Monk Self Immolated to Protest Against Chinese Rule

Monk Self Immolated to Protest Against Chinese Rule - August 16, 2011
Tension Heightens in Tawu With Heavy Troops and Restrictions - August 16, 2011
in detail:Monk Self Immolated to Protest Against Chinese Rule - August 16, 2011

On 15 August 2011, around 12.30 (Tibetan local time) in the afternoon, 29 yrs old monk Tsewang Norbu of Nyitso Monastery in Kham Tawo, Kandze (Ch: Ganzi) self immolated to protest against Chinese rule in Tibet and ill treatment of the local Tibetans by the Chinese authorities. For 10 minutes he raised slogans like 'Freedom in Tibet' and the 'Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet' while scattering leaflets with similar messages at Chume Bridge in the center of Tawo.

Since 6 July, there have been severe restrictions and strict vigilance of the area after the local Tibetans defied the government orders and headed by nuns of Gaden Jangchup Choeling Nunnery, they grouped together to celebrate the 76th birthday of H.H the Dalai Lama. The Chinese authorities have cut down water and electricity supply to Gaden Choeling Nunnery and Nyitso Monastery since the celebration last month.

After the monks of the monastery carried back the body of the deceased monk to their monastery to perform the last rites and rituals Chinese troops tried to forcibly take the body from the monks.

Sources say that thousands of Chinese troops has been deployed in and around the monastery and armed guards can be seen everywhere on the street, on the road and in Tibetan neighborhood of Tawo. Restrictions on the movements of the local Tibetans and communications via telephone and internet have been severely tightened.

This is the second incident of a Tibetan monk’s self immolation since 16 March this year in Tibet when monk Phuntsok self immolated for similar reason. Such acts of suicide, in order to free oneself from Chinese rule, prove how miserable and extremely difficult Chinese authorities had made the lives of the Tibetans in Tibet that they are forced into taking their own lives.

TCHRD is extremely anxious and worried about the conditions of Tibetans in Tibet, including Kandze. The Center pleas and urges the International Human Rights bodies, the United Nations, the European Union and others to intervene in order to improve the human rights situation of Tibet under China.

............................
Tension Heightens in Tawu With Heavy Troops and Restrictions - August 16, 2011

Following the 15 August incidents of self immolation of monk Tsewang Norbu in Tawu, Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), while the monks of the Nyitso Monastery were carrying the body of the deceased to the monastery heavy troops were deployed in and around the monastery to restrict entrance. Yet around 10,000 local Tibetans had flocked at the monastery gate. As they tried to access entrance by pushing Public Security Bereau (PSB) police and People Armed Police (PAP) at the gate, nearly 1000 could get inside. The remaining locals surrounded the monastery and performed prayers.

At that time a local called Gyaltsen was severely beaten and arrested. The public gathered there shouted for the release of Gyaltsen. Hence, he was released this morning.

Entrance and exit of the monastery is extremely tightened. All those who are inside the monastery are like not allowed to leave and neither is anyone allowed in.

This morning (16 August), Lui Dao Ping, the Party Secretary of Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) reached Tawu. All schools, restaurants and cafes in the area were shut down today. Liu Dao Ping ordered to stop the religious rituals and rite for the deceased. He further ordered for the immediate disposal of the dead body.

There are around 270 monks at Nyitse Monastery. Locals and residents of nearby areas fear possible severe crackdown on the monastery by Chinese authorities. Many have come to the monastery to show solidarity and in order to support the monks. Thus, all roads toward Tawo have been blocked by PSB and PAP especially, Nawa Bridge is tightly patrolled and travellers are sent back to their places. One main road on the east, Tsuro Bridge which leads to Tawu is also blocked.

With PSB and PAP patrolling on all streets and at every corner restrictions are ever more escalading in Tawu County. The situation in Tawu is highly tense at the time. The biggest concern, if such curfew on the monastery is to continue for long, is the fear that those held inside the monastery might face water scarcity since drinking water are obtained from outside the monastery.

TCHRD will continue to investigate the situation in Tawo, Kandze. Moreover, the Center expresses serious concern at the plights of Tibetans in Tawu County and urges the international community to pressurize the Chinese Government into restoring normalcy.
--
Tibet News
Information on Human Right and Freedom Repression in Tibet