Motion: “Should something be done about the situation of the Tibet?”
Presented by Víctor Suárez
This is an image about the topic from the “Time” that I found while I was searching information and that I find really funny and completely true, the image shows the hypocrisy from our society.
I’m going to talk about a subject that has been appeared in all TV news all around the world, the freedom of Tibet. This topic has come out again since Beijing became again the new city to receive the Olympic Games.
In the last few months we have seen different videos from Tibet that showed a “little” rebellion from Tibetans against the Chinese forces. Those videos have been criticized because Chinese soldiers exceeded their power, using their guns and hurting some civilians, the situation was so critical that a lot of people started to ask for the liberation of Tibet, with demonstrations in all cities. That movement has had such an influence that it has become a political issue, because for example, Nicolas Sarkozy, president of France, has insinuated he will do a boycott to the Olympic Games by not appearing in the opening ceremony.
That attitude has had an immediate answer from China, French products have started to decrease their sells, and Chinese government has asked his habitants to protect and love their country using the media and also Internet, which the government censors to avoid the videos of Tibet from being watched in China.
What do you think governments, and international organizations like United Nations should do? Would you boycott the Olympic Games? Do you think Tibet must be liberated? Or at least have some independence, so that Dalai Lama can go to Tibet without been arrested?”
Comments»
Well, first of all, we should ask ourselves what is the annoying point of this images. For me, it isn’t the soberany of Tibet, but the lack of freedom in every single chinese citizen. For me it is not their independency as a nation, but as people. If (and that’s the point), if a boycott to the Olympic Games helped to show to the Chinese government how alone they are, and how much do we despise their behavious, if it improved anybody’s life, I would support it.
There is no point in a boycott to the Olympic Games. China was alredy in that way when was decided that the Games took place there. We should have done something earlier and not now.
Well, first of all, we should ask ourselves what is the annoying point of this images. For me, it isn’t the soberany of Tibet, but the lack of freedom in every single chinese citizen. For me it is not their independency as a nation, but as people. If (and that’s the point), if a boycott to the Olympic Games helped to show to the Chinese government how alone they are, and how much do we despise their behaviour, if it improved anybody’s life, I would support it.
It is too difficult for me to choose from soberany and freedom in this case,but obviosly a boycott wouldn’t change anything.It is just crazy to believe that violence can solve problems.First of all,we need to have enough information about historical facts,religious struggle and people’s rights.
Sarkozy should have been more careful about his words,I think..
I share Diana’s point of view. The situation of Tibet and the actions taken by Chinese government have been the same for years. Why are they subject, precisely right now, of this controversy? For me, the picture illustrating that motion offers us a key fact. Ironic? Sure it is. However, who are we, the wonderful Western people, to criticize or scorn the things that they do? Us, who import everything from China because everything has, there, very lower production costs. Us, who take huge economic benefits from Chinese products, very often handmade by children?
Tibet was conquered by China in 1950. When that happened, people who lived there lost their freedom. Now they have a chance to get it back. In my opinion, they must do all they can, and developed countries should support Tibet. Is the boycott the best way to be free again? Nobody knows, but, won’t you try if it was your only oportunity?
Developed countries should had support Tibet in 1950. I don’t think that if we don’t go to the Olyimpics Games tibetand will be free again. I agree with Agueda about what Sarkozy has said, and I think is quite pretentious thinking that not to the opening ceremony will boycott the Games.
I agree with both, Maroto and Águeda. I suppose that If I were a Tibet citizen, I´d support the boycott, because it would be a way to achieve my freedom. Despite of this fact, I believe that violence isn´t the way to solve this concern.
On the other hand, I think that Sarkozy has only made the things worst, He shouldn´t have taken part in this issue.
It´s clear that China is a strong nation, and I´m sure that the Olympic Games are going to be spectacular.
Thank you for agreeing with me, Tarantula, but I have more things to say about this topic. In my opinion, people from Tibet and all the world are doing bad mixing politics with the Olympic Games, which are supposed to be a party for peace and cooperation.
People from Tibet are fighting for their freedom in a peaceful way, with demonstrations. They are not violent. Chinese policemen are the ones who stop those demonstrations hitting the people with their truncheons. I don’t see the boycott as a bad thing because it has a noble aim: freedom.
If there is something I can’t stand is hypocrisy. The situation of the Tibet isn’t something new, it started in 1950, as some of you said before. At that time, countries didn’t consider boycotting China. In my opinion, countries don’t mind what is happening in the Tibet. The only important thing for them is to make a good impression and the impact that this action would have. Boycotting Olympic Games won’t solve the problem, but it’s a good way to bring down a country, which is harming the occidental markets.
Maroto, you have said something which should be pointed out at the beggining of the debate. People are mixing political situation with a sport event like Olympic Games. This event means that people from all over the world gather to compete in peace and with respect. If countries boycott Olympic Games, they’re boycotting their own sportmen/sportwomen. How do you think these people will feel, after four years training in order to achieve their dream, a medal in Olympic Games? In my opinion, it’s unfair for them. They have been working hard, and what is more, probably political situation won’t change.
I am not able to understand how China can organize the Olympic Games when they have been fighting against Tibet for more than thirty years. They are trying to eliminate all the Buddhist people and the governments of the first world countries are not able to protest about it, they are being too much permissive with China, they use China to improve their industry. And what is more, China is using the censorship in order to avoid that the rest of the world could have any idea of what is happening in Tibet.
I don’t know if the boycott would be a good idea, but politicians must have to do something to save the Tibet.
Tibet must be the main problem all over the world. More important of course than poverty, starvation or war.
The problem is that famous people are not poor, starved or victim of war but some of them say to be buddhist.
I agree with the requests of Tibetanian people but not with the hipocrisy of our world.
The problem of the Tibet is one of the most difficult I have ever heard in my life. In this issue there are lots of political and economic interests and clashes between the most powerful countries of the world. In my opinion, the question Victor have asked is very appropriate because the ones who can solutionate the problem don`t want to take part in it and the main guilty is obviously the Chinese rule. I think that the real problem is that in some years China would become the most powerful country in the world and nowadays they also move the global trade so the problem of the Tibet is the same problem as ever,the money.
It´s incredible that the problem of the Tibet has become important now.
It seems to me as if the Olympic Games have been as an alarm clock that makes us realise about the problems that have been taking place during the last decades.
But, as many of you said, China is getting too strong nowadays, so for most countries the easiest way has been to close their eyes (and not only the different governments).
For years I have seen famous people such as Richard Gere complaining about the terrible situation of the Tibet. And now, when the Olympic Games are ready to start, we all are worried.
It´s not too late, but what can we do against a comunist country like China?