Fourth self immolation in Tibet in 2 days

Phayul[Saturday, October 27, 2012 18:31]

By Phuntsok Yangchen Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire in Labrang region in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet  Four Tibetans have immolated themselves in just two days in three different regions of Tibet. Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire yesterday around 7 PM (local time) in Labrang Sangkho in Sangchu. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. Tsephag is survived by his wife Dorjee Dolma, 18, mother Lumo Jam and an elder brother named Tashi Dhondup. Thupten, a Tibetan living in South India with a close contact in a region said, “A large number of local Tibetans gathered in a region and prevent the Chinese forces from taking Tsephag’s body.” His charred body is currently in the hands of his family members. Thupten cited witnesses saying Tsephag raised the slogans demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Release of Panchen Rinpoche Gedun Choekyi Nyima and other Political prisoners. “Following the self immolation, a large number of Chinese Armed Forces and Chinese Security forces are deployed in the area and the situation is described as tense and under strict surveillance.  Earlier the same day, Lhamo Tseten, 24, set himself on fire near the Amchok Township Court at 2:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu County in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. On October 25, Two Tibetans set themselves ablaze in Nagro Phampa township in Driru County, Kham.  Tsepo, 20 and Tenzin, 25 set themselves on fire near a school in Nagro Phampa region. Tsepo is believed to be dead while there is no information on Tenzin's condition and his whereabouts. They raised slogans demanding return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. Tenzin was a former student of TCV Suja where he had studied for around six months. Since 2009, 62 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Freedom in Tibet.

5th self immolation in Sangchu County in a week

Phayul[Friday, October 26, 2012 18:54]

By Phuntsok Yangchen Lhamo Tseten in an undated photo According to reports coming in, two Tibetans have set themselves ablaze in two separate incidents of self-immolation in Sangchu County, which has already seen 5 Tibetans immolate themselves. Lhamo Tseten, 24, set himself afire near the Amchok Township Court at 2:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu County in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. Ajam Amchok, a Tibetan living in South India with close contacts in the region, said, “Lhamo Tseten repeatedly raised the slogan calling for the ‘return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.” Lhamo is survived by his wife Tsering Lhamo and a two year old daughter Nyingmo Kyi. He was son of father Namchuk Tsering, 49 and mother Sungdue Kyi. Ajam cited witnesses saying Chinese Security and Armed Forces immediately arrived at the protest site but the local Tibetans gathered around the body to prevent the Chinese forces from taking the body. His charred body is currently with his family member. “Following the self immolation, a large number of Chinese Armed Forces and Chinese Security Police are deployed in an area and the situation in Amchok is described as tense and under strict surveillance,” Ajam said. Another Tibetan, Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire at 8PM (local time) in Labrang region in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet. Tsephag Kyab’s charred body is in the hands of his family members. He was son of father Lumo Jam. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 60 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tibetan immolations: China offers rewards for information

from the BBC website see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20081378
The most recent self-immolation also took place in Gannan prefecture

Police in China's Gansu province are offering rewards for information about planned self-immolations by Tibetans.

The authorities in Gansu's Gannan prefecture say recent immolations affected social stability.

They add that those who tell police about planned immolations will be awarded 50,000 yuan ($7,700; £5,491). Information about those who organise immolations will also be rewarded.

Dozens of people have set themselves on fire since such protests began in 2009.

The majority of them are believed to have died in the protests. At least two are believed to have died since Monday, the latest in a recent spike of Tibetan protests inside China.

Continue reading the main story

The Tibet divide

• China says Tibet has always been part of its territory
• Tibet had long periods of autonomy
• China launched a military assault in 1950
• Opposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959
• Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled to India
• Dalai Lama now advocates a "middle way" with Beijing, seeking autonomy but not independence

• The Tibet issue: Two views
• Inside Tibet

A notice issued by Gannan police says the immolations have "seriously impacted social stability and harmony as well as people's ability to live and work".

It says: "Anyone who reports and informs the legal authorities on the people who plan, incite to carry out, control and lure people to commit self-immolation will be awarded 50,000 yuan."

It also adds that anyone who provides genuine information about what it calls the "black hands" - referring to those behind four recent self-immolations - will be awarded 200,000 yuan.

