In recent years, Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to suppress Tibetan language and culture by closing privately run educational institutions in eastern Tibet. Notably, in July 2024, the renowned Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational High School in Qinghai province was forcibly shut down under unspecified violations. This closure is part of a broader campaign targeting Tibetan-language schools, aiming to erode Tibetan cultural identity.
These actions constitute significant human rights violations, including the denial of cultural rights and the suppression of linguistic heritage. The forced closure of schools deprives Tibetan children of education in their mother tongue, undermining their cultural identity and violating international human rights standards that protect minority languages and cultures.
Human rights organizations have condemned these measures, urging the Chinese government to cease its campaign against Tibetan educational institutions.
As Right Defenders, we call for the protection of Tibetan cultural rights and the preservation of Tibetan-language education, emphasizing that such actions are essential to uphold international human rights obligations and to ensure the survival of Tibetan cultural heritage.
Sources:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/05/chinese-authorities-shutter-schools-eastern-tibet
