Resource information
This paper explores the extent of Chinese resettlement policies in Tibet. It focuses on the impact of these policies on Tibetan herders from a human rights perspective and based on its findings puts together a number of recommendations to international donors, the United Nations (UN) and the Peoples republic of China. Since 2000, the Chinese government has been implementing resettlement, land confiscation, and fencing policies in pastoral areas inhabited primarily by Tibetans, drastically curtailing their livelihood. Many Tibetan herders have been required to slaughter most of their livestock and move into newly built housing colonies in or near towns, abandoning their traditional way of life. Key recommendations include:
the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) should impose a moratorium on all resettlements until a review mechanism can be established
international donors must ensure that funds lent for development projects in the areas described in this report are not resulting in forced resettlement
the human rights Council and the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights should raise questions about China’s policy of forced resettlement
the Chinese and international infrastructure companies investing in Tibetan areas should adopt explicit policies supporting human rights and establish procedures to ensure the involvement in projects, doesn’t contribute to human rights abuses.
