Tibetan protests increase to mark start of communist congress
Four of the self-immolations took place on Wednesday and were followed by a fifth involving a nomad in western Qinghai yesterday. Since March 2011, dozens of ethnic Tibetans have self-immolated to protest at what activists say is China’s heavy-handed rule over the region. Such protests have become more frequent in recent weeks, apparently aimed at the party’s conference.
“These protests are aimed at sending the next generation of China’s unelected regime a clear signal that Tibetans will continue to fight for their freedom despite China’s efforts to suppress and intimidate them,” said Free Tibet director Stephanie Brigden.
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Hide AdFree Tibet said the three monks, aged 15 and 16, were the youngest to self-immolate. They set fire to themselves outside a police office in south-west Sichuan province calling for freedom for Tibet and the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The youngest monk, identified as 15-year-old Dorjee, died at the scene and his companions, Samdup and Dorjee Kyab, both 16, were taken to hospital.
That evening a 23-year-old Tibetan nomadic woman, Tamdin Tso, died after self-immolating in another ethnically Tibetan area in western Qinghai province, Free Tibet said.
Chinese authorities routinely deny Tibetan claims of repression and have accused supporters of the Dalai Lama of encouraging the self-immolations.