As Chinese leaders convene for the 18th Party Congress, the number of Tibetan self-immolations has spiked. Five Tibetans set themselves on fire to protest Chinese brutality over a 48 hour period. They also called for the return of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Three young Tibetan monks simultaneously self-immolated outside a police station in Ngaba, Sichuan Province on Wednesday. The youngest monk was 15 years old, he died at the scene. The other two, aged 16, were taken away by security officials.
Later on Wednesday, a 23-year old mother took her life in Rebkong, Qinghai Province. Then on Thursday, an 18 year man also set himself on fire in Qinghai Province.
There is also an unconfirmed case of a sixth self-immolation protest.
The intensified suicide protests have raised concerns amongst rights groups. On Thursday, the Speaker for the Tibetan Parliament in exile called on the Chinese regime immediate actions to end the plight of Tibetans.
[Penpa Tsering, Speaker, Tibetan Parliament]:
“Number one, urge the 18th Congress to seriously deliberate on the continuing spate of self-immolations in Tibet. Conduct a thorough investigation into the underlying causes and develop corrective policies and measures that meet the aspirations of the Tibetan people."
Penpa Tsering also called on the Chinese regime to respect the Dalai Lama, and Tibetans’ religion, culture and language.
[Penpa Tsering, Speaker, Tibetan Parliament]:
"We urge the Chinese leadership to immediately stop its error ridden policy of denigrating and accusing His Holiness the Dalai Lama with exaggerated and distorted statement.”
The Chinese regime accuses the Dalai Lama of inciting separatism. The spiritual leader denies this, and says Tibetans only seek true autonomy.
Rights group Free Tibet reports the latest protest in Qinghai has set off a large protest by Tibetans. The group says Chinese authorities have mobilized paramilitary forces, and are keeping other Tibetans from joining the protest.
