Name: Tamding Tso

Age: 23

Sex: Female

Profession: Housewife

Date of Self-immolation: 7 November 2012 at around 5:30 pm (local time)

Location: Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Tamding Tso, the mother of a six-year-old son, Nyingjam Tseringset herself on fire near the Ghemar Thang market area of Rebkong city in the Tibetan area of Amdo. According to eyewitnesses, Tamding Tso shouted “His Holiness the Dalai Lama Must Come to Tibet” before setting herself on fire and passing away. Following the self-immolation protest, monks of Dowa Monastery carried her charred body to her home. Thousands of Tibetans reportedly gathered in the region, raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and offering prayers. Tamdin’s last words were addressed to her father: “Father, being a Tibetan is so difficult. We can’t even say our prayers to Dalai Lama’s portrait. We have no freedom at all…” The following is the transcript of a conversation with Tamding Tso’s father following her immolation: “She has always seemed concerned about the situation in Tibet and the reason for her self- immolation is for the Tibetan Cause and not for any personal and family problem. What triggered her self-immolation seems to be what happened about one month ago, when she went to Rebkong Dowa town with me and saw the posters which were distributed by the new local leader, Jiangshu Cheng, banning His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s picture and telling people to publicly protest separatists and their activities. “She was visibly angry and felt very sad to see those posters. She told me, ‘Father, this is such a sad destiny for the Tibetan people when we can’t even keep and pray before the picture of our spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.’ On that day, after we returned home, she mentioned this repeatedly and since then she stopped eating meat and kept fast to this till the last day. As a concerned father, I was worried for her health and told her to eat meat. But she refused. A few days before she told me that she wanted to go to Rebkong city, but I told her we have much work at home during this winter. “On the 7th of November, she was with her younger brother at home; after the younger brother left to tend the cattle she cleaned the house and made prayers in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait. It seems she made her last prayer on that day before making the decision to self-immolate. Finally, she took the petrol from our motorbike and used it to set herself on fire. “She was the only daughter and the favourite in our family. She was my most beloved daughter and I have never raised a finger to her since she was born. When such a sad thing happened, suddenly it felt like my heart was being taken out of my chest. But I believe she made this decision for the Tibetan Cause and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama to their thrones. So, therefore, I think it is useless to think about anything else than to respect her decision and sacrifice. Therefore, I plead to you all to work tiredlessly to fulfill her goals and aspirations. “I also request you all to pray that my daughter may be reborn in independent Tibet and hear and see His Holiness the Dalai Lama in her next life. Thank you all.”

Name: Tamding Tso

Age: 23

Sex: Female

Profession: Housewife

Date of Self-immolation: 7 November 2012 at around 5:30 pm (local time)

Location: Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Tamding Tso, the mother of a six-year-old son, Nyingjam Tseringset herself on fire near the Ghemar Thang market area of Rebkong city in the Tibetan area of Amdo. According to eyewitnesses, Tamding Tso shouted “His Holiness the Dalai Lama Must Come to Tibet” before setting herself on fire and passing away. Following the self-immolation protest, monks of Dowa Monastery carried her charred body to her home. Thousands of Tibetans reportedly gathered in the region, raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and offering prayers. Tamdin’s last words were addressed to her father: “Father, being a Tibetan is so difficult. We can’t even say our prayers to Dalai Lama’s portrait. We have no freedom at all…” The following is the transcript of a conversation with Tamding Tso’s father following her immolation: “She has always seemed concerned about the situation in Tibet and the reason for her self- immolation is for the Tibetan Cause and not for any personal and family problem. What triggered her self-immolation seems to be what happened about one month ago, when she went to Rebkong Dowa town with me and saw the posters which were distributed by the new local leader, Jiangshu Cheng, banning His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s picture and telling people to publicly protest separatists and their activities. “She was visibly angry and felt very sad to see those posters. She told me, ‘Father, this is such a sad destiny for the Tibetan people when we can’t even keep and pray before the picture of our spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.’ On that day, after we returned home, she mentioned this repeatedly and since then she stopped eating meat and kept fast to this till the last day. As a concerned father, I was worried for her health and told her to eat meat. But she refused. A few days before she told me that she wanted to go to Rebkong city, but I told her we have much work at home during this winter. “On the 7th of November, she was with her younger brother at home; after the younger brother left to tend the cattle she cleaned the house and made prayers in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait. It seems she made her last prayer on that day before making the decision to self-immolate. Finally, she took the petrol from our motorbike and used it to set herself on fire. “She was the only daughter and the favourite in our family. She was my most beloved daughter and I have never raised a finger to her since she was born. When such a sad thing happened, suddenly it felt like my heart was being taken out of my chest. But I believe she made this decision for the Tibetan Cause and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama to their thrones. So, therefore, I think it is useless to think about anything else than to respect her decision and sacrifice. Therefore, I plead to you all to work tiredlessly to fulfill her goals and aspirations. “I also request you all to pray that my daughter may be reborn in independent Tibet and hear and see His Holiness the Dalai Lama in her next life. Thank you all.”

