Tibetan man burns self to death, Toll climbs to 89

Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Namgyal, 31, who passed away in his fiery protest on November 29, 2012 seen here in an undated photo.  November 29: In fresh reports coming out of Tibet, a Tibetan man set himself on fire today in Luchu region of eastern Tibet in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Sources have identified the Tibetan as Tsering Namgyal, 31, a father of two, from Zamtsa Lotso Dewa region of Luchu. “Tsering Namgyal set himself on fire near the local Chinese government office in Luchu earlier today for the cause of Tibet,” Sonam, a Tibetan monk living in south India told Phayul, citing sources in the region. “Tsering Namgyal passed in his fiery protest.” Further details on the self-immolation protest are not available at the time of filing this report. The burning body of Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Namgyal Tsering Namgyal is survived by his wife Choekyong Tso, their two children, Dorjee Kyi, 7, and Kalsang Dolma, 3, and his parents. This is the third self-immolation protest in Luchu region in the last ten days. On November 26, Gonpo Tsering, 24, father of three children, all below the age of six, passed away in his fiery protest while raising slogans for Tibet’s freedom, human rights in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Earlier on November 22, Tamding Kyab, 23, a nomad and former monk, passed away in his self-immolation protest in the same region. Following the self-immolations, Luchu has been placed under heightened restrictions with the deployment of a large number of Chinese security personnel and armed forces. 89 Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009. The recent alarming escalation in the self-immolation protests has now witnessed 27 Tibetans set themselves on fire in the month of November alone. Speaking to CNN, US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke in an interview broadcast on November 27, said the United States is “very concerned about the situation, the heightened tensions in the Tibetan areas, the deplorable self-immolations and of course just the Chinese policies of the Chinese government at all levels.” “Preserving the ethnic, religious, linguistic identity of the Tibetan people is a top priority for the U.S. government just as we are very concerned about all human rights issues and we believe that human rights has to be a fundamental part of U.S. foreign policy and we, very much urge the Chinese government publicly and privately to adhere to the universal principles, universal declaration of human rights, which are also part of the Chinese constitution,” Locke said. In September, Locke had visited two Tibetan monasteries in the Zungchu region of Ngaba in eastern Tibet as part of a broader business trip to the region.

Tibetan Teenager sets self on fire, Sixth self-immolation in last three days

November 28: In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, a teenaged Tibetan set himself on fire in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet on Tuesday, November 27 in Sangchu region of eastern Tibet. Sources have identified the young Tibetan man as Sangay Tashi from Sangkhog Ngyulre region of Sangchu in Labrang, eastern Tibet. “Sangay Tashi, 18, set himself on fire at around 12 midnight Tuesday, November 27 in Sangkhog town,” an exiled Tibetan monk Sonam told Phayul citing contacts in the region. “He passed away at the site of his protest.” According to other sources, Sangay Tashi shouted slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the release of all Tibetan political prisoners, including the 11th Panchen Lama, while engulfed in flames. Local Tibetans then carried his charred body to a nearby house. Sangay Tashi arrived in Sangkhog town earlier that day with his friends. Before setting himself on fire, he reportedly called one of his relatives and told him that he had decided to set himself on fire for the cause of Tibet. Before his relative could carry on the conversation, Sangay Tashi hung up the phone and switched it off. By the time Sangay Tashi’s family members arrived in Sangkhog, he had already carried out his self-immolation protest. Sangay Tashi is survived by his parents and four siblings. He had studied at a primary school in Sangkhog town for four years but was forced to return home to help in family chores. Sangay Tashi carried out his fiery protest at the main street of Sangkog town, the same place where Thubwang Kyab, 23, passed away in his self-immolation protest on October 26. Six self-immolations in the last three days have pushed the number of Tibetan self-immolators to 87 inside Tibet, since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009. The recent alarming escalation in the protests has now witnessed 25 Tibetans set themselves on fire in the month of November alone, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Speaking to a reporter in south India, the Dalai Lama last week said that the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet brings tears to his eyes. “As Deng Xiaoping said, ‘Seek truth from facts’ and act accordingly. What’s happening is very sad; it brings tears to my eyes,” the Dalai Lama said. “People are not doing this because they are drunk or have family problems, but because they live in constant fear.”