This is believed to be the first reward offer of its kind in the region.

Gannan has been the site of a number of self-immolations this year. On Monday a man, believed to be in his 50s, died after he set himself on fire near the Labrang monastery. A day later another Tibetan set himself on fire in the same region.

China's authorities have so far proved unable to halt the self-immolations.

China's leaders blame the Dalai Lama, the Tibetans' exiled spiritual leader, for inciting the self-immolations and encouraging separatism.

He rejects this, and both activist groups and the Tibetan government-in-exile say the self-immolations are protests against tight Chinese control of the region and religious repression.

Cafe Momo raises £290 for Tadra Schools in Tibet

  The Cafe Momo event that was held on the 21st October was a great success.  Yeshe provided a demonstration of Momo (Tibetan stuffed Dumplings) making and also said a few words about his Tadra project http://www.tadra.de. Enjoy the photos.

Many people were moved my his story of life as a refugee in India and Switzerland and of his persistence in getting the Schools established in Amdo.  He is now raising money for a School in Kham.  This event has raised £290 and the group will be sending a further £110 from its funds.

Thanks to the people to came, helped, sang, played music and took part in this event. The next Cafe Momo will be on 2nd December where a talk will be given by Sue Byrne, one of the founders of Free Tibet.   

Third Self Immolation in Tibet in four days

Phayul[Tuesday, October 23, 2012 21:26] By Phuntsok Yangchen

Dorjee Rinchen (File photo)

 News have just come in of another self immolation protest in Tibet. 3 Tibetans from Sangchu County have resorted to self immolation since Saturday to express their protest against China's policies and demand the release of the exile Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Dorjee Rinchen, 58, today set himself ablaze near the Chinese Army camp at 3:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu county where two others, Lhamo Kyab and Dhondup, had died after setting themselves ablaze on Saturday and Monday respectively.

Amchok, a Tibetan living in South India with close contacts in the region, said, Dorjee Rinchen succumbed to his burns at the site of his protest and that his charred body was currently with his family member.

“The monks of the Labrang Monastery offered special prayers for the deceased on the streets as they were not allowed to visit Dorjee Rinchen's house.”

Following the self-immolation, a minor scuffle broke out at the site of the protest between Chinese authorities and local Tibetans.

A new report by the United States Congress released this month found that the increasing use of repressive measures by the Chinese government and the failure of the stalled Sino-Tibet dialogue process were concurrent with the demands of the growing number of self-immolation by Tibetans.

The bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China in its 2012 Annual Report said that during the reporting year, the incidence of Tibetans resorting to self-immolation “accelerated sharply” with the Chinese government refusing to accept its policy failure in Tibet.

“The Party and government have not indicated any willingness to consider Tibetan grievances in a constructive manner and to hold themselves accountable for Tibetan rejection of Chinese policies, and handled the crisis as a threat to state security and social stability instead of as a policy failure,” the report said.

Since 2009, 58 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and Freedom in Tibet.

Tibet: second immolation in 48 hours

[Monday, October 22, 2012 16:17   By Phuntsok Yangchen

Charred body of Dhondup In less than 48 hours of the self immolation of Lhamo Kyab on Saturday in Sangchu county, another Tibetan man from the same county has set himself on fire earlier today in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Sonam, a monk of Drepung Monastery in South India, said Dhondup, 61, of Hor Khagya (spelled as pronounced) set himself ablaze at 9:47 am (local time) on the main road near Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet. He became the oldest Tibetan from Tibet to end his life due to self-immolation. Sonam cited eyewitnesses saying people circumambulating the monastery formed human cover around Dhondup’s charred body to stop it from getting into the hands of Chinese authorities. Later, the management committee of the monastery took Dhondup to hospital where he was declared dead. Dhondup is survived by his wife Dolma Tso and foster son Rinzin Choephel. The same source said no further details were available due to tense situation and heavy security presence in the area. On Saturday, Lhamo Kyab died near Bora monastery in Sangchu county moments after he set himself on fire. The month of October alone has witnessed five deaths due to self-immolation in Tibet. The deceased were Gudrub, 43, Sangya Gyatso, 27, Tamdin Dorjee, 52, Lhamo Kyab, 27 and Dhondup, 61. The Central Tibetan Administration has reiterated its appeal for global intervention to end the crisis in Tibet “We again strongly reiterate our long-standing appeal to the international community to press the Chinese government to end the deepening crisis in Tibet,” said Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of the Information & International Relations. “The tragic self-immolations by Tibetans would stop only if the Chinese government address their genuine and long-standing grievances, and find a lasting solution to the problem of Tibet through dialogue,” Chhoyang said.  The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 57 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Fourth self-immolation this month

