China rejects accusations of oppression of Tibetans, saying its rule has greatly improved living standards.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Group: Tenzin Wangmo called for religious freedom in Tibet before setting herself alight
Tenzin is the ninth Tibetan -- and first woman -- to commit self-immolation
Free Tibet also reported that two Tibetans were shot and wounded during a protest
Activists: Acts reflect an increasingly repressive environment under Beijing's control
Hong Kong (CNN) -- A nun has died after setting herself on fire in southwestern China, the first Tibetan woman known to have killed herself in this way, the London-based Free Tibet campaign group said Tuesday.
According to the group, Tenzin Wangmo, 20, called for religious freedom in Tibet and for the return of the Dalai Lama as she set fire to herself outside Dechen Chokorling Nunnery in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province on Monday.
She died at the scene.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs in Beijing told CNN they were not aware of the incident.
Free Tibet, which advocates Tibetan independence, also reported that two Tibetans were shot and wounded on Sunday by security forces during a protest outside a police station in the prefecture of Ganzi.
Tenzin is the ninth Tibetan -- all monks or former monks -- to commit self-immolation in protest against Chinese rule since March, the advocacy group said. Five have died.
This is not suicide, this is sacrifice in order to draw the world's attention.
Activist Tsering Woeser
The last attempt took place on Saturday when a 19-year-old former monk from Kirti monastery in Aba, another ethnic Tibetan area in Sichuan province, set himself alight in the central market in Ngaba Town but survived.
His whereabouts are unknown, according to Free Tibet.
Activists say the disturbing acts reflect an increasingly repressive environment under Beijing's control.
"Most Tibetans live in fear because of suppressive and unfair government policies but they dare not speak up," prominent Tibetan writer and activist Tsering Woeser told CNN.
"Tibetan Buddhists can't use violence to protest, therefore they can only do violence to themselves, such as self-immolation, to make people pay attention to their situation.
"This is not suicide, this is sacrifice in order to draw the world's attention."
Another incident in Aba in March, in which a monk died, sparked weeks of often violent confrontation between local monks and authorities. Security forces locked down the Kirti Monastery and eventually detained more than 300 monks, rights groups said at the time.
When the United Nations working group on enforced disappearances expressed its concern to Beijing, Chinese officials called the organization's perspective "biased and unfair."
"The relevant local authorities are conducting legal education for the Kirti Monastery monks to maintain religious order there -- there was no question of forced disappearances," Hong Lei, a foreign ministry spokesman, said in June.
China also rejects accusations of oppression of Tibetans, saying its rule has greatly improved living standards for the Tibetan people.
The Dalai Lama's representative signed an agreement with Beijing in 1951 to affirm China's sovereignty over Tibet but also grant autonomy to the area. A failed uprising against Beijing's rule in 1959 forced the Dalai Lama into exile.
The Dalai Lama denies seeking independence for Tibet, saying he wants genuine autonomy, under which Tibetans can make their own policies on key issues, such as religious practices.
In a 2008 uprising, violent unrest in Tibet and the subsequent military crackdown left at least 18 dead, and activists say tensions have remained high in many areas since then.
CNN's Xiaoni Chen contributed to this report.

We recommend

3 women in Zimbabwe charged in series of sex attacks on men
Gardner executed by firing squad
Chinese police sorry for failure to unearth deadly sex dungeon
Annan, Adams to press ETA to end violence
Israeli Supreme Court to hear cases against prisoner swap
Libyans battle to protect ancient treasures from looting
From around the web

Wedding Reception Seating: The Long and the Round of It (The Daily Meal)
10 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight (Lifescript)
These 4 Things Happen Right Before a Heart Attack (Newsmax.com)
Gaddafi Son Captured in Sirte (The Daily Beast)
To me, the $200 belt looks no different from the $12 belt. What’s the difference? (Style + Tech For Men)
Living: Seven Things You Should Never Tell Your Man… (MadameNoire)
[what's this]


Log in or sign up to comment
soundoff (26 Comments)
Show: Newest | Oldest | Most liked
Post a comment

