[View the story "How long can Tibet burn?" on Storify ]How long can Tibet burn? Tibet's political leader in exile speaks out on recent wave of self-immolations. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Nov 01 2012 09:46:06
[Note: Images and video used in this article are graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.]
Below is a photo reportedly showing
Dorje Rinchen , a farmer in his late fifties, who self-immolated on October 23rd, 2012. The incident was
reported on the blog, Invisible Tibet.
http://woeser.middle-way.net/2012/10/1023.htmlAJstream
In a recent op-ed, Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet,
writes , "In the last 12 months, roughly 60 Tibetans have burned themselves for freedom - this means every six days, a Tibetan goes up in flames". Below, a
map by the International Campaign for Tibet details the location and numbers of self-immolations.
http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/map-tibetan-self-immolationsAJstream
Video of a self-immolation posted in June:
Breaking NEWS: Rare Video of Self-Immolations by Two Tibetan Youthsfthq
Initially, the Tibetan self-immolation protests involved primarily Buddhist monks and nuns. However, recent immolations have included lay people such as Lhamo Tseten, pictured below. The profiles of those who have self-immolated for greater Tibetan autonomy can be found
here .
http://www.savetibet.org/resource-center/maps-data-fact-sheets/self-immolation-fact-sheetAJstream
The Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala, India (also the base of the government-in-exile) has been vocal dissenting China's policies on Tibet. Below, activists hold a "die-in" protest to remember those who self-immolated.
Die-in Protest in Dharamsala as Tibet immolation crosses tragic milestone of 50: August 29, 2012thevotbeamradio
Tibetans cite religious, cultural and political repression by the Chinese government as reasons why the self-immolations persist. According to human rights groups, those who choose to protest in Tibet are often arrested and face torture in prisons.
Protest in Ba Thunte, Amdo on March 15, 2012thesonoftibet
The Chinese government is now offering
rewards for those who provide information on self-immolators. Below is a release by the Chinese police detailing the rewards. Part of the document reads: "Anyone who correctly informs on the black hands behind the four self-immolation incidents that have already happened will be awarded 200,000 yuan ($32,000)."
甘南州公安局10月21日通告：…二、对近期发生的四起自焚事件，能准确提供幕后操纵黑手的人员，奖励人民币20万元。三、公安机关对提供线索的人员绝对保密，负责人身安全。四、奖金通过特殊渠道和方式予以支付。（3）//以为重赏之下有出卖者。 http://pic.twitter.com/X6F64yz6唯色Tsering Woeser
China maintains that it has
encouraged development in the area, namely in healthcare and infrastructure improvements. Below Chinese state media highlights the advantages of
investment in the region.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-10/31/content_15858444.htmAJstream
Below is a 1964 video of a Chinese folk song that romanticises the "liberation" of Tibet.
"Laundry Song" Original 1964 Performance, BeijingHPeaks
It is unclear whether the Communist Party's upcoming transfer of leadership to Vice President Xi Jinping will provide greater opportunity for a resolution in Tibet. Xi's wife, a famous Chinese folk singer, performs an updated version of an older song meant to
persuade Tibetans of the benefits of Chinese rule.
"Laundry Song" Performed by Peng LiyuanHPeaks
Protesters in Tibet are calling for genuine political autonomy, an end to discrimination and the return of the Dalai Lama, who fled the country in 1959. Below is a trailer for a documentary that chronicles the struggles of activists in support of Tibetan autonomy.
STATE OF CONTROL: Official Trailerrainstorment
Cultural preservation is one of the main rallying points for Tibetan activists. One grassroots initiative is
Lhakar , which aims to preserve the language and traditions of Tibetans.
Lhakar: Tibetan Grassroots Movementsfthq
The Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration, elected Dr. Lobsang Sangay as Prime Minister in 2011. He supports the Dalai Lama's
"middle way" policy , which involves an autonomous Tibet operating within the limits of the Chinese constitution.
Tibet PM Lobsang Sangay's Speech in Canberra, Australia.mp4lusheygawo
Some Tibetans, however, feel Sangay has not taken a strong enough approach with China.
Blogger Wangpo Tethong
writes the following critique of the Central Tibetan Administration's leader:
http://www.rangzen.net/2012/09/22/ctrlaltdel-dr-lobsang-sangay/#more-5520AJstream
On social media, netizens discuss the conflict in Tibet:
Seven Tibetan immolations last week alone. Protesters setting themselves on fire due to China's oppression of Tibet. @StateDept step up.Michael Shank
TIBET WILL NEVER BE CHINA! Tibetan’s speak a different language, have a different unique culture & history & are very peaceful humble peopleRangzen
Why not to buy made in China: Human Rights abuses, Inside China and in other nations such as Tibet, Mongolia, Uyghur, Vietnam.Gustavo Burton
#China needs to know that it will NEVER put down resistance in occupied #Tibet. Tibetans have nothing to lose now, except China's yoke.Snag Breac
The Dalai Lama's
Google+ page has given some Chinese netizens the opportunity to discuss their perspectives on Tibet.
https://plus.google.com/+DalaiLama/postsAJstream
Google+ user "Captain Jack" says:
[Translation] Don't you know how good Tibet has it? The mediais always fooling you. Come to Tibet, and come to China to see for yourself.Tibetans are living very well. https://plus.google.com/+DalaiLama/postsAJstream