Phayul[Saturday, October 20, 2012 17:42]

Lhamo Kyab in an undated photo. Another Tibetan has set himself on fire today in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet in Bora, Sangchu region of Amdo, eastern Tibet. Lhamo Kyab, 27, father of two young daughters, today set himself on fire near the Bora Monastery at around 2 pm (local time) in Sangchu district. According to eyewitnesses, he succumbed to his burn injuries at the site of his protest. According to Sonam, a Tibetan living in south India with close contacts in the region, Lhamo Kyab set himself on fire on a road near the Bora Monastery.  "Engulfed in flames, Lhamo Kyab raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and then fell to the ground after walking a few steps," Sonam told Phayul. Following the self-immolation, a minor scuffle broke out at the site of the protest between Chinese security personnel and local Tibetans, who succeeded in carrying Lhamo Kyab’s charred body inside the Monastery’s main prayer hall. "The monks began to offer prayers for the deceased, even as a large number of Tibetans started to arrive at the Monastery upon hearing about the protest," the same source said. As of latest information received, monks and local Tibetans have carried Lhamo Kyab’s body to his home. He is survived by his wife Droji Kyi and two daughters Pema Tso and Drugmo Tso, both under 10 years of age. The month of October has now witnessed four self-immolations in Tibet. Gudrub, 43, Sangya Gyatso, 27, and Tamdin Dorjee, 52, all passed away in their fiery protests.  On May 27 this year, Dorjee Tseten, a native of Bora, set himself on fire in front of the historic Jokhang Temple in Tibet’s capital Lhasa, along with his colleague at work, Dhargey.  On March 20 earlier this year, more than 100 monks from the Bora Monastery had marched towards the township-level government buildings carrying Tibetan flags and pictures of the Dalai Lama calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama.  The next day, Chinese security officers entered the Monastery at around 2 am (local time) and arrested 40 monks, prompting a gathering of a large number of monks calling for the immediate release of fellow monks. The local security officials, fearing more protests, released all 40 monks a few hours later, but told the monks to make “personal statements” admitting that they have made a “mistake” which they will not repeat in future. Bora monastery has faced heavy restrictions since the 2008 uprisings in Tibet. The restrictions were tightened after Losar, Tibetan New Year this year when monks in the monastery displayed a picture of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government, in the lead up to next month’s Party Congress, which will see its once in a decade top leadership change, has called for stricter measures to maintain stability and suppress dissenting voices. 56 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Five arrested in Wonpo for raising Tibetan flag

Phayul[Friday, October 19, 2012 01:18]