Father of three burns self to death, Third self-immolation in a day takes toll to 85

November 26: In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet, a Tibetan man - the third in a single day - set himself on fire in Luchu region of Kanlho, eastern Tibet protesting China’s rule over of Tibet. A group of exile Tibetans from Luchu identified the Tibetan self-immolator as Gonpo Tsering, 24 years of age and father of three children, all below the age of six. “Martyr Gonpo Tsering set himself on fire in front of the main prayer hall of the Ala Deu-go Monastery in Ala region of Luchu at around 6 pm (local time) today,” the group told Phayul citing sources in the region. “While engulfed in flames, he raised slogans calling for Tibet’s freedom, human rights in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.” Gonpo Tsering succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest. Local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the Monastery where monks and a large number of Tibetans from the surrounding regions assembled, against official orders, to offer prayers for the deceased and express their solidarity. According to reports, Chinese security personnel and armed forces were immediately deployed in the region. Restrictions have been heightened as Chinese authorities are currently said to be investigating the protest. Gonpo Tsering is survived by his wife, their three children, and his parents. This is the second self-immolation protest in Luchu region. On November 22, Tamding Kyab, 23, a nomad and former monk, passed away in his self-immolation protest. He was cremated in the morning of November 25. Gonpo Tsering is the third Tibetan to self-immolate today. Earlier, a young Tibetan, Wangyalset himself on fire in the middle of Sertha town raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Wangyal’s condition and whereabouts are not yet known after Chinese security forces took possession of his charred body. In Amchok region of Labrang, Kunchok Tsering, 18, passed away after he set himself ablaze near a mining site in the region. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 85 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 23 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in Chabcha today and in Rebkong earlier this month. Chinese officials have reacted to the self-immolation protests with further restrictions and threats. According to the Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Chinese government officials in eastern Tibet have obtained signed statements from village officials and leaders to prevent any self-immolation under their jurisdiction. “From now onwards, each household will be made to sign a statement not to do any self-immolation. Those who refuse to sign such statements will attract immediate detention,” TCHRD said in a release today.

18-year-old sets self on fire, Third self-immolation in two days

Tibetan self-immolator Kunchok Tsering in an undated photo.  November 26: In unrelenting reports of self-immolations coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s occupation of Tibet. Kunchok Tsering, 18, passed away in his self-immolation protest today in Amchok region of Labrang, eastern Tibet. He carried out his protest near a mining site in the region, the same place whereTsering Dhondup, 35, father of three, passed away in his fiery protest on November 20. According to reports, monks of the Amchok Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans are currently gathered at the deceased’s home to offer prayers. Kunchok Tsering is survived by his wife, Sangay Tso, 19 and parents Phagkyab, 40 and Gonpo Tso, 37, and an elder brother. Earlier today, a young Tibetan Wangyal set himself on fire in the middle of Sertha town raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. According to eyewitnesses, Wangyal’s hands were clasped in prayers as he ran raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people. Wangyal’s condition and whereabouts are not yet known after Chinese security forces took possession of his charred body. Also today, over a thousand school students in Chabcha, eastern Tibet carried out amassive protest after local Chinese officials distributed papers denouncing Tibetan self-immolators and disrespecting Tibetan language. Chinese security personnel used violent force to break up the peaceful demonstrations, causing severe injuries to many students. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 84 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. November alone has reported 22 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans. Yesterday, Sangay Dolma, a nun, passed away in her self-immolation protest in front of the Chinese government office in Dokarmo town of Tsekhog, Malho, eastern Tibet. Chinese authorities in the region have reacted by announcing a series of strict measurestargeting the ongoing wave of self-immolations with further restrictions, punishments, and threats. Chinese government authorities in Malho region issued a five-point notice on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The notice further announced the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. . “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.”

China stirs up hornet’s nest of boundary disputes

A Chinese man holds up a Chinese passport with details on a page that shows dashes which include the South China Sea as part of the Chinese territory outside a passport office in Beijing, China, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (Photo/AP/Ng Han Guan) , November 23: China has again stirred up the hornet’s nest of unsettled boundary disputes with its neighbours by issuing revised passports that show it staking its claim on Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin (in India), the entire South China Sea and even Taiwan. The passports issued in May, carries an outline of China printed in the upper left corner with the contentious regions, hemmed in by the dashes. Although China’s official maps have long included parts of India, Taiwan and the South China Sea as Chinese territory, this act of printing it on its passports could be seen as a provocation since other countries would be required to tacitly endorse those claims by affixing their official seals to the documents. According to media reports, India has retaliated by stamping these passports with its own version of the map, marking out its own territorial boundaries. Although India is yet to raise this matter diplomatically with China, the issue however could feature on the agenda when India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon visits China for border talks in a few weeks. The 15th and the latest round of Sino-Indian special representative talks were held in New Delhi this January and reportedly ended in a deadlock after Beijing insisted it would settle for nothing less that “its share” of Arunachal Pradesh. Philippines and Vietnam have sent diplomatic notes to the Chinese embassies, lodging their “strong protest” and demanding that Beijing remove the “erroneous content” printed in the passport. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam are scheduled to meet December 12 to discuss claims in the South China Sea and the role of China. In Taiwan, the ruling party and opposition lawmakers alike have condemned the map, saying it could harm the warming ties the historic rivals have enjoyed since Ma Ying-jeou became president 4 1/2 years ago. ‘‘This is total ignorance of reality and only provokes disputes,’’ said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, the Cabinet-level body responsible for ties with Beijing. The council said the government cannot accept the map. Taiwan recently decided to bar the Dalai Lama from entering the island to give a keynote speech at the 2012 Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in December, citing “professional assessment.” Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed that they would not allow the visit, noting that "It's just not a good time." The country’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party politicians accused President Ma Ying-jeou of blocking the Dalai Lama's visit due to pressure from Beijing while the organisers of the visit said the move reflected fear of angering China.

