Press Release
26 October 2012
Addressing Tibetan Grievances is the Priority, Not Rewarding Informants
The Central Tibetan Administration condemns the recent Chinese authorities’ offer of financial rewards to individual informants regarding possible acts of self-immolation. The Central Tibetan Administration has consistently appealed to Tibetans to not to resort to drastic actions such as self-immolation. Current Chinese efforts to offer financial incentives fail to constructively address the causes behind the self-immolations.
This reflects the authorities’ lack of understanding of the situation in Tibet. With 59 Tibetan self-immolations having taken place since 2009, the need of the hour is for the Chinese leadership to take practical and concrete measures to address the deeper underlying issues.
Today, Lhamo Tseten, a 24-year-old Tibetan man, set himself on fire in front of a military base and a local court at Amchok, Sangchu county in north-eastern Tibet around 02:30 pm (local time). He is the fourth Tibetan from Sangchu county to self-immolate in less than 7 days. He is survived by his parents, his young wife and a two-year old daughter.
All self-immolators called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.
Media contacts:
Mr Tashi, Secretary for Information, +91 98168 43798
Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Additional Secretary, +91 98165 39103
Mr Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer , +91 98822 32476, [email protected], @lchoedak