Name: Tsegyal

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 7 November 2012

Location: Bankar Village, Driru County, Kham, Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased 18 November

His slogans: Not reported

A father of two, Tsegyal and a mother and three teenagers self-immolated on the eve of the pivotal Chinese Communist Party’s 18th National Congress in Beijing on 7 November 2012 at Bankar village in Driru County, Kham, Eastern Tibet. At the time of his action, save for information that a self-immolation had occurred in Driru County, there was no information about the identity or any further details. According to recent reports, Tsegyal was immediately taken into police custody subsequent to his action and succumbed to his injuries after prolonged neglect and ill-treatment in custody. Sources reported that since his detention, he reportedly received no treatment for his burns and finally died in the evening of 18 November in police custody. Tsegyal is survived by his two children — a six-year-old and an eight-month-old infant.

Name: Tsegyal

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 7 November 2012

Location: Bankar Village, Driru County, Kham, Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased 18 November

His slogans: Not reported

A father of two, Tsegyal and a mother and three teenagers self-immolated on the eve of the pivotal Chinese Communist Party’s 18th National Congress in Beijing on 7 November 2012 at Bankar village in Driru County, Kham, Eastern Tibet. At the time of his action, save for information that a self-immolation had occurred in Driru County, there was no information about the identity or any further details. According to recent reports, Tsegyal was immediately taken into police custody subsequent to his action and succumbed to his injuries after prolonged neglect and ill-treatment in custody. Sources reported that since his detention, he reportedly received no treatment for his burns and finally died in the evening of 18 November in police custody. Tsegyal is survived by his two children — a six-year-old and an eight-month-old infant.

Name: Dorjee Lhundrup

Age: 25

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 4 November 2012

Location: Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased same day

On the morning of 4 November 2012, Dorjee Lhundrup self-immolated on Taglung Street, Rebkong, a few kilometres west of Rongwo Monastery, a Tibetan area of Amdo. Dorjee was calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of HH the Dalai Lama from exile. He died subsequently. A farmer from Chuma village in Rebkong, Dorjee is survived by his two-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. Thousands of Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects to Dorjee Lhundup later that day. According to a source in exile, “Many people gathered in the place where he set fire to himself, and then a number of monks went there too. They protected his corpse from Chinese police and troops, and brought him to the monastery where monks and laypeople prayed for him. His father spoke, and many people were crying. Dorjee Lhundrup was cremated on the side of a hill behind the monastery. Traditionally only high lamas were cremated there. Sonam Dargye, who selfimmolated in March, was also cremated there.”

Name: Dorjee Lhundrup

Age: 25

Sex: Male

Profession: Farmer

Date of Self-immolation: 4 November 2012

Location: Rebkong, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased same day

On the morning of 4 November 2012, Dorjee Lhundrup self-immolated on Taglung Street, Rebkong, a few kilometres west of Rongwo Monastery, a Tibetan area of Amdo. Dorjee was calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of HH the Dalai Lama from exile. He died subsequently. A farmer from Chuma village in Rebkong, Dorjee is survived by his two-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. Thousands of Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects to Dorjee Lhundup later that day. According to a source in exile, “Many people gathered in the place where he set fire to himself, and then a number of monks went there too. They protected his corpse from Chinese police and troops, and brought him to the monastery where monks and laypeople prayed for him. His father spoke, and many people were crying. Dorjee Lhundrup was cremated on the side of a hill behind the monastery. Traditionally only high lamas were cremated there. Sonam Dargye, who selfimmolated in March, was also cremated there.”

