TSG Press release: Tibetan monastic official self-immolates /ENG

2012. február 17. /ITN/TibetPress

A monk set fire to himself (1) at approximately 6am local time today in the
grounds of Bongthak Ewam Tare Shedrup Dhargey Ling Monastery (2), Sengge
Township, Themchen County, Tsonub Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Eastern
Tibet (3).

The monk, named Tamchoe Sangpo died (4); he was in his late 30s. Tamchoe
was a teacher at the monastic school and a member of the Democratic
Management Committee of the Monastery (5).

Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden commented:

*?This self-immolation is another example of widening unrest in Tibet. It
is of even greater significance as Tamchoe Sangpo was a member of a
Democratic Management Committee, the government-controlled bodies which the
authorities rely on to control the monasteries.?*

Chinese security personnel came to the monastery on 23 January and watched
over the monks? daily activities after a patriotic re-education campaign
there had met with protests.

Tamchoe had told the police that they must leave the monastery because it
is a place for monks and not for police officers but they remained.

A checkpoint which was stationed outside the monastery is now being used to
prevent anyone from entering or leaving. Phone lines have also been cut.

Many villagers are at the monastery for a festival, and a prayer service
was taking place when Tamchoe set fire to himself.



1) For further information on self-immolations in Tibet:
http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/selfimmolations


2) The monastery is also known as A-hin Tara Shadup Darjee Ling Monastery.
It houses approximately 80 monks.

3) Chinese: Shengge Township, Tianjun County, Hai Xi Prefecture, Qinghai
Province.

4) Tamchoe Sangpo: Tamchoe travelled to India in 1995 and studied at Gomung
college

5) Under Chinese rule, government-controlled Democratic Management
Committees (DMCs) have been introduced to control the basic affairs of
monasteries and nunneries, including control over the admission, training,
movement, teaching and discipline of members of the clergy. DMCs are also
responsible for suggesting potential candidates for reincarnation;
candidates must then be submitted to the autonomous regional government for
approval. All these functions were for centuries overseen by monastic
bodies.

For further information see Free Tibet report on Freedom of Religion in
Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/briefings