Timeline: 51 self-immolations in Tibet since 2009 .:. Tibet Sun

Video grab image of nun Palden Choetso on fire on 3 November 2011 in Tibet. Courtesy of Students for a Free Tibet

Tibet Sun Newsroom | Tibet Sun

MCLEOD GANJ, India, 29 August 2012

Fifty-one Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire since 2009, with 38 of them in 2012, protesting against the Chinese rule in Tibet. At least 30 have died, and the whereabouts and current status of the others remain unknown. All of those who have self-immolated called for freedom in Tibet and for China to let the Dalai Lama return to Tibet. The information here about the immolations has been collected from the human rights groups: Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, FreeTibet.org, International Campaign for Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet.

Lobsang Damchoe 27 August 2012 Lobsang Damchoe, a 17-year-old monk or former monk, set himself on fire with Lobsang Kelsang near the eastern gate of Kirti monastery, and they both walked in flames from there. Chinese security personnel extinguished the flames and took both men initially to the hospital in Ngaba town, but later moved them to a hospital in Barkham, where they both died.
Lobsang Kelsang 27 August 2012 Lobsang Kelsang, an 18-year-old layman, set himself on fire with Lobsang Damchoe near the eastern gate of Kirti monastery, and they both walked in flames from there. Chinese security personnel extinguished the flames and took both men initially to the hospital in Ngaba town, but later moved them to a hospital in Barkham, where they both died.
Lungtok 13 August 2012 Lungtok, a 20-year-old monk and student in Kirti monastery’s medical college, together with a layman Tashi set fire to themselves in a prayer wheel enclosure on the edge of Kirti monastery, and then emerged shouting protest slogans onto the “Heroes’ road” leading into town from the monastery. They were taken away by police and Lungtok died soon after.
Tashi 13 August 2012 Tashi was a 21-year-old layman from the Soruma pastoral area in Choejema township. Together with the monk Lungtok they set fire to themselves in a prayer wheel enclosure on the edge of Kirti monastery, and then emerged shouting protest slogans onto the “Heroes’ road” leading into town from the monastery. They were taken away by police and Tashi probably died.
Chopa 10 August 2012 Chopa, 24 years old, set himself on fire in Me’uruma township, Ngaba county, shouting slogans of protest against the Chinese government. Local security forces doused the still fierce flames, and took him away. Chopa passed away shortly before reaching Barkham prefecture hospital. The authorities cremated his body there, and returned just a part of the ashes to his family members.
Dolkar Tso 7 August 2012 Dolkar Tso was in her mid-twenties and from a farming family. She set fire to herself near a white stupa at Tsoe Gaden Choeling monastery in Tsoe City, calling out for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet, and that there was no freedom in Tibet.
Lobsang Tsultrim 6 August 2012 Lobsang Tsultrim, 21, a Kirti monk, attempted to walk along the main street towards the office building of the Forestry Department before he fell to the ground, and armed police emerged and extinguished the flames. Lobsang was a classmate of Phuntsok, who self-immolated on March 16, 2011. His current whereabouts and welfare is not known. Lobsang’s current whereabouts and welfare is not known.
Lobsang Lozin 17 July 2012 Lobsang Lozin, an 18-year old Tibetan monk from Ngaba, et fire to himself in front of the main assembly hall of Kirti monastery, and then attempted to walk towards the township government office.
Tsewang Dorjee 7 July 2012 Tsewang Dorjee was 22 years old and from Damshung in central Tibet. He set himself on fire raising slogans and calling for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The entire Damshung region was since put under lockdown and people who witnessed the self-immolation were arrested.
Dickyi Choezom 27 June 2012 Dickyi Choezom, a Tibetan woman in her 40s, set herself on fire in Keygu town near the Dhondupling Monastery. Chinese security personnel doused the flames and took her away, reportedly to a hospital in Siling. Police arrested two of her relatives but many Tibetans gathered and started demanding their release and threatening to set themselves on fire if the two were not released.
Ngawang Norphel 20 June 2012 Ngawang Norphel, 22, with Tenzin Khedup, 24 and a former monk, torched themselves in Dzatoe township, Tridu county, carrying Tibetan flags and shouting for independence. Tenzin Khedup died on the spot and Ngawang Norphel was badly burned.
Tenzin Khedup 20 June 2012 Tenzin Khedup, 24 and a former monk, with Ngawang Norphel, 22, torched themselves in Dzatoe township, Tridu county, carrying Tibetan flags and shouting for independence. Tenzin Khedup died on the spot while his colleague, Ngawang Norphel was badly burned.
Tamdin Thar 15 June 2012 Tandin Thar, in his forties or fifties and from a nomadic family, set fire to himself and died in front of the People’s Armed Police base in Chentsa, Malho. Armed police were seen extinguishing the flames as Tamdin Thar lay on the ground, still moving slightly, and he was then taken away in a vehicle by security forces.
Rikyo 30 May 2012 Rikyo, 33 years old, was from a nomadic family. She set herself on fire near to Jonang Dzamthang Gonchen Monastery. The flames around her body were so intense that police on the scene were beaten back by the fire and attempts to extinguish it failed.