Log in or sign up to comment

greatpet
Buddhism is the religion of peace. Those violent riots and self-immolation in Tibet are a betrayal of Buddhist beliefs.I can't help comparing Dalai Lama with Arafat. Both charismatic leaders won the Nobel peace Prize. Both are apparently peaceful, but both have dubious connections with the more mili... more
28 minutes ago | Like (2) | Report abuse

overstated Nothing will change. China will continually repress its citizenry and many schools are returning to the study of Mao's Philosophy.
32 minutes ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

fonseka3 A Buddhist nun setting herself fire means that she didn't even follow her philosophy that values a human life that is rare in the sangsara.
33 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

misinform22 Say what you will, I am just glad that there are some religions that would rather set themselves on fire than set off an IED.
42 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

fonseka3 According to Buddhism suicide is bad.
37 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

RichardZag Maybe she was cold.
44 minutes ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

greatpet
If you think the PRC is expansionist because it rules Tibet, answer a question: why does the Republic of China (Taiwan) also claim Tibet as its sovereign territory?Truth: Both PRC and ROC's positions are inherited from the old China before they split apart. It has nothing to do with communism per se... more
45 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

BBbandit Nothing wrong with wanting indepedence Tibet. The Tibetan people can decide for themselves if they want a feudal society. I thought the commies like to spout "don't interfere with internal affair."....hypocratical
55 minutes ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

greatpet
Tibet became a vassal state of China, and got conquered by China numerous times, long before Europeans arrived in America and long before the Americans wiped out native Indian and "purchased" land from Russia and Mexico. At that time Russia was still "Grand Duchy of Moscow". There's a fucking compli... more
58 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

mytibet OM MANI PAME HUM
59 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

GeoBall
First off, who ever think's china's control is better then complete autonomy, Can douse themselves in gas and burn to death. Second who ever thinks that the USA is in any position to even let the Tibetans know what Americans think about Tibet and who controls their country can also douse themselves ... more
1 hour ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

IQman You Chinese posters should have a bit more respect, please......the more you do it the worse it gets...
1 hour ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

daimlerXXX It is the dalai lama and gang's fault. They brainwashed her, and made her do it. What did they promise her for her afterlife?
1 hour ago | Like (4) | Report abuse

rob29 not 72 virgins .. thats for sure.
10 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

HikaruSulu

Chinese psychological warfare and propaganda officer have
excellent English skill comrade. Good thing citizen of China don't get access the the world wide web, else your job would be harder.


1 hour ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

Ummon
Nothing wrong with Tibet being independent. But the people who are calling for its independence are the Tibetan monks, who had been keeping the country oppressed in feudal conditions until China took over. The Chinese administration of Tibet is far better than those monks, and until there is any bet... more
1 hour ago | Like (4) | Report abuse

HikaruSulu What flavor of Chinese cool-aid have you been drinking. There cause is just because of the horrible things China has done to the people of Tibet. China has about as much business ruling Tibet as Hitler had ruling France.
49 minutes ago | Like | Report abuse

BBbandit
Yes, I agree nothing wrong wanting independence Tibet. So why don't the commies let them? If the Tibet monks keep the country oppressed in feudal tradition let the Tibetan people decide that. I thought the commies like to spout "don't interfere with internal affair." Is that talk out of their mouth ... more
1 hour ago | Like (2) | Report abuse

fonseka3 Suicide is wrong according to Buddhism.
1 hour ago | Like | Report abuse

ShiYuehan Tragic story....just shows Tibet's immaturity is in need of Chinese leadership.
1 hour ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

HikaruSulu

Are there any other nations that don't have enough
maturity? Perhaps China should help/rule the world. I for one will welcome our
Chinese overlords when they come to help my country. Yeah, I’m being sarcastic.


56 minutes ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Shackdaddy83 Or that the Chinese are authoritarian a-holes in need of a good revolution...
1 hour ago | Like (5) | Report abuse

EvieLaugh "Unity and harmony has to come from the heart", forced brainwashing and "education" only reinforce the opposite feelings. China's ethnic policies are so idiotic. It is a form of colonialism with "Chinese characteristics"
1 hour ago | Like (9) | Report abuse

HikaruSulu Tibet is part of China, just like England, France and Germany are part of the Roman Empire. Look out London, here comes the Italian army.
44 minutes ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

daimlerXXX Tibet has been part of China for centuries, and so there is no colonialism to speak of here. Tibet has been part of China even before Buddhism came to China.
1 hour ago | Like (2) | Report abuse
Load next 25 | View all comments


Pinnwand-Fotos

Weiterlesen...