Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing how China is accelerating the forced urbanization of Tibetan villagers and herders, in efforts to assimilate them through control over their language and traditional culture. Chinese internal reports contradict official statements that the relocation of Tibetans is voluntary, with villages destroyed upon departure. These coercive tactics are traced back to pressures from higher authorities who require 100% agreement for relocation. By 2025, over 930,000 rural Tibetans will have been relocated, disrupting traditional livelihoods based on agriculture and yak herding.
The relocations are part of a broader pattern of demands for ethnic minorities to adopt Mandarin and show allegiance to the Communist Party. More than three million rural Tibetans have been forced to give up traditional nomadic lifestyles, while migrants from the Han ethnic group have flooded urban centers. HRW highlights the erosion of Tibetan culture and ways of life due to these relocations, where former farmers become wage laborers in off-farm industries. China defends these policies as beneficial for border stability and development, despite foreign journalists being largely barred from the region.
China refutes accusations of human rights violations in Tibetan regions, claiming conditions are at their “historical best” with economic growth and cultural heritage protection. HRW suggests academic surveys to gather the views of those affected by relocation and urges the U.N. Human Rights Council to investigate violations in Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and China. While China boasts eradication of extreme poverty through relocation and development initiatives, independent verification is lacking. HRW’s report raises concerns about the broader impact on Tibetan culture and the livelihoods of rural communities.
These relocations are seen as a tool to exert control over ethnic minorities in western and northern territories, including Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia. The forced urbanization of traditional communities threatens Tibetan culture and economic stability as former pastoralists are unable to maintain their traditional ways of life. The availability of academic surveys could provide valuable insights into the impact of relocation on communities and inform corrective actions based on their views. The call for an independent investigation by the U.N. Human Rights Council underscores the need for transparency and accountability in addressing human rights violations in China.
Despite China’s claims of progress and development in Tibet, concerns remain about the erosion of Tibetan culture and ways of life. The influx of migrants from the Han ethnic group into urban centers further marginalizes Tibetan communities, raising questions about the long-term implications of these policies. HRW’s report sheds light on the challenges faced by rural Tibetans as they are uprooted from their traditional livelihoods and forced into urban environments. The lack of independent verification of China’s claims highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in addressing human rights issues in Tibet and other regions.
