You also get a better idea of just how oppressive the snipers presence is.
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| Overlooking the Jokhang temple and the Barkhor, a Chinese sniper sits in wait - January 2009 Photo by Joe Briscoe |
Showing posts with label Barkhor Square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barkhor Square. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Secret Photo - Watched every moment
A cropped version of this photo is already available elsewhere on this blog, but here is the full version, clearly showing the sniper in relation to the Jokhang temple.
You also get a better idea of just how oppressive the snipers presence is.
Any photos used must be properly credited.
You also get a better idea of just how oppressive the snipers presence is.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Secret Photo - Armed Soldiers in the Barkhor.
After recently seeing some of my photos appearing alongside news items on Tibet, I thought I might begin to post a few more photos which I have taken during my travels.
I'll start with another one taken in the Barkhor in January 2009 - this time the face of one of the soldiers and his gun are both clearly visible. Of course photographing the military in Tibet is strictly forbidden, and pictures such as these were taken secretly.
Any photos used must be properly credited.
I'll start with another one taken in the Barkhor in January 2009 - this time the face of one of the soldiers and his gun are both clearly visible. Of course photographing the military in Tibet is strictly forbidden, and pictures such as these were taken secretly.
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| ARMED Chinese guards, their fingers on the triggers, walk among the Tibetans in Lhasa's Barkhor Square - Jan 09 Photo by Joe Briscoe |
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| Close up: GUNS at the ready, Chinese soldiers patrol the area around the holy Jokhang temple. (Tibet, 2009) Photo by Joe Briscoe |
Any photos used must be properly credited.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
PART I: TRAIN TO LHASA
Part 1: Train to Lhasa
First half
Second half
PART II: Across the Plateau COMING SOON...
What did you think of the documentary?
Have you been to Tibet? What were your experiences?
Please comment on the episode below....
Please comment on the episode below....
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Free Tibet - 52 YEARS LATER
SECURITY in Tibet has been tightened, and suffocating restrictions on travel in the region have been imposed ahead of the anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising of 1959.
The area has effectively been closed to foreigners, and where once it was very difficult to get entry permits to the roof of the world, it is now virtually impossible.
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| Cosham: Do people in England really care about campaigns such as Free Tibet? |
Back in early 2009 when I was there, it was possible to slip away from your minders and speak to people - even though it was only 8 or 9 months after the 08 riots. It was strictly forbidden of course, but certainly do-able, as we found out.
But at this time of the year, when the anniversary of the largest challenge to Chinese rule comes around, the Chinese police show up for work with just that little extra fire in their step - their fists clenched just that bit tighter.
Emotions are high among the Tibetans still, though hearing that from someone inside Tibet is rare. The Dalai Lama is still blamed by the government for virtually every incident that happens, even though he has made it clear multiple times that he no longer seeks independence - just meaningful autonomy.
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| Lhasa - the capital of Tibet and the site of regular protests against Chinese rule. Photo by: Joe Briscoe |
But back over here in England, when many are taking to the streets and waving banners and boards more likely to read 'Stop the cuts!' rather than 'Free Tibet' does anyone actually care anymore?
When the race for labour leader was nearing it's final stages last year, I must say that even though my head knew David Miliband to be the best choice, I still hoped against all hope that he would be beaten by his brother.
Why?
Because of this article in the Telegraph, dated January 9, 2010.
An excerpt:
...a remarkable statement from the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, slipped out on the FCO website on October 29 2008, just before representatives of the Dalai Lama were due to hold talks in Beijing on the future of Tibet.
Buried in the statement was Britain's recognition for the first time that, like "all other members of the EU… we regard Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China". The historic significance of this change was not lost on Beijing, since until then Britain, with its unique role in Tibet's history, had for 100 years been very careful not to recognise Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. The group known as Free Tibet noted that Miliband's concession gravely weakened the position of the Tibetan envoys without getting anything in return – commenting how extraordinary it was that Britain should have "rewarded China in such a way in the very year that China has committed its worst human rights abuses in Tibet in decades, including killing and torture".
