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| Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the special prayer service held at Tsug-la Khang in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators |
DHARAMSHALA, Thousands of Tibetans and supporters, including the Tibetan
Chief Justice Commissioners, Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang
Sangay, Kalons, members of the Tibetan Parliament and school students
attended a mass prayer service held in honour of Tibetan self-immolators
at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala today.
Special prayers were offered for Lhamo Tseten, 24, Thubwang Kyab, 23, Tsepo, 20, and Tenzin, 25, who set themselves ablaze in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet last week, making it the deadliest week, with seven self-immolations, since the spate of fiery protests began in 2009.
The two cousins, Tsepo and Tenzin, set themselves ablaze near a Chinese government building in their home village of Nagro Phampa in Driru on October 25, calling out for Tibet’s independence, for all Tibetans to unite, and for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile,
Tsepo is believed to have passed away while Tenzin was taken away by Chinese government officials. His current wellbeing and whereabouts still remain unknown following severe restrictions and clampdown on the internet and telephone communications in the region.
Lhamo Tseten and Thubwang Kyab set themselves on fire in Sangchu region of Amdo, eastern Tibet on October 26 in two separate incidents. Both of them succumbed to their injuries at their protest sites.
Thubwang Kyab’s last rites were performed on October 31 in his native town of Labrang Sangkho. Tens of thousands of Tibetans from the adjoining areas reportedly attended his funeral ceremony to pay their last respects.
Speaking at the prayer service today, Sikyong Dr Sangay blamed China’s failed policies in Tibet for the series of self-immolation protests.
“The seven self-immolations that occurred in just one week clearly speak of the deepening crisis inside Tibet,” Dr Sangay said. “Though the international media has failed to give the deserving attention to the self-immolations, some leaders of the world have expressed their support and solidarity.”
Last month, French Parliamentarian Lionnel Luca, while expressing his dismay over the lack of concern from the world governments to the self-immolations in Tibet, called for a boycott of all Chinese goods.
Special prayers were offered for Lhamo Tseten, 24, Thubwang Kyab, 23, Tsepo, 20, and Tenzin, 25, who set themselves ablaze in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet last week, making it the deadliest week, with seven self-immolations, since the spate of fiery protests began in 2009.
The two cousins, Tsepo and Tenzin, set themselves ablaze near a Chinese government building in their home village of Nagro Phampa in Driru on October 25, calling out for Tibet’s independence, for all Tibetans to unite, and for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile,
Tsepo is believed to have passed away while Tenzin was taken away by Chinese government officials. His current wellbeing and whereabouts still remain unknown following severe restrictions and clampdown on the internet and telephone communications in the region.
Lhamo Tseten and Thubwang Kyab set themselves on fire in Sangchu region of Amdo, eastern Tibet on October 26 in two separate incidents. Both of them succumbed to their injuries at their protest sites.
Thubwang Kyab’s last rites were performed on October 31 in his native town of Labrang Sangkho. Tens of thousands of Tibetans from the adjoining areas reportedly attended his funeral ceremony to pay their last respects.
Speaking at the prayer service today, Sikyong Dr Sangay blamed China’s failed policies in Tibet for the series of self-immolation protests.
“The seven self-immolations that occurred in just one week clearly speak of the deepening crisis inside Tibet,” Dr Sangay said. “Though the international media has failed to give the deserving attention to the self-immolations, some leaders of the world have expressed their support and solidarity.”
Last month, French Parliamentarian Lionnel Luca, while expressing his dismay over the lack of concern from the world governments to the self-immolations in Tibet, called for a boycott of all Chinese goods.
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| TCV School students carrying out a candle light vigil in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators in Dharamshala. |
“Total indifference is
triggering a succession of self-immolations of Tibetans to protest
against the repression of the Chinese government against freedom of
religion and culture of the Tibetan people, guaranteed by the
constitution,” Luca said. “No government seems willing to react; thus,
it is up to the people to do so by boycotting all Chinese goods, which
will be the only means to exert pressure on a government that tramples
International law.”
Following the prayer service, students of the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Upper Dharamshala, carried out a candlelight vigil from the Tsug-la Khang back to their school, in solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolators.
The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 62 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
Following the prayer service, students of the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Upper Dharamshala, carried out a candlelight vigil from the Tsug-la Khang back to their school, in solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolators.
The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 62 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
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