DHARAMSALA deplores China sentencing Tibetans over self-immolation

Dharamsala, March 23, 2013: “A Chinese Court in Tsongkha Khar (Ch: Pingan) in Tsoshar (Ch: Haidong Prefecture) of Eastern Tibet's Amdo Province (Ch: Qinghai Province) on Monday (March 18) sentenced three Tibetans for allegedly spreading information on self-immolations in Tibet. Kalsang Dhondup, Jigme Thabkey and Lobsang have received prison terms of six, five and four years, respectively,” said Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary for Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) at Dharamsala on Saturday.

Describing the Court sentence, he said that according to the Chinese Court the men used self-immolations by Tibetans are for publicity purposes spreading “bad influence locally and internationally”.

The CTA strongly deplores the harsh prison sentences meted out to the three Tibetans. It once again calls on the Chinese government to address the basic grievances of the Tibetans instead of engaging in counter-productive measures.

Since 2009, atleast 109 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for the return of Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibet.