We have received several reports of increased security measures in Tibet, including significant increases in numbers of People’s Armed Police and People’s Liberation Army forces into Tibetan areas, severely restricting Tibetans’ right of freedom of expression.
We have also received claims from several sources that the so-called ‘Strike Hard’ campaign launched in January 2009 has in fact been used for political purposes, rather than its stated aim of cracking down on criminal activity. We are concerned at such reports, and continue to urge the Chinese authorities to respect the right of peaceful expression and assembly in Tibet.