2008 unrest in Tibet

The 2008 unrest in Tibet began with demonstrations on March 10, 2008 (Tibetan Uprising Day), the 49th anniversary of the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. The protests were started by Buddhist monks calling for the release of fellow monks detained in October 2007 as they celebrated the Dalai Lama receiving the United States Congressional Gold Medal on September 27, 2007.[citation needed] The protests soon shifted from calls for independence to violence, rioting, burning and looting on March 14. During the protests attacks on non-Tibetan ethnic groups occurred as well. The protests are said to be one of the largest protests against the Communist Party's rule in 20 years. The unrest happened in the week when major local government leaders were away for the annual National People's Congress in Beijing.

Tibet has been formally an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China since 1951. While recognized by most countries and the United Nations, the legitimacy of Chinese sovereignty has been questioned by advocates of Tibetan independence.

Information is scarce as Chinese authorities have prevented foreign media from entering and reporting on the region, with the exception of James Miles, a correspondent from The Economist, who gained approval for a week-long trip which happened to coincide with the increase in tensions.