their Buddhist scripture studies.  Monks were kept closeted away from foreign journalists and tourists accepted government-organized and tightly controlled visits.

For more information, please see:

AP – Official: Tibetan areas closed to foreigners – 12 February 2009

BBC – Economics ‘masking China rights record’ – 11 February 2009

Reuters – More Tibet unrest cannot be ruled out: official – 10 February 2009

Reuters – Tibet’s religious life still bruised by Lhasa riots – 10 February 2009

Times of India – China releases details of detention of Tibetan rebels – 11 February 2009