Two more Tibetans die after immolation, Toll reaches 94

Kunchok Phelgye/File photo

Press Release
8 December 2012

The Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala today reiterated its deep concern and sadness over the worsening situation in Tibet, as two more Tibetans self-immolated in protest against the Chinese government’s rule on Saturday.

Kunchok Phelgye, 24, a monk of Dringwa Sumdo monastery at Dzoege, set himself on fire at Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery in Ngaba on Saturday evening. 

With folded hands, he called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kirti Rinpoche to Tibet, and the reunion of Tibetans in Tibet. He died on the spot. Monks took his body to the monastery where a special prayer service is being held.

In another incident, Pema Dorjee, 23, died after setting fire to himself on fire outside Shitsang

monastery in Luchu in Kanlho in eastern Tibet.

He raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, independence of Tibet and unity of Tibetans.

The Chinese authorities have reinforced clamp down on the monasteries and surrounding villages following the incident.

“We call on the international community to stand in solidarity with Tibet campaign on human rights day on 10 December to press the Chinese government to address the long-standing grievances of Tibetans in Tibet,” said Ms Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon for the Department of Information & International Relations.

Despite repeated appeals by the Central Tibetan Administration to refrain from taking drastic actions, over 94 Tibetans have self-immolated inside Tibet since 2009, including 81 in 2012 and 29 this November alone.

Media contact: Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer,  +91 98822 32476

Kunchok Phelgye after setting fire to himself outside Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery in Ngaba in north-eastern Tibet on Saturday, 8 December 2012