Dharamsala: Prayer service to mourn immolations in Tibet

Dharamshala, Oct 17: The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration will organize a day-long grand prayer service at the Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Mecleodganj, Dharamsala on Oct 19, 2011, for all those Tibetans who have indulged in self-immolation and those suffering incarceration for their courage to speak up for the rights of the Tibetan people. PM Dr Lobsang Sangay will lead the prayer service.

“Dalai Lama will also join the prayer service along with Gyalwang Karmapa and Kirti Rinpoche who will join the prayer service," said Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer CTA. He said that all offices of CTA will remain closed for the whole day as a mark of its solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet.

On the same day, Tibetans and Tibet supporters across the world will also offer day-long prayers and fast as a gesture of solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet.

Since Mar 16, 2011, eight Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest the continued occupation and repression of Tibet by the government of People's Republic of China. All of them call for the restoration of freedom in Tibet and the return of Dalai Lama to his people and homeland.

“From the eight young Tibetans who self-immolated this year, the following succumbed to their injuries: On March 16, 2011, Lobsang Phuntsok (age 21), a monk of Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet. The second reported case, on August 15, 2011 was that of Tsewang Norbu, (age 29), a monk at Nyitso monastery in eastern Tibet. The third and the fourth cases were Khaying (age 18), and Choephel (age 19), both former monks of Kirti Monastery. They self-immolated on October 7, 2011 and died on October 8 and 11 respectively.The conditions of the four others, namely Lobsang Kelsang (age 18),Lobsang Kunchok (age 19), Kelsang Wangchuk (age 17) and Norbu Damdul (age 19), are still unknown," stated Thubten Samphel, Secretary ( informations) CTA.

The Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have appealed to the United Nations, freedom-loving countries and people around the world to show their support and solidarity with the Tibetan people at this critical stage.

The Kashag urges the international community to press the government of People's Republic of China to restore freedom and resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue for the mutual benefit of the Tibetan and Chinese people.

The Kashag urges also the international community and the media to send fact-finding delegations to ascertain the situation on the ground inside Tibet.