The president of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay has urged the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to investigate into the matter of the recently shocking incident, Jokhang fire in Lhasa according CTA’s official website.
Upon sharing the best available information about the tragic fire incident at the holiest site of Tibetan Buddhism, Jokhang in Lhasa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay has urged for the UNESCO to investigate into the matter at the UNESCO heritage site by sending in journalists to allow them to do independent investigation.
“The lack of clear information about the fire as a result of the blanket of censorship has left a gaping hole in the narrative of what actually happened. Therefore, I urge UNESCO to investigate into the matter and send journalists into Tibet for an independent investigation,” said the Tibetan president according to the official website of CTA.
While China imposed heavy suppression of information about the fire even deleting the immediate live videos of the witnesses who shared the incident on social media, there is not clear information available about the cause of the fire as well as the extend of its damage. The Temple was immediately shut down for three days after the incident and when it was opened on the fourth day, signs of damage to the main temple appeared to many people despite authority’s claim that there hasn’t been any significant damage to the Jowo (the statue).
The report added that he also condemned China’s adoption of a strict censorship of information following the fire and said he shares the concerns expressed by Tibet watchers and Tibetologists on the matter.
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