In Wake Of Self-Immolations & Worsening Crisis In Tibet, Tibetans Organize Vigil

**PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2011

Contact: Tashi Wangden (707) 398-1999
Tenzin Wangmo (510) 224-4697


IN WAKE OF SELF-IMMOLATIONS AND WORSENING CRISIS IN TIBET,

TIBETANS AND SUPPORTERS GATHER FOR A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL,

CALLING FOR GLOBAL DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTION

Berkeley, CA – Between September 26 and October 7, five young Tibetan monks set themselves on fire in Ngaba County, eastern Tibet (Chinese: Aba County, Sichuan Province). This brings the total number of known self-immolations in Tibet this year to seven. China's systematic repression and tyrannical rule in Tibet have pushed Tibetans to the breaking point, driving them to take extreme actions previously unheard of in the Tibetan culture. Chinese military forces have enclosed Ngaba and surrounding areas, placing it under effective martial law.

“China's systematic repression and tyrannical rule in Tibet -- stationing officials in the monasteries, disappearing monks by the hundreds, shutting down phone lines, cutting off the internet, installing surveillance cameras and military checkpoints everywhere -- have created a spiraling nation-wide crisis,” said Tashi Wangden, President of the San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.

“Tibetans have endured unimaginable suffering under Chinese occupation for the last 50 years - But until now there has not been a single known case of self-immolation, today conditions in Ngaba and at Kirti Monastery have driven Tibetans to a breaking point,” he said.

Bay Area Tibetans and supporters join a worldwide force to show Tibetans in Ngaba and across Tibet that their deep pain and suffering has not gone unnoticed by the world. Enough is enough! Tibetans need world leaders to intervene and most immediately - we must pressure China to withdraw its security forces from Ngaba and stop the ongoing harassment and torture of Tibetan monks at Kirti monastery.

We call on our state representatives and county leaders to take the following actions:

(1) Global pressure on China to withdraw its security forces from Ngaba and stop the ongoing harassment and torture of Tibetan monks at Kirti Monastery;

(2) World leaders to issue a coordinated international response to condemn China's repressive measures in Ngaba and across Tibet and to institute multi-lateral mechanisms to advocate for the Tibetan people.

The events are organized by San Francisco Team Tibet, a coalition of Bay Area Tibet support groups, including San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Association of Northern California, Committee of 100 for Tibet, Bay Area Friends of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet.