German PM Voice Deep Concern Over Crisis in Tibet

Berlin, 9 November 2012: - The Tibet-Group of the German Bundestag is deeply concerned and shocked after the recent wave of self-immolations in Tibet.

"We urge the Chinese government to end the repressions in Tibet and to seek dialogue with the Tibetans.", said chairwoman Sabine Weiss (Christian Democratic Union).

"The self-immolations are result of Beijing's failed Tibet-policies. The new Chinese leadership must acknowledge this and change course in Tibet", added co-chairs Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler (Social Democratic Party), Harald Leibrecht (Free Democratic Party) and Manuel Sarrazin (Alliance 90 / The Greens).

Since February 2009, 69 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet as protest against the Chinese policies in Tibet. According to reports, five Tibetans self-immolated on November 7 alone.

The „Tibet-Discussion-Panel" was founded in May 1995 after a hearing on Tibet in the foreign affairs committee of the German Bundestag.

Its aim is to create a better awareness for the issue of Tibet among parliamentarians and to find ways and means how Germany can contribute to an improvement in Tibet.

The German Federal Government has released recently its periodic report on the Federal German Government's human rights policy, covering the period from March 2010 to February 2012.

The report lacks specific country reports, but rather refers to certain issues the German government has paid particular attention to with regard to human rights.

On Tibet, the report contains following statements:

"Particular worrisome is the human rights situation in Tibet and Xinjiang. Freedom of assembly and freedom of religion are suppressed more heavily in these regions than in others.

The Central Government continues to relentlessly persecute any (even alleged) endeavor for autonomy or independence.

The self-immolations of young Tibetan monks and nuns at the monastery of Kirti - a place confronted with extraordinary repressive measures – were particularly desperate expressions of protest against these politics of repression."

We Need Non Violent Support: His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Dharamshala: - Non-violence and the preservation of Tibet's culture and environment topped the bill during a speech by the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a group of international Tibet supporters on Saturday, November 17.

Welcoming participants of the 2012 Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting, at Dharamshala's Tibetan Children's Village, the Tibetan spiritual leader described his audience as "not pro-Tibet, but rather pro justice and pro- non violence.

"The Tibetan struggle has been a struggle of non-violence," he said.

"Globally there are number of communities that are experiencing difficulties, but unfortunately in many cases, although their cause is noble, they use violent methods to solve their problems.

"Therefore your support is encouragement for us and on a practical level, the non-violent support should succeed, otherwise people may say that non-violence is useless."

Expressing his concern over the damage done to Tibet's environment over the past few decades under Chinese rule, he continued: "One of my Indian friends said that due to Tibet's high altitude and dry climate, if its ecology is damaged it will take much longer to recover.

"Tibet is the roof of the world, so naturally it's a cold place with lots of snow, and is the source of major rivers in Asia, with more than one billion people depending on these rivers.

"The effect of global warming on the Tibetan Plateau is as much as on the South and North Poles. I heard instructions were given to protect Tibet's delicate environment during the time of Chinese premier, Zhu Rongji, but these instructions were not implemented fully at local level due to corruption."

He went on to address the need to preserve Tibet's Buddhist tradition and culture, stating: "The preservation of Tibetan culture is very much needed because it is a tradition of peace, love and compassion.

"But it is being completely destroyed. Through Tibetan culture we can make some contribution to create a happier and more peaceful world through inner peace and a calm mind."

Alluding the Chinese Communist Party's selection of Xi Jinping as its new president this week, he added: "The world's trend is towards openness and more democracy. So no matter how powerful the Chinese government is, they cannot escape the world trend and they have to follow that trend.

"The new leadership in China will realise that they have to adopt a policy based on reality. Unrealistic policy will not solve the problems."

Participants of the three day event, who have converged on Dharamshala from 45 countries, spent the rest of the day taking part in an open forum with Tibetan political leader, Dr Lobsang Sangay, as well as workshops on priority and regional campaigning.

Speaking about the current situation in Tibet, His Holiness said, he has nothing to say on the political aspect of the issue of Tibet. "I am retired and whatever the elected Tibetan leadership says about Tibet is absolutely correct."

"Things are quite serious in Tibet. There is a problem and the problem is neither good for the Tibetans nor the Chinese. Use of force will never bring a satisfactory solution to the problem."

