Prostitution has become pervasive in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, and is destroying traditional morals, according to a human rights group.
'Many Tibetans suspect it is a deliberate attempt by the authorities to undermine their culture,' a report by the London-based Tibet Information Network says.
Although the group says there is not enough evidence to support the theory, the tacit endorsement of prostitution by the authorities, including the police, was significant.
'The authorities may well feel that it is far better for Tibetans to be singing Chinese or even Tibetan nationalist pop songs in karaoke bars than to be discussing politics,' says the report, entitled 'Social Evils'.
The report contains numerous testimonies from migrant Tibetan women and others from Sichuan province who had become embroiled in the sex industry.
Witnesses claimed members of the People's Armed Police were employed in running or supervising prostitution rackets.
