TIBET
“Fun” Facts: Invaded in 1949/50 1.2 mil Tibetans killed 6,000 monasteries destroyed Thousands imprisoned & tortured
The Dalai Lama: Fled Tibet in 1959 w/120,000 other people Government-in-exile in Dharamsala, India 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Historically had role as political & spiritual leader
HISTORY: Tibet was sovereign nation Own language, currency, laws TAR- false- direct control Size of western Europe
Today: No freedom of speech, religion, assembly Arrests daily, torture
Environment: Source of Asia’s largest rivers Nuclear waste dumping, deforestation, etc. Urbanization Endangered species Highway being built
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/lqm25y/the-colbert-report-dalai-lama-drama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUmpJXs0Krg
3/10/11 – Dalai Lama announced stepping down from political role Move towards democracy Elections held 3/20/11 by government-in-exile – only Tibetans outside of China voted Created position of “Kalon Tripa” – prime minister