A warning about new unrests in Tibet – China criminalizes self-immolations and intensifies the tensions

To mark the anniversary of the peoples' uprising in Tibet 54 years ago (March 10th), the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) sends a warning about new unrests in Tibet. "If China is not willing to take the protests in Tibet seriously and rather responds with even more violence, Tibet will be facing very hard times," said STP's Asia-consultant, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Friday. "Instead of showing willingness to compromise, China reacted to the recent wave of self-immolations by criminalizing the suicide victims and also their families and friends." 107 Tibetans had burned themselves as a form of protest against China's repressive policy since February 2009. Relatives and friends of the suicide victims are being intimidated by the authorities, forced to make misstatements and often sentenced to long prison terms.

Despite the intensified criminalization against the relatives and loved ones, the number of politically motivated suicides has not decreased. Eleven Tibetans burned themselves in 2013 already. "The ongoing wave of self-immolations is tragic," said Delius. "However, it clearly shows that there must be a political solution to the Tibet conflict. Beijing will not be able to force the Tibetans to accept the Chinese reign by intensifying the persecution and oppression."

On February 28, 2013, three Tibetans were sentenced to fifteen years in prison by a court in Luchu, because they had reported on the self-immolation of Tsering Namphel on November 29, 2012. The proceedings were accompanied by strict security measures.

On March 1, 2013, the 42-year-old Yarphel was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He is the uncle of 25-year old Lhundup Dorjee, who burned himself on November 4, 2012. He was accused of having presented a photo of the victim to the public during his nephew's funeral.

Five other Tibetans who were arrested in eastern Tibet in late February are awaiting long prison sentences. The authorities are accusing them of having taken photos of three self-immolations and sent them abroad.

On February 1, 2013, six Tibetans were sentenced to prison terms of up to twelve years for not handing over the body of a suicide to the authorities. On January 31, 2013, the Tibetan Lobsang Kunchok was sentenced to death in a show trial – the sentence was suspended for two years – for allegedly inciting eight Tibetans to commit suicide. However, five of the eight alleged suicides never really occurred. According to the authorities, they had given up their suicide plans after consultations with the police. Kunchoks nephew Lobsang Tsering was charged with "premeditated murder" and sentenced to ten years in prison.