Dhargay 27 May 2012 Dhargay, 25 years old, from Ngaba and an ex-monk of Kirti monastery, set fire to himself outside the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, with friend Dorje Tseten, and died on the spot.
Dorje Tseten 27 May 2012 Dorje Tseten, 19 years old, from Labrang, set fire to himself outside the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, with friend Dhargay, and died on the spot.
Choephak Kyab 19 April 2012 Choephak Kyab, a layman in his twenties, set fire to himself along with Sonam close to a local government office near Jonang Dzamthang Gonchen monastery in Dzamthang, Ngaba, and died at the spot.
Sonam 19 April 2012 Sonam, a layman in his twenties, set fire to himself along with Choephak Kyab close to a local government office near Jonang Dzamthang Gonchen monastery in Dzamthang, Ngaba, and died at the spot.
Chimey Palden 30 March 2012 Chime Palden, a 21-year old monk from Tsodun monastery in Ngaba, set fire to himself, along with fellow monk Tenpa Dhargay outside government offices in Barkham, Ngaba.
Tenpa Dhargay 30 March 2012 Tenpa Dhargay, a 22-year old monk from Tsodun monastery in Ngaba, set fire to himself, along with fellow monk Chimey Palden, outside government offices in Barkham, Ngaba.
Lobsang Sherab 28 March 2012 Lobsang Sherab, was a 20-year old monk at Ganden Tenpeling monastery in Rasuwa, Ngaba. Paramilitary police removed his body immediately following his self-immolation, ignoring pleas for him to be handed over to his family.
Sonam Dhargay 17 March 2012 Sonam Dhargay, was a 44-year old father of three from the town of Rongpo. He died after self-immolating near the center of Rongpo town, surrounded by hundreds of his fellow Tibetans.
Lobsang Tsultrim 16 March 2012 Lobsang Tsultrim, a monk from Kirti monastery, age 20, wet himself on fire and proceeded to march along the main road in the upper part of Ngaba county town, shouting slogans of protest against the Chinese government. He was then knocked to the ground by a police officer, and the police extinguished the flames, and threw him into the back of a pickup vehicle.
Jamyang Palden 14 March 2012 Jamyang Palden, a monk in his thirties from Rongpo monastery in Rebkong, set fire to himself in Dolma square, near Rongpo monastery. Monks and local people took him to hospital, but it seems that he has since been moved back to the monastery.
Gepey 10 March 2012 Gepey, aged 18, set fire to himself Near a Chinese military camp location 1.5 kilometers from Kirti monastery in Ngaba, where he died.
Dorje 5 March 2012 Dorje, aged 18, set fire to himself at approximately 6.30pm in Ngaba. Eyewitness reports state that he set himself on fire near a bridge outside the township, and then walked in flames to a government office building where he collapsed and died.
Rinchen 4 March 2012 Rinchen set fire to herself in front of the police station at the main gate into Kirti Monastery, calling out: “Tibet needs Freedom and the Dalai Lama needs to return to Tibet.” Local people took Rinchen’s body into the monastery.
Tsering Kyi 3 March 2012 Tsering Kyi, a 19-year-old student, set herself on fire in Nyima Town, Machu County, and died at the scene. Eyewitness reported that, while in flames, she raised her hand above her head in a fist several times. Her body was removed by Chinese police.
Nangdrol 19 February 2012 Nangdrol set fire to himself in Dzamthang, Ngaba, and died at the scene. Nangdrol is reported to have shouted slogans before he died including “May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live 10,000 years!” and “Freedom for Tibet!”. Chinese police authorities attempted to remove his body, but monks from the monastery refused to hand him over.
Dhamchoe Sangpo 17 February 2012 Dhamchoe Sangpo self-immolated near the grounds of his monastery, Bongthak Ewam Tare Shedrup Dhargey Ling. It is reported that he died shortly after the immolation. Dhamchoe was a teacher at the monastic school and a member of the Democratic Managment Committee; a government-controlled body used to control the monasteries.
Lobsang Gyatso 13 February 2012 Kirti monk Losang Gyatso, age 19, set himself on fire on the main street of Ngaba shouting slogans of protest against the Chinese government. In the same moment, armed police and special police officers came and extinguished the fire and took him away while beating him. His present condition and whereabouts are not known.
Tenzin Choedron 11 February 2012 Tenzin Choedron, age 18, a nun at the Mamae convent in Ngaba, set herself on fire while shouting slogans of protest. She did not die on the spot, but soldiers and police came immediately and took her away. After that, soldiers surrounded the nunnery and sealed it off, and nothing more is known.
Sonam Rabyang 9 February 2012 Sonam Rabyang, a monk from Yuthung village in his 30s, set fire to himself at Lab Monastery in Tridu town. It is thought that he survived, but there is no further information.
Rigzin Dorje 8 February 2012 Rigzin Dorje, age 19, set fire to himself in Ngaba on 8 February. He was taken away from the site of his protest by soldiers and police. As of the night of the 8th he was believed to be on the verge of death, but no clear information is available.
Lobsang Jamyang 14 January 2012 On 14 January 2012, Lobsang Jamyang, 22 years old, doused himself with kerosene and set himself on fire in a toilet in Ngaba, and came out calling for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan freedom. The Public Security Bureau and People’s Armed Police surrounded Lobsang Jamyang and beat him with iron rods with nails, after which he died.
Tulku Sonam Wangyal 8 January 2012 Respected religious figure Sonam Wangyal (also known as Lama Sopa), 42, of Darlag monastery, drank kerosene and set himself on fire in front of the police station of Darlag (Chinese: Dari) in Golog. He died shortly thereafter. Before setting himself on fire, he distributed leaflets saying that he gave his life in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause.
Tennyi 6 January 2011 On 6 January 2012, Tennyi, aged in his twenties and a former monk of Kirti monastery, along with friend and former monk Tsultrim, set himself on fire in the courtyard of a hotel in Ngaba. They chanted slogans calling for the return of His Holiness to Tibet and prayed for his long life. Tennyi died at the scene.
Tsultrim 6 January 2012 On 6 January 2012, Tsultrim, aged in his twenties and a former monk of Kirti monastery, along with friend and former monk Tennyi, set himself on fire in the courtyard of a hotel in Ngaba in eastern Tibet (Sichuan province). They chanted slogans calling for the return of His Holiness to Tibet and prayed for his long life. Tsultrim died on 7 January 2012.
Tenzin Phuntsok 1 December 2011 On 1 December 2011, Tenzin Phuntsok, a former monk of Karma monastery, in Chamdo, Central Tibet, doused himself in protest against the Chinese occupation in Tibet. Before setting himself on fire he had distributed leaflets saying he could not bear any longer to see the torture that the abbot and monks of Karma monastery are going through under the Chinese authorities.
Palden Choetso 3 November 2011 On 3 November 2011 Palden Choetso, 35 years old, a nun of Tawu Gaden Choeling nunnery in Kham, eastern Tibet (Sichuan) set herself on fire during a public prayer session held at Tawu Namgyal stupa. She chanted slogans for the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet and Tibetan freedom. She died shortly thereafter.
Dawa Tsering 26 October 2011 During the annual religious event _cham_ (monastic dance), Dawa Tsering, 38 years old, a monk of Karze monastery, set himself on fire to protest the PRC’s rule in Tibet. He raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, equality among nationalities, and freedom in Tibet. His present status and whereabouts remain unknown.
Tenzin Wangmo 17 October 2011 Tenzin Wangmo, aged around 20, nun of Mamae Dechen Choekhorling nunnery, immolated on 17 October 2011. She called for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and religious freedom in Tibet. Nuns from her nunnery managed to take her body despite repeated warnings from Chinese security personnel. She died shortly thereafter.
Norbu Dramdul 15 October 2011 Norbu Dramdul, aged 19, former monk of Kirti monastery, self-immolated on 15 October 2011. He set himself on fire in the streets of Ngaba, shouting for freedom for Tibet and for the return of His Holiness to Tibet. His present status and whereabouts are unknown.
Khaying 7 October 2011
Khaying (also known as Lhungyang), aged around 18, a former monk of Kirti monastery, staged a peaceful protest in the main street of Ngaba with friend and former monk Chophel. They both set themselves on fire with their hands in supplication and raised slogans against China’s Tibet policy. Khaying died 8 October 2011.
Choephel 7 October 2011
Choephel, aged 19, a former monk of Kirti monastery, staged a peaceful protest in the main street of Ngaba with friend and former monk Kaying. They set themselves on fire with their hands in supplication and raised slogans against China’s Tibet policy. Choephel died 11 October 2011.
Kelsang Wangchuk 3 October 2011
Kelsang Wangchuk, aged 17, of Kirti monastery, self-immolated on 3 October. He carried a picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, shouted slogans against the Chinese government, and then set himself on fire in the main street of Ngaba. Security forces doused the flames and immediately took him away. His well-being and whereabouts remain unknown.
Lobsang Kunchok 26 September 2011 Lobsang Kunchok, aged 18 or 19, set himself on fire with Lobsang Kelsang. They raised slogans stating “no religious freedom in Tibet” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” His well-being and whereabouts remain unknown.
Lobsang Kelsang 26 September 2011 Lobsang Kelsang, aged 18 or 19, set himself on fire with Lobsang Kunchok. They raised slogans stating “no religious freedom in Tibet” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” His well-being and whereabouts remain unknown.
Tsewang Norbu 15 August 2011 Tsewang Norbu (also known as Norko), 29, a monk of Nyitso monastery in Kham, staged a lone protest calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. After ten minutes of protest, he drank petrol and set himself ablaze. He died at the scene.
Lobsang Phuntsok 16 March 2011 Phuntsok, 21-year-old monk of Kirti monastery in Amdo, self-immolated to mark the third anniversary of major unrest in Tibet 2008. While local people tried to put out the flames, security forces beat him with metal batons. He died the next day.
Tapey 27 February 2009 Tapey, a monk of Kirti monastery in his twenties, set himself on fire while waving a Tibetan sun flag and holding a portrait of the Dalai Lama. He was shot by Chinese police, and then taken away by them to an undisclosed location. His whereabouts remain unknown.