DHARAMSHALA: Speaking to Charlie Rose in an interview on Monday, US ambassador to China, Gary Locke remarked that the human rights situation in China is deteriorating.

US Ambassador Gary Locke

“The human-rights climate has always ebbed and flowed in China, up and down, but we seem to be in a down period and it’s getting worse,” Mr. Locke said.

The ambassador also noted that China is significantly cracking down on dissent and added that Chinese leaders were afraid they could face uprisings similar to last year’s Arab Spring.

The remarks come at a time when sixteen Tibetans have set themselves on fire since march last year in protest against the Chinese government’s policies in Tibetan regions especially with regard to human rights and ethnic equality.

US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland have stated last week that the self-immolations were a manifestation of anger and frustration among Tibetans and highlighted “severe restrictions on human rights, including religious freedom inside China.”

Religious experts also say that Muslims and Christians who worship in unauthorized churches and mosques have also been targeted lately.