| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 23:49 |
In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet, a Tibetan man - the third in a single day - set himself on fire in Luchu region of Kanlho, eastern Tibet protesting China’s rule over of Tibet.
A group of exile Tibetans from Luchu identified the Tibetan self-immolator as Gonpo Tsering, 24 years of age and father of three children, all below the age of six. “Martyr Gonpo Tsering set himself on fire in front of the main prayer hall of the Ala Deu-go Monastery in Ala region of Luchu at around 6 pm (local time) today,” the group told Phayul citing sources in the region. “While engulfed in flames, he raised slogans calling for Tibet’s freedom, human rights in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.” Gonpo Tsering succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest. Local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the Monastery where monks and a large number of Tibetans from the surrounding regions assembled, against official orders, to offer prayers for the deceased and express their solidarity. According to reports, Chinese security personnel and armed forces were immediately deployed in the region. Restrictions have been heightened as Chinese authorities are currently said to be investigating the protest. Gonpo Tsering is survived by his wife, their three children, and his parents. This is the second self-immolation protest in Luchu region. On November 22, Tamding Kyab, 23, a nomad and former monk, passed away in his self-immolation protest. He was cremated in the morning of November 25. Gonpo Tsering is the third Tibetan to self-immolate today. Earlier, a young Tibetan, Wangyalset himself on fire in the middle of Sertha town raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Wangyal’s condition and whereabouts are not yet known after Chinese security forces took possession of his charred body. In Amchok region of Labrang, Kunchok Tsering, 18, passed away after he set himself ablaze near a mining site in the region. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 85 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 23 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in Chabcha today and in Rebkong earlier this month. Chinese officials have reacted to the self-immolation protests with further restrictions and threats. According to the Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Chinese government officials in eastern Tibet have obtained signed statements from village officials and leaders to prevent any self-immolation under their jurisdiction. “From now onwards, each household will be made to sign a statement not to do any self-immolation. Those who refuse to sign such statements will attract immediate detention,” TCHRD said in a release today. |
A group dedicated to the freedom of Tibetans in their own homeland. Find us on Facebook
Monday 26 November 2012
Third self-immolation in a day takes toll to 85
Third self-immolation in two days
| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 17:24] |
Tibetan self-immolator Kunchok Tsering in an undated photo.
Kunchok Tsering, 18, passed away in his self-immolation protest today in Amchok region of Labrang, eastern Tibet. He carried out his protest near a mining site in the region, the same place where Tsering Dhondup, 35, father of three, passed away in his fiery protest on November 20. According to reports, monks of the Amchok Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans are currently gathered at the deceased’s home to offer prayers. Kunchok Tsering is survived by his wife, Sangay Tso, 19 and parents Phagkyab, 40 and Gonpo Tso, 37, and an elder brother. Earlier today, a young Tibetan Wangyal set himself on fire in the middle of Sertha town raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. According to eyewitnesses, Wangyal’s hands were clasped in prayers as he ran raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people. Wangyal’s condition and whereabouts are not yet known after Chinese security forces took possession of his charred body. Also today, over a thousand school students in Chabcha, eastern Tibet carried out amassive protest after local Chinese officials distributed papers denouncing Tibetan self-immolators and disrespecting Tibetan language. Chinese security personnel used violent force to break up the peaceful demonstrations, causing severe injuries to many students. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 84 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 22 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans. Yesterday, Sangay Dolma, a nun, passed away in her self-immolation protest in front of the Chinese government office in Dokarmo town of Tsekhog, Malho, eastern Tibet. Chinese authorities in the region have reacted by announcing a series of strict measurestargeting the ongoing wave of self-immolations with further restrictions, punishments, and threats. Chinese government authorities in Malho region issued a five-point notice on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The notice further announced the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. . “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.” |
Toll jumps to 83
| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 16:19] |
In the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests inside Tibet, a Tibetan nun set herself on fire in an apparent protest against China’s occupation of Tibet on Sunday, November 25.
Sources tell Phayul that Sangay Dolma, a nun, passed away in her self-immolation protest in front of the Chinese government office in Dokarmo town of Tsekhog, Malho, eastern Tibet. The exact time of her self-immolation protest could not be ascertained immediately. Sangay Dolma’s nunnery is located near Sangag Mindrol Dhargeyling Monastery. According to various sources, a large number of local Tibetans gathered to carry out the last rites of Sangay Dolma. At the filing of this report, prayers are being carried out at the deceased’s nunnery. It is also being reported that Sangay Dolma has left a note before carrying out her fiery protest. The situation in the entire region has been tense over the past weeks with the ongoing spate of self-immolations. Local Chinese officials have cut off internet in the region and interrogated Tibetans who have communicated with outsiders using their phones. Local Chinese government officials have been speaking to Tibetans, ordering them not to self-immolate and disallowing them from expressing their solidarity and offering condolences to the families of the self-immolators. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 83 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 21 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in Chabcha and Rebkong regions of eastern Tibet. |
China cracks down on Tibetan student protest
| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 15:00] |
A Tibetan student injured by Chinese forces for taking part in a peaceful protest in Chabcha, eastern Tibet on November 26, 2012.
