The desperate conditions Tibetans face under Beijing's rigid controls in what amounted to "cultural genocide" are behind the spate of self-immolations in south-west China, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said.

At least 11 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze this year in a heavily Tibetan part of China's Sichuan province that has become a focus of defiance against Beijing rule. "Including many Chinese from mainland China who visit Tibet, they all have the impression things are terrible ... Some kind of culture genocide is taking place," the Dalai Lama told a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.

Chinese officials have launched a hardline policy against Tibet in the past 10 to 15 years, he added. "That's why, you see, these sorts of sad incidents happen, due to the desperateness of the situation," he said.


Dalai Lama blames Tibetan burning protests on 'cultural genocide'
www.guardian.co.uk
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader says desperate conditions under Chinese rule lies at heart of recent self-immolations

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