We’ve been watching the last few weeks − with horror and grief − the desperate actions of young Tibetans inside Tibet to alert the world of the ongoing atrocities being committed by the People’s Republic of China.
For Buddhists, taking life – including your own – is a fundamental and forbidden negative action. So why are young Tibetan monks and laymen now turning to this unthinkable form of giving up of one’s life? The Youth of Tibet in the prime of their lives are resorting to the ultimate act of frustration and despair.
Since March, 2011, Ngaba Kirti Monastery in Eastern Tibet and the entire Ngaba County, has been under massive Chinese military siege. Today, while the presence of uniformed PLA militia is not so visible inside the Kirti Monastery but there are reportedly 200-300 plainclothes Chinese personnel and an estimated 50,000 armed force in Ngaba County. The population of Tibetans in Ngaba County is under 50,000. This has created an atmosphere of severe tension and oppression.
The Tibetan Youth Congress recognizes the ultimate sacrifices Tibetans in Tibet have made in recent months. TYC believes that only Tibetan people directly suffering under Chinese occupation are able to respond to the situation and act spontaneously.
In return, we in exile stand with them in solidarity and honor their ultimate sacrifices by raising our voices in the freedom struggle for Tibet.
How many Tibetans will be forced to commit the ultimate sacrifice of setting their bodies on fire as a last resort of peaceful action against the Chinese government’s continuing occupation and repressive policies in Tibet? These self-immolations are a last desperate measure to draw international attention and support on the deteriorating situation inside Tibet. These sacrifices cannot go in vain! They are counting on us!
On November 3 and 4, Chinese President Hu Jintao will sit with world leaders in Cannes, France, at the G20 summit. We need to expose this criminal and hold him accountable for his Party’s failed policies in occupied Tibet.
We call upon the Chinese Regime to lift the repressive constraints applied to Tibetan monasteries, and for international delegations to be granted a fact-finding visit to determine the actual situation.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress chapters in North America call on all Tibetans and supporters for a Global Day of Action on November 2, 2011. Mass Protests will be organized in Washington DC, San Francisco, Vancouver BC and Ottawa. We beseech Tibetans living in North America to participate in one of these cities. Similar actions are being organized in India, Europe, and rest of the world.
This Day of Action is to amplify the call for Tibet’s Independence and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet by the brave fiery protestors inside Tibet.
There are currently ten Tibetan Youth Congress chapters in North America which are based in Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington DC, Toronto, Wisconsin, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and New Mexico.
For more visit: http://tibetburning.tibetanyouthcongress.org/index.php
