Name: Lobsang Thokmey

Age: 28

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk with Kirti Monastery

Date of Self-immolation: 16 March 2013, 2:40 pm (local time)

Location: Kirti Monastery, Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not reported

On 16 March 2013, fifth anniversary of the protest in Ngaba in 2008 during which PLA (People’s Liberation Army) armed police fired into an unarmed crowd, monk Lobsang Thokmey set himself on fire. Lobsang was the third Kirti Monastery monk to self-immolate on the anniversary of this 2008 slaughter of unarmed Tibetans. According to the Dharamshala-based Kirti Monastery, Lobsang Thokmey doused his body with kerosene in front of his monastic quarters to the west of Kirti Monastery and started running towards the east; he fell to the ground before reaching the monastery gate. By that time, a mass of monks and laypeople reached the spot and rushed Lobsang to the county hospital where he shortly passed away. An eyewitness states that Lobsang was carrying the Buddhist religious flag but could not confirm if he shouted slogans during his protest. A large contingent of armed police and the military arrived at the hospital and forcibly took possession of Lobsang Thokmey’s remains, which they transported to the Prefecture Headquarters at Barkham. Lobsang Thokmey is survived by his parents, Rogtrug and Depo, and a sister and three brothers.

Name: Kunchok Wangmo

Age: 31

Sex: Female

Status: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 13 March 2013

Location: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not reported

Kunchok Wangmo, a 31-year-old housewife from Dzoge in Ngaba County, set herself on fire around midnight on 13 March 2013 on the eve of the swearingin ceremony for China’s new President, Xi Jinping. Her body was taken away by security troops immediately after her self-immolation and her cremation was carried out without her family members being informed. Her remains were later handed over to her family. Her husband, Dolma Kyab was subsequently detained in Dzoge after he refused to comply with orders from local Chinese authorities to state that an internal family feud was the reason for Kunchok’s self-immolation. The condition and whereabouts of Dolma Kyab remain unknown. According to Beijing’s state-run Global Times (19 March 2013) Ngaba officials reported that Kunchok Wangmo was “strangled to death by her husband [Dolma Kyab], who later burned her body.” Citing a media official for Ngaba Prefecture, Jiang Zuquan, the report claimed that Kunchok Wangmo was strangled “after a fight escalated between the couple over Drolma Gya’s [Dolma Kyab’s] alcohol addiction.” According to the article, Jiang Zuquan was “certain the case was not a protest against Chinese policy in Tibetan-inhabited areas as reported by Radio Free Asia.” An article published online by China’s official news agency, Xinhua claimed on March 20 that the alleged conflict between Kunchok Wangmo and Dolma Kyab occurred over his supposed “gambling, marital relations and other issues,” in addition to the claim of alcoholism previously reported. Xinhua published details on Dolma Kyab’s detention, reporting that he was being held by “the Zoige County PSB on suspicion of intentional homicide, while the case undergoes further investigation.”(Xinhua, 20 March 2013).

Name: Kunchok Wangmo

Age: 31

Sex: Female

Status: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 13 March 2013

Location: Ngaba, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not reported

Kunchok Wangmo, a 31-year-old housewife from Dzoge in Ngaba County, set herself on fire around midnight on 13 March 2013 on the eve of the swearingin ceremony for China’s new President, Xi Jinping. Her body was taken away by security troops immediately after her self-immolation and her cremation was carried out without her family members being informed. Her remains were later handed over to her family. Her husband, Dolma Kyab was subsequently detained in Dzoge after he refused to comply with orders from local Chinese authorities to state that an internal family feud was the reason for Kunchok’s self-immolation. The condition and whereabouts of Dolma Kyab remain unknown. According to Beijing’s state-run Global Times (19 March 2013) Ngaba officials reported that Kunchok Wangmo was “strangled to death by her husband [Dolma Kyab], who later burned her body.” Citing a media official for Ngaba Prefecture, Jiang Zuquan, the report claimed that Kunchok Wangmo was strangled “after a fight escalated between the couple over Drolma Gya’s [Dolma Kyab’s] alcohol addiction.” According to the article, Jiang Zuquan was “certain the case was not a protest against Chinese policy in Tibetan-inhabited areas as reported by Radio Free Asia.” An article published online by China’s official news agency, Xinhua claimed on March 20 that the alleged conflict between Kunchok Wangmo and Dolma Kyab occurred over his supposed “gambling, marital relations and other issues,” in addition to the claim of alcoholism previously reported. Xinhua published details on Dolma Kyab’s detention, reporting that he was being held by “the Zoige County PSB on suspicion of intentional homicide, while the case undergoes further investigation.”(Xinhua, 20 March 2013).

Name: Tsesung Kyab

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 25 February 2013, 