Tibetan nun sets herself on fire in southwestern China

[News_Editor]

Tibetan nun sets herself on fire in southwestern China

2011-10-19 06:15:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIJING (BNO NEWS) -- A Tibetan nun on Monday set herself on fire in protest against Chinese rule in the southwestern province of Sichuan, a rights group reported on Tuesday. She is the ninth Tibetan to have self-immolated this year.

Free Tibet, a group campaigning for an end to the 'Chinese occupation' of Tibet, said Tenzin Wangmo called for religious freedom in Tibet and for the return of the Dalai Lama as she set fire on herself on Monday outside Ngaba Town. The 20-year-old, who is the first woman in Tibet to have set fire to herself, died at the scene.

Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said the unrest in Tibet is "escalating and widening". She warned that there are reports from Tibet suggesting that there are more who are willing to give their lives in order to draw global attention to the issue.

"The acts of self-immolation are not taking place in isolation, protests have been reported in the surrounding region and calls for wider protests are growing. China has already responded with force in one instance we have grave concerns that greater force may be deployed if protests spread," she added.

Free Tibet also reported that two Tibetans were shot by Chinese security forces during a protest on Sunday in the same province. The group said it is not known why security personnel opened fire, nor are there further details about the conditions of the victims. 


Chinese media, which is strictly controlled by the government, did not report on the incidents.

An eighth Tibetan man also set himself on fire in Ngaba Town on late Saturday morning. Since March, seven current and former monks and now a nun have set themselves on fire in Ngaba Town while another monk set himself on fire in Tawu, which is located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Ngaba. At least five of them died, while the conditions of the four others remain unknown.

The first incident happened on March 16 when 21-year-old Phuntsog from Kirti Monastery set himself on fire in Ngaba. It happened on the third anniversary of protests in Ngaba during which at least 13 people were shot dead by Chinese security forces. Phuntsog later died.

Last week, Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay expressed his concern about the incidents. "The incidents are a clear indication of the genuine grievances of the Tibetans and their sense of deep resentment and despair over the prevailing conditions in Tibet," he said. "It is therefore of the utmost urgency that every possible effort be made to address the underlying root causes of Tibetan grievances and resentment."

The Dalai Lama has resided in the Indian city of Dharamsala, which is now the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, since 1960 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule of Tibet. Dharamsala is sometimes also referred to as 'Little Lhasa', referring to the capital ofTibet.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-19

[maidu]

It's sooooooo hypocritical when Chinese politburo make noises of protest against so-called imperialist actions of other countries - yet the Chinese themselves are being hyper imperialistic in regards to Tibet. Tibet was sovereign for hundreds of years. Various Chinese emporers would send emissaries to Lhasa, to pay respects to the respective Dalai Lamas in power at that time. Tibet had its own postage stamps.

In the 1950's, China invaded Tibet and has occupied the country with an iron hand ever since. So sad that some protesters take their passion to such extremes as to immoliate themselves. Message to the Chinese overlords in Beijing: Practice what you preach. Give Tibet back to the Tibetans!