"The Tibetan civilization is very sophisticated. Some Chinese say that the Tibetans are very backward but that is not true. One Chinese archaeologist told me once that Tibetan civilization has its own root."

"Now, the spirit and unity of the younger generation of Tibetans inside Tibet are stronger than my generation."

It is time for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet: Lobsang Sangay

Dharamshala, Sat Nov 17 2012

It is time for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, said Tibetan Prime Minister-in-Exile Lobsang Sangay at a convention. 

“It is time for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet,” Sangay said while inaugurating the three-day Second Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting here. 

“This special meeting will send a clear message that Tibetan supporters will make sure that the Tibet issue remains alive till freedom is restored and Dalai Lama's return to Tibet,” he said. 

Around 200 members of Tibetan Support Groups from 43 countries are attending the meeting from November 16-18.

Breaking: Tibetan mother of two burns self to death

DHARAMSHALA, November 17: In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, a Tibetan mother of two passed away in her self-immolation protest today in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Chagmo Kyi, a native of Rebkong Meypa Khagya village in eastern Tibet, self-immolated at the Dolma Square in front of Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong at around 4 pm (local time). She is believed to have been around 27 years of age and has two children.

According to the Dharamshala based rights group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Chagmo Kyi passed away at the site of her protest. Her body was later taken to the Rongwo Monastery where thousands of Tibetans reportedly gathered to offer prayers.“At around 7 pm (local time), Kyi’s body was moved to a cremation site on a nearby hill behind Rongwo Monastery,” TCHRD said. “At the cremation site, a large number of Tibetans were loudly reciting Mani mantras and special prayers associated with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Monks were carrying out preparations to cremate the body.”

Various sources have told Phayul that a large number of Chinese armed forces have been deployed in the region, further increasing tensions. Severe restrictions on the movement of local Tibetans in Rebkong region, which alone has seen eight self-immolation protests in November, have been placed. Last week, thousands of Tibetans, including school students, took out massive demonstrations and protest rallies demanding rights of the Tibetan people and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

The alarming escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet, which began in 2009, has now witnessed 75 Tibetans set themselves on fire demanding freedom for Tibet.

In his inaugural address this week at the ongoing special meeting of Tibetan supporters in Dharamshala, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people blamed China’s “continued occupation of Tibet, its failed policies, including economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, cultural assimilation, and denial of religious freedom” as causes of the self-immolation protests.

He also dismissed accusations being made by the Chinese government of blaming Tibetans in exile for instigating the protests as “absolutely baseless.”

From Dharamshala to Bern, Tibet activists intensify campaign

Tibetan protesters gather for a function at the Tsug-la Khang in Dharamshala after carrying out a long protest march on November 16, 2012.

DHARAMSHALA, November 16: With the alarming escalation in the ongoing wave of self-immolation protests inside Tibet, Tibetans and supporters in various parts of the world have intensified their campaigns, bringing the Tibet crisis to the doors of Chinese embassies and UN offices.

In the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, a large number of Tibetans today carried out a long protest march, from the Norbulingka Institute to the Tsug-la Khang in solidarity with “Tibetan martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom and peace.”

The march organisers in a release said that despite China’s repressive measures in Tibet, resistance against its rule is “stronger and more diverse than ever.”

The marchers asserted that China’s new leadership under the helm of Xi Jinping will face a “storm of protests” around the world if it fails to resolve the ongoing crisis inside Tibet.

“We strongly call on the newly selected leaders of the Chinese Communist Party to acknowledge its policy failures in Tibet and seek resolution to the crisis in Tibet by starting unconditional negotiation with Tibetan representatives,” one of the march organisers said.

Tibet activists in Bern, Switzerland protesting outside the Chinese Embassy on November 15, 2012.

In Bern, the capital of Switzerland, Tibet activists occupied the entrance of the Chinese embassy in a major protest yesterday, calling for an immediate and drastic change in China’s Tibet policy.

Around 20 Tibetans and supporters blocked the gate of the Chinese embassy and demanded an official statement from the Chinese ambassador to Swiss, Wu Ken.

Organisers of the protest said Tibetans will never give up the fight until the demands of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return and freedom for Tibet are met.

