Ethnocide in Tibet?

A Times story today reports that China plans to phase out the Tibetan language from Tibetan schools, which has led to major student protests. I would really hope that the Obama administration in the U.S. and other members of the U.N. would condemn and actually attempt to stop this practice because, based on some really quick research, it completely violates the United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the U.N. in 2007. That being said, I doubt they will do a thing.



Here's the key section:

Article 8
1. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.
2. States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities;
(b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories or resources;
(c) Any form of forced population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights;
(d) Any form of forced assimilation or integration;
(e) Any form of propaganda designed to promote or incite racial or ethnic discrimination directed against them.

The Draft declaration from 1994 actually used the term "cultural genocide," which, I believe, is what China is engaged in here. However, this language apparently was too strong for the international community and it was dropped when the declaration was adopted in 2007. Interestingly enough, even though it passed by a huge majority, the U.S. actually opposed it! (Here's lookin' at you W!) I guess, the U.S. doesn't mind a small helping of cultural genocide with its Imperialism from time to time. The key text from the 1994 Draft Declaration is below:

The United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (26 August 1994) [2] uses the phrase "cultural genocide" but does not define what it means.[citation needed] It states that:
Article 7
1. Indigenous peoples have the collective and individual right not to be subjected to ethnocide and cultural genocide, including prevention of and redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities;
(b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories or resources;
(c) Any form of population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights;
(d) Any form of assimilation or integration by other cultures or ways of life imposed on them by legislative, administrative or other measures;
(e) Any form of propaganda directed against them.

NY Times Article: Tibetans Protest China’s Plan to Curb Language
Definition of "Ethnocide"