Tibetan teen burns self to death, Toll climbs to 79

November 23: In no respite to the spate of self-immolations inside Tibet, another Tibetan teenager passed away in his fiery protest Thursday, November 22. In confirmed reports received by Phayul, Lubum Gyal, 18, set himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet at around 4:20 pm (local time) in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency also reported on the incident, confirming that the self-immolator (Libong Tsering) succumbed to his injuries. “Lubum Gyal set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Dowa town,” Sonam, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region told Phayul. “Soon, a large number of Tibetans gathered and rescued his body from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities.” “Monks from the Dowa Monastery later carried out the last rites of Lubum Gyal at a nearby crematorium,” Sonam added. According to the same source, the recent deployment of large numbers of Chinese armed forces and the severe restrictions placed on local Tibetans triggered Lubum Gyal’s fiery protest. “Following the recent escalation in self-immolations and protests in Dowa and the adjoining regions, Chinese security personnel armed with automatic guns have forced strict restrictions on the movement of Tibetans,” Sonam cited sources as saying. “Moreover, higher ranked Chinese government and Communist Party officials have been paying frequent trips to Dowa to investigate the reasons behind the protests and to assure that no more protests take place in the region.” The Chinese officials were reportedly implementing the five-point notification issued by the Malho Prefectural office and Malho People’s government on November 14 giving stern orders to local officials “to punish self-immolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” The notice, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, announces the cancellation of government aid to families of self-immolators as well as development projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. Lubum Gyal is survived by his father Tsego. The Rebkong region of Malho has now witnessed ten self-immolation protests in this month alone. Also, thousands of Tibetans, including school children, carried out massive protests calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month. 79 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in Tibet since 2009.

Another Tibetan burns self to death, Toll reaches 78

Phayul[Tuesday, November 20, 2012 16:43] Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Dhondup in an undated photo. November 20: In more alarming reports coming out of Tibet another Tibetan set himself on fire today in Amchok region of eastern Tibet in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Tsering Dhondup, 35, set himself ablaze on a ground near the entrance of a mining site in Amchok region of Labrang Sangchu at around 8:30 am (local time). He succumbed to his injuries at the site of his protest. Speaking to Phayul, Ajam Amchok, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region said Tsering Dhondup is survived by his wife Tamding Tso, their three children, and his parents Lubhum Gyal and Drukmo Tso. “Martyr Tsering Dhondup set himself ablaze at the Gyagar Thang near the entrance of a mine in Amchok this morning,” Ajam said. “He passed away in his self-immolation protest.” “Local Tibetans say Tsering Dhondup was a good natured and a lovable person,” the same source added. “He felt strongly for Tibet and always showed concern for the welfare of the Tibetan people.” According to latest reports, monks of the Amchok Monastery and local Tibetans have started to gather to offer their last respects. Tsering Dhondup’s fiery protest adds to the alarming escalation in self-immolations being witnessed in Tibet. Already, 16 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the month of November. Charred body of Tibetan self-immolator Tsering Dhondup who passed away in his fiery protest against China's rule on November 20, 2012. 78 known Tibetans inside Tibet, including monks and nuns, young mothers and students, artists and writers, farmers and nomads, have self-immolated since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The Dalai Lama recently told reporters that China’s repressive policies and the unbearable situation in Tibet are forcing Tibetans to set themselves of fire in Tibet. "The unbearable situation in Tibet is the cause for these unfortunate events. I am very sad about the turn of events. These are symptoms of fear, hard line suppressive policy practiced by China in Tibet. The time has come for China to think more realistically," reporters quoted the Tibetan spiritual leader as saying. The exile Tibetan administration has maintained that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. . “The blame and solution for the present tragedy in Tibet lies entirely with Beijing,” Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said earlier this month. “We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation.”