"I wonder how many self-immolations it will take until the Chinese leadership realises that their policies have failed,” Tenzin Kelden, president of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe and protest organiser said. “The change of power calls for a radical reorientation and a thorough reflection of the previous course."

The Tibet activists were later forcibly removed by the police as the Chinese ambassador declined from talking to them.

Tibetans in Geneva carrying out a 'kneel down' campaign in front of the United Nations office.

On November 14, four Tibetans began a three-day ‘kneel down’ protest in front of the UN building in Geneva, urging the global body to revive discussions and implement its earlier resolutions on Tibet passed in the years 1959, 1961, and 1965.

In a petition addressed to Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Tibetans called upon the right chief to send a fact finding delegation to Tibet and put pressure on China to open Tibet to foreign media. They also urged the Pillay to create a conducive environment for dialogues to take place between the Chinese government and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people.

The four Tibetans expressed their hopes that the UN will pay heed to their requests and not go on to ignore the crisis inside Tibet, which they said increases the possibility of a repetition of Tibet’s self-immolation protests in front of the UN office.

Sikyong presides over Second Special International...

The opening ceremony of the
Second Special Meeting
of Tibet Support Groups
in session at the
TCV School hall
in Dharamshala
on November 16, 2012.

DHARAMSHALA, November 16: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, today presided over the Second Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting in Dharamshala.

Around two hundred members of Tibetan Support Groups from 43 countries are attending the meeting aimed at “exploring ways to press the Chinese government to end its repressive policies” in Tibet.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sikyong Dr Sangay said the meeting “gives hope” to Tibetans inside Tibet.

“Tibetans in Tibet are doing all they can and more by giving up their lives with the hope and belief that exile Tibetans and friends will stand up with them,” Sikyong said. “Even if they get tortured, even if they die, their lives will not go in vain because their friends outside will stand up for them.”

The de facto Tibetan Prime Minister dismissed accusations made by the Chinese government of labelling Tibetan self-immolators as terrorists and blaming Tibetans in exile for instigating the protests. He called them “absolutely baseless”.

“Of the 74 self-immolators, not even one of them harmed a single Chinese person or a Chinese restaurant or a Chinese hotel or a Chinese house. How can this be a terrorist act?” Sikyong argued. “Yes, Tibetans are harming themselves but even at that painful phase when one is burning, they are not running towards Chinese people. They are dying a painful death for themselves.”

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay
addressing the opening ceremony
of the Second Special Meeting of
Tibet Support Groups at
the TCV School hall in Dharamshala
on November 16, 2012.

He went on to blame China’s “continued occupation of Tibet, its failed policies in Tibet, including the economic marginalisation of Tibetans, environmental destruction, cultural assimilation, and denial of religious freedom” for causing the self-immolation protests.

Buoyed by the sweeping calls for democracy and freedom in many countries, Sikyong Dr Sangay said: “It is the time for Tibet, it is the time for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet.”

The three-day meeting is being convened by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India and facilitated by the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Sarias, a participant from Brazil told Phayul that the Tibetan cause is “important for the entire human kind.”

“We came all the way from Brazil to support Tibetans. The Tibetan cause is not just about Tibetans, it is about humanity. So, we are here to discuss human rights and non-violent actions,” she said.

Tod Stein, Director of Government Relations at the Washington based International Campaign for Tibet said the meeting needs to “express solidarity and understanding with the Tibetans who are taking these dramatic acts in Tibet.”

“Hopefully the central message out of this will be that the Tibetan supporters and Tibetans who live around the world are committed to act on their behalf to try to change the situation.”

Delegates at the meeting are scheduled to have an audience with Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama tomorrow.

Breaking: Tibetan woman self-immolates, Two fiery deaths in a day

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.

British Buddhist monk self-immolates at French mon...

DHARAMSHALA, November 16: A British national Tibetan Buddhist monk has self-immolated within his monastery premises in France Thursday afternoon.

Speaking to Phayul, an official of the Nalanda Monastery, Labastide-Saint-Georges in Tarn district of southern France, identified the monk as Tonden, 38.

“One of our monks, Tonden, passed away after he self-immolated within the monastery premises yesterday afternoon,” the official said. “Tonden is a British national and has been living in the monastery as a monk for the last five years.”

