Tibetan Parliament urges World to take concrete step on Tibet - CTA Press Release/ENG

2012. február 20./CTA/TibetPress

On 19 February 2012, eighteen-year-old Nangdrol set himself on fire in front of the Samdrupling Jonang monastery in Barma village, Zamthang county, Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.  He died on the spot.

 Chinese police officers attempted to take away his body, but were prevented from doing so by the monks of Zamthang Jonang monastery. The monks later cremated him and performed all the necessary rituals and prayers for the deceased.

 According to eyewitnesses, while setting himself on fire Nangdrol folded his hands in a gesture of peace, calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Nangdrol was the son of father Chensig and mother Nyingmo. Of the eight siblings, he was the fourth oldest.

 On 26 January 2012, Tibetans living in Barma, Zamthang county participated in a widespread demonstration against the Chinese government. The Chinese police responded by firing indiscriminately on the protestors, killing a Tibetan named Ugen and critically wounding several others. Since then the county has been kept under severe military restrictions.

 News is also emerging of the arrest of many Tibetan writers and intellectuals from all across Tibet. Tibetan parliament in exile is deeply concerned and worried about the critical situation in our homeland. We once again fervently urge the Chinese government to give serious consideration to our legitimate demands and appeals we have made so far.

 We strongly urge the international community to take more responsibility and leaders and countries of the free world to take concrete steps in helping to end the crisis in Tibet.

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
20 February 2012