Confirmed reports and images that have reached Phayul show students carrying severe injuries being carried to hospitals after Chinese armed forces cracked down on the peaceful protesters. The students are from the Chabcha Sorig Lobling School. “Over one thousand school students began a protest march early today in Tsolho region against the policies of the Chinese government,” Mogru Tenpa, a Tibetan parliamentarian told Phayul. “The students raised many slogans, including calls for freedom and equality of nationalities.” Around two hours later, Chinese armed forces began a severe crackdown on the students, most of whom are in their early to middle teens.  The Chabcha Sorig Lobling School is currently under complete lock down and Chinese security forces have sealed the area. “Parents and local Tibetans outside the school have been barred from getting in touch with the students inside the school by Chinese security forces,” the same source said. “Communication lines in the region have also been affected following the protest.” There are also reports that Chinese security forces fired live rounds during the protest, although it is not clear whether the shots were fired at the students or in the air to disperse the protesters. Other sources tell Phayul that the protests this morning were triggered when local Chinese officials distributed a paper denouncing Tibetan self-immolators and disrespecting Tibetan language. Earlier this month, thousands of Tibetan school students in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet carried out a major street protest in front of the local Chinese government offices. 5000 to 6000 students demonstrated in the streets of Rongwo town raising slogans for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return and rights of the Tibetan people. The deteriorating situation inside Tibet has witnessed 82 self-immolations since 2009 in Tibet and major protests by thousands of Tibetans. Chinese security forces have retaliated with violent force, opening random fire and beating peaceful protesters. |
Calls for Dalai Lama’s return
| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 13:48] |
 The young Tibetan man has been identified as Wangyal, a student of Sertha People’s Middle School. Speaking to Phayul, Sertha Tsultrim Wozer, a Tibetan living in south India said Wangyal set himself on fire in the middle of Sertha town earlier today and raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “Martyr Wangyal set himself ablaze on one of the main roads leading to the town centre at around 11:20 am (local time),” Wozer said. “Eyewitnesses say his hands were clasped in prayers as he ran raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people.” Wangyal ran to the golden horse statue in the middle of Sertha town and fell on the ground. “Chinese armed forces immediately arrived at the scene of the protest and took Wangyal away after dousing the flames,” the same source added. Wangyal’s condition and whereabouts are not yet known although eyewitnesses say his entire body was engulfed in flames and he could have suffered major injuries. Wangyal is around 20 years of age and an orphan. He has three brothers and one sister. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 82 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 20 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet. The Dharamshala based exile Tibetan administration has said that it will observe a Global Solidarity Day on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on December 10 following the continuing wave of self-immolations. The Central Tibetan Administration noted that the escalation in self-immolations “clearly reflect the gravity of Tibet’s current situation,” while urging Tibetans and supporters to “light a candle or lamp, observe a minute’s silence, and a say a prayer for all those who have died for the cause of Tibet, and locally organise vigils and rallies.” “Despite our repeated appeals not to take drastic actions, self-immolations continue in Tibet,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people said. “Therefore, I appeal to the international community and governments to stand for justice by answering the universal aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet: the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.” |
Self-immolations bring tears to my eyes
| Phayul[Monday, November 26, 2012 03:03] |
His Holiness the Dalai Lama being interviewed by PP James from Doodarshan in Varkala, Kerala, on November 24, 2012. (Photo/OHHDL/Jeremy Russell)
The 77-year-old Tibetan leader was speaking to a reporter from the Indian national television channel Doordarshan in south India on Saturday. “As Deng Xiaoping said, ‘Seek truth from facts’ and act accordingly. What’s happening is very sad; it brings tears to my eyes,” the Dalai Lama said. “People are not doing this because they are drunk or have family problems, but because they live in constant fear.“ 81 Tibetans; monks and nuns, young mothers and students, artists and writers, farmers and nomads, have set themselves on fire since 2009 protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. In the interview, the Tibetan leader noted that he sees the self-immolations as a symptom of problems that Tibetans did not create and reiterated his appeal that the Chinese authorities investigate the real causes of the fiery protests. Meanwhile, a senior Chinese leader in the troubled region of eastern Tibet has called for a further intensification of the crackdown on Tibetan protesters in a speech in Ngaba. "Our struggle with the Dalai (Lama) splittist clique is long-term, arduous and complicated. In fighting separatism and upholding stability we can never relax our work in the slightest," AFP quoted Sichuan Communist Party head Wang Dongming as saying. "We must strengthen and be innovative in accordance with law in our management of the monasteries and unite the people in the common task to fight separatism and maintain stability." The month of November is witnessing an alarming escalation in the fiery protests with 19 self-immolations already, making this the deadliest month since the protests began. Thousands of Tibetans, including school students, have carried out mass protests and rallies against China’s rule. Earlier this month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay urged China to “promptly address the longstanding grievances that have led to an alarming escalation in desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations, in Tibetan areas.” Pillay said she was disturbed by "continuing allegations of violence against Tibetans seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights," and urged China to allow independent and impartial monitors to visit and assess the actual conditions on the ground, and to lift restrictions on media access to the region, as a confidence-building measure. |
Seven deaths in seven days
| Phayul[Saturday, November 24, 2012 13:28 |
In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire in an apparent protest against Chinese rule on Friday, November 23 in Tsekhog (Ch: Zeku) region of eastern Tibet.
