© DIIR, 2004

Guidelines for Development in Tibet

Overview

These Guidelines are addressed to donors, lenders and investors who are working in Tibet or might consider becoming involved in Tibet in the future. Whether the motive for working in Tibetan areas is to make grants, lend capital or invest in commercially profitable enterprises, all international interventions come under the scope of these Guidelines.

The Guidelines articulate the needs of the Tibetan people for a future in which they can maintain their culture and spiritual traditions; fulfil basic human needs with access to services that facilitate a healthy and contented human life; and actively participate in the wider world. These Guidelines are intended to ensure that investing agencies and corporations do not further harm the interests of Tibetans and can empower them.

The current resumption of direct contact between the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is encouraging, and it is hoped that this will lead to negotiations in order to resolve the question of Tibet in the best interest of the Tibetans and Chinese. In the meantime, the Central Tibetan Administration believes that it is vitally important for development agencies, NGOs and corporations which intend to become involved in Tibet to understand how their activities may bring benefit or harm to Tibetans in today’s complex situation. The purpose of these Guidelines is to ensure informed decision-making.

Development in Tibet is welcome and much-needed; and Tibet should not be off-limits or beyond the reach of the global community of development and environment organisations. However, development is only welcome if it benefits Tibetans themselves. Projects will be opposed by Tibetans if, in their opinion, such undertakings would harm Tibetans, their land or their best interests. We firmly oppose any development projects or activities that promote or result in:

• Violence
• Environmental destruction
• Social exclusion and economic marginalisation of Tibetans
• Direct or indirect population transfer of non-Tibetans to Tibet
• Violations of basic human rights, including involuntary displacement, confinement and eviction.

These Guidelines apply equally to development projects in Tibetan communities in India, where they can be, and are, put into practice. They are already a basis for practical action.

These Guidelines apply to the whole of Tibet, which can be taken geographically as the entire plateau area, or administratively as all townships, counties, prefectures and regions designated by the PRC as belonging to Tibetan nationality.