Reason for his self-immolation is not yet known.

“He has not left any messages or notes,” the official said. “Police are right now investigating the causes of his suicide.”

Investigating officers have told local reporters that there were no witnesses of the self-immolation. Police are trying to ascertain whether this is “an act of self-harm."

Self-immolations, as an expression of peaceful protest, has seen an alarming escalation in China occupied Tibet. Beginning with the self-immolation protest by a Tibetan monk Tabey in 2009 in eastern Tibet, 74 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

In the month of November alone, 12 Tibetans, including a 15-year-old monk and a young mother of a seven year old boy, have set themselves on fire protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

Nalanda Monastery was established in 1981 with an aim of offering a “protective and conducive environment for monks to train in philosophy, monastic discipline and retreats.”

Students light candles for Tibetan self-immolators on Children’s Day

Students and staff members of TCV School, Gopalpur offering prayers and lighting butter lamps for Tibetan self-immolators on Children's Day, November 14, 2012.

DHARAMSHALA, Tibetan school students shunted usual revelry and celebrations on November 14, marked as Children’s Day in India, and instead held a candle light vigil in solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.

Students of the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Gopalpur, on their own initiative, paid tribute to the Tibetan self-immolators and offered prayers and lit over 10,000 candles and butter lamps.

“We organised this campaign to express our empathy and sense of solidarity for our brothers and sisters back in Tibet, who are being forced to set themselves on fire amidst the tragic political condition under the draconian policies of the People’s Republic of China,” the school’s Student’s Council said in a release.

“Today, the number of self immolators in Tibet has crossed seventy. The candle-light vigil is not only an act of protest to the Chinese policy but a peaceful appeal to the international community for a sincere and timely response towards resolving Tibet issue soon.”

Hundreds of school students and staff members took part in the candle light vigil.

Children's Day in India is celebrated on November 14, the birthday of the country's first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, who was fondly known as Chacha Nehru (Uncle Nehru).

Phuntsok Tashi, principal of the school said that although the administration considers observing Children’s Day an important part of the curriculum, but unlike earlier years, only a low-key function was held this year.

“The candle light vigil was initiated by the Student’s Council and was supported by the staff of the school, who made donations for the students’ campaign,” Tashi told Phayul.

The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 74 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

November alone has reported 12 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet.

TCV Gopalpur was founded in the year 1997 and is located near Dharamshala, the exile Tibetan headquarters. The school has over 900 students, many of whom are from Tibet.

Breaking: Young Tibetan burns self to death

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,”
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.”

Exile Tibetan leader calls for Global Solidarity Day for Tibet on December 10

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing a mass prayer service for Tibetan self-immolators in Dharamshala on November 14, 2012. (Phayul photo/Norbu Wangyal)

DHARAMSHALA, November 14: The elected head of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today called for a Global Solidarity Day to be observed on December 10 in solidarity with the ongoing wave of self-immolations and protests inside Tibet.

He made the appeal while addressing a special prayer service held in honour of Tibetan self-immolators Nyingkar Tashi and Nyingchag Bum, at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala today

“On December 10, Noble Peace Prize Day, which also coincides with the World Human Rights Day, we appeal to all Tibetans to observe a ‘Global Solidarity Day for Tibet’ and urge all Tibetan organisations to carry out campaigns,” Sikyong Dr Sangay said.

The de facto Tibetan prime minister said the recent escalation in self-immolation protests in Tibet sends a “clear message to the Tibetans in exile, Chinese government and to the world” that the situation inside Tibet has become unbearable under Chinese rule.

Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters, including the Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioners, Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalons and members of the Tibetan Parliament attended the prayer service.

Special prayer service were offered for Nyingkar Tashi, 24 and Nyingchag Bum, 18, who set themselves ablaze in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet on Monday. Both of them passed away in their fiery protest.

Nyingkar Tashi set himself on fire in Dro Rongwo region of Rebkong, eastern Tibet. In his last testament, Nyingkar Tashi called for “freedom and independence for Tibet,” and “return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

“Six million Tibetans want freedom for Tibet, independence for Tibet, freedom to learn Tibetan language, freedom to speak our mother tongue,” Tashi wrote. “(Tibetans) demand the release of Panchen Lama and that His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be allowed to come to Tibet.”

