Tibet Action Institute

The Tibet Action Institute is an organization that uses digital communication tools and strategic nonviolent action to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Tibet movement in the digital era, founded by Lhadon Tethong in 2009.[1][2] The organization helps to identify, trace, and resist malware and other online attacks launched against Tibetan activists.[3]

Tibet Action Institute
Formation2009
Director
Lhadon Tethong
Websitetibetaction.net
Lhadon Tethong leads a workshop for the Tibet Action Institute on 22 April 2010

History edit

 
Students for a Free Tibet Honors Beijing Olympics Activists at Victory Party in New York City on 19 February 2009 with special guest Palden Gyatso in robes, standing in center

In 2012, Lhadon Tethong, director of the Tibet Action Institute, explained self-immolations in Tibet as a response to escalating repression from the Chinese government.[4]

In 2013, Citizen Lab collaborated with the Tibet Action Institute to hold public awareness events in Dharamshala, India, for the exiled Tibetan community on cyber espionage campaigns.[5]

In 2018, Lhadon Tethong said there was a "crisis of repression unfolding across China and territories it controls." and that "it is shocking to know that Google is planning to return to China and has been building a tool that will help the Chinese authorities engage in censorship and surveillance." She further noted that, "Google should be using its incredible wealth, talent, and resources to work with us to find solutions to lift people up and help ease their suffering — not assisting the Chinese government to keep people in chains."[6]

In 2019, the group received the Democracy Award.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "DEFENDERS OF HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS IN CHINA TO RECEIVE 2019 DEMOCRACY AWARD ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF TIANANMEN MASSACRE". National Endowment for Democracy. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  2. ^ "2019 DEMOCRACY AWARD RECIPIENT: TIBET ACTION INSTITUTE". NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. ^ Sumandro Chattapadhyay (19 August 2015). "Civil Society Organisations and Internet Governance in Asia – Open Review". Centre for Internet and Society (India). Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  4. ^ Simon Denyer (30 October 2012). "China powerless to prevent rising tide of Tibetan self-immolations". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Tibet Action Institute: Safe Travels Online Tech Meet". 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ Ryan Gallagher (11 December 2018). "RIGHTS GROUPS TURN UP PRESSURE ON GOOGLE OVER CHINA CENSORSHIP AHEAD OF CONGRESSIONAL HEARING". The Intercept. Retrieved 6 May 2020.

External links edit