Tibet.net
Source: Tibet.net
On Friday, the Central Tibetan Administration offered its support to those who had been affected by the "Zero Covid" policy, which led to widespread protests across China."
The CTA expressed its deep concern and stands in Solidarity. The Kashag reiterates its statement regarding the Covid situation in Tibet: China's mismanaged zero-covid policy endangers Tibetan lives in Tibet dated 26 September 2022," read a CTA statement.
Over the course of several months, more than 300 million people in China have been subjected to a severe lockdown, including in Lhasa and Urumqi, where the lockdown has continued for more than 100 days.
People have been subjected to extreme restrictions on movement, inadequate access to food and medicine, loss of livelihood, and mental anguish as a result of this. These have sparked widespread protests against the zero-Covid policy in a number of Chinese cities and universities, which also demanded democracy and freedom.
The devastation caused by the pandemic has resulted in innumerable deaths, casualties and economic hardship across the world. The world has taken measures based on sound scientific findings to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has brought about relative state of normalcy. This is evident from the fact that millions of unmasked people have gathered in the Middle East to celebrate the FIFA World Cup in great fervor.
China cannot cut ties with the rest of humanity because it is a member of the global community. The spread of the pandemic does not discriminate between different forms of governance, so confronting the pandemic as a collective challenge is necessary.
When it comes to resolving these public outbursts, the leadership in Beijing needs to practice compassion. By modeling actions taken by international communities and governments, immediate course correction should be initiated.
“We strongly urge that no one should be subjected to any reprisal for taking part in any form of protests against the zero-Covid policy and those who have called for Freedom and Democracy. We hope that China will soon transcend to normalcy from the pandemic”, stated CTA.
Edited & Collated by Team TRC