Tibetans have reached breaking point, world must step in
Statement by Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet International
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
In the last six months, ten Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest against Chinese rule. What is driving Tibetans to such drastic measures? What are they trying to tell the world?
Self-immolation is the ultimate expression of outrage, despair, faith and courage. Buddhism forbids monks from taking lives, including their own. There is no religious incentive for those who self-immolate. There are only two reasons for these actions: China’s unbearable repression and Tibetans’ burning desire for freedom.
Tibet ranks among the world’s least free nations, alongside North Korea, Sudan and Burma, according to a 2011 report by Freedom House. In the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, gun-bearing Chinese soldiers are perched atop the nation’s holiest temples. In places like Kardze and Ngaba in eastern Tibet, every street corner is punctuated with checkpoints and surveillance cameras.
The string of self-immolations is a clear indication that Tibetans have reached a breaking point. China’s repression and Tibetan’s desperation in Ngaba is a microcosm of a nation-wide crisis in Tibet, engineered by the China’s repressive and tyrannical rule.
The deplorable conditions at Kirti Monastery, where Buddhist monks are living in a virtual prison and being mercilessly targeted and oppressed by the Chinese authorities, has become so unbearable that young monks are being driven to take truly drastic action, previously unheard of in Tibetan culture.
Tibetans have endured unimaginable suffering under 60 years of Chinese occupation but even during the horrors endured under China’s Cultural Revolution there were no known case of self-immolation.
These self-immolations are a desperate cry calling for the world to intervene to help stop Tibetan’s deep suffering. This tragedy could spiral even further if the Chinese government feels it can continue imprisoning, torturing, disappearing and killing Tibetans with impunity.
We are calling for a global intervention, for a coordinated international response by our world leaders to condemn China’s repressive measures in Ngaba and across Tibet.
Strong diplomatic action is urgently needed to save Tibetan lives. China must withdraw security forces from Kirti Monastery and across Tibet, and stop the ongoing harassment and torture of our monks.
We need a global intervention that will hold the Chinese government accountable, and give the Tibetans the protection and security they need to continue to build their remarkable non-violent resistance movement for freedom.
Today in 60 cities around the world, Tibetans and supporters are organizing rallies and protests and vigils to demand the world intervene in Tibet to stop the crisis that China has exacerbated.
We will succeed in fulfilling our vision of a free and democratic Tibet – as has been achieved in recent months in Egypt and Tunisia — but we need global help and support.
www.studentsforafreetibet.org / www.standupfortibet.org
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CHINA O CHINA
By Tsoltim N. Shakabpa
You affect democracy
We effect democracy
You bear no criticism
We bare our soul
You prey on the weak
We pray for the weak
You exorcise freedom
We exercise freedom
You complement injustice
We compliment justice
You faze human rights
We phase in human rights
You pair wrong with right
We pare wrong from right
You censor free speech
We censure limited speech
You break laws
We brake to prevent illegality
You go left
We go right
You tell lies
We tell truths
You hate religion
We love religion
You talk crooked
We talk straight
You adore money
We adore God
You act violently
We act non-violently
You promote autocracy
We promote democracy
You restrain free speech
We restore free speech
Your power grows out of the barrel of a gun
Our power grows from the legitimacy of our claim
China O China
Give up your sins
And save your skins
We pray for your soul
Abandon your goal
Give up your wrath
Follow our path
So we can get along
And be true friends life long
Copyright: Tsoltim N. Shakabpa – 2011
WE CAN AND WE MUST
By Tsoltim N. Shakabpa
I have vanquished evil with good
And conquered cancer with prayers
I have fought a debilitating stroke with will power
And experienced momentous changes in my life
I have read David killed Goliath
And sighted little ants subdue killer hornets
I have watched tiny seeds bloom into gorgeous flowers
And observed diminutive termites destroy mammoth houses
I have witnessed people power topple dreadful dictators
And noticed that everything is impermanent in this world
I have established that dreams can be realized if put into action
And heard a voice in the wilderness overcome racial discrimination
I have seen non-violent movements achieve independence for countries
And viewed a commando shoot down the world’s most feared terrorist
I have observed the moon reflect the sun’s rays to shed light upon the earth at night
And discovered how inquisitive tinkering in a garage led to life changing achievements in technology
So can Tibetans achieve freedom from China?
Yes we can and we must!
Copyright: Tsoltim N. Shakabpa – 2011