CTA Issues 7-Point Travel Advisory for Exiled Tibetans Visiting Tibet
By Yangchen Lhamu
DHARAMSALA, 9 Oct: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), commonly referred to as the Tibetan Government in exile, has issued basic guidelines for exiled Tibetans travelling to Tibet, citing increased pressure and deceptive tactics by the Chinese Government in the form of transnational repression.
The seven-point advisory, publicly released by CTA’s Kashag (Cabinet) on September 9 and made public on Monday, cautions Tibetans across the diaspora against being lured by the Chinese government under various pretexts such as sightseeing, family visits, and pilgrimages.
The CTA stated that China is implementing various malicious strategies such as threats and financial incentives to infiltrate the Tibetan exile community, weaken the CTA’s effectiveness, and sow discord among Tibetans.
While the CTA does not prohibit individual Tibetans from travelling to Tibet or China, the advisory urges all officials of the CTA – both present and former – not to travel to Tibet without informing the Department of Security, and general Tibetans to inform their respective Offices of Tibet or Tibetan Settlement Officer in person, by email, or by phone about their travel plans. Failure to do so will result in the CTA not providing any recommendation or assistance.
Highlighting China’s transnational repression of the Tibetan diaspora, the CTA has warned exiled Tibetans travelling to Tibet not to join or be deceived by various organisations with Tibetan-related names, which are Chinese government fronts organising trips under false pretences of pilgrimages, tours, or scholarly expeditions.
While those travelling to Tibet under Chinese government enticements cannot be definitively judged to have abandoned the Tibetan cause if upon return they propagate Chinese government policies or engage in activities harmful to Tibetan interests, it should be considered a betrayal of the Tibetan people and the Tibetan administration, the advisory said, adding that all Tibetans should report such individuals to relevant authorities and confront them when appropriate.
Emphasising awareness of potential risks as China attempts to coerce individual travellers to Tibet into cooperation and continued engagement through monetary incentives, coercion, and threats, the CTA called on Tibetans to remain steadfast and not fall for these tactics.
Additionally, the exiled Tibetan government has advised travellers to seek guidance from relevant authorities before departing for Tibet and Tibetans residing in foreign countries to obtain contact information for their respective embassies in China in advance to prevent such issues.
If any Tibetan succumbs to the Chinese government’s deceptive conditions, the CTA has advised them to inform the Department of Security to find ways to escape the Chinese government’s web, as staying passive or maintaining secret contacts could ultimately lead to potential legal issues in the host country.
Calling out Beijing for its heightened transnational repression of the exiled Tibetans, the CTA declared such practice “violates international law” and encouraged those who experience such repression to courageously publicise it with evidence through media channels, besides informing either the host government, Tibetan representative office, local Tibetan leader, or the Department of Security.
The advisory for Tibetan exiles travelling to Tibet, aimed at safeguarding their rights and protecting them from undue influence, was issued by the Kashag after the matter was widely discussed and deliberated last month at the September session of the Tibetan parliament in exile, as the community has seen a sharp increase in such visitations.