“I set myself on fire in protest against the Chinese government.”

A few hours later, Nyingchag Bum from Yonlag Dewa set himself on fire on the main street of Dowa town in the same region, taking the self-immolation toll to ten for the month of November alone.

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement dated November 10, called the “worsening crisis” in Tibet a “challenge to the conscience of the world.”

“The people of Tibet have legitimate grievances after decades of harsh rule. They have been economically marginalised in their own land, imprisoned for peacefully expressing their political views, and forced to endure “political education” campaigns to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Pelosi said.

“The United States, a country rooted in the values of liberty, equality, and human rights, has a special responsibility to protect and promote those values, both at home and abroad.”

Since 2009, 72 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

I will do everything to change Tibet's situation, says Japan’s former PM

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama presents a khatak (Tibetan scarf) to Shinzo Abe, Japan's former PM and leader of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on November 13, 2012. 

DHARAMSHALA, November 14: In one of the strongest statements yet on the spate of self-immolation in Tibet by a political leader, senior Japanese leader Shinzo Abe promised to “do everything to change the situation in Tibet.”

Abe, former prime minister of Japan and currently head of the main opposition party was speaking to reporters Tuesday after meeting with Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tokyo.

“I swear I will do everything in my power to change the situation in Tibet where human rights are being suppressed,” Abe has been quoted as saying by reporters.

“Tibet seeks freedom and democracy and we agree on those values.”

China has responded by filing a diplomatic protest with Tokyo saying, “Japanese rightwing forces have openly supported Dalai’s separatist activities … We express severe criticism to this.”

The Dalai Lama, who is on a 12-day visit to Japan, earlier told reporters that the Chinese government should carry out a thorough probe into the real causes of self-immolations by Tibetans.

“The self-immolations are very sad, but the Chinese government is not investigating the real causes of the self-immolations. They are taking the easy way out by simply blaming us for all the problems in Tibet,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said while responding to questions from the media.

“The Tibetan issue is related to the history of the last 2,000 years especially the last 60 years. Generations have changed in Tibet but the resentment towards the Chinese government is still continuing, therefore the Chinese government should study the real causes of the resentments through a holistic and realistic way.”

The ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet that began in 2009 has seen an alarming escalation with as many as 20 known cases in the months of October and November alone.

On November 9, Canadian Member of Parliament Peggy Nash released a statement of solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolations saying that the Tibetan people’s voices must be heard.

“Canada has a moral responsibility to take immediate action to end the suffering in Tibet. Now more than ever, the Government of Canada must reach out to the Chinese government and urge a peaceful and quick resolution to the current situation,” Nash said. “It would be unconscionable to do nothing.”

Till date, 72 Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire in protest against China’s occupation, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Earlier this month, the Central Tibetan administration made an open appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Council to convene a Special Session on Tibet in light of the deteriorating human rights situation inside Tibet.

The CTA appealed to the 47-member states of the UNHRC to convene a special session on Tibet in view of the “desperate and unprecedented spate of self-immolations by Tibetans due to China’s repressive policies and the continued intransigence of the Chinese leadership to the relentless efforts of UNHRC.”

Six million Tibetans want freedom and independence: A self-immolator’s last message

Tibetan self-immolator Nyingkar Tashi in an undated photo.

DHARAMSHALA, November 14: A Tibetan self-immolator, who passed away in his fiery protest, called for “freedom and independence for Tibet,” in a last message he wrote before setting himself on fire.

In his last testament, Nyingkar Tashi, 24, went on to call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, while clearly stating that his self-immolation was in protest against the Chinese government.

“Six million Tibetans want freedom for Tibet, independence for Tibet, freedom to learn Tibetan language, freedom to speak our mother tongue,” Tashi’s last note written in Tibetan states. “(Tibetans) demand the release of Panchen Lama and that His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be allowed to come to Tibet.”

“I set myself on fire in protest against the Chinese government.”

He also urged family members, especially his father Tashi Namgyal, not be “saddened and concerned.”

“My hope is for all six million Tibetans to learn Tibetan language, to speak in Tibetan, to wear Tibetan, and to be united.”

