Showing posts with label Dalai Lama return Tibet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dalai Lama return Tibet. Show all posts

Saturday 24 November 2012

Man Dies in Latest Self-immolation Protest, Toll Rises to 81

situation-in-tibet-2012Dharamshala: - A latest source coming out of Tibet has stated that one more Tibetan has died after setting himself on fire in Tsekhog township, Rebkong county (Chese: Zeku, Qinghai Province) in Malho of Amdho region in north-eastern Tibet.

"Tadrin Dorjee, 29, set fire to himself at the entrance of Dokarmo town office in Tsekhog around 6:30 pm (local time) on Friday, 23 November. He then chanted prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with folded hands. 

Dorjee reportedly died on the spot. He is survived by his parents, and four sisters and brothers.
According to sources from inside the region, "thousands of local Tibetans offered prayers and attended his funeral that night."

The Chinese authorities have cut off all communication, including Internet and phone lines following the incident in the region, the sources stated.

The sources also stated that armed Chinese forces and police in paramilitary vehicles stepped up patrols in the area and surrounding areas, after two separate self-immolation protests Friday alone by two Tibetans in protest against Chinese rule over Tibet.


The latest incident has pushed the total self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet to 81, including 5 in last 6 days and 19 within this month alone, according to the exile Tibetan administration.

The self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, earlier this month strongly urged the Chinese government to "promptly address the longstanding grievances that have led to an alarming escalation in desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations, in Tibetan areas, and said she was disturbed by "continuing allegations of violence against Tibetans seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights."

The Central Tibetan Administration on Friday strongly stressed its deep concern over the tragic escalation in self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, as news of the Tibetan self-immolations have been spreading rapidly in the world in recent months.

Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibetans (Tibetan: Sikyong), the democratically-elected leader of the Tibetan people and political successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, appealed to Tibetans and supporters around to world to form a coalition with as many human rights groups to organise and participate in the Global Solidarity Day on 10 December.

"We also request them to dispatch delegations to visit different media organisations in order to create awareness about the ongoing tragedy in Tibet. Equally important is to reach out to as many members of Parliament, Congress and government officials, Dr Sangay said.

“Despite our repeated appeals not to take drastic actions, self-immolations continue in Tibet. 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,” he further said.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Breaking: Tibet continues to burn, 15th self-immolation in November

Wangchen Norbu's charred body, draped in khatak (Tibetan scarves).
Wangchen Norbu's charred body,
draped in khatak (Tibetan scarves).
DHARAMSHALA, November 20: In continuing escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire in the Kangtsa region of eastern Tibet in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

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.


The large crowd raised slogan calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and recited prayers for his long life late into the night. Wangchen Norbu was laid to rest at around 10:30 pm (local time).

The situation in a region is being described as “tense” with a large number of Chinese armed forces deployed in the region.
Wangchen Norbu in an undated photo.
Wangchen Norbu in an undated photo.

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.