China ‘bars’ elderly Tibetans from practising religious rituals

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 13

China is barring the elderly and retired Tibetans in Tibet from organising religious ceremonies, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said in a release today.

Quoting the latest report by Human Rights Watch, an international NGO that conducts research and advocacy on human rights, it said the Chinese Communist Party had issued a notice banning retired elderly Tibetans from performing the “kora” and other religious observances.

“Kora” is a Tibetan Buddhist practice where devotees circumambulate monasteries while reciting prayers. The notice states that the “problem” of retired personnel performing “kora” openly or semi-openly is being removed.

The CTA release alleged that religious persecution of Tibetans had been an ongoing policy of China in Tibet. “Tibetans from every walk of life are suffering. Students are not allowed to get involved in any religious activity during vacation. Even public servants are not allowed to participate in any religious activity. If caught, they are arrested and subjected to sanctions and disciplinary action,” it said, adding that now even the retired elderly Tibetans are forced to forsake all religious activities.

It alleged that in its third Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council, China had claimed to have already implemented the recommendation of member states to ensure freedom of religion and belief of Tibetans and other minority groups.