On November 12, Nyingkar Tashi set himself on fire at Ghey-mar Thang in Dro Rongpo region of Rebkong, eastern Tibet, raising slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His self-immolation was witnessed by a large crowd of Tibetans who were visiting the area to offer prayers and condolences to the family members of Tibetan self-immolators Tamding Tso and Kalsang Jinpa.

“The large gathering was able to rescue Nyingkar Tashi’s body from falling into the hands of the Chinese security forces,” Dorjee Wangchuk, an exiled Tibetan with close contacts in the region told Phayul. “They later carried his body to his home.”

Tamding Tso, a young mother of a seven-year-old son, set herself on fire on November 7 in Dro Rongpo, while Kalsang Jinpa self-immolated at the Dolma Square in front of the Rongwo Monastery, a day later. Massive anti-government protests erupted in the region, after the self-immolations, with thousands of school students and locals marching on the streets, raising slogans for freedom and the Dalai Lama’s return.

According to Wangchuk, a large number of Chinese government and communist party officials travelled to Dowa town following the protests, to speak to local Tibetans and community leaders.

“On November 11, the Chinese government officials, speaking to the public blamed outside forces for instigating the self-immolations and noted that such acts went against the country’s policies,” Wangchuk said. “Again on November 12 local community leaders were summoned, which was around the same time when Nyingkar Tashi self-immolated.”

Hours after his fiery protest, another Tibetan, Nyingchag Bum, passed away in his self-immolation protest in the same region.

According to the exile Tibetan administration, a large number of military convoys were dispatched towards Dowa town soon after Monday’s twin protests.

Various sources have told Phayul that Chinese authorities have cut off electricity in Dowa, disabling the use of internet, in a ploy to prevent further spread of information on the protests and the current situation there.

No international calls could be made to the region, sparking fears of severe military repression and threat to the safety and security of local Tibetans.

Ten Tibetans have set themselves on fire in November alone, taking the self-immolation toll to 72 since the fiery protests began in 2009.

Tibet Support Groups to meet in Dharamshala, Tibet crisis main agenda

DHARAMSHALA, November 13: Tibetans and Tibet supporters from all over the world will gather this week in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala to “explore ways to press the Chinese government to end its repressive policies” in Tibet.

Around two hundred members of Tibetan Support Groups from 43 countries will attend the Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting from November 16 to 18.

The meeting is being convened by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India and facilitated by the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration.

In a release today, the CTA said the meeting will “explore ways to strengthen support of the international community to press the Chinese government to end its repressive policies that are pushing an increasing number of Tibetans to burn themselves to death in protest.”

The three-day meeting comes at a time when Tibet is witnessing an alarming escalation in self-immolation protests which began in 2009. As many as 20 known Tibetans set themselves on fire in the past two months alone, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Dr N K Trikha, National Convenor, Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India, noted that the meeting has become “imperative in view of the urgent and critical situation inside Tibet and the need for all Tibet Support Groups to coordinate advocacy efforts.”

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, will preside over the opening session of the meeting, while Dahlip Mehta, former foreign secretary of India will attend the concluding session.

In September this year, over 400 Tibetans had gathered in Dharamshala to hold extensive discussions and brainstorming on campaign ideas and plans for activities by exile Tibetans in light of the critical situation inside Tibet.

After four days of deliberations, the Second Special General Meeting of the Tibetan People unanimously adopted 31 recommendations, meant to serve as an action plan for future activities.

The meeting had recommended the revival of the ‘Tibetan Solidarity Committee’ to head global Tibet activities and pushed for the creation of a ‘voluntary emergency fund’ to finance the campaigns.

In order to intensify Tibet’s international outreach, the delegates had also suggested the opening of representative offices of the CTA in countries where Tibetan representation is wanting and unanimously approved a recommendation to take Chinese leaders to international courts for their crimes against the Tibetan people on well-researched findings.

The first Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting was held in November 2008 following the pan-Tibet 2008 uprisings.

Pray for my daughter to be reborn in independent Tibet: Self-immolator’s father

DHARAMSHALA, November 13: Father of Tibetan self-immolator, Tamding Tso, who passed away in her fiery protest last week, has made an emotional appeal, requesting people to pray for his daughter to be reborn in an independent Tibet in her next life.

