January 9, 2012
So saddened by the news I learned today on the internet of the third self-immolation in Tibet in the first few days of this new year 2012, I felt compelled to speak out.
I was very disappointed not to hear any word of this on NBC television news this evening (& I doubt it was on the other two), although not at all surprised as all television news has degenerated to mere 'newsertainment'.
The freetibet.org website offered helping Tibet by giving their organization money & did offer some links. This was not quite the direct response I felt compelled to make.
So, I ventured into the government bureaucratic maze online by contacting the U.S. State Department [for all the good that would do]. I was baffled to find that when I typed in Tibet on their search engine, it came up with no results.
I found the "contact" in very small print at the bottom of the page. Here is the link: http://contact-us.state.gov/app/ask. At least we can make "Tibet" show up on the U.S. State Department's damned website!!!!!! I am going to try to find a way to make a meaningful contribution to this fight and appreciate anyones comments and especially any good links to take action.
If you go to the following link you can ask or comment there about the issue. I sent it three times, one each to "U.S. Foreign Policy": 1. South and Central Asia (since that's where Tibet is); 2. East Asia and Pacific (since that's where China is) and 3. Global - since it concerns us all.
Here is my filled-in "email a question / comment" for the USSD:
How can we end Human Rights Abuses of Tibetans by China?
We must send an immediate, strong and clear demand for the end of China's human rights violations in Tibet. They must allow Tibetans complete autonomy in their religious practices and religious governance. With THREE self-immolations having taken place in the first 8 days of 2012, the Tibetans are crying out for the world to help them! PLEASE HELP THEM NOW! How many more Tibetans must die before we act?
Of course, we don't expect China to listen to finger-shaking. I will post again when I've discovered better and more effective means. For now, speak out anywhere you can! Feel free to pass this along or better yet, create a stronger message!
Self-immolator Prompts Candle Light Vigil by 2000 Nomads in Tibet
Press Release
http://tibet.net/2012/01/09/self-immolator-prompts-candlelight-vigil-by-2000-nomads-in-tibet/
According yesterday’s reports from Tibet, on 8 January around 5 AM, Sonam Wangyal, a venerated spiritual figure, in Darlag county of Golok in Qinghai set himself on fire and succumbed to his injuries.
Sonam Wangyal, a man in his forties, is said to have self immolated to protest the lack of religious freedom in his homeland. Due to his position as a local spiritual leader approximately 2,000 local Tibetans are said to have held a candlelight vigil urging the local police authorities to release his body. The local police averted further tension by agreeing to do so.
The Central Tibetan Administration will provide updates on the situation as more details become available. Meanwhile, the Chinese state news organ, Xinhua, confirmed the self-immolation by two Tibetans, of which one died, on 6 January in the vicinity of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, Sichuan.
In the last twelve months there have now been 15 cases of self-immolation in Tibet. All those who set themselves in fire have demanded the restoration of freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland.
9 January 2012