Chinese armed forces in Wonpo region of Dzachukha, eastern Tibet following the arrest of five Tibetans on October 15, 2012. In continuing crackdown and arbitrary detentions in Tibet, Chinese security personnel have arrested five Tibetans in Wonpo region of Dzachukha, eastern Tibet. Speaking to Phayul, Jampa Yonten, a monk living in south India with close contacts in the region said the arrests were made during a night raid on October 15. “Chinese security forces entered the region in large numbers in the night and blocked the exits and cut all communication channels,” Yonten said. “Five Tibetans were arrested during the raid.” The identity of those arrested and their wellbeing and whereabouts are not presently known. The same source said that the next day, Chinese authorities summoned one member each from every family in the Wonpo region and warned them against carrying out protests during political re-education sessions, which they said, will be carried out in the area. “Following the arrests, the warnings, and the large deployment of Chinese armed forces, the entire region is very tense and under strict surveillance,” Yonten added. It is believed that the five Tibetans were arrested in connection with a Tibetan flag-raising incident that was reported from the region earlier this September. In an expression of defiance against China’s rule, protesters pulled down a Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan national flag at a school in Wonpo on September 7. Leaflets carrying the words ‘Freedom for Tibet,’ written in red ink were also found scattered on the school grounds. Although, local Chinese officials did not make any arrests, they vowed to investigate the incident. In the same region, earlier this year in February, Tibetans had pulled down a Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony. In April 2008, during the pan-Tibet uprisings, monks at the Wonpo Monastery had refused to hoist the Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony on the top of their monastery. In the increased repression and house-to-house raids that followed, a Tibetan woman named Tri Lhamo committed suicide soon after Chinese security personnel barged into her home and tore down and trampled upon photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Seven more monks arrested in Wonpo Phayul[Friday, October 19, 2012 23:50] In continuing crackdown in the Wonpo region of Dzachukha, eastern Tibet, Chinese security forces have arrested seven more Tibetans in connection with a Tibetan flag raising protest that occurred earlier this September. Three monks of the Wonpo Monastery were arbitrarily detained on Thursday while four more monks were arrested earlier today, taking the total number of arrested monks in this week to 12. Speaking to Phayul, Jampa Younten, a monk living in south India with close contacts in the region, identified the three monks arrested on October 18 as Ludrub, Lobsang Drubsel, and Lobsang Tharchin. “More than a dozen Chinese security personnel raided the personal quarters of Lobsang Drubsel and Lobsang Tharchin and confiscated a number of personal essays,” Younten said. Earlier this morning, four more monks, identified as Sozang, the Monastery’s secretary, Soenyi, Thakchoe, and Wangyal were arrested.  The same source said that in the afternoon, Chinese authorities assembled all the monks of the Wonpo Monastery in an attempt to identify those who were involved in the flag raising protest. “All the monks were made to write in Tibetan language so that the Chinese authorities could match their handwritings with the ones that were found on the pamphlets scattered during the protest.” In a strong expression of defiance against China’s rule, protesters had pulled down a Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan national flag at a school in Wonpo on September 7, this year. Leaflets carrying the words ‘Freedom for Tibet,’ written in red ink were also found scattered on the school grounds. Although, local Chinese officials did not make any arrests that time, they vowed to investigate the incident. Chinese security forces had recently carried out night raids in the Wonpo region, blocking the exits and cutting all communication channels. Five monks were arrested in night raids on October 15. Following the arrests and the large scale deployment of Chinese armed forces, the entire region is being described as “very tense” and under “severe surveillance.” In April 2008, during the pan-Tibet uprisings, monks at the Wonpo Monastery had refused to hoist the Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony on the top of their monastery. In the increased repression and house-to-house raids that followed, a Tibetan woman named Tri Lhamo committed suicide soon after Chinese security personnel barged into her home and tore down and trampled upon photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

CTA welcomes Ambassador Locke’s Ngaba visit,

Phayul[Thursday, October 18, 2012 14:48]

Ambassador Gary Locke in a handout photograph with a Tibetan monk Zangchu, Ngaba, eastern Tibet. The exile Tibetan administration has welcomed US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke’s recent visit to the beleaguered Ngaba region of eastern Tibet. Speaking to Phayul, Tashi, the Information Secretary of the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration welcomed the visit and expressed hope that Ambassador Locke will speak out on his experiences of the visit. “The CTA has been consistent in calling upon the Chinese government to allow fact-finding delegations and international media to visit Tibet,” Tashi said. “We welcome Ambassador Gary Locke’s last month visit to Ngaba and hope that the honourable ambassador will speak to the international media about his experiences and the prevalent situation in the region.” “We hope that this is the first of many more visits by international delegations to Tibet,” Tashi added. In his first trip as ambassador to Tibet, Locke reportedly visited two Tibetan monasteries in the Zungchu region of Ngaba on September 26, as part of a broader trip to the region. Zungchu is a safe 100 miles (160kms) east of Ngaba town, which has been at the centre of the ongoing wave of self-immolations.  In a response to The New York Times on his visit, published Wednesday, Ambassador Locke said he went to Ngaba to “see it for myself.” “I was struck by the unique Tibetan culture and met many ethnic Tibetans to learn more about how they live and work, such as an 88-year-old monk at one of the monasteries I visited. Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society.” He added, “I hope others will make the same visit.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the trip, although an embassy spokesman said that the trip was not made in secret and was known by Chinese officials. US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland had broken the news on Locke’s visit earlier this week at a regular news conference in Washington DC. Nuland said Ambassador Locke met with government officials and residents in Ngaba and visited villages and Buddhist monasteries to learn more about how Tibetans live and work. She went on to reiterate "grave concern" by the US over the rising number of immolations and urged "better dialogue" between China and Tibet. "We have grave concerns about self-immolations in Tibet and about the underlying grievances that the Tibetan people have. And we have consistently urged dialogue between the Chinese government and the Tibetan people with regard to those grievances," Nuland told reporters. Earlier this month, China refused to grant permission to an official Australian delegation from visiting Tibet. In March this year, Australian ambassador Frances Adamson had sought Beijing’s permission to visit Tibet to “examine the reasons” for the ongoing wave of the self-immolations in Tibet. Adamson had also requested the Chinese authorities to allow a visit by the Australian parliamentary delegation. Tibet is currently closed to outside visitors and journalists with many areas reeling under an undeclared martial law.

