According to the Tibetan government that is in exile in the Indian part of the Himalayas, the death toll from the protests is now at 140. One of the biggest issues regarding the protests and the international backlash was the death toll. The Tibetan exiles say that the death toll is higher saying they were killed by Chinese forces. However, China’s government said the death toll was much lower. In addition, China claimed that those killed were “innocent” Chinese at the hands of the protesters.
There has been much outcry and backlash at China’s crackdown on Tibet. It is already known that Tibet is one of the key locations of the Olympic Torch relay before the Olympics in Beijing.
Many have protested in front of Chinese embassies across the world.
Tibet’s leader, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama had accused China of committing “cultural genocide.” However, China’s Premiere Wen Jiabao called the accusation as nothing but lies. Wen also accused the Dalai Lama of trying to ruin the Olympics in Beijing.
US Republican nominee Senator John McCain said the crackdown was unacceptable for a world power such as China.
US Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave warning that the world is looking over China’s shoulder. China fired back accusing Pelosi for ignoring the violence by the Tibetan protesters.
Recently, protesters were arrested in Greece where the start of the Olympic torch relay began. The French based human rights groups known as Reporters Without Borders claimed responsibility for the demonstrations. China had condemned the protests in Greece.
In the midst of the fallout of Tibet and China, the death toll will be a major debate. This issue is far from over as Tibet will be one of the things that looms over China as what it will be deemed a PR maelstrom surrounding the Olympics in Beijing.
On another note, the Olympic flame is called “Flame of shame.”
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