“I request you all to pray that may my daughter be reborn in an independent Tibet and hear and see His Holiness the Dalai Lama in her next life,” Tamding Kyab said in a conversation with a group of local Tibetans who had come to offer their last respects.

Earlier reports had indicated that a large number of Tibetans had visited Tamding Tso’s home to pay their condolences and show their solidarity.

Kyab said his daughter was “always concerned about Tibet’s situation” and clearly stated that her self-immolation protest was for the “cause of Tibet and not for any family reasons.”

“What triggered her self-immolation,” according to Kyab, was when both father and daughter went to the nearby Dowa town a month ago and “saw Chinese government posters reiterating the ban on pictures of the Dalai Lama and calling on Tibetans to publicly protest separatist forces and their activities.”

Kyab said his daughter was “visibly angered” and very saddened to see those posters, and recollected telling him: “Father, this is the sad destiny of Tibetan people. We can’t even keep and pray before the picture of our spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

A copy of the notice obtained by the Central Tibetan Administration reads, “the government imposes complete ban on keeping photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” and pledges to “maintain unity of the motherland and fight against the Dalai group’s separatist activities.”

Tamding Tso, 23, mother of a seven-year-old son, later set herself on fire near the Ghe Mar thang in Dowa town at around 5.30 pm (local time) on November 7 shouting, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must come to Tibet.”

Before leaving her home that day, Kyab said Tamding Tso cleaned the house, offered prayers in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait and took petrol from their motorbike.

“When I came to know about my daughter’s self-immolation protest, it felt as if my heart was pulled out of my chest,” Kyab said. “She was my favourite and most beloved daughter. I never raised even a finger on her since she was born.”

However, the aggrieved father said his daughter’s decision was for the larger Tibetan cause and for the wish to see the return of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama on their thrones.

“So, I think it is of no use to ponder over anything else than to respect her decision and sacrifice,” Kyab added. “Therefore, I appeal to all of you to remain united and work together to fulfil her goals and aspirations.”

Following Tamding Tso’ self-immolation protest, eight more Tibetans have set themselves on fire inside Tibet, taking the toll to 72, since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009.

Tibetans carry out protest march in Tibet, Call for freedom

Tibetans taking out a protest march in Tsolho region of Amdo, eastern Tibet calling for freedom on November 11, 2012.

DHARAMSHALA, November 13: A group of Tibetans in Tsolho region of Ba, eastern Tibet, took out a protest march, for over 40kms, calling for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life on November 11.

The protest march follows the alarming escalation in self-immolations in recent weeks against China’s continued occupation of Tibet and peaceful protests by thousands of Tibetans in the Rebkong region.

In a photo received by Phayul of the protest march, Tibetans can be seen carrying a white banner, although the writings on the banner are not legible.

Speaking to Phayul, Samten, a monk living in south India said around twenty Tibetans, including monks of Karmo Monastery, staged a peaceful protest march from Karmo Monastery to Thang-ghen town, some 40kms away at 7:30am (local time) on November 11.

“While on their march, the protestors chanted the ancient Tibetan prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life(Ghang-ri Ra-wei Kor-wei) and raised slogans calling for freedom in Tibet,” Sonam said citing sources in the region.

On reaching Thang-ghen town, the protestors were detained by local Chinese authorities.

“After persistent appeals by local Tibetans, the group of marchers were released soon after,” the same source added.

As of now, no further detentions and arrests have been reported.

Last week, following self-immolation protests by Tamding Tso and Kalsang Jinpa in Rebkong region, thousands of Tibetans, including school students, carried out massive protests raising slogans for the Dalai Lama’s return and rights of the Tibetan people.

While a group of students pulled down Chinese flags from their school buildings and government offices in Dowa town, thousands of students protested in front of the major Chinese government offices in Rongwo town.

The protests were followed by two more self-immolations yesterday in the same region. Nyingkar Tashi and Nyingchag Bum, both passed away in their protests, taking the Tibet self-immolation toll to 72, since the fiery protests began in 2009.

The alarming escalation in the self-immolation protests, ten in November alone, coincide with the ongoing Chinese Communist Party's 18th National Congress in Beijing, which will this week see the transfer of power from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping.

