Tibetans urged to hold referendum to decide future

Khedroob Thondup, the nephew of the 14th Dalai Lama, has called for China to hold a referendum in Tibet to allow residents to decide their own future. Writing in ‘The Tibet Express’, Thondup argues that a vote would serve as the ultimate measure of legitimacy, allowing Tibetans to express whether they accept the current status or view it as an occupation.

The report highlights ongoing concerns regarding the loss of sovereignty, the suppression of Tibetan culture, and the erosion of basic freedoms. Specific issues cited include the sidelining of the Tibetan language in schools, the monitoring of monasteries, prohibitions on photos of the Dalai Lama, and restrictions on religious practices.

Thondup asserts that the principle of self-determination is enshrined in international law and notes that referendums have previously resolved disputes in regions such as East Timor and South Sudan. He suggests that if Beijing is confident in its claim that Tibetans are ‘grateful citizens,’ a ballot box should be used to confirm this.