PRESS RELEASE
14 February 2013
14 February 2013
“Dignity is the spirit of a nationality…,” wrote the 42-year-old monk
Sopa Rinpoche before his self-immolation on January 8, 2012. Since the
first such action by Tapey on February 8, 2009, 100 Tibetans have burnt
themselves. This has taken place, despite the recent harsh and unlawful
sentencing of 8 Tibetans and arrest of family members, for allegedly
instigating Tibetans to self-immolation.
All of them have called for the collective restoration of Tibetan
dignity: Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to Tibet and freedom
for Tibet.
Latest reports coming out of Tibet say Lobsang Namgyal, a 37-year-old
monk of Kirti Monastery died after setting himself on fire in Ngaba,
north-eastern Tibet, on 3 February 2013. Though the Central Tibetan
Administration (CTA) continues to repeatedly appeal to the Tibetans in
Tibet to refrain from such drastic acts, sadly the self-immolations
continue.
The ongoing and unprecedented self-immolations by an increasing
number of Tibetans in Tibet are the ultimate acts of civil disobedience
against China’s failed rule in Tibet. Instead of owning the onus of
tragedy in Tibet – a self evident responsibility of its over 60 years of
continuous iron-grip rule in Tibet – China relentlessly and
irresponsibly accuses His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan
leadership of inciting these self-immolations.
To unveil the truth of the matter in Tibet, we have called on China
to provide unfettered access to Tibet for the global media, diplomats
and international NGOs. On our part, we have repeatedly invited China to
Dharamshala, India, the headquarters of CTA, to investigate our alleged
role in the self-immolations. We have pledged full co-operation and
unhindered access to our offices.
The CTA, therefore, calls on the national governments and
international agencies, including the United Nations, to use their good
offices and actively engage with China to stop the deteriorating
situation in Tibet by addressing the genuine grievances of the Tibetans.
Concrete steps for the leaders of the world need to take immediately
are to send Ms Navi Pillay of UNHCR to visit Tibet and investigate the
real causes of self immolations, and convene a meeting to discuss and
address the crisis in Tibet. It would go a long way not only to
encourage the Tibetans in their effort to embrace democracy and
non-violence but also to be a catalyst for a moderate China.
Dr. Lobsang Sangay
Sikyong of the Tibetan Administration based in India
Sikyong of the Tibetan Administration based in India
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