Two more Tibetans self-immolate in anti-China protest

[News_Editor]

Two more Tibetans self-immolate in anti-China protest

2012-01-08 03:32:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

DHARAMSHALA, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two more Tibetans set themselves on fire in southwest China on Friday, the latest in a series of self-immolations in protest of Chinese rule, a rights group reported on Saturday.

Free Tibet, a group campaigning for an end to the 'Chinese occupation' of Tibet, said two people set themselves on fire in Ngaba Town in Sichuan province on Friday. At least one of the men is believed to have died, while the condition of the second man is unknown.

An eyewitness told Free Tibet that a man set himself on fire near Kirti Monastery in Ngaba Town and was heard calling for the return of the Dalai Lama before Chinese security forces extinguished the flames and removed him from the scene. His condition is unknown.

A second person is believed to have set himself on fire nearby at around the same time. An eyewitness told the rights group that he died at the scene before his body was removed by Chinese authorities.

"These latest self-immolations confirm that what we are currently witnessing in Tibet is a sustained and profound rejection of the Chinese occupation," Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said in a statement on Saturday. "It is a damning indictment of the international community that 14 people, in different parts of Tibet, have now chosen to set themselves on fire and the international community has failed to respond."

Since March of last year, twelve men (most of them current and former monks) and two nuns have set themselves on fire in China, most of them in Ngaba Town, nearly 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Chamdo.

The first incident happened on March 16, 2011, when 21-year-old Phuntsog from Kirti Monastery set himself on fire. 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.

At least eight of those who set themselves on fire were killed, but the conditions of the others remain unknown. Chinese media, which is strictly controlled by the government, has not reported on the controversial incidents.

In October, 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 also referred to as 'Little Lhasa', referring to the capital of Tibet.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-08

[koheesti]

Seems to me that the Chinese gov't probably thinks it is a good thing if the hardcore Tibet nationalist set themselves on fire.

[khaowong1]

Seems to me that the Chinese gov't probably thinks it is a good thing if the hardcore Tibet nationalist set themselves on fire.

Yeah, that was my thoughts also.