Tibetan Monk Dies after Setting Self on Fire, Total Self-Immolation Rises to 92

Press Release

4 December 2012
The Central Tibetan Administration reiterated its grave concern over the alarming escalation of self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, with fresh reports coming out of the region say a Tibetan monk has died after setting himself on fire at Pema (Chinese: Banma) Golog prefecture in eastern Tibet’s Amdo Province (incorporated into Qinghai Province) on Monday (3 December).

Lobsang Gendun, 29, a monk of Penag Kadak Troedreling Monastery in Seley Thang region of Golog, with folded hands raised slogans after setting fire to himself, eyewitnesses said. Local Tibetans rushed to the spot, prevented the Chinese security forces from taking away the body and took it to the local monastery.

Despite repeated appeals by the Central Tibetan Administration to refrain from taking drastic actions, over 92 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009, including 79 in 2012 and 28 this November alone. The self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

The international community, including the UN, EU and US, had strongly urged the Chinese leadership to address the long-standing grievances of the Tibetan people through dialogue.

Media contacts:

Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Spokesperson, DIIR, +91 98165 39103
Mr Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer, +91 98822 32476