Tibet dying a ‘slow death’ under Chinese rule, says exiled leader

Penpa Tsering, known as the Sikyong of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration, addressed a US congressional committee on March 28, 2023 [File: Ashwini Bhatia/ AP]

Exiled Tibetan leaders and officials in the United States have condemned China’s “cruel” policies in Tibet, accusing Beijing of separating families in the Himalayan region, banning their language, and engaging in non-consensual DNA collection.

Addressing the US Congress for the first time, Penpa Tsering, the head of the India-based organisation known as Tibet’s government in exile, said on Tuesday that Tibet was dying a “slow death” under Chinese rule.