Tamding Dorjee, 29, set himself ablaze near the entrance of the local Chinese administrative office of Dokarmo town in Tsekhog region of Malho at around 6:30 pm (local time). According to exile sources, Tamding Dorjee raised slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with folded hands while engulfed in flames. He passed away at the site of his protest. Following the self-immolation protest, thousands of local Tibetans gathered to offer prayers and attend the funeral which was carried out later in the night. Latest reports indicate that local Chinese authorities have cut off Internet and phone lines in an attempt to contain the spread of the news. With Tamding Dorjee’ self-immolation protest, 81 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The alarming escalation in the fiery protests has already witnessed 19 Tibetans burn themselves in the month of November alone with seven self-immolations in the last seven days. The protests continue even as Chinese authorities announced heightened restrictions and the implementation of a five-point notification giving stern orders to punish self-immolators, their families, their villages and even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” Prayer service in Dharamshala Yesterday, thousands of Tibetans and supporters including the Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioners, Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalons, members of parliament, and school students attended a prayer service held in honour of Tibetan self-immolators at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala. Special prayers were offered for Wangchen Norbu, 18; Tsering Dhundup, 35; and Lubum Gyal, 18 who set themselves on fire in protest against China’s occupation of Tibet. Wangchen Norbu, 25, set himself ablaze on Monday near the Kangtsa Gaden Choephel Ling Monastery. He passed away at the site of his protest. He raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile, release of the Panchen Lama and freedom for Tibet. On Tuesday, Tsering Dhondup, 35, set himself ablaze on a ground near the entrance of a mining site in Amchok region of Labrang Sangchu. He succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest. Tsering Dhondup is survived by his wife Tamding Tso, their three children, and his parents. Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet on Thursday in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Speaking at the prayer service, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said the prayer services were significant as they send a message of solidarity from exile Tibetans to Tibetans inside Tibet. “We hold the prayer services in honour of the self-immolators’ families, Tibetans in prison and for those Tibetans who have lost their lives for Tibet,” Sikyong Sangay said. The Dalai Lama recently told reporters that China’s repressive policies and the unbearable situation in Tibet are forcing Tibetans to set themselves of fire in Tibet. "The unbearable situation in Tibet is the cause for these unfortunate events. I am very sad about the turn of events. These are symptoms of fear, hard line suppressive policy practiced by China in Tibet. The time has come for China to think more realistically," reporters quoted the Tibetan spiritual leader as saying, |
Friday 23 November 2012
self-immolation rocks Tibet, Toll reaches 80
| Phayul[Friday, November 23, 2012 17:42] |
Tibetan self-immolator Tamding Kyab, 23, in an undated photo.
The Tibetan man, the 80th to self-immolate inside Tibet since 2009, has been identified as Tamding Kyab. “Tamding Kyab, 23 years of age, set himself on fire on November 22 at around 10 pm (local time) in the Kluchu region of Kanlho, eastern Tibet,” exile Tibetans hailing from the region told Phayul. “After local Tibetans recovered Tamding Kyab's charred body this morning, they carried it to his home." Monks from the nearby Shitsang Monastery have been performing prayers at the deceased's home and also carried out the last rites today. A nomad, Tamding Kyab was earlier a monk at the Shitsang Monastery, where currently his younger brother is studying. 
The charred body of Tamding Kyab placed under a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tamding Kyab passed away in his self-immolation protest against China's rule on November 22, 2012.