Breaking: Second self-immolation today takes toll to 72, Heavy deployment of armed forces in Rebkong region

DHARAMSHALA, November 12: In more heartbreaking news coming out of Tibetan, a second Tibetan set himself on fire today in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet.

Sources are confirming with Phayul that the Tibetan identified as Nyingchag Bum, 20, passed away in his protest in Dowa region of Rebkong.

“Nyingchag Bum from Yonlag Dewa set himself on fire on the main street of Dowa town,” Geshe Rongwo Lobsang Nyendak, a Tibetan member of parliament told Phayul. “Monks from the nearby Dowa Monastery carried his charred body inside the Monastery premises.”

Further details are awaited at the time of filing this report.

In confirmed reports coming in, Nyingkar Tashi, 24, who set himself on fire this afternoon in Dro Rongwo has passed away in his fiery protest.

Various sources are telling Phayul that the situation around Rebkong region is “very tense” following the five self-immolations in the region this month alone, including two today.

A heavy deployment of Chinese armed forces is also being reported in the region.

Thousands of Tibetans, including school students last week carried out massive demonstrations and protest rallies in Rongwo calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet.

School students also pulled down Chinese flags from their school building and government offices in Dro Rongwo, the place where Tamdin Tso set herself on fire protesting Chinese rule last week.

The self-immolation toll has now risen to 72 inside Tibet since 2009 with nine fiery protests this month alone.

The alarming escalation in the protests coincide with the ongoing Chinese Communist Party's 18th National Congress in Beijing, which will this week see the transfer of power from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping.

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.

Tibetan activists storm Chinese embassy, TYC president arrested

TYC President Tsewang Rigzin being arrested outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on November 12, 2012. DHARAMSHALA, November 12: Tibetan activists in the Indian capital New Delhi today stormed the Chinese embassy in solidarity with the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet and the massive protests occurring in Rebkong, eastern Tibet. 13 Tibetan activists, led by Tsewang Rigzin, president of Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, raised slogans for Tibet’s independence outside the embassy gates, even as reports were coming in of one more self-immolation by a Tibetan named Nyingkar Tashi in eastern Tibet this afternoon. All 13 activists, including eight students, two of whom were women, have been arrested by Indian police and are currently being held at the Chanakyapuri Police Station in Delhi. TYC in a release said the demonstration was organised in response to the “staggering number of known self-immolations, almost 60 in 2012 alone and 71 since the immolations began in 2009, and to show support for the thousands of Tibetans who have taken up the courage and risked their lives to protest against the Chinese occupation in the streets of Rebkong, eastern Tibet.” The group blamed the Chinese government of unleashing relentless repression against the peaceful Tibetan protestors instead of addressing their just demands. “The extreme acts of self-immolations are the highest form of non-violent direct action and while their bodies are engulfed in flames, all the self-immolators in unison have demanded the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and Independence for Tibet,” Rigzin said in a statement before his arrest. The TYC president noted that the self-immolations have “totally paralysed the Beijing government” and their final demands are “ringing loud and clear in the ears of the Chinese leaders” at the ongoing 18th Communist Party National Congress. “We demand the Chinese government under the new leadership of Xi Jinping to do the right thing by working on a timeline during this ongoing 18th Communist Party National Congress to return Tibet to its rightful owner: the Tibetan people,” Rigzin said. He also appealed to world leaders and the international community to stand “on the right side of history” and support the Tibetan people’s rightful aspiration to be free from Chinese occupation. “The ball is in the court of the Chinese government to douse the fiery protests inside Tibet and we the Tibetan people know that regardless of China’s economy and military might, the just struggle of the Tibetan people will prevail at the end.” Rigzin also called on Tibetans world over to “knock on the doors” of the Chinese embassies and consulates and “echo the call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and Independence for Tibet.”

Breaking: Tibet continues to burn, Another Tibetan self-immolates

Nyingkar Tashi, 24, set himself on fire in Rebkong region of eastern Tibet on November 12, 2012.

DHARAMSHALA, November 12: In confirmed reports and photos coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan has set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China's continued occupation of Tibet.

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 for self-immolator

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 protest with 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.