Pretoria, 11 November 2011
 
The South African MPs Dr. Mario GK Oriani-Ambrosini and Mr. Steve Mokgalapa have made statement in the Parliament, Cape Town on 8th and 10th November respectively, following reports of series of self-immolations by young Tibetan people in Tibet.
 
When delivering Members Statement Dr, Mario GK Oriani-Ambrosini paid solemn tribute to 35 year old Tibetan nun Palden Choetso who immolated herself in protest agAinSt the Chinese government’s continued repression. In his statement informing South African parliament, Dr. Mario-Ambrosini said: “Before burning herself, she cried “Freedom in Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama’, “Let the Dalai Lama return to Tibet”. He added “we must join hands and voices to urge the Chinese government to stop its repressive polices and human rights violations, allow basic freedom of religon and speech, allow independent media and international delegation of parliamentarians to travel to Tibetans areas to examine the actual situation”.
 
MP Steven Mokgalapa said: “The latest spate of self-immolations by Tibetans monks in protest to the Chinese government’s continued human rights abuses are a sure sign of worsening conditions under which Tibetans have to live under Chinese rule”. He  said his party (Democratic Alliance) calls on South African government “to take note of the human rights abuses in China and speak out boldly against them. As a nation that has benefitted from international pressure to end apartheid, we too need to support the right to self-determination of to other states.”