Tibet's Autonomy, True or False

This paper is looking in the current situation of autonomy in Tibet. It first gives an overview of the history of Tibet in relations to China and determines that Tibet has been an independent state in its past. It then looks into the right of Tibet to self-determination under International Law examining the notion based on colonization and on oppression. It further examines the concept of Autonomy in International Law and tries to define whether Tibet enjoys the autonomy China claims it has. This includes the concept of autonomy in the Chinese thought and in compliance with the PRC Constitution. The conclusion of the paper is that recognizing Tibet as an independent state by the international community is unlikely to happen; this paper then tries to understand what genuine autonomy means to Tibetans and whether it is possible for it to receive that from China. The paper is based on secondary sources, books and academic articles, including activists' websites and official Chinese and Tibetan government websites.