[Book Review] Illuminating Injustice: A Powerful Call to Action Through “The Message”

Tsering Passang

The Message, a profoundly moving and visually arresting cartoon-story book crafted by Voice of the Disappeared, stands as a powerful testament to the unyielding spirit of Tibetans living under the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) oppressive occupation since 1950. This concise yet deeply affecting work uses vivid illustrations and minimal text to weave a narrative that resonates with readers as young as 8, as well as adults. As a non-profit initiative, its mission is unequivocal: to illuminate the CCP’s systemic human rights abuses – not only against Tibetans but also Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Falun Gong practitioners, pro-democracy Chinese communities, and Hong Kong citizens – while galvanising global action to confront these injustices.

The book’s brilliance lies in its ability to distil the complexities of oppression into a universally accessible format. Its vibrant, emotive illustrations carry the weight of Tibet’s story, capturing the anguish of loss, the resilience of a persecuted people, and an enduring hope for freedom with extraordinary sensitivity. Available for free on YouTube and Instagram, the narrated YouTube version offers a seamless 7–8 minute journey through the book’s pages, with two-page spreads and optional audio narration that amplifies its emotional resonance. This digital accessibility ensures The Message reaches a global audience, transcending barriers of geography and language to foster empathy and solidarity.

More than a mere story, The Message is a rousing call to action. It implores readers to engage with and support communities enduring the CCP’s brutal regime. By sharing this book – whether through its free digital platforms or the limited printed copies, most of which are distributed at no cost – readers can amplify the voices of the oppressed and stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice. The book’s impact is further underscored by powerful endorsements from prominent figures, whose words lend urgency and weight to its message:

• The Rt Hon. Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, former leader of the Conservative Party and founder of the Centre for Social Justice, writes: “The story of Tibet is a deeply sad one. It is of Chinese Communist Party abuse, slavery and persecution of peaceful Tibetans. Yet the spirit of the Tibetan people has not been crushed, and hope and prayer survive. Hope that, one day, they will be free of this CCP yoke of oppression, able to live in harmony with their land.”
• Benedict Rogers, human rights activist and author of The China Nexus: Thirty Years In and Around the Chinese Communist Party’s Tyranny, declares: “Tibet is one of the darkest corners of the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the world’s brightest lights. It is time to stand up, speak up, and shine a light on the severe repression in Tibet. This book, this collection of stark images, does just that. Let’s unite to #FreeTibet.”
• Simon Cheng, exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and founder of Hongkongers in Britain, reflects: “Being hunted by secret police, under a one-million-dollar bounty, is a life-long honour. If the government deems the quest for democracy and freedom a crime, we embrace the charges to reveal the genuine face of social justice, unyielding to authority.”
• Clara Cheung, artist-curator and former Hong Kong District Councillor, notes: “‘The Message’ shares more than just the story of Karma and Tenzin. It carries a profound hope for peace, justice and the enduring spirit of humanity; empowering all oppressed by the CCP. In solidarity, we will find the way out together.”
• Sam Walton, former CEO of Free Tibet, praises: “A beautiful book with a powerful message. Carrot Cartoon’s direct and simple visual style conveys the emotions of horror, despair and hope.”
• Tsering Passang, founder-chair of the Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities, emphasises: “This picture book unveils the brutal oppression of Tibet, East Turkestan, and other territories under China’s communist regime, where the CCP relentlessly silences voices and erases cultures. May these pages awaken your conscience and fuel urgent action to demand justice and defend the UN Declaration of Human Rights for Tibetans, Uyghurs, and all persecuted peoples enduring this tyranny.”

The Message is an indispensable tool for education and advocacy, compelling readers to confront uncomfortable truths and act. Its universal appeal and free accessibility make it an essential resource for schools, families, and activists. I wholeheartedly recommend The Message to anyone seeking to understand the human cost of the CCP’s actions and to join the global movement for justice. Share this book, engage with its message, and stand with Tibetans, Uyghurs, and all those fighting for freedom. Together, we can amplify the voices of the disappeared and challenge the yoke of oppression.

About Voice of the Disappeared

Voice of the Disappeared is an international collective of human rights advocates dedicated to exposing the systemic abuses perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its occupied territories. Founded to give voice to those silenced by the CCP’s authoritarian rule, the organisation seeks to raise global awareness of the plight of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Falun Gong practitioners, Hong Kong citizens, and pro-democracy Chinese communities.

The collective champions the principles of openness, truthfulness, and transparency – hallmarks of good governance that are starkly absent under the CCP’s regime. In a system where the separation of powers between government, legislature, judiciary, and media is nonexistent, the rights of ordinary citizens are routinely trampled. For too long, the democratic world has overlooked or downplayed the horrors emanating from the PRC, often granting undue leniency to the CCP’s actions. Voice of the Disappeared draws a stark parallel to George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, not as fiction but as a chilling reflection of life under the CCP’s all-controlling dictatorship.

Since the rise of President Xi Jinping, the CCP’s global ambitions have become increasingly evident, building on a history of colonial expansion: Southern Mongolia in 1947, East Turkestan (Uyghur homeland) in 1949, Tibet in 1950, and vast maritime claims in the East and South China Seas in the 2010s. Taiwan remains a target, raising urgent questions about the CCP’s next moves. Despite signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the CCP denies 28 of its 31 basic rights to Tibetans, with mainland Chinese citizens faring little better. Surveillance, fear, and the ever-present threat of being “disappeared” without trace define life under this regime, where the rule of law is subordinate to the whims of the Party.

Voice of the Disappeared seeks to hold the CCP accountable for its crimes against humanity, shining a light on the suffering of ordinary people in the PRC and its occupied territories. Through projects like The Message, the collective aims to awaken global consciences, foster solidarity, and demand justice for those enduring the CCP’s tyranny. By amplifying these voices, Voice of the Disappeared calls on the world to act, ensuring that the disappeared are neither forgotten nor silenced.