100TH SELF-IMMOLATION in Tibet

Dharamsala, February 14, 2013: “Since February 8, 2009, 100 Tibetans have burnt themselves, for the collective restoration of Tibetan dignity, Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibet,” said Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (Prime Minister)  of the Tibetan Government  in exile.

In his statement issued on Thursday at Dharamsala Dr. Sangay said,” 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, 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.”

He said that this is all because of over 60 years of continuous iron-grip rule of China  in Tibet – whereas China relentlessly and irresponsibly accuses His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan leadership of inciting these self-immolations.

Further, he said “We have called on China to provide unfettered access to Tibet for the global media, diplomats and international NGOs so that world could know the factual situation there.” He stated that they have repeatedly invited China to Dharamshala, the headquarters of CTA, to investigate their so called alleged role in the self-immolations.

The CTA, therefore, called 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 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.