Press Release 7 March 2013
Chinese Government Misrepresents Personal Writings on Self-Immolations to Lay Blame on the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration
On March 1, 2013, Xinhua News Agency issued a press release accusing the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Dalai Lama of encouraging self-immolations in Tibet through a blog postings by Mr. Lhamo Kyab (Chin: Lhamo Je). Mr. Kyab is a former member of the Tibetan Parliament in exile who now resides in France. He is neither part of the Central Tibetan Administration nor Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His blog reflects his personal opinion. “Such writings are irresponsible and unnecessarily give excuses to the Chinese government to resort to the blame game and shirk its responsibility for the root causes leading to self-immolations,” stated Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information & International Relations of CTA. As life is precious, the Kashag has consistently discouraged self-immolations and any other forms of drastic actions. The CTA supports the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans. The onus for the problem in Tibet firmly lies with the Chinese government. The CTA welcomes Chinese authorities to visit its offices in Dharamsala for proof of their allegations.
Media contacts:
Mr Tsering Dhondup, Secretary, Office of Tibet, Paris,
Cell: +33 (0)6 68 94 94 49 Tel: +33 (0)1 46 56 54 53
Mr Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer, DIIR, Dharamsala,
Cell: +91 98822 32476