Parliament Renews Appeal Against Repression Amid More Self-immolations and Killing of Tibetans/ENG

2012. február 11./CTA/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA: Citing reports of two self-immolation incidents and killing of two Tibetans in a police firing in this week alone, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has reiterated its appeal to the Chinese leadership to end its repressive measures in Tibet, and urged the international community and world leaders to take more responsibility in exerting effective pressure on the Chinese government.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Tibetan Parliament said on the day of global solidarity vigil on 8 February, thousands of Tibetans inside Tibet observed the Lhakar movement with prayer services and peaceful protests against the Chinese government despite heightened restriction on that day.

The statement said a Tibetan man self-immolated in Ngaba and two other Tibetans were killed by Chinese police on that day.

“Rigzin Dorjee set himself on fire in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet. In Dragko in eastern Tibet, Norpa Yeshi Rigsel and his younger brother Yeshi Samdup were shot dead by Chinese security forces,” the statement noted.

“Around 600 Tibetans gathered for prayer service at Zatoe in Yushul on the same day. On 9 February, around 800 Tibetans held a peaceful protest,” it said.

“Similarly, hundreds of Tibetans consisting of monks of Pelkar Monastery and laity observed Lhakar movement with a prayer service, defying security clampdown by the Chinese government,” the statement said.

“Reports coming from Tibet said Sonam Rabyang, aged 42, a monk of Lab Monastery in Keygudo, set himself on fire in Chengdu on 8 February. He was forcibly taken away by Chinese police. Some said he has been taken away to Siling,” the Tibetan Parliament said in its statement.

“With continuous occurrence of such serious incidents in Tibet, the Tibetan Parliament has made repeated appeals to the Chinese government and the international community,” the statement said.

“We reiterate our appeal to President Hu Jintao as conveyed in our open letter to him that the Chinese government must end its repressive policies in Tibet, allow fact-finding delegations to Tibet, and resume dialogue with the Tibetans to find a lasting solution to the issue of Tibet,” the Tibetan Parliament said. (Read full text of the Open Letter)

The Tibetan Parliament urged the international community and world leaders to take more responsibility in exerting effective pressure on the Chinese government to defuse the escalating tensions in Tibet.