No. 17

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Tibet’s glorious past and fragile present

  • Andres Herkel

    Andres Herkel

    Member of the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Riigikogu

  • Mart Nutt

    Pro Patria and Res Publica Union

Although only a few westerners truly explore the depths of the Tibetan culture, its effect on western thinking is remarkable.

Another topic which attracts attention is the country’s political fate. Whether the holding of the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing can be considered immoral in the context of the Tibetan situation, or whether it can be used as a clever way of drawing wider attention to the human rights issues in China, is a topic of endless discussion. On the one hand, China has failed to change its pattern of behaviour despite international pressure, unless we want to be cynical and consider the change of victim numbers from thousands to “mere” dozens or hundreds to be a success. The fact that monks are severely punished for mere possession of an image of Dalai Lama speaks for itself. On the other hand, the attention drawn to Tibet should not be underestimated. Although the People’s Republic of China has counted on the Olympic Games as a means of successful self-promotion, the attention drawn to Tibet and the human rights shows that the modern world will not be fooled by propaganda.

Full article in Estonian

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