"Whenever he heard of a self-immolation protest, he used to say, "How I wish I could also sacrifice my life" and often stated that without the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, there is "no difference between living and dying" in this world," the same sources said citing contacts in the regions. The same day, Lubum Gyal, 18, passed away after setting himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet following heightened restrictions and the implementation of a five-point notification issued by Chinese authorities giving stern orders “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The alarming escalation in self-immolation protests has already witnessed 18 Tibetans set themselves on fire in the month of November alone, making this the deadliest month since the protests began. Thousands of Tibetans, including school students, have carried out mass protests and rallies demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Earlier this month, local Chinese authorities in Kanlho (Ch:Gannan) imposed a “near-total information blockade” in the region following seven self-immolations in the past month. Local authorities clamped down on the Internet and mobile phone lines, imposing an indefinite ban on the sale of mobile SIM cards on three known shops in Sangchu, while restricting the sale of petrol and other flammable liquids in towns and villages in the area. Also in the region, local Chinese authorities posted notices last month, offering 50,000 Chinese Yuan (US $ 7,913) for information on “the sources of scheming, planning, and instigating” self-immolations. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.” |
Toll climbs to 79
| Phayul[Friday, November 23, 2012 03:04] |
In no respite to the spate of self-immolations inside Tibet, another Tibetan teenager passed away in his fiery protest Thursday, November 22.
In confirmed reports received by Phayul, Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet at around 4:20 pm (local time) in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency also reported on the incident, confirming that the self-immolator (Libong Tsering) succumbed to his injuries. “Lubum Gyal set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Dowa town,” Sonam, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region told Phayul. “Soon, a large number of Tibetans gathered and rescued his body from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities.” “Monks from the Dowa Monastery later carried out the last rites of Lubum Gyal at a nearby crematorium,” Sonam added. According to the same source, the recent deployment of large numbers of Chinese armed forces and the severe restrictions placed on local Tibetans triggered Lubum Gyal’s fiery protest. “Following the recent escalation in self-immolations and protests in Dowa and the adjoining regions, Chinese security personnel armed with automatic guns have forced strict restrictions on the movement of Tibetans,” Sonam cited sources as saying. “Moreover, higher ranked Chinese government and Communist Party officials have been paying frequent trips to Dowa to investigate the reasons behind the protests and to assure that no more protests take place in the region.” The Chinese officials were reportedly implementing the five-point notification issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. Lubum Gyal is survived by his father Tsego. The Rebkong region of Malho has now witnessed ten self-immolation protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month. 79 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009. |
China to punish families
| Phayul[Thursday, November 22, 2012 20:12] |
DHARAMSHALA, November 22: Chinese authorities in Malho (Chinese: Huangnan) region of eastern Tibet have announced a series of strict measures targeting the ongoing wave of self-immolations with further restrictions, punishments, and threats.
Dharamshala based rights group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, in a release today said the five-point notice issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 gives stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The recent escalation in self-immolations has made an alarming impact in Rebkong region of Malho with nine fiery protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month. The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. “The first point in the notification clearly states that government aid to the family members of a person who had self-immolated will be cut off for three years ... Development funds will be cancelled to those villages where self-immolations took place; even those projects that had been approved earlier will be cancelled within three years,” TCHRD said in its release. The notice calls for “detailed investigation” into the “failure” of local leaders and relevant Communist Party officials to protect “stability” and “harmony” in areas where self-immolations have taken place. It says that official if found “guilty” will be relieved of their posts and “severe measures” will be taken against them. The notice goes on to call for “thorough investigation” to determine whether any government officials had visited homes of self-immolators to offer condolences and further warns others from such acts, the offence of which, the notice says, will “attract immediate firing, followed by investigations and punishments.” While asking higher authorities to “advise and guide” these officials, the notice states that the Public Security Bureau officers will “strike hard” on those who do not listen to such guidance. “If a village or a monastery has collectively organized prayer ceremonies and visits to the families of self-immolator, then the whole village will get no government aid. All development projects approved earlier in the village will be cancelled within three years,” TCHRD quoted the notice as saying. The notice warns that if high lamas or abbots or senior staff at monasteries are found of having organised prayer ceremonies for self-immolators, then their monasteries will be closed down and steps will be taken to purge these monasteries of causing "instability." It must be be noted that on several occasions, self-immolators have chosen to set themselves ablaze near their local monasteries, following which, their bodies have been in many cases carried inside the monastery premises to perform prayers and rituals. “Heavy punishment shall be given to those who attempt to organise themselves or form associations or groups,” the notice states. The notice further blames the “Dalai clique” for the instability in the region. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.” |
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Toll reaches 78
| Phayul[Tuesday, November 20, 2012 16:43] |
Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Dhondup in an undated photo.
Tsering Dhondup, 35, set himself ablaze on a ground near the entrance of a mining site in Amchok region of Labrang Sangchu at around 8:30 am (local time). He succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest. Speaking to Phayul, Ajam Amchok, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region said Tsering Dhondup is survived by his wife Tamding Tso, their three children, and his parents Lubhum Gyal and Drukmo Tso. “Martyr Tsering Dhondup set himself ablaze at the Gyagar Thang near the entrance of a mine in Amchok this morning,” Ajam said. “He passed away in his self-immolation protest.” “Local Tibetans say Tsering Dhondup was a good natured and a lovable person,” the same source added. “He felt strongly for Tibet and always showed concern for the welfare of the Tibetan people.” According to latest reports, monks of the Amchok Monastery and local Tibetans have started to gather to offer their last respects. Tsering Dhondup’s fiery protest adds to the alarming escalation in self-immolations being witnessed in Tibet. Already, 16 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the month of November. 
