Report alleges 'abuse', 'indoctrination' at Chinese boarding schools in Tibet

New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) A report by Tibet Action Institute has alleged that Tibetan children face "abuse" and "indoctrination" in several Chinese boarding schools in Tibet.

A Hindi translation of the report -- "When They Came to Take Our Children: China's Colonial Boarding Schools and the Future of Tibet" -- was launched here on Friday by Tibet Action Institute in collaboration with the India-Tibet Coordination Office.

There was no immediate reaction from the Chinese side.

China generally rejects allegation of Tibetans being subjected to any abuse or atrocity.

Originally released in English online on May 28, the report claims "new evidence" telling how Tibetan children allegedly face "abuse, neglect, indoctrination and identity erasure" in the Chinese boarding schools and pre-schools in Tibet, according to a statement issued by India-Tibet Coordination Office.

The launch event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) former Special Advisor Amitabh Mathur, Core Group for Tibetan Cause National Convener R K Khrimey, leading expert on China’s assimilation and education policies in Tibet Gyal Lo and Tibet Action Institute Asia Program Manager Dorjee Tseten, it said.

Many journalists, researchers, advocates, members of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause -- India's apex coordinating body of Tibet support groups -- and community members also participated, underscoring the need for action, the statement said.

The report alleges that parents report being "unable to easily access their children" while they are in the schools.

Tibet Action Institute urges the United Nations, the government of India and other concerned governments to call on the Chinese government to immediately "conduct a public investigation" into it and to enable Tibetan children to access high-quality education in their mother tongue education while living at home. PTI KND AS AS