What Could Have Happened to Lhadon?

If Lhadon were living in Chinese-occupied Tibet, with no foreign passport to protect her, would she be languishing in prison right now for blogging from Beijing? 

The answer is probably yes. 

The AP reports that a “Chinese cyber-dissident has been sentenced to four years in jail after he was convicted of ‘inciting the government’s overthrow.’”  What was his “crime”?  Writing about democratic reform. 

Lhadon’s historic blog, BeijingWideOpen.org, attracted worldwide attention and resulted in her detention, interrogation, and deportation.  We shudder to think what would have happened to the author of such words had the Chinese government not been restrained by diplomatic concerns. 

Likely, Lhadon would share the fate of brave Tibetans who dare to speak out, like Rongye Adak, imprisoned, probably tortured, and knowing that their families will be made to suffer as well.    They are the true heroes.  As we wrote before, everyone at SFT is humbled by the bravery of Tibetans who are willing to risk everything, with no protection, to nonviolently resist the Chinese occupation of their homeland.