China reinforces ban on the Dalai Lama’s photos

Phayul[Thursday, October 18, 2012 11:22]

Ahead of China’s once in a decade leadership change next month, Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet have issued fresh notices reinforcing the ban on pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and materials advocating Tibetan independence. The public notice dated September 17 was seen in Rongwo town in Rebkong region of eastern Tibet. The region has witnessed two known self-immolation protests this year and a number of mass protestsagainst the Chinese government. According to High Peaks Pure Earth, the website which translated the note, the political message of the public notice, drawing attention to matters such as “splitting the country” is couched in the language of social concerns including warnings on sudden death as a result of exhaustion after spending too much time on the internet. In the notice, Chinese authorities have said that the “special campaign” of striking against illegal activities is being carried out in order to create a “harmonious and stable social and cultural environment for ensuring the successful convening of the 18th Party Congress.” The three-point notice begins with the reinforcement of the ban on selling photos, videos, and books of the Dalai Lama and objects publicising Tibetan independence. “The various cultural enterprises and operating units in the cultural marketplace are strictly forbidden to sell the photos of the Dalai Lama, or videos, pictures, books, writings, hangings and other objects inciting to split the country, publicising Tibetan independence or spreading obscene, pornographic and vulgar messages,” the notice reads. “In particular, they are forbidden to print the aforementioned photos and writings without authorisation.” Despite China’s ban, public display of devotion to the Dalai Lama has been rampant in Tibet. The 55 Tibetans, who have set themselves on fire since 2009 inside Tibet, have called for the Tibetan spiritual leader’s return, while thousands of Tibetans have attendedpublic enthronements of portraits of the Dalai Lama.  The notice goes on to warn internet café owners from opening their café beyond business hours or from closing their windows and doors while in business. The authorities have further warned that people operating illegally will be struck hard strike hard and severely punished. In August this year, a Tibetan father of three, Logya was sentenced to four years in prison by a Chinese court in eastern Tibet for carrying a portrait of the Dalai Lama during a peaceful protest on January 23 in Ngaba. Prior to his sentencing without legal representation, Logya was kept in detention for several months during which he suffered beatings and torture at the hands of Chinese security officers.

Tibet continues to burn with another self-immolation

Phayul[Saturday, October 13, 2012 20:23]

Tamdin Dorjee's charred body lies on the ground after his self-immolation protest against China's occupation of Tibet on October 13, 2012. In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, yet another Tibetan has set himself on fire in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Tamdin Dorjee, 52, set himself on fire around 1:00 pm (local time) on October 13th Saturday in Tsoe, Kanlho region of north-eastern Tibet. Tamdin Dorjee passed away at the site of his protest. Eye witnesses have told sources in exile that Tamdin Dorjee raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet.  According to Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration, his body was later taken to his home, following which a prayer service was conducted by monks at Tsoe Monastery. Local Tibetans are visiting his home to pay their last respects. Tamdin Dorjee is the grandfather of the 7th Gunthang Rinpoche, who is one of the most revered religious leaders in the region. The Monastery has been sealed off and Chinese Security forces have moved into the area. Intense restrictions are in place. Tsoe has already witnessed two self-immolations by Dolkar Tso and Sangay Gyatso. Both of them passed away in their fiery protests. 55 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet.