Charred body of Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Dhondup who passed away in his fiery protest against China's rule on November 20, 2012.
The Dalai Lama recently told reporters that China’s repressive policies and the unbearable situation in Tibet are forcing Tibetans to set themselves of fire in Tibet. "The unbearable situation in Tibet is the cause for these unfortunate events. I am very sad about the turn of events. These are symptoms of fear, hard line suppressive policy practiced by China in Tibet. The time has come for China to think more realistically," reporters quoted the Tibetan spiritual leader as saying. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. . “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.” |
15th self-immolation in November
| Phayul[Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:09] |
Wangchen Norbu in an undated photo.
Wangchen Norbu, 25, set himself ablaze at around 8pm (local time) Monday near the Kangtsa Gaden Choephel Ling Monastery. He passed away at the site of his protest. According to sources in exile, Wangchen Norbu raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile, release of the Panchen Lama and freedom for Tibet. His charred body was later carried inside the Monastery premises where a large number of monks and local people gathered to offer their prayers and last respects. 
Wangchen Norbu's charred body, draped in khatak (Tibetan scarves).
The situation in a region is being described as “tense” with a large number of Chinese armed forces deployed in the region. Wangchen Norbu is the son of late Tenzin and Khando Tso. On November 8, a mass prayer service in honour of Tibetan self-immolators was offered at the Kangtsa Gaden Choephel Ling Monastery. Monks and local Tibetans offered thousands of butter lamps and also said prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. With Wangchen Norbu's fiery protest, this month alone has witnessed 15 self-immolations. A total of 77 Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire since 2009 calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. |
Sunday 18 November 2012
Tibet continues to burn
| Phayul[Sunday, November 18, 2012 13:02] |
In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan passed away in his self-immolation protest yesterday evening in an apparent protest against China’s rule.
Sangdag Tsering, 24, set himself on fire in front of a local Chinese government office in Dokar Mo town in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet at around 7 pm (local time). Tsering, father of a three-year-old son, passed away at the site of his protest. His self-immolation came just hours after a Tibetan woman, Chagmo Kyi passed away after setting herself on fire outside a Chinese office in Rongwo town. Sources tell Phayul that earlier in the day, Chinese authorities summoned a large meeting of local Tibetans and gave out clear orders, barring them from visiting families of self-immolators to pay their respect and condolences. Further orders warned that monasteries, which didn’t follow the decree, would be shut down. “Martyr Sangdag Tsering set himself on fire later in the evening at the very place where the meeting was called,” Dorjee Wangchuk, an exile Tibetan said citing sources in the region. Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and tried to douse the flames but Sangdag Tsering succumbed to his injuries. “Monks from two nearby monasteries and thousands of local Tibetans gathered at the protest site and carried his body to the Gonshul Sangag Mindrol Dhargeyling for his cremation,” Wangchuk said. The same source added that Sangdag Tsering had off late repeatedly expressed his frustration over the lack of freedom in Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s absence, and the continuing wave of self-immolations in Tibet. About a week back, he had written a short poem espousing loyalty to Tibet and emailed it to a friend. The last two lines of the poem written in Tibetan reads: “The brave men of the snow mountains, Don’t forget your loyalty to Tibet.” Sangdag Tsering is survived by his parents, his wife Phagmo Tso, 24, and their son. The alarming escalation in self-immolation protests has already witnessed 14 Tibetans set themselves on fire in this month alone, with nine of them occurring in the Rebkong region. A total of 76 Tibetans inside Tibet have now self-immolated since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Speaking to a special gathering of Tibet supporters in Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama yesterday said that the situation in Tibet is “serious.” “Whether Chinese government agrees or not, there are problems and these problems are neither good for Tibetans or for the people of China. So, therefore we have to find a solution based on mutual understanding and mutual respect,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said. He further cautioned: “The use force will never get satisfactory results.” |
‘Please take action,’ the Dalai Lama urges Tibet supporters
| Phayul[Sunday, November 18, 2012 10:26] |
Participants at the Second Special Tibet Support Groups Meeting in Dharamshala huddle around His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a photo. November 17, 2012. (Phayul photo/norbu Wangyal)
