His Slogans: “Return of HH the Dalai Lama”, “Release of Panchen Lama”, “Freedom for Tibet”, and “Protection of Tibet’s Environment”

Name: Wangdhen Khar

Age: 21

Sex: Male

Profession: Semi-nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 28 November 2012, 7 pm (local time)

Location: Tsoe Region in Kanlho, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

On the evening of 28 November Wangdhen Kar set himself on fire in Tsoe region, Eastern Tibet. Wangdhen died at the scene of his protest. He was 21-years-old.

According to sources, Wangdhen raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, the release of Panchen Lama, freedom for Tibet, and the protection of Tibet’s environment. Following his self-immolation protest, monks and local Tibetans reportedly gathered at his home in Yarki Sokdhi village — about 20 kms from Tsoe — to offer prayers and pay their respects.

He is survived by his father, Tsering Thar, mother, Kunsang Dolma, and an elder brother, Jampa, and younger brother, Sangay Dhondup.

His Slogans: Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche

Name: Kalsang Kyab

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 27 November 2012 at around 6:30 pm (local time)

Location: Outside the People’s Government building in Changtsa Town, Dzoge, Ngaba, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Twenty four-year-old Kalsang Kyab set himself ablaze at around 6:30 pm on 27 November in front of a Chinese government office in Kangtsa town. Kalsang reportedly doused himself in kerosene and then walked towards the local government offices raising slogans for the long life of HH the Dalai Lama and the exiled head of Kirti Monastery. Upon reaching the office building, he set himself ablaze and continued to shout slogans. Kalsang passed away at the site of his protest.

Subsequently, local Tibetans carried his charred body to his native village, Dowa Mege. Later that night, at around 10 pm, more than 40 monks from Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery came to his house and performed prayers in his honour.

Kalsang had reportedly left his nomadic pastures the day before his protest and visited his native village. The next day, early in the morning, he came to Kangtsa town which is approximately 3kms away to carry out his action.

Following his self-immolation, a large contingent of Chinese security personnel arrived in Kangtsa town and cordoned off the area. Sources from the region stated that around 200 Armed Police and Public Security officers were deployed in Goe Shoka area, where Kalsang lived, and an Armed Police truck was stationed on the mountaintop overlooking the village.

Internet services in the area have also been suspended following the self-immolation — a move regularly employed by the Chinese authorities to control information being relayed overseas.

On 28 November over a thousand local people — mainly from Goe Shoka came to pay their last respects and express solidarity with his family members. Kalsang is survived by his parents and six siblings. Described as gentle-natured and a man of few words, Kalsang never attended school.

His last words: My dear parents, my sister, relative and everyone else, please take care. I am setting myself on fire for the welfare of Tibet, the land of snows. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live long! I earnestly hope that the sun of happiness will shine for Tibet.

(Translated from Tibetan by Bhuchung D. Sonam)

His Slogans: Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche

Name: Kalsang Kyab

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 27 November 2012 at around 6:30 pm (local time)

Location: Outside the People’s Government building in Changtsa Town, Dzoge, Ngaba, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Twenty four-year-old Kalsang Kyab set himself ablaze at around 6:30 pm on 27 November in front of a Chinese government office in Kangtsa town. Kalsang reportedly doused himself in kerosene and then walked towards the local government offices raising slogans for the long life of HH the Dalai Lama and the exiled head of Kirti Monastery. Upon reaching the office building, he set himself ablaze and continued to shout slogans. Kalsang passed away at the site of his protest.

Subsequently, local Tibetans carried his charred body to his native village, Dowa Mege. Later that night, at around 10 pm, more than 40 monks from Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery came to his house and performed prayers in his honour.

Kalsang had reportedly left his nomadic pastures the day before his protest and visited his native village. The next day, early in the morning, he came to Kangtsa town which is approximately 3kms away to carry out his action.

Following his self-immolation, a large contingent of Chinese security personnel arrived in Kangtsa town and cordoned off the area. Sources from the region stated that around 200 Armed Police and Public Security officers were deployed in Goe Shoka area, where Kalsang lived, and an Armed Police truck was stationed on the mountaintop overlooking the village.

Internet services in the area have also been suspended following the self-immolation — a move regularly employed by the Chinese authorities to control information being relayed overseas.

On 28 November over a thousand local people — mainly from Goe Shoka came to pay their last respects and express solidarity with his family members. Kalsang is survived by his parents and six siblings. Described as gentle-natured and a man of few words, Kalsang never attended school.

His last words: My dear parents, my sister, relative and everyone else, please take care. I am setting myself on fire for the welfare of Tibet, the land of snows. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live long! I earnestly hope that the sun of happiness will shine for Tibet.

(Translated from Tibetan by Bhuchung D. Sonam)

His slogans: “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Exile,” and “Release of all Tibetan political prisoners, including the 11th Panchen Lama”

Name: Sangay Tashi

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 27 November 2012

Location: Sangkhog town, Sangchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

On 26 November 18-year-old Sangay Tashi arrived in Sangkhog town with his friends. Sangay reportedly called a relative, but before a proper conversation could be carried out Sangay cut the call by switching off his phone. Sangay Tashi then set himself on fire around midnight of 27 November in Sangchu region of Eastern Tibet. Sangay passed away at the site of his protest where he had reportedly shouted slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the release of all Tibetan political prisoners, including the 11th Panchen Lama while engulfed in flames. Local Tibetans then carried his charred body to a nearby house. By the time Sangay Tashi’s family members arrived in Sangkhog, he had already succumbed to his injuries. Sangay Tashi is survived by his parents and four siblings. He had studied at a primary school in Sangkhog town for four years but was forced to return home to help with family chores.

Name: Wangyal

Age: 20

Sex: Male

Profession: Student

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012 at around 11:20 am (local time)

Location: Sertha Township, Rebkong, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Unknown

His slogans: “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Exile,” and “Freedom for Tibet”

A young Tibetan student from Sertha People’s Middle School, identified as Wangyal, self-immolated on 26 November at around 11:20 am (local time). Wangyal reportedly set himself on fire on one of the main roads leading to the town centre and ran towards the golden horse statue in the middle of Sertha Town and fell to the ground. According to eyewitnesses, “His hands were clasped in prayers as he ran, raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people.” According to a source in exile, “Chinese armed forces immediately arrived at the scene of the protest and took Wangyal away after dousing the flames”. Wangyal’s current whereabouts and condition remain unknown. Sources speculate that Wangyal would have suffered major injuries as his body was entirely engulfed in flames at the time of his action. Wangyal is an orphan and is survived by three brothers and one sister.

Name: Wangyal

Age: 20

Sex: Male

Profession: Student

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012 at around 11:20 am (local time)

Location: Sertha Township, Rebkong, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Unknown

His slogans: “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Exile,” and “Freedom for Tibet”

A young Tibetan student from Sertha People’s Middle School, identified as Wangyal, self-immolated on 26 November at around 11:20 am (local time). Wangyal reportedly set himself on fire on one of the main roads leading to the town centre and ran towards the golden horse statue in the middle of Sertha Town and fell to the ground. According to eyewitnesses, “His hands were clasped in prayers as he ran, raising slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people.” According to a source in exile, “Chinese armed forces immediately arrived at the scene of the protest and took Wangyal away after dousing the flames”. Wangyal’s current whereabouts and condition remain unknown. Sources speculate that Wangyal would have suffered major injuries as his body was entirely engulfed in flames at the time of his action. Wangyal is an orphan and is survived by three brothers and one sister.

His slogans: “Tibet’s Freedom, “Human Rights in Tibet”, and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Exile.”

Name: Gonpo Tsering

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012 at around 6 pm (local time)

Location: In front of Ala Dheu Monastery in Luchu, Kanlho, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

One of three unrelated self-immolations in a single day, Gonpo Tsering set himself on fire in Luchu region of Kanlho Prefecture. Father of three, — all below the age of six — Gonpo carried out his action in front of the main prayer hall of Ala Deu-go Monastery around 6 pm on 26 November 2012. Gonpo shouted slogans calling for Tibet’s freedom, human rights in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile while totally consumed in flames. Gonpo Tsering died at the site of his protest. Local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the Monastery where monks and a large number of Tibetans from the surrounding areas assembled, defying official orders by offering prayers for the deceased and expressing their solidarity. Restrictions were heightened as the Chinese authorities were reported to be investigating Gonpo Tsering’s protest. Gonpo Tsering is survived by his wife, three children, and his parents.

His slogans: “Tibet’s Freedom, “Human Rights in Tibet”, and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Exile.”

Name: Gonpo Tsering

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012 at around 6 pm (local time)

Location: In front of Ala Dheu Monastery in Luchu, Kanlho, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

One of three unrelated self-immolations in a single day, Gonpo Tsering set himself on fire in Luchu region of Kanlho Prefecture. Father of three, — all below the age of six — Gonpo carried out his action in front of the main prayer hall of Ala Deu-go Monastery around 6 pm on 26 November 2012. Gonpo shouted slogans calling for Tibet’s freedom, human rights in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile while totally consumed in flames. Gonpo Tsering died at the site of his protest. Local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the Monastery where monks and a large number of Tibetans from the surrounding areas assembled, defying official orders by offering prayers for the deceased and expressing their solidarity. Restrictions were heightened as the Chinese authorities were reported to be investigating Gonpo Tsering’s protest. Gonpo Tsering is survived by his wife, three children, and his parents.

Name: Kunchok Tsering

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012

Location: Amchok, Labrang, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Kunchok Tsering set himself on fire at a mining site in the eastern region of Labrang — the same location where Tsering Dhondup had carried out his action on 20 November. Kunchok passed away at the scene of the protest. Sources reported that monks of Amchok Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans gathered at his house to offer prayers. Kunchok is survived by his wife, Sangay Tso (19), his parents, Phagkyab (40) and mother Gonpo Tso (37) and an older brother.

Name: Kunchok Tsering

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Profession: Nomad

Date of Self-immolation: 26 November 2012

Location: Amchok, Labrang, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Kunchok Tsering set himself on fire at a mining site in the eastern region of Labrang — the same location where Tsering Dhondup had carried out his action on 20 November. Kunchok passed away at the scene of the protest. Sources reported that monks of Amchok Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans gathered at his house to offer prayers. Kunchok is survived by his wife, Sangay Tso (19), his parents, Phagkyab (40) and mother Gonpo Tso (37) and an older brother.