Tibet continues to burn, Second self-immolation in three days

Phayul[Saturday, October 06, 2012 13:51]

Sangay Gyatso's charred body lies on the ground after his self-immolation protest against China's occupation of Tibet on October 6, 2012. In confirmed reports and photos coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Exile sources say that a Tibetan man, Sangay Gyatso, 27, set himself on fire in Tsoe region of Kanlho, Amdo eastern Tibet at around 12 pm (local time). He carried out his protest near the Dokar Monastery. Sangay Gyatso, a father of two, is believed to have passed away in his self-immolation protest. In the photos of his fiery protest that have reached exile, Sangay Gyatso’s body is seen completely charred. Since 2009, a known number of 54 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Sangay Gyatso’s protest comes only two days after a Tibetan writer, Gudrup passed away in his self-immolation protest on October 4 in Nagchu. The recently concluded meeting of exile Tibetans to discuss the ongoing crisis in Tibet had sent a strong message of unity and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and a call for greater activism in exile. The special meeting, while expressing concern over the loss of Tibetan lives, declared that the Chinese government will be held solely responsible in the event of the situation inside Tibet escalating further. In light of the critical situation inside Tibet, the meeting had also recommended the revival of the ‘Tibetan Solidarity Committee’ to head the global Tibet activities and also pushed for the creation of a ‘voluntary emergency fund’ to finance the campaigns.

China refuses Australia investigative Tibet visit

Phayul[Friday, October 05, 2012 18:02]

Monks and local Tibetans gather at the Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, to pray for Tibetan self-immolator Jamyang Palden, who passed away on September 29, 2012 after an ordeal that lasted for more than six months. China has refused to grant permission to an official Australian delegation from visiting Tibet, aimed at examining the reasons for the ongoing wave of self-immolations. The Australia Tibet Council has been told that Canberra’s request to visit Tibet, which continues to see a growing number of self-immolations, had been rejected. China’s abject dismissal of Australia’s concerns over the self-immolations came even as a Tibetan writer, Gudrup set himself on fire in Nagchu, central Tibet yesterday, taking the self-immolation toll inside Tibet to 53. Gudrup called for Tibet’s freedom and return of the Dalai Lama from exile - demands common to the rest of Tibetan self-immolators. In March this year, Australian ambassador Frances Adamson had sought Beijing’s permission to visit Tibet to “examine the reasons” for the ongoing wave of fiery self-immolations in Tibet. Adamson had also requested the Chinese authorities to allow a visit by the Australian parliamentary delegation. Tibet is currently closed to outside visitors and journalists with many areas reeling under an undeclared martial law. Chinese security personnel earlier this year detained several foreign journalists attempting to enter Tibetan areas, including reporters from the BBC and CNN. However, journalists who have been able to slip through the tight security cordon have described areas in Tibet as a “conflict zone” under “stifling lockdown.” One of the first reporters to gain access to the Ngaba region, where a large majority of the self-immolations have occurred, a Guardian reporter, revealed that Chinese paramilitaries were trying to “snuff out Tibetan resistance to Beijing's rule with spiked batons, semi-automatic weapons and fire extinguishers.” A new report released by a global coalition of Tibet groups on Wednesday blamed “decades of China’s failed policies” in Tibet for causing the ongoing wave of fiery protests in Tibet. The report outlines China’s attempts to maintain its occupation of Tibet through “Three Pillars of Coercive Control: Military Occupation, Colonial Rule, and Fear and Intimidation,” and challenges China’s leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping, to take “immediate steps towards a just and lasting resolution to the occupation of Tibet, or face greater international condemnation and domestic instability.” Tibet’s elected leader, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay told reporters at the end of a special meeting called to discuss the crisis in Tibet that Tibetans “do not tolerate China’s present policies and the continued occupation of Tibet.” “We will do whatever we can to support our brothers and sisters in Tibet and we squarely blame the present tragedy in Tibet on the hard-line policies of the Chinese government,” Sikyong Sangay had said.  The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also recently expressed America's concerns over the increasing instances of self-immolations in Tibet and violations of human rights at a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. "The Secretary, as she always does, raised human rights concerns – notably in this particular meeting, concerns about Tibet and increasing pace of immolations," a senior US official said after Clinton met Yang on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Tibetan man dies in self-immolation protest