Name: Thubwang Kyab

Age: 23

Sex: Male

Profession: Layperson

Date of self-immolation: 26 October 2012

Location: Serti Village, Sangkhog Town, Sangchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

His slogans: “Freedom in Tibet” and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

Thubwang Kyab self-immolated near the bus stand on the main street of Setri village in a Tibetan region of Amdo. Tsewang died on the spot. Despite attempts by Chinese officials to intervene, local Tibetans covered Tsewang’s dead body with traditional Tibetan scarves (khatag) and took him to his hometown. Gendun Phuntsok, an exile Tibetan monk living in South India, reported that many thousand Tibetans from around the region converged to pay their last respects to Thubwang Kyab. “Tens of thousands of Tibetans attended the cremation of martyr Thubwang Kyab in his native hometown,” Phuntsok said, citing sources inside the region. “Even though Chinese armed forces were present, they failed to reach near the deceased’s body due to the overwhelming presence of Tibetans.” His slogans: “Freedom in Tibet” and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

Name: Thubwang Kyab

Age: 23

Sex: Male

Profession: Layperson

Date of self-immolation: 26 October 2012

Location: Serti Village, Sangkhog Town, Sangchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

His slogans: “Freedom in Tibet” and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

Thubwang Kyab self-immolated near the bus stand on the main street of Setri village in a Tibetan region of Amdo. Tsewang died on the spot. Despite attempts by Chinese officials to intervene, local Tibetans covered Tsewang’s dead body with traditional Tibetan scarves (khatag) and took him to his hometown. Gendun Phuntsok, an exile Tibetan monk living in South India, reported that many thousand Tibetans from around the region converged to pay their last respects to Thubwang Kyab. “Tens of thousands of Tibetans attended the cremation of martyr Thubwang Kyab in his native hometown,” Phuntsok said, citing sources inside the region. “Even though Chinese armed forces were present, they failed to reach near the deceased’s body due to the overwhelming presence of Tibetans.” His slogans: “Freedom in Tibet” and the “Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

His slogan: The return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile

Name: Lhamo Tseten

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 26 October 2012

Location: Amchok Township in Sangchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Husband and father of a two-year-old daughter, Lhamo Tseten self-immolated in front of the local military base and township administration buildings in Amchok. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. According to Ajam Amchok, a Tibetan now in South India with close contacts in the region, “Lhamo Tseten repeatedly raised the slogan calling for the “return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.” Ajam cited witnesses who reported that Chinese security and armed forces immediately arrived at the protest site; however, local Tibetans encircled the charred corpse to prevent the Chinese authorities from taking the remains away. His family members were able to cremate his body with Buddhist rituals. “Following the self-immolation, a large number of Chinese armed forces and security police are deployed in the area and the situation in Amchok is described as tense and under strict surveillance,” Ajam reported. Lhamo Tseten is survived by his wife, Tsering Lhamo, his small daughter Nyingmo Kyi, his father Namchuk Tsering and mother Sungdue Kyi.

His slogan: The return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile

Name: Lhamo Tseten

Age: 24

Sex: Male

Profession: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 26 October 2012

Location: Amchok Township in Sangchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Husband and father of a two-year-old daughter, Lhamo Tseten self-immolated in front of the local military base and township administration buildings in Amchok. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. According to Ajam Amchok, a Tibetan now in South India with close contacts in the region, “Lhamo Tseten repeatedly raised the slogan calling for the “return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.” Ajam cited witnesses who reported that Chinese security and armed forces immediately arrived at the protest site; however, local Tibetans encircled the charred corpse to prevent the Chinese authorities from taking the remains away. His family members were able to cremate his body with Buddhist rituals. “Following the self-immolation, a large number of Chinese armed forces and security police are deployed in the area and the situation in Amchok is described as tense and under strict surveillance,” Ajam reported. Lhamo Tseten is survived by his wife, Tsering Lhamo, his small daughter Nyingmo Kyi, his father Namchuk Tsering and mother Sungdue Kyi.