Addressing the delegates as “brothers and sisters,” the Dalai Lama urged them to “please take action.” “Please take action wherever you come from,” the Tibetan leader said. “Now already in many countries there are parliamentary support groups and Tibet support groups. So, I think you should be closely in touch and mobilise more voice.” Clarifying that he is now speaking as a citizen of Tibet, after retiring from his political duties last year, the Dalai Lama said Tibetans are carrying a difficult struggle. “(The Tibetan struggle) is entirely based on non violence and compassion. We are actually passing through a difficult period” His Holiness said. “The main reason why I came here is (to show) my respect to you all. I always consider our supporters are not pro-Tibetans but rather pro-justice and pro-nonviolence.” “Your support for Tibet’s cause gives encouragement and moral support. A struggle which is strictly based on non violence, like ours, should succeed.” Speaking on the ongoing wave of self-immolation protests inside Tibet, the Dalai Lama said the fiery sacrifices are in principle non violent. “I consider these Tibetans burning - certainly these people have courage and determination to sacrifice their own life, so they can easily harm other people - but I think these people although they practiced a little bit of violence but I think in principle they still practice non violence.” He added that the younger generation of Tibetans in Tibet these days have stronger determination as compared to earlier generations. The Nobel peace laureate cautioned that the situation in China is serious. “Now, things are serious. Whether Chinese government agrees or not, there are problems and these problems are neither good for Tibetans or for the people of China. So, therefore we have to find a solution based on mutual understanding and mutual respect between Han brothers sisters and Tibetan brothers and sisters,” the Dalai Lama said. “The use force will never get satisfactory results.” “The Chinese government is very powerful militarily but just relying on using force will not solve the problems. It creates more problems, more resentment.” Around two hundred members of Tibetan Support Groups from 43 countries are attending the Second Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting aimed at “exploring ways to press the Chinese government to end its repressive policies” in Tibet. |
Tibetan woman self-immolates, Two deaths in a day
| Phayul[Thursday, November 15, 2012 20:09] |
DHARAMSHALA, November 15: Adding to the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests inside Tibet, a second Tibetan set herself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s occupation of Tibet.
Tangzin Dolma, 23, set herself ablaze at around 12 pm (local time) today in Tsemo region of Rebkong, eastern Tibet. Exile sources are saying that Tibetans from around the region started gathering in Tsemo upon hearing news of the self-immolation protest. As of now a grand funeral for Tangzin Dolma has been planned for later tonight and the large gathering of Tibetans are awaiting the arrival of monks from the Rongwo Monastery. She is survived by her parents, Bhulo and Tashi Dolma. Further details on the self-immolation protest are awaited at the time of filing this report. This is the second self-immolation that took place in Tibet today. Kharbum Gyal, a teenaged Tibetan set himself on fire in the same region earlier today and passed away in his protest. As many as 12 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the month of November alone, taking the toll since the fiery wave began in 2009 to 74. Self-immolators have demanded freedom for Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Today’s twin self-immolation protests comes on the day when China unveiled its new Politburo Standing Committee members, the group of politicians who rule the country. Tibetans and supporters in exile have asserted that the seven men, led by Xi Jinping, are facing “an immediate crisis,” with the alarming escalation in the wave of self-immolations and growing protests by Tibetans, including last week’s massive protests in Rebkong, against Beijing’s rule. Vocal demands have been made for China's 5th generation leaders to acknowledge policy failures and seek resolution to the crisis in Tibet. |
Young Tibetan burns self to death
| Phayul[Thursday, November 15, 2012 19:08] |
DHARAMSHALA, November 15: In confirmed reports, another Tibetan set himself on fire today in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet in an apparent protest against China’s occupation of Tibet.
Khabum Gyal, 18, self-immolated near Rongwo town at around 11 am (local time). He passed away in his fiery protest. “Monks from the Rebkong Tsagya Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans are carrying out the last rites of martyr Khabum Gyal right now,” Sonam, a Tibetan living in exile with close contacts in the region told Phayul. Khabum Gyal is survived by his parents, Tamding Gyal and Dolkar Tso and six siblings. “Details on the self-immolation protest are scanty and no photos have yet come out,” Sonam added. This is sixth self-immolation in Rebkong region in the month of November alone. Earlier reports had indicated that Chinese authorities have deployed a large number of addition security forces in the Rebkong region and cut off power supply and communication channels. 73 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The Dharamshala based exile Tibetan administration has said that it will observe a Global Solidarity Day on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on December 10 following the continuing wave of self-immolations. The Central Tibetan Administration noted that the escalation in self-immolations “clearly reflect the gravity of Tibet’s current situation,” while urging Tibetans and supporters to “light a candle or lamp, observe a minute’s silence, and a say a prayer for all those who have died for the cause of Tibet, and locally organise vigils and rallies.” “Despite our repeated appeals not to take drastic actions, self-immolations continue in Tibet,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people said. “Therefore, I appeal to the international community and governments to stand for justice by answering the universal aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet: the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.” |
Monday 12 November 2012
Tibet continues to burn
| Phayul[Monday, November 12, 2012 14:03] |
Nyingkar Tashi, 24, set himself on fire in Rebkong region of eastern Tibet on November 12, 2012.