Phayul[Thursday, October 04, 2012 17:18]

Tibetan writer Gudrup in an undated photo. DHARAMSHALA, October 4: In reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan man has set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet, taking Tibet’s self-immolation toll to 53. Sources from inside Tibet, using a popular phone interface programme, have said that Gudrub, 43, torched himself in Nagchu town in central Tibet at around 10 am (local time). He is believed to have passed away at the site of his protest. Dharamshala based Tibetan language new portal, Tibet Express, in a report cited eyewitnesses as saying that Gudrup raised slogans for Tibet’s freedom and the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama before setting himself on fire. “Eyewitnesses have said that Gudrup shouted, “Wherever we go, we have no freedom,” “Freedom for Tibet,” “Let His Holiness the Dalai Lama return to Tibet,” before setting himself on fire,” the report said.  At the time of reporting, Gudrup’s body has not been handed over to his family members. Before carrying out his self-immolation protest, Gudrup left a last message addressed to all Tibetans calling for unity and pride in one's race on qq.com, China’s largest online network. “My brothers and sisters of the land of snows, although, looking back at our past, we have nothing but a sense of loss, anger, sadness, and tears, I pray that the coming new year of the Water Dragon brings you health, success, and the fulfillment of aspirations,” Gudrup writes. “We must distinguish and give prominence to our pride in ourselves as a people and even in the face of loss and suffering, must never lose our courage and spirit in our endeavour to uphold our unity.”  Gudrup is a native of Driru in Kham eastern Tibet and was a writer who read extensively on Tibet’s history.

Two teenaged Tibetans to serve lengthy jail terms

Phayul[Tuesday, October 02, 2012 23:57]

Lobsang Tsultrim in an undated photo. Chinese courts in eastern Tibet have sentenced two teenaged Tibetan monks from the beleaguered Kirti Monastery in Ngaba to lengthy jail terms on currently unknown charges.  Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in a release today identified the two as Lobsang Tsultrim, 19 and Lobsang Jangchup, 17. Citing sources with close contacts in the region, TCHRD said Lobsang Tsultrim, was sentenced to 11 years in prison sometime in the beginning of September while Lobsang Jangchup was sentenced to 8 years around the same time. Both the monks were detained in March earlier this year from their monastic quarters by local Chinese security officers on unknown charges.  “For over five months, no one had any information about the monks' whereabouts or the place of their detention,” TCHRD said. “The trial was held in complete secrecy in the absence of the monks' family members.” Local Tibetans in Ngaba believe that the monks were arrested and sentenced on suspicion of their involvement in the March 10, 2012 self-immolation protest by Gepey, a common friend of Lobsang Tsultrim and Lobsang Jangchup. “However, there is no information on the exact charges that led to their conviction. Their whereabouts and the place of their imprisonment is not available at the moment,” TCHRD said. Gepey, 18, a Kirti Monastery monk burned himself to death in an apparent protest against China’s rule on March 10, the day marking the 53rd anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprisings. Gepey carried out his fiery protest near a military camp in Ngaba town that was built in the 1950s for China’s “liberation army” when they first invaded Tibet. Since 2009, the ongoing wave of self-immolations has witnessed 52 Tibetans inside Tibet set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently expressed America's concerns over the increasing instances of self-immolations in Tibet and violations of human rights at a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. "The Secretary, as she always does, raised human rights concerns – notably in this particular meeting, concerns about Tibet and increasing pace of immolations," a senior US official said after Clinton met Yang on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Jamyang Palden succumbs to injuries six months after fiery protest

Phayul[Monday, October 01, 2012 12:00]

Tibetan self-immolator, monk Jamyang Palden, in an undated photo.  Tibetan self-immolator Jamyang Palden, a monk at the Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, has reportedly succumbed to his injuries after an ordeal that lasted for more than six months. Jamyang Palden, 34, passed away in the evening of September 29, at his monastery quarters.  According to India based Tibetan language news portal, Tibet Times, monks at the monastery gathered in large numbers to offer prayers for the deceased, soon after news of his passing away broke out. Monks and local Tibetans had been nursing Jamyang Palden and taking care of him since his discharge from a hospital in the nearby Malho town. “Due to his severe burn injuries, he showed very little signs of improvement and finally passed away,” the report quoted an exile Tibetan with contacts in the region as saying. On March 14, Jamyang Palden set himself on fire in an apparent protest against the Chinese government on a ground in front of his monastery. Tibetans who were present at the site of his fiery protest immediately took him to a hospital but brought him back to the monastery to rescue him from falling into the hands of Chinese security personnel. A large number of monks and local Tibetans had gathered at the ground in front of the monastery to offer prayers and mark their protest. According to confirmed reports, Tibetans who had survived their self-immolation protest suffered amputations of all limbs and were subjected to verbal abuse, interrogations and maltreatment from the doctors and Chinese officials at the hospitals. Days after Jamyang Palden’s self-immolation protest, Sonam Dhargey, a 44-year-old father of three, set himself ablaze near the Rongwo town centre and succumbed to his burns at his protest site. Marching in the street, engulfed in flames, eyewitnesses said Sonam Dhargey called for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Sonam Dhargey had wound his torso with barbed wires, a tactic that has been earlier used by self-immolating Tibetans to restrict Chinese security personnel from getting hold of their bodies. Local Tibetans had carried Sonam Dhargey’s body to Dolma Square, the main ground in front of the Rongwo monastery, where according to reports, more than 8000 Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects and mark their protest against the Chinese government. Since 2009, there have been 52 known cases of self-immolations in Tibet, out of which now 42 Tibetans have passed away.  The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently expressed America's concerns over the increasing instances of self-immolations in Tibet and violations of human rights at a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. "The Secretary, as she always does, raised human rights concerns – notably in this particular meeting, concerns about Tibet and increasing pace of immolations," a senior US official said after Clinton met Yang on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Another Tibetan burns self calling for independence

Phayul[Sunday, September 30, 2012 23:37]

Just two days before the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 63rd National Day, a Tibetan in eastern Tibet has set himself on fire calling for Tibet’s independence. Yungdrung, a 27-year-old Tibetan man, set himself ablaze in Zatoe town of Yushul, eastern Tibet on September 29, Saturday. According to India based Tibetan language new portal, Tibet Express, Yungdrung was dressed in complete Tibetan attire and raised multiple slogans as he carried out his self-immolation protest near rows of shops. “While engulfed in flames, Yungdrung called for independence of Tibet, the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa from exile, and addressed Dr Lobsang Sangay (the elected leader of Tibetan people) as the king of Tibet,” the report quoted sources as saying. According to eyewitnesses, Yungdrung was severely burned by the time Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and whisked him away to an unknown location. His wellbeing is not clearly known, but the report suggested that Yungdrung passed away this morning while being taken to a nearby place in China. Tibet Express said that a few days before the incident, Tibetans in the region were forced by Chinese authorities to take part in the filming of a show portraying that Tibetans were happy under Chinese rule.  “The Tibetans expressed their unwillingness to take part in the show this year thus leading to the protest by Yungdrung against the Chinese government,” the report quoted an unnamed source in the region as saying. Since 2009, a total of 52 known Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. On June 20, Ngawang Norphel, 21 and Tenzin Khedup, 24, set themselves on fire in Zatoe town protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet while holding Tibetan national flags in their hands. Both of them have passed away. Yungdrung’s self-immolation protest comes days after Tibetans in exile met for a grand special meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis inside Tibet. In his concluding remarks, Sikyong Dr Sangay said the meeting has succeeded in sending a strong message of Tibetan unity to the Chinese government. “We came here to show our solidarity and unity with Tibetans inside Tibet and to send a strong message to the Chinese government that we do not tolerate their present policies and the continued occupation of Tibet,” the de facto Tibetan prime minister said. “We will do whatever we can to support our brothers and sisters in Tibet and we squarely blame the present tragedy in Tibet on the hard-line policies of the Chinese government.”