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| The Chinese military constantly patrols the Barkhor Square in Lhasa - the spiritual home of Tibetan Buddhism and site of regular protests. Photo by: Joe Briscoe |
In one move, Miliband had undermined what so many people had been working so hard towards. Whether there were any gains from the concession we don't know. What did the Chinese offer our government in return for such a statement? But, whereas an admission of such a kind about a multitude of places would have made national press and ruffled feathers, this one slipped past virtually unnoticed. The Telegraph and the New York Times being the two major exceptions.
So the mighty Free Tibet campaign has failed. There is afterall, no hope.
Not so fast.
While the peace loving Dalai Lama grows old and frail and talks repeatedly of 'retirement', a younger generation of Tibetan youths outside of Tibet are growing impatient. They are less tethered to the anti-violence mantras of their spiritual leader, and more outraged than ever before at their lack of a home land. And if the hope of a free China seems so distant, then it is in the hands of this volatile and firey younger generation that the future of Tibet rests.
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| Lhasa: Tibetans, gathered outside the Jokhang temple in the city centre. Photo by: Joe Briscoe |
Whether or not that is a good thing I can not say - only time will tell. But what would restore my faith in the people of England and the west in general, is an effort to show solidarity. To breach the almost impenetrable wall of lies and propaganda that encircle China and Tibet, and to prove to the world and to ourselves that we care about more than just budget cuts. That while we are able to protest against such problems here at home, we are also able to stand up for those who not only have no libraries or public toilets, but even don't have their own country, or basic human rights for their families.
Today is March the 10th - a very special day in the history of a very special country.
A country which remains bound and chained and tortured.
And while John Humphries may have been suckered in, those of us that truly know China are not fooled.
Free Tibet indeed.
What a day that would, and still could be.
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| England: Cosham railway station. |
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Hardly a photographer, but... 2
Permit me to share more of the photographs which for one reason or another, are significant to me.
_________________
LOCATION: YEAR:
Tibet, 2009
THERE are very few ways for those of us who care to actually make a difference in Tibet. That's not to say we can't make a difference, only that great caution must be exercised. Not only for our own safety, but for those whom we interact with.
There are so many interesting stories I have concerning things told to me while in Tibet, and yet unfortunately a lot of them will remain unsaid, as writing them would have great consequences for those involved. People that I am on record as having been in contact with can be swifty traced and punished by the Government. My name, along with those of everyone who has ever entered the troubled Shangri-La, is etched into record by the Chinese, as are the official movements I made within the area. The places I stayed, the families who fed us - all of them connected back to me.
For their sake, one must be careful when one speaks about Tibet.
When such measures are taken to repress a people, those who do speak out are brave indeed.
_________________
LOCATION: YEAR:
Tibet, 2009
THERE are very few ways for those of us who care to actually make a difference in Tibet. That's not to say we can't make a difference, only that great caution must be exercised. Not only for our own safety, but for those whom we interact with.
There are so many interesting stories I have concerning things told to me while in Tibet, and yet unfortunately a lot of them will remain unsaid, as writing them would have great consequences for those involved. People that I am on record as having been in contact with can be swifty traced and punished by the Government. My name, along with those of everyone who has ever entered the troubled Shangri-La, is etched into record by the Chinese, as are the official movements I made within the area. The places I stayed, the families who fed us - all of them connected back to me.
For their sake, one must be careful when one speaks about Tibet.
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| The military presence in Tibet is overpowering. Here a Chinese soldier can be seen atop a Tibetan arts shop located around Barkhor Square. Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
And yet it is impossible to ignore the discomfort which surrounds you, and even harder to put it out of your mind once you've left.
The above image helps people who have not experienced the restrictions in Tibet to begin to understand a little of what life there is like on a daily basis. The tension felt in the streets is not for nothing.
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| A CLOSER LOOK - Armed Chinese soldiers patrol the rooftops of Lhasa. Photographing them is strictly prohibited. Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
Above the shops and marketplaces, just out of sight but never out of mind lies a terrifying reality. Armed soldiers - their guns trained on you and me - patrol the rooftops, their beady eyes scanning the crowds below for any signs of dissent.
Imagine if every time you walked up the high street to get your groceries, popped up the road to the pub, or needed to go out and post a letter, your every step was watched through the sight of a gun - by someone who has been conditioned to hate you for what you are.
Time is running out for Tibet. The less we do, the more the Chinese justification for what they are doing grows.
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