The third amendment of the Bill of Rights for the United States Constitution reads “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law.” Most Americans wonder why this amendment was ever included and what purpose it plays today.

However, although a situation like this occurring in the United States today seems highly unlikely, all one has to do is look at what is occurring in Tibet.

Driru County in rural Tibet has refused to comply with the Chinese mandate that a Chinese flag must fly in every Tibetan home, which has led to a crackdown by the Chinese, who have sent thousands of paramilitary troops into Driru to restore “order” to the county, according to the Washington Post. Where are all of these Chinese soldiers staying while occupying Driru?

The homes of every Tibetan who lives in Driru have been victimized as seven soldiers have been stationed per house in order to monitor the villages and squash any attempts at protest or disobedience. Since the arrival of the troops, 40 Tibetans have disappeared after refusing to comply with the martial law the troops have implemented.

The restrictions enacted under martial law include not allowing villagers to tend their farms or animals and a restriction from loitering anywhere in the town. Despite all of the crackdown and violence that has ensued in the county, the Tibetans have remained strong in their refusal to fly the Chinese flag as evidenced by what occurred on Oct. 1, which is equivalent to America’s 4th of July.

This year, despite being occupied by thousands of soldiers, not one Chinese flag flew in the villages of Driru. For this brave disobedience the Tibetans are paying the price. On Oct. 6, peaceful protestors gathered in the town of Driru to protest the detaining of the Tibetans who refused to fly the flag.

In response, Chinese troops opened fire on them, which injured about 60 people according to Amnesty International. In addition to the initial act of violence, the people who were injured were refused care for their injuries for several days after the incident. This mistreatment of peaceful protestors is just another event in a long list of disgraceful transgressions by the Chinese against Tibet.

This blatant disrespect for the Tibetans’ right to peacefully assemble shows how out-of-touch China really is with respect to civil liberties and freedom. For all of the progress China has made toward a more open and free society, stories like these continue to remind us that it very much remains a totalitarian regime capable of horrors that must be stopped.

Something has to be done to show the Chinese that actions like these cannot and will not be tolerated by any nation, no matter how large or powerful. Tibet has been actively occupied by China since 1950. The dream of a sovereign and independent Tibet must one day be achieved if China ever truly wishes to be considered a country with respect for freedom and civil liberties.