A young Tibetan monk who recently escaped from western China has revealed the repression and censorship that drove five of his friends to set themselves on fire in desperate acts of protest. He was present in the aftermath of one of the fatal self-immolations.
The 17-year-old, who asked to be identified as Dontik, said the wave of immolations – at least nine Buddhist monks and two nuns have so far set themselves alight this year – was driven by a growing sense of helplessness among Tibetan youth. He said he too had considered setting himself on fire but claimed he lacked sufficient "courage".
"All of this is happening because of the government repression in Tibet," he told
The Independent on Sunday. "There are no rights of speech or movement. Outside, there are different ways to demonstrate but in Tibet this is the only option, the only choice, for protesting against the Chinese government."
The testimony of the young man, his eyes raw and bloodshot, provides crucial insight into the wave of self-immolations that have rocked Tibet and delivered a serious challenge to both the government in China and the Tibetan community in exile. Dontik said the increased security operations by the Chinese authorities were exacerbating the situation rather than stabilising it.
The struggle for freedom for Tibet dates from the Chinese invasion in 1950 and the subsequent escape of the Dalai Lama to India. Under his leadership, the movement has attracted international attention but failed to deliver results on the ground. Stressing non-violence, the Dalai Lama has sought to pursue a "middle way" policy that has stressed "meaningful autonomy" for Tibetans, especially in regard to religion and culture, rather than outright sovereignty. Some younger Tibetans, represented by groups such as the Tibetan Youth Congress, would prefer a more direct approach, yet China has shown little flexibility regardless, portraying the Dalai Lama as a "splittist" and heaping personal insults on him. Tibetan envoys have not been invited to China since the beginning of 2010, despite the election this summer of a new Prime Minister, Lobsang Sangay.
After the self-immolation, the Chinese authorities intensified their security operation at the monastery, which was the scene of an uprising in 2008. Hundreds of monks were sent back to their villages; others were forced to undergo "patriotic re-education".
The wave of immolations has presented a difficult challenge to the Tibetan community. While the sacrifice of those giving their lives is recognised, the religious and political leadership has called for it to end. The Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, was among the first to call for an end to what was happening. "The situation is unbearably difficult, but in difficult situations we need greater courage and determination," he said in a statement. "We Tibetans are few in number, so every Tibetan life is of value to the cause of Tibet. Although the situation is difficult, we need to live long and stay strong without losing sight of our long-term goals."
Campaigners say the wave of immolations is unprecedented. And at the same time, Tibetans such as the young monk continue to flee Tibet. "Their main drive is to leave Tibet or else send their children into exile," said Stephanie Brigden of Free Tibet, a London-based NGO.
There is also agreement that what happens next will depend largely on what action China takes. Dontik, who intends to stay in Dharamsala, said: "If the Chinese government keeps cracking down on the Tibetan people, more will burn themselves."
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