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

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.

Thousands of Students Lead Protests in Tibet

November 9, 2012 2:27 pm

Schoolchildren during the peaceful protest on a street outside Rongwo monastery in Rebgong in Amdo Province (China’s Qinghai Province) on 9 November 2012/Photo/TCHRD

DHARAMSHALA: Fresh reports coming out of Tibet say thousands of Tibetan students today took to the streets in Rebgong (Ch: Tongren) in north-eastern Tibet, where a Tibetan youth burned himself to death calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet on Thursday.

Around 5,000 students from across Malho prefecture, studying in four different schools in Rebgong county, held a peaceful demonstration around 5 am on Friday. They raised slogans demanding equality of nationality, freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

They later gathered at Dolma square in front of Rongwo monastery, where a large number of local Tibetans from neighbouring areas have assembled to express their solidarity with Kalsang Jinpa, an 18-year-old Tibetan, who died of self-immolation there yesterday.

Local authorities had to stop vehicular traffic due to massive gathering of students on the streets this morning, reports say.

There are no reports of any confrontation between security forces and students, even though the latter held their peaceful protest near heavily guarded government offices.

On early Thursday, hundreds of schoolchildren protested against the Chinese government in Dowa township in Rebgong following self-immolation by Tamdin Tso, 23-year-old nomadic herder on Wednesday. The students shouted slogans while marching towards the local government office, where they pulled down a Chinese flag.

The teachers immediately sent a notice to the parents to take their children home to avert any untoward incident. The school remained closed for the remaining day.

Around noon, a gathering of students and local residents, mostly women, blocked half a dozen military convoys from entering the town.

The Central Tibetan Administration strongly urges the Chinese authorities to exercise utmost restraint in dealing with the peaceful demonstrations by Tibetans.

Since 2009, over 69 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans. (View latest fact sheet)

The Central Tibetan Administration affirms that the reasons for the self-immolations are self-evident: political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation.

“Chinese leaders selected during the 18th Party Congress must recognise that China’s hardline policies in Tibet have utterly failed and only through dialogue can a peaceful and lasting solution be found. We firmly believe that an end to repression will effectively end the cycle self-immolation,” said Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected leader of the Tibetan people and political successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet.

Thousands of Tibetan students taking part in a peaceful protest in Rebgong in north-eastern Tibet, on 9 November 2012

Left to right: Thousands of Tibetan students protest in front of a government office in Rebgong in north-eastern Tibet on 9 November 2012/Thousands of Tibetan students protesting on a street in Rebgong in north-eastern Tibet on 9 November 2012

Tibetan students taking part in a peaceful protest in Rebgong in north-eastern Tibet, on 9 November 2012

Tibetan demonstrators gather at Dolma Square in front of Rongwo Monastery in Rebgong in north-eastern Tibet on 9 November 2012

Six Tibetans burn in two days

November 8: In more heartbreaking news coming out of Tibet, yet another Tibetan set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s occupation of Tibet. Jinpa Gyatso, a Tibetan male passed away in his self-immolation protest in Rongwo town of Rebkong, eastern Tibet. Sources tell Phayul that thousands of Tibetans carried Jinpa Gyatso’s charred body to the Dolma Square in front of the Rongwo Monastery. Situation there is being described as tense with the crowd raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. Further details are awaited at the filing of this report. Yesterday, Tamding Tso, a 23-year-old mother of one, passed away in her self-immolation protest in the same region. In another instance yesterday, three teenaged monks of the Ngoshul Monastery in Ngaba region set themselves on fire in a triple self-immolation protest. Dorjee, 15 passed away in his protest, while the condition of Samdup, 16, and Dorjee Kyab, 16, is not yet known. Confirming today’s self-immolation protest in Rebkong, the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration also confirmed a fifth self-immolation protest that took place yesterday, November 7, in Driru region of Nagchu, central Tibet. In two days, Tibet has witnessed an alarming escalation in the fiery protests with six confirmed self-immolations. These protests coincide with the Chinese Communist Party’s week-long 18th National Congress, which began today in Beijing. China's heir apparent Xi Jinping will be taking over the mantle of leadership, along with a new team, by the end of the meeting. The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 69 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tibet continues to burn, Another Tibetan sets self on fire

