Be careful, they are watching you: Tibet is silent as Dalai Lama turns 90

The spiritual leader's birthday is not a cause for celebration in China

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, turned 90 years old on July 6, 2022. But in China, where the Dalai Lama has been in exile for over six decades, there was little public celebration of the occasion. Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet, which he has repeatedly denied, demanding instead greater autonomy within China.

Tibetan activists and human rights organizations have continued to draw attention to China's human rights abuses in the region, including forced assimilation policies, religious persecution, and a clampdown on civil liberties. The activist group Free Tibet said in a statement, "China's violent occupation of Tibet and ever-tightening grip on the country threatens the very fabric of Tibetan life."

A silent affair

This silence only serves to heighten the tensions between China and Tibet, as well as the international community that continues to support Tibetan autonomy. Despite China's attempts to silence him, the Dalai Lama's message of peace, non-violence, and cultural preservation continues to inspire people around the world. With growing international criticism of China's human rights abuses, the Dalai Lama's message has taken on a new urgency.