Three incidents of brutal attacks by Chinese forces have left at least 6 Tibetans dead as authorities opened fire on peaceful protesters in Draggo, Serta and Dzamtang on 23rd, 24th and 26th January.
Protests have continued in Eastern Tibet over the past weeks as more self-immolations and mass gatherings of Tibetans calling for rights and freedoms in their own land are met with violence by the occupying Chinese regime. The situation remains tense, with little news allowed to filter through. Read more>>
At least one woman was killed by Chinese forces during a protest in Ngaba on 14th January, with some reports suggesting that a large number were shot after security forces began firing indiscriminately into a crowd of unarmed protesters. Protests have been taking place across Tibet this January.
It appears the 14th January demonstration began when 21-year old Lobsang Jamyang self-immolated in protest against the oppression in Tibet. Chinese officers beat him while he was alight, distressing local Tibetans who then protested. Email Chinese leaders here Read more>>
Two Tibetans set themselves on fire in protest against Chinese rule on 6th January and another on 8th. All are thought to have died. It brings the total number of self-immolations in Tibet to 15 in the last year.
The oppression in Tibet has become so unbearable that more Tibetans are taking this tragic action, drawing attention to the occupation of Tibet, often at the cost of their own lives. Pamphlets seen in Eastern Tibet suggest more are willing to take this action. Email Chinese leaders here Read more>>
The respected Tibetan writer and intellectual Kalsang Tsultrim has been handed a 4 year jail sentence. He had been arrested in July then again in December 2010 after distributing VCDs of a video in which he talks about the suffering in Tibet and calls for the international community to “act swiftly on behalf of the Tibetan people”.
He is one of a growing number of Tibetans using the arts and technology to spread their message of freedom and to call on Tibetans to defend their culture. It’s part of a new renaissance in Tibetan culture which China sees as a threat to it’s control of the region. Read more>>
2011 was a significant year for Tibet, with both tragic and encouraging events taking place. But if the past year has shown us one thing it’s that the movement for Tibetan freedom and independence is alive and well. In fact, it’s developing and advancing while again and again China’s policies in Tibet have been exposed as both brutal and backward.
SFT UK has been proud to be a part of the Tibet movement in 2011; a year where dictators have fallen like dominos across the world. Read about our year here, and let’s carry on advancing the struggle in 2012! Read more>>
Ministers from all major parties took part in a debate on the crisis in Tibet at the House of Commons on 7th December, the first parliamentary debate on Tibet since 2008. Around 50 UK-based Tibetans attended to help press the UK government for action.
The debate comes at a crucial time for Tibet, as on 1st December, Tenzin Phuntsok became the 12th Tibetan in 2011 to set himself on fire in a desperate attempt to draw attention to Tibet, and as new photos and footage of China’s brutality in Tibet has emerged. Read more>>