November 4: In photos and confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire this morning in an apparent protest against China's continued occupation of Tibet. This latest incident of self-immolation protest, the 63rd in Tibet since 2009, is being reported from the Rebkong region of Amdo, eastern Tibet. In one of the photos received by Phayul, the charred body of the self-immolator can be seen draped in Tibetan scarves lying below a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Exile sources say the unidentified Tibetan has succumbed to his injuries. Other photos show a large gathering of Tibetan monks and lay people surround the body in front of a monastery. Earlier this year on March 17, Sonam Dhargey, a 44-year-old farmer passed away in his self-immolation protest in Rebkong. Marching in the street, engulfed in flames, eyewitnesses said Sonam Dhargey called for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Sonam Dhargey had wound his torso with barbed wires, a tactic that has been earlier used by self-immolating Tibetans to restrict Chinese security personnel from getting hold of their bodies. Local Tibetans had carried Sonam Dhargey’s body to Dolma Square, the main ground in front of the Rongwo monastery, where according to reports, more than 8000 Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects and mark their protest against the Chinese government. Dolma Square was the site of Rongwo Monastery monk Lobsang Palden's self-immolation protest three days earlier on March 14. After a grueling ordeal of over six months, Lobsang Palden failed to recover from his burn injuries and passed away on September 29. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Firday 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.

Exile Tibetan administration appeals UNHRC to hold Special Session on Tibet

Thubwang Kyab, 23, sets himself ablaze on the main street of Sangkog town in Sangchu on October 26, 2012 protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet. Thubwang Kyab succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. November 3: The exile Tibetan administration has 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, heralded by the ongoing wave of self-immolations. The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration in a release today 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.” The appeal comes a day after 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. The elected head of the Tibetan people Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today said the CTA is “encouraged” by Pillay’s powerful statement and considered the statement as “true recognition of the urgent and tragic situation in Tibet.” The critical situation inside Tibet had received attention during the 21st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held this September in Geneva at the behest of numerous countries, the European Union, and NGOs. While the EU said it remains “seriously concerned” about ongoing reports of human rights violations in China, the US accused Beijing of silencing dissent through arrests, convictions, forced disappearances, and extralegal detentions. The Human Rights Council last held a Special Session on June 1 on the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria, making it the Council’s nineteenth Special Session and its fourth Special Session on Syria. In order for a Special Session to be convened, the support of one-third of the membership of the Council (16 members or more) is required. 62 known Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet, protesting China’s continued occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The month of October alone witnessed ten self-immolation protests.

Address grievances leading to Tibet self-immolations, UN rights chief tells China

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay addresses a news conference at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva October 18, 2012. (Photo/Reuters/Denis Balibouse) November 2: UN human rights chief has finally broken her silence on the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet, calling on China to urgently address the deep-rooted frustrations with human rights in Tibetan areas. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, in a release today urged Chinese authorities to “promptly address the longstanding grievances that have led to an alarming escalation in desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations, in Tibetan areas.” The UN rights chief's strongest remarks yet on the critical situation inside Tibet comes just days ahead of China's once-a-decade transition of power. 62 known Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009, protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The month of October alone witnessed ten self-immolation protests. Pillay, who recently began her second term in office, said she was disturbed by "continuing allegations of violence against Tibetans seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights," and pointed to "reports of detentions and disappearances, of excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, and curbs on the cultural rights of Tibetans." The release particularly highlighted the case of Jigme Dolma, a 17-year-old girl, who was severely beaten and sentenced to three years in prison for distributing flyers calling for Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama this August. “I have had several exchanges with the Chinese Government on these issues. But more needs to be done to protect human rights and prevent violations,” Pillay said. “I call on the Government to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and to release all individuals detained for merely exercising these universal rights.” In March this year, following the month-long hunger strike by three Tibetans in front of the UN Headquarters in New York, Pillay had sent a letter, assuring the hunger strikers that her office was working with China on finalising a date for her trip to Tibet. In the letter, Pillay further added that she had "assigned special rapporteurs of the United Nations to look into the situation inside Tibet." In the release today, the High Commissioner 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. She noted that there are 12 outstanding requests for official visits to China by UN Special Rapporteurs on various human rights issues and called on Beijing to facilitate their access. While appealing to Tibetans to refrain from resorting to extreme forms of protest, such as self-immolation, Pillay stressed that “social stability in Tibet will never be achieved through heavy security measures and suppression of human rights.” The release also listed few recommendations made by international human rights bodies to the Government of China on Tibet, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter’s recommendation of suspension of non-voluntary resettlement of Tibetan nomadic herders and the UN Committee Against Torture’s recommendation that China conduct a thorough and independent inquiry into events surrounding the large-scale protests that began in March 2008. In August this year, a global coalition of Tibet advocacy groups had written an open letter to Pillay, urging her to make Tibet an “urgent priority” and expressed deep concerns over her failure to speak out forcefully on the human rights situation in Tibet.