RSN FEATURE: Tibet Under Siege
By Jane Ayers, Reader Supported News
30 March 12
Reader Supported News | Feature
It is now very obvious to the world community: something is very wrong and very bad in Tibet to make these peaceful monks and nuns set themselves on fire. The whole world is watching in sadness and shock, and every time another Tibetan dies from these acts, the collective heart breaks, but the world's eyes are also opened. Why, why, why? What is happening?
The Tibetan hunger strikers (who just ended their 30 day fast outside the United Nations) pointed out that "undeclared martial law" is in effect. Obviously the immense concern is a reality: Chinese officials conducted a formal closure to all foreigners (and journalists) to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) from February 20 to March 31, and have many monasteries locked down.
It is during this time period that the majority of protesting Tibetan monks and nuns have been setting themselves on fire. Thirty Tibetans are confirmed to have self-immolated since the first on February 27, 2009. But alarmingly - and most important - it is over the past two weeks (since March 16) that most of these self-immolations have taken place. These suicides are occurring in the blackout period happening right now, during the crackdown by Chinese authorities on all monasteries of Tibet. Many monasteries are in lockdown, and all communication to the outside world has been shut down.
These fire suicides include 25 men and 5 women. Out of the 30 Tibetans, 22 are known to have died following their protest with fire. Six of the monks (of the 30 total) were from the Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, and eight were former monks at the same monastery. The two nuns who self-immolated were from Mame Dechen Chokorling nunnery in Ngaba.
Tibetan Youth Sets Himself on Fire to Protest Chinese President's Arrival at Economic Summit in India
Just two days ago, one more Tibetan-in-exile youth, Jampa Yeshi, set himself on fire and ran through the streets outside the BRICS 5-Nation Economic Summit in New Delhi, India. Chinese President Hu Jintao is to meet with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa this week. Jampa Yeshi, who had escaped from Tibet in 2006, was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries, suffering burns over 85% of his body. He died this morning.
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