In one of the photos received by Phayul, a Tibetan man can be seen engulfed in flames, lying down on the ground. Sources have identified the Tibetan as Nyingkar Tashi,24 years of age. The self-immolation is being reported from Rebkong region of eastern Tibet, the same region which witnessed two self-immolations and massive protests involving thousands of Tibetans and students last week alone. "I am getting confirmed reports of a self-immolation protest by a Tibetan man Nyiga, 24 in Rebkong this afternoon at around 3.30 pm(local time)," Ajam Amchok, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region told Phayul. "There is too much of a chaos right now in the area making it difficult to get more information." Details on Nyingkar Tashi's condition is still awaited at the time of filing this report. In less than week, beginning from the eve of Chinese Communist Party's 18th National Congress in Beijing, eight Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. On the sidelines of the meeting, Chinese government officials from Tibet last week reiterated the government’s view that the self-immolations were being instigated by external separatist groups. “External Tibetan separatist forces and the Dalai clique are sacrificing the lives of others to achieve ulterior political motives,” Lobsang Gyaltsen, the TAR Deputy Governor, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Qiangba Puncog, the head of the TAR government’s People’s Congress, ruled out allowing foreign observers into Tibetan areas, as recommended recently by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. Speaking to reporters in Tokyo earlier today, the Dalai Lama said the Chinese government is not 'seriously' probing the cause of a spate of self-immolations. "The Chinese government should investigate the cause (of the incidents). China does not look into it seriously and tries to end (the incidents) only by criticising me," Kyodo News reported in Japanese. 71 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since the wave of self-immolations began in 2009. A number of mass protests involving thousands of people have also erupted across the Tibetan plateau over the last several months. |
China bans monks from offering condolences and prayers
| Phayul[Monday, November 12, 2012 12:14] |
DHARAMSHALA, November 12: Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet have banned Tibetan monks from offering condolences and joining prayer rituals to observe the demise of a teenage monk who passed away in his self-immolation protest against Chinese rule on November 7 in Ngoshul Village in Gomang region of Ngaba.
Dorjee, 15, a monk from the Ngoshul Monastery carried out a triple self-immolation protestwith two other monks from the same monastery, Samdup and Dorjee Kyap, both 16. The three young monks set themselves ablaze shouting slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for Tibet in front of the Chinese Public Security Bureau office of Gomang. Dorjee passed away at the site of protest, while Samdup and Dorjee Kyab reportedly survived the self-immolation and are currently believed to be in a hospital in Ngaba. Dharamshala based rights group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in a release Sunday said local Chinese authorities on November 8, a day after the protest, handed over some ashes to Dorjee’s family, saying it was of the deceased’s. Dorjee’s charred body had been taken into police custody soon after he succumbed to his injuries. “The Chinese authorities have banned monks from Ngoshul Monastery to offer condolences and join prayer rituals to observe the death of a teen monk who died after setting himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government,” TCHRD said. “From the moment news spread about the multiple self-immolation, local Tibetans and monks in Ngoshul Village have begun making visits to the monks' families expressing solidarity and support and joining in the prayer ceremony,” the rights group said. “Monks from Ngoshul Monastery have been barred from participating in the prayer rituals at the deceased's home.” TCHRD also reported of deployment of People's Armed Police at Ngoshul Monastery and Gomang. The group said no conclusive reports on the condition of Samdum and Dorjee Kyab could be gathered due to the “extreme difficulty in gathering information and the prevalence of extreme secrecy regarding the whereabouts and condition of both the monks.” TCHRD cited sources as saying that it cannot be confirmed whether the monks are alive or about the location of the hospital where they are believed to be undergoing treatment. The alarming escalation in self-immolations last week, which saw seven Tibetans set themselves on fire, coincided with the Chinese Communist Party’s weeklong 18th National Congress, which began Thursday in Beijing. The meeting is expected to end with the transfer of power to Vice President Xi Jinping, who will govern the country for a decade. 70 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze since the fiery protests began in 2009, protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. |
Saturday 10 November 2012
Teenage Tibetan in self-immolation protest: Xinhua
| Phayul[Saturday, November 10, 2012 23:39] |
A teenaged Tibetan man passed away in his self-immolation protest in eastern Tibet on Saturday, AFP said citing China’s state news agencyXinhua.
The 18-year-old became the seventh Tibetan to set himself on fire in the last four days, making this the deadliest week since the wave of self-immolation protests began in 2009. Now, 70 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze, protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. According to Xinhua, Chinese provincial government officials have identified the man as Gonpo Tsering. AFP quoted Xinhua as saying that Gonpo Tsering carried out his fiery protest at 2:00 pm (local time) in the city of Tsoe (Ch: Hezuo) in Kanlho region of eastern Tibet. The report added that the “case was being investigated.” It must be noted that Tibetan sources in exile have not reported on today’s protest. Usually, Tibetans in exile are the first to provide details on incidents inside Tibet. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an exile Tibetan with strong links in Tibet told Phayul that communication lines in Tibet are either not working or have been severely restricted. “Phone lines in many areas that I have tried to contact are down or are being received by other people,” the exile Tibetan said. “People fear that all their conversations are being listened.” Off late, several Tibetans have been disappeared, arrested, and sentenced to lengthy jail terms on charges of sending information on the self-immolation protests and contacting outsiders. The alarming escalation in self-immolations this week coincides with the Chinese Communist Party’s weeklong 18th National Congress, which began Thursday in Beijing. The meeting is expected to end with the transfer of power to Vice President Xi Jinping, who will govern the country for a decade. On Thursday, Tamding Tso, a 23-year-old mother of one, passed away in her self-immolation protest in Rebkong. The same day, three teenaged monks of the Ngoshul Monastery in Ngaba region set themselves on fire in a triple self-immolation protest. Dorjee, 15 passed away in his protest, while the condition of Samdup, 16, and Dorjee Kyab, 16, remains unknown. Also on that day, an unidentified Tibetan man passed away in his self-immolation protest in Driru. On Friday, 18-year-old nomad, Kalsang Jinpa, set himself on fire at the Dolma Square in front of the Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, after raising a white banner with slogans calling for the Dalai Lama’s return and the rights of the Tibetan people before setting himself ablaze. He passed away in his fiery protest. Thousands of Tibetans, including school students, took part in massive rallies and led protests against the Chinese government in Rebkong following the self-immolations. |
Thousands of Tibetans protest in China, activists say
from BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20264355
Thousands of Tibetans have protested in western China, demanding independence and the return of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, activists say.
The protest took place as Chinese leaders hold the party congress where a change of leadership will be announced.
Activists say six Tibetans have set themselves on fire this week in protest at Beijing's rule.
Chinese officials say the Dalai Lama and his allies are to blame for the rise in self-immolations.
'Chaos'
Witnesses say that the protesters were mainly high school pupils who paraded through the town of Tongren.
"It was chaos this morning," a Tibetan witness told the AP news agency.
Unverified film footage from one demonstration shows thousands of students surrounding what appears to be a government compound.
It is the latest in a wave of protests across China's Tibetan areas in recent days.
Delegates at the Communist Party congress in Beijing blamed the the Dalai Lama for the unrest, an accusation strongly denied by his supporters.
"We don't really welcome some people who think Tibet has many problems, human rights problems, this problem, or that problem," said Standing Committee on Tibet chairman Qiangba Puncog.
"They are so arrogant, they want to come to Tibet to conduct investigations.
"We don't think it is appropriate."
China has launched a security crackdown in areas affected by the protests and is stopping foreign journalists from reaching them.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says that with more than 60 cases of Tibetans setting themselves on fire since last year, it is clear there is serious unrest.
China arrests Tibetan self-immolator’s husband for rejecting bribe
| Phayul[Friday, November 09, 2012 14:30] |
Husband of Tibetan self-immolator Dolkar Tso has been secretly detained by Chinese security personnel after he rejected a bribe offer from the local Chinese authorities.
According to exile sources, Dhonue was offered bribe by Chinese authorities to state that his wife Dolkar Tso self-immolated owing to family disputes and not in protest against China’s rule. Dhonue rejected the bribe and has been secretly detained for over a week now by Chinese security personnel. His current condition and whereabouts remain unknown. Dolkar Tso, mother of a five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son, set herself on fire near the Tsoe Monastery in Kanlho on August 7, raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and shouted that there was no freedom in Tibet. She later succumbed to her injuries. This is not the first instance of Chinese officials trying to bribe family members of Tibetan self-immolators to toe the party line. Earlier in October, Tibetan self immolator Sangay Gyatso’s family members, also from the Tsoe region, were offered a bribe of one million Chinese Yuan (US $ 158,599) to sign a document stating that his self-immolation was not targeted against China’s rule over Tibet. Sangay Gyatso, 27, passed away in his self-immolation protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet on October 6. He is survived by his wife Dorjee Kyi and two children - a son, Dorjee Dhundup, 7 and a daughter, Tenzin Tso, 5. Last month, Chinese authorities publicly offered monetary reward for providing information on possible self-immolation protests. Notices, dated October 21 and written in Tibetan and Chinese, were posted in Kanlho region of eastern Tibet, asking residents to assist police in preventing the self-immolations. “Self-immolations have seriously affected social harmony and the working order of people’s daily lives,” the notice read. “The Tibetan people should voluntarily fight against such illegal acts.” The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration condemned the announcement of financial rewards and called it a reflection of Chinese authorities’ “lack of understanding of the situation in Tibet.” “Current Chinese efforts to offer financial incentives fail to constructively address the causes behind the self-immolations,” CTA said. “The need of the hour is for the Chinese leadership to take practical and concrete measures to address the deeper underlying issues.” Since 2009, 69 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)