Tibet and Tiananmen Square 1989: Both Massacres Only 3 Months Apart - Both Forgotten

On 4 June 1989, the Chinese government mercilessly struck against thousands of peaceful protesters at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. This violent crackdown against students, workers and citizens demanding democratic reforms is etched into international memory. What is far less known is that China had already carried out a similar violent crackdown in Tibet just three months earlier, in March 1989.

Two Tragedies, One Pattern of Oppression

The events in Tibet in March 1989 and the Tiananmen Square massacre in June of the same year demonstrate a consistent pattern of Chinese state terror. In both cases, peaceful demonstrators were violently suppressed by the People’s Liberation Army, victims were denied medical care, and the Chinese government refused to take responsibility or provide transparency about the number of victims.

Dalai Lama Was First World Leader to Speak Out in Support

Remarkably, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was one of the first world leaders to issue a statement in 1989 in support of the Chinese student movement. This solidarity between the Tibetan people and Chinese democratic activists demonstrates that the struggle for freedom and human rights knows no borders.

Dawa Sangmo of the Tibet Information Office emphasised during a recent commemoration: “The Tibetan community stands unwavering behind truth, justice and solidarity” with all who fight for freedom.

Ongoing Censorship and Oppression

36 years after the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Chinese government continues to suppress all commemoration. Just as in Tibet, in Hong Kong too — which formerly saw thousands gather annually for candlelight vigils — every form of remembrance is suppressed. The Chinese authorities actively censor all references to both events.

Human Rights Watch calls on China to finally, 36 years after the massacre:

• Respect freedom of expression and assembly
• Offer apologies to the Tiananmen Mothers
• Release names of those killed or imprisoned
• Allow an independent public investigation
• Prosecute responsible officials

International Commemoration Keeps Memory Alive

Despite Chinese efforts to erase the memory, diaspora communities worldwide continue to commemorate both tragedies. On 1 June 2025, a powerful commemoration took place at Dam Square in Amsterdam, where activists and human rights representatives came together.

Nyima Rinchen Dorjee of Students for a Free Tibet emphasised how the Chinese government continues to try to erase public memory of both events. “This commemoration serves as a powerful moment of remembrance and resistance against forgetting,” said the organisation.

Tibet Information Office Supports Global Commemoration

The Tibet Information Office participated in the global commemoration of both the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre and the 6th anniversary of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement. They joined seminars by the Australia New Zealand Alliance for Victims of the Chinese Communist Regime and participated in a wreath-laying at the Goddess of Democracy statue.

The Link Between Tibet and Tiananmen

Both tragedies illustrate China’s systematic approach to dissent: violent suppression, censorship, and refusal to take responsibility. Whether it concerns Tibetan monks peacefully protesting for religious freedom, or Chinese students demanding democratic reforms — the response of the Chinese state remains the same.

Conclusion

The world must not forget that 1989 was not only the year of Tiananmen, but also of violent oppression in Tibet. Both events remind us that the Chinese government has been systematically violating human rights for decades. Only by continuing to commemorate both tragedies and demanding justice can we prevent them from truly being forgotten.

The Tibet Support Group Netherlands joins the international call to continue commemorating both events and calls on the Dutch government to hold China accountable for both the events in Tibet and at Tiananmen Square in 1989.