A report by the

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Dharamsala
India

Content

Introduction

Chapter 1
International laws related to education

A. The right to education in international law
B. Convention on the Rights of the Child

Chapter 2
General background to the state of education in Tibet

A. Historical background
B. Structural framework
C. China's "liberation" of Tibet's schools

Chapter 3
Violations concerning access to education

A. Denial of any education
B. Denial of free primary education
C. Access to secondary education
D. Access to higher education

Chapter 4
Violations concerning form of education

A. Chinese as the teaching language
B. Discrimination against Tibetans
C. Irregularity of education: teachers not attending class
D. Disciplinary measures

i. The extent of corporal punishment
ii. Reasons for corporal punishment
iii. Forms of corporal punishment

i. Monastic schools
ii. Public schools

A. Denial of education on Tibetan culture
B. Indoctrination
C. Sending of Tibetan students outside Tibet

Chapter 6
Other violations

A. Violations of the right of the family by spying
B. Compulsory non-educational activities

Chapter 7
Conclusion

Chapter 8
Recommendations

Endnotes
Bibliography

Appendix 1. Selected testimonials
Appendix 2. Questionnaire
Appendix 3. Relevant international laws
Table of interview results

TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is a non-governmental organisation founded in January 1996 and registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act on May 4, 1996. The Centre was established in response to a need for effective monitoring of the human rights situation in Tibet and the promotion of democracy in the Tibetan community. TCHRD relies primarily on testimonials provided by Tibetan refugees in India, in addition to sources within Tibet and other concerned human rights groups.

TCHRD's staff members are Lobsang Nyandak, Executive Researcher; Tenzing Choephel, English Researcher; Lobsang Tsering, Tibetan Researcher; Tenzin Chokey and Kalsang Topgyal, Field Officers; Phurbu Dolma, Accountant; and Elizabeth Cossor, Research Associate.

TCHRD publications include: a fortnightly "Human Rights Update"; 1996 Annual Report: "Another Year of Repression" - a comprehensive account of human rights violations for the year; subject specific research reports; regular News Releases; and Urgent Actions regarding critical cases of human rights abuse. TCHRD utilises the United Nations mechanisms and submits its reports to the UN Commission on Human Rights, UN Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs; participates in UN human rights conferences and other national and international fora to highlight the human rights situation in Tibet; organises seminars and workshops on human rights and democracy in the exiled Tibetan community and conducts campaigns for victims of human rights violations in Tibet.

TCHRD information is disseminated through Tibetan language broadcasting services on Voice of America, Voice of Tibet, Radio Free Asia and through various Tibetan publications.

TCHRD acknowledges the generous contributions to the preparation of this report by Mr Alexander Emmrich and Ms. Nicole van der Veen for assistance in collection of information and of Tashi Dolma and Tsering Bhuti for translation assistance.

For further information and for copies of this report please contact:

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Narthang Building
Gangchen Kyishong
Dharamsala
H.P.
India Ph: 91-1892-22457/22510/23363
Fax: 91-1892-24957/23363
e-mail:tchrd@dsala.tibet.net

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Last updated: 12- Sept-97