Praying for Tibetan independence to stop self-immolations

On the evening of the 9th of November, the Tibetan Youth Congress（TYC (西藏青年會)) and a number of other supporting organisations gathered outside the entrance to Liberty Square (自由廣場) in Taipei, where they held a candlelit vigil and a prayer session for those who have sacrificed themselves for the Tibetan cause. Over sixty supporters of the Tibetan cause lay down in Liberty Square in Taipei, covering themselves with the Tibetan national flag to remember those who have self-immolated. With over 70 self-immolations since 2009 – a number that is expected to rise – protesters are demanding that the Chinese government, which has suppressed freedom of religion, ends its oppressive sixty-nine year rule, gives Tibet its independence, and allows the Dalai Lama to return home. Before TYC secretary-general Tenzin Norsang made his speech he asked all those present to bow down three times in respect of those who have self-immolated. He believes that even with Chinese education and rule, the Tibetan people have never given up their freedom or the independence of Tibet. In spite of the fact that Tibetan people face the repressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party (large arrests, forced confessions through torture, and death sentences), through their own resolute determination, they choose self-immolation to highlight Tibet’s plight. The only way to solve the self-immolation phenomenon is to grant Tibet full independence.

by CJ Civil Media

Praying for Tibetan independence to stop self-immolations (by CJ Civil Media)
URL: http://www.peopo.org/news/103295

(以下是中文對照)

照片

燃燒的圖博祈福晚會 西藏獨立 自焚才會停止 ( 公民行動影音紀錄資料庫 )

11月9日晚上，西藏青年會等團體在自由廣場為自焚者舉行的燭光祈福晚會，現場有六十幾面圖博的雪山獅子覆蓋在聲援民眾身上，仰躺在自由廣場前，象徵為自焚藏人祈福。圖博(西藏)人從2009年開始採取自焚手段，到晚會當天為止有70位自焚的圖博人（人數恐怕將持續攀升），意欲要中共停止對西藏境內長達63年的高壓統治、箝制宗教自由，訴求西藏獨立及達賴喇嘛回歸。西藏青年會中央執行委員丹增諾桑發言前，先向自焚藏人群像三跪拜致意。他認為境內圖博人在中國教育統治下並不放棄圖博自由與獨立，在每天都面臨中共的壓迫政策（大量逮補、刑求、判死刑）之下，圖博人用自己堅定的意志選擇自焚。唯一解決自焚現象的方式，就是讓西藏獨立。

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