Tibetan nomad dies after setting self on fire, total self-immolation reaches 80

Fresh reports coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan man died after setting himself in Luchu (Ch: Luqu) in Kanlho in north-eastern Tibet (incorporated into China’s Gansu Province) Thursday night, taking the total self-immolations to 80, including 18 in this month alone.

Tadin Kyab, 23, a former monk of Shitsang monastery, set himself on fire at Luchu around 10:00pm (local time) on Thursday, hours after 18-year-old Lubum Tsering burned himself to death in Rebgong (Ch: Tongren) around 4:20pm.One photo shows a completely burned body of Tadin, while another shows his framed photo along with that of Holiness the Dalai Lama in front of lamps.A source from the region said whenever someone self-immolates, Tadin Kyab used to say “if he can do the same thing” and that “there is no worth living if His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not allowed to return to his homeland.”Local Tibetans learned about the incident only this morning, following which his body was carried to his home where monks of Shitsang monastery performed prayer service.

Tadin Kyab is survived by his mother, and two brothers.

The Central Tibetan Administration today organised a prayer service to mourn the tragic self-immolations in Tibet and express solidarity with all those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet.Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected leader of the Tibetan people and political successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, appealed to Tibetans and supporters around to world to form a coalition with as many human rights groups to organise and participate in the Global Solidarity Day on 10 December. We also request them to dispatch delegations to visit different media organisations in order to create awareness about the ongoing tragedy in Tibet. Equally important is to reach out to as many members of Parliament, Congress and government officials, he said.“Despite our repeated appeals not to take drastic actions, self-immolations continue in Tibet. Therefore, I appeal to the international community and governments to stand for justice by answering the universal aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet: the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans,” he said.

The strong and unprecedented statement of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and visit by U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke to Tibet clearly shows that the situation in Tibet is dire and needs to be urgently addressed. “We urge the newly appointed Chinese leaders to accept and cooperate with the 12 outstanding requests for official visits to Tibet by U.N. and international bodies. The Chinese government should implement recommendations made by the U.N. agencies rather than resorting to blame game,” he said.