China’s Repressive Policies in Tibet is the cause of Tibetans from all ages and communities resorting to self immolations as last method to vent out their dissatisfaction explains Central Tibetan Administration president Lobsang Sangay according to the recent article published in its official website. This is an explanation in account of the fact that more than 151 Tibetans resorting to this extreme step of burning oneself since 2009.
“Of the 151 people who have been forced by circumstances to set themselves on fire, the burning flame has consumed 129 lives. The sweeping wave of self immolations began in 2009 in the aftermath of the nationwide uprising against China in 2008. Between 2012-13 alone, over a hundred people resorted to this desperate act to express their anguish at China’s increasingly repressive policies in their homeland.” said the report published on Tuesday.
The report throwing out the burning question of why these Tibetans are resorting to such an extreme step, it explains that the President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay attributes the genesis of Tibetan self immolations to the repressive policies of the Chinese government in Tibet.
“Religious repression, social marginalization, treating Tibetans as second-class citizens in their own land, exploitation of the poor, discriminatory policies undermining Tibetan language, among others, have been some of the key facets of China’s six-decade rule in Tibet. These failed policies have time and again exposed China’s disregard for the legitimate aspirations of the Tibetan people, and evinces China’s imperialist designs over Tibet and establishes its position as a colonial master.” added the report.
China despite devising numerous policies, a combination of reward (economic) and punishment strategies to induce a desired behavior from the Tibetan people. However, Tibetans have defied and resisted and instead expressed unflinching faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama and allegiance to Central Tibetan Administration which is the moral and legitimate representative of Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet.
“China is obsessed with controlling every aspect of Tibetan lives. The fact that China monitors virtually every step of Tibetans has left Tibetans with no alternate agency to express their dissent but through self-immolation.” Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary of International Relations and official spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration according to the report.
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