Twin self-immolation

Name: Tashi

Age: 21

Sex: Male

Status: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 13 August 2012 at around 6:50 pm

Location: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased 14 August

His slogans: Not reported

Name: Lungtok

Age: 20

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 13 August 2012 at around 6:50 pm

Location: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased; same day

His slogans: Not reported

Tashi, a layman from the Soruma pastoral area in Choejema Township, and monk Lungtok, also from Soruma and a student in Kirti Monastery’s medical college, Ngaba, set fire to themselves in a prayer wheel enclosure within the monastery’s perimeter. According to a statement released by Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, “Lungtok, with his body enveloped in flames, marched down Martyr’s Street raising slogans but was overpowered by Chinese security personnel before he could reach the crossroads. Eyewitnesses have said that Lungtok was alive when he was forcibly removed from the scene. Tashi was marching on the Martyr’s Street raising slogans when a number of Chinese security personnel surrounded him and started beating him,” the report said. “He was bundled in a vehicle and taken away.”

Both were initially taken to the county hospital but within half an hour they were transferred to the Prefecture hospital in Barkham. Both succumbed to their burn injuries later. While Lungtok passed away later that same day, Tashi passed away the following day. It is not known whether their bodies were returned to their families so last rites could be performed. A large contingent of armed police were deployed across the region to quell the fast-swelling protest by Tibetans shortly after the self-immolation protests. Reports emerging at the time confirmed that the Chinese security personnel randomly assaulted the Tibetans with spiked batons, leaving one protestor dead and many severely injured. In spite of this, local Tibetans visited monasteries to offer prayers for the deceased and also expressed solidarity to their family members.

Name: Choepa

Age: 24

Sex: Male

His slogans were: protesting against the Beijing government

Profession: Unknown

Date of Self-immolation: 10 August 2012 around 10:15 am

Location: Me’uruma Township, Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased 10 August 2012 at 3 pm Choepa set himself on fire in Meruma Township, Ngaba County, shouting slogans of protest against the Chinese government. Local security personnel arrived at the scene within a few minutes, doused the still-fierce flames, and took him away. According to eyewitnesses, it was unclear whether he was still alive; however, it was later confirmed that Choepa passed away around 3 pm on the day of his protest shortly before reaching Barkham Prefecture hospital. The authorities reportedly cremated his body at the hospital, and only handed a portion of the ashes to his family.

Her slogans: “Free Tibet”, “Return His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet”

Name: Dolkar Tso

Age: 27

Sex: Female

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 7 August 2012, 2:30 pm (local time)

Location: Near Tsoe Gaden Choeling Monastery , Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Dolkar Tso — who hails from a farming family and is the mother of a five-year-old daughter and two year-old son set fire to herself near Tsoe Monastery in Gansu’s Kanlho Prefecture. Immediately after extinguishing the flames, monks at Tsoe Monastery carried Dolkar’s charred body inside the monastery premises. According to reports then emerging from Tibet, Dolkar Tso — barely alive — had pleaded with the monks to hit her on the head with a stone and kill her so that she would not fall alive into Chinese hands. Dolkar succumbed naturally to her injuries. Later, the monks carried her body around 10 km from Tsoe back to Tasur in Nawu Township, the village where she was born.

Later that night the Chinese authorities arrested three Tsoe Monastery monks — Choephel, Sherab and Tsondru — allegedly for sheltering her body inside the monastery. Tsondru was subsequently released. Around 5 am the following morning, Chinese security personnel in about a dozen vehicles arrived at the monastery and arrested 17 more monks. A large number of monks and laymen amassed at the monastery in an attempt to prevent the arrests and also to demand the release of the two monks detained earlier. When news of Dolkar Tso’s action spread, about 300 monks from nearby Labrang Tashikhyil Monastery set out in a large convoy of vehicles to offer prayers and pay their last respects to her, but they were apprehended by the local Chinese authorities. The authorities reportedly told the monks that their actions were illegal and warned that their vehicles would be confiscated if they proceeded further. They were also threatened with further punitive measures. However, the monks defied police orders and declared that they would continue on foot if they had to and warned of a major uprising if they were stopped. As tension began to flare, representatives of Labrang’s administration came and pleaded with the monks to stop their march. Being forced to obey to the requests, the monks instead sat down on the road and started offering prayers for Dolkar Tso. On 9 November 2012 reports emerged that Dhonue, the husband of Dolkar Tso, was secretly detained by Chinese security personnel after he rejected a bribe offered by the local Chinese authorities. According to sources, the Gansu administration was forcing him to state that his wife self-immolated owing to family disputes and not as a protest against China’s rule.

Name: Lobsang Tsultrim

Age: 21

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk at Kirti Monastery

Date of Self-immolation: 6 August 2012, around 5:05 pm (local time)

Location: Ngaba town in Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased According to a statement released by the exile Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, “Lobsang Tsultrim set himself on fire and began running down a street near Kirti Monastery, now renamed ‘Martyr Street’…He was knocked down to the ground and the fire was extinguished by Chinese special armed forces stationed there.” With flames leaping out of his body, the young monk was heard raising slogans, but they were almost inaudible. A Tibetan from the locality told Kirti monks in Dharamshala that Lobsang Tsultrim was still alive when the police took him away. He was taken to the local government hospital, and then removed to an undisclosed location. Reports that came out of the region later confirmed that the young monk breathed his last at around midnight the same day. The Chinese authorities refused the family members’ request for Tsultrim’s body, instead hastily carrying out a cremation and handing over the ashes to the family. Lobsang Tsultrim, son of Tsewang and Donkar Kyi, is a native of Ngaba. Born in Ryiwa village, Cha Township, he joined Kirti monastery when he was very young. He was a classmate of Phuntsog, who self-immolated on 16 March 2011, and is said to have loved playing basketball. Lobsang Tsultrim is said to have suffered a great deal and may have been detained following the crackdown in Ngaba after 16 March 2008, when at least ten Tibetans were killed by Chinese troops during a peaceful protest.

Name: Lobsang Tsultrim

Age: 21

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk at Kirti Monastery

Date of Self-immolation: 6 August 2012, around 5:05 pm (local time)

Location: Ngaba town in Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased According to a statement released by the exile Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, “Lobsang Tsultrim set himself on fire and began running down a street near Kirti Monastery, now renamed ‘Martyr Street’…He was knocked down to the ground and the fire was extinguished by Chinese special armed forces stationed there.” With flames leaping out of his body, the young monk was heard raising slogans, but they were almost inaudible. A Tibetan from the locality told Kirti monks in Dharamshala that Lobsang Tsultrim was still alive when the police took him away. He was taken to the local government hospital, and then removed to an undisclosed location. Reports that came out of the region later confirmed that the young monk breathed his last at around midnight the same day. The Chinese authorities refused the family members’ request for Tsultrim’s body, instead hastily carrying out a cremation and handing over the ashes to the family. Lobsang Tsultrim, son of Tsewang and Donkar Kyi, is a native of Ngaba. Born in Ryiwa village, Cha Township, he joined Kirti monastery when he was very young. He was a classmate of Phuntsog, who self-immolated on 16 March 2011, and is said to have loved playing basketball. Lobsang Tsultrim is said to have suffered a great deal and may have been detained following the crackdown in Ngaba after 16 March 2008, when at least ten Tibetans were killed by Chinese troops during a peaceful protest.

Name: Lobsang Lozin

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk at Gedhen Tashi Choeling Monastery

Date of Self-immolation: 17 July 2012

Location: Tsodun Kirti Monastery, Barkham County, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Lobsang Lozin set himself on fire near his monastery’s main prayer hall and started to walk towards the county’s administrative offices before falling to the ground. Lobsang succumbed to his burns and passed away at the scene of his protest. Although he was heard shouting slogans, the exact words could not be heard clearly. Monks at the Gyalrong Tsodun Kirti Monastery carried Lobsang’s charred body inside the monastery premises and offered prayers and conducted rituals. Lobsang was given a traditional water burial in the nearby river at Tsodun Monastery on the night of 17 July. That evening a large armed security contingent was deployed from Barkham to Tsodun. Since the congregated Tibetans blocked their way and managed to stop the security forces from entering Tsodun Kirti Monastery, the security personnel remained on the far bank of the river conducting military drills. The following day the people of Tsodun gathered at the monastery to offer prayers and all shops and restaurants in the township remained closed. The son of Jorgyal and Tsepopo, Lobsang Lozin has been described as an exemplary student with an excellent track record in his monastic studies.

His slogans were for the return to Tibet of both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the exiled head of Kirti Monastery, the 11th Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche. He also demanded the re-opening of Kirti Monastic School

Name: Lobsang Lozin

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk at Gedhen Tashi Choeling Monastery

Date of Self-immolation: 17 July 2012

Location: Tsodun Kirti Monastery, Barkham County, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Lobsang Lozin set himself on fire near his monastery’s main prayer hall and started to walk towards the county’s administrative offices before falling to the ground. Lobsang succumbed to his burns and passed away at the scene of his protest. Although he was heard shouting slogans, the exact words could not be heard clearly. Monks at the Gyalrong Tsodun Kirti Monastery carried Lobsang’s charred body inside the monastery premises and offered prayers and conducted rituals. Lobsang was given a traditional water burial in the nearby river at Tsodun Monastery on the night of 17 July. That evening a large armed security contingent was deployed from Barkham to Tsodun. Since the congregated Tibetans blocked their way and managed to stop the security forces from entering Tsodun Kirti Monastery, the security personnel remained on the far bank of the river conducting military drills. The following day the people of Tsodun gathered at the monastery to offer prayers and all shops and restaurants in the township remained closed. The son of Jorgyal and Tsepopo, Lobsang Lozin has been described as an exemplary student with an excellent track record in his monastic studies.

His slogans were for the return to Tibet of both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the exiled head of Kirti Monastery, the 11th Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche. He also demanded the re-opening of Kirti Monastic School

Name: Tsewang Dorjee

Age: 22

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 7 July 2012

Location: Damshung, Central Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

His slogans: Not reported

verbatim Tsewang Dorjee, chose the centre of Dhamshung town, a popular gathering place in the vicinity of Lhasa, Central Tibet, to hold his self-immolation action. He was a heard calling for Tibet’s freedom.

“Tsewang Dorjee raised slogans and set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government. Barely three minutes into his protest, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene, doused the flames and took him to a hospital, reported the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in a release. Following his protest, no one was allowed to see him but it appeared at the time that Tsewang had passed away later that night. The exile Tibetan Parliament noted that the entire Damshung region was subsequently placed under heavy lockdown. “All communication lines have been cut in Damshung. Even people living in the nearby areas such as Lhasa are unable to contact Damshung. The Chinese authorities in the region have arrested all the people who witnessed Tsewang Dorjee’s self-immolation and have passed strict orders barring anyone from speaking about the protest,” the release stated.

Name: Tsewang Dorjee

Age: 22

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 7 July 2012

Location: Damshung, Central Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

His slogans: Not reported

verbatim Tsewang Dorjee, chose the centre of Dhamshung town, a popular gathering place in the vicinity of Lhasa, Central Tibet, to hold his self-immolation action. He was a heard calling for Tibet’s freedom.

“Tsewang Dorjee raised slogans and set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government. Barely three minutes into his protest, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene, doused the flames and took him to a hospital, reported the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in a release. Following his protest, no one was allowed to see him but it appeared at the time that Tsewang had passed away later that night. The exile Tibetan Parliament noted that the entire Damshung region was subsequently placed under heavy lockdown. “All communication lines have been cut in Damshung. Even people living in the nearby areas such as Lhasa are unable to contact Damshung. The Chinese authorities in the region have arrested all the people who witnessed Tsewang Dorjee’s self-immolation and have passed strict orders barring anyone from speaking about the protest,” the release stated.

Name: Dickyi Choezom

Age: 40s

Sex: Female

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 27 June 2012, 2 pm (local time)

Location: Jyekundo, Yushul, Kham, Eastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Unknown

Her slogan: Not reported

Dickyi Choezom, who set herself on fire near Dhondupling Monastery in Jyekundo, was part of a demonstration including 70 Tibetan families protesting against the Chinese government’s illegal land confiscations under a re-development programme following the Yushu earthquake in 2010. It was understood that Dickyi’s home had been confiscated and was due to be demolished by the authorities. According to reports, Chinese security personnel doused the flames and took her away, supposedly to a hospital in Siling. Dickyi Choezom left behind two children. Two of Dickyi’s relatives, who also participated in the same land protest, were arrested and beaten following her self-immolation. However, a large crowd of Tibetans gathered and exerted pressure for their release, threatening to set themselves on fire if the two were not set free. They were reportedly released later in the day but were suffering injuries from the harsh beatings inflicted during their detention.