Tibet: the first two self-immolations of 2012, in protest against Beijing
Yesterday afternoon, two people, at brief intervals, set themselves on fire near the Kirti monastery in the town of Ngaba. One man is reported to have died, but there is no official confirmation. The Chinese authorities removed the bodies and imposed strict censorship. Tens of thousands of faithful on pilgrimage to attend the lessons of the Dalai Lama.
Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - Two Tibetans set themselves on fire yesterday afternoon, to demand an end to Chinese "colonialism" in the region and protest the "immobility" of Western governments that, in a time of economic crisis, do not want to create friction with the government in Beijing. These are the first episodes of 2012, after a total of 14 cases of self-immolation since last March. According to witnesses one of the two people died, but there is no official confirmation and the Chinese authorities have imposed a strict censorship. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from around the world are heading to Bodhgaya, a city in northern India, where they for a "Kalachakra", religious teachings held by the Dalai Lama.
An eyewitness reports that yesterday, at 14.50 local time, a man set himself on fire near the Kirti monastery in the town of Ngaba. Other sources add that the victim - who seems to be a layman - has shouted slogans hailing the return of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese police intervened to quell the flames, then took away the man. At the moment nothing is known of his condition and where he is held.
In a second incident, which occurred also yesterday, another person himself on fire in the vicinity and at the same time. Another eyewitness, on condition of anonymity, said that the man died from his burns and his body taken away in a hurry by the Beijing authorities.
Interviewed by AsiaNews Stephanie Bridgen, director of Free Tibet, said that recent incidents "confirms that what we are witnessing in Tibet is a profound rejection of the Chinese occupation," while the international community "is unable" to provide appropriate responses. "The protests are set to continue over time - he adds - as long as world leaders continue to turn a blind eye to the desperate situation facing Tibet."
The tensions in the Tibetan Autonomous Region have continued from March 2008, when the intervention of the Chinese military violently suppressed the protests of the monks. Beijing points the finger at the Dalai Lama, accusing him of promoting self-immolation, but it is contrary to the teachings of Buddhism. In response, the spiritual leader of Tibetans has described Chinese policy toward Tibet as "irrational and cruel" and calls on the Government to amend the "repressive" laws including raids in the monasteries and the prohibition of teaching the Tibetan language. (CN)
An eyewitness reports that yesterday, at 14.50 local time, a man set himself on fire near the Kirti monastery in the town of Ngaba. Other sources add that the victim - who seems to be a layman - has shouted slogans hailing the return of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese police intervened to quell the flames, then took away the man. At the moment nothing is known of his condition and where he is held.
In a second incident, which occurred also yesterday, another person himself on fire in the vicinity and at the same time. Another eyewitness, on condition of anonymity, said that the man died from his burns and his body taken away in a hurry by the Beijing authorities.
Interviewed by AsiaNews Stephanie Bridgen, director of Free Tibet, said that recent incidents "confirms that what we are witnessing in Tibet is a profound rejection of the Chinese occupation," while the international community "is unable" to provide appropriate responses. "The protests are set to continue over time - he adds - as long as world leaders continue to turn a blind eye to the desperate situation facing Tibet."
The tensions in the Tibetan Autonomous Region have continued from March 2008, when the intervention of the Chinese military violently suppressed the protests of the monks. Beijing points the finger at the Dalai Lama, accusing him of promoting self-immolation, but it is contrary to the teachings of Buddhism. In response, the spiritual leader of Tibetans has described Chinese policy toward Tibet as "irrational and cruel" and calls on the Government to amend the "repressive" laws including raids in the monasteries and the prohibition of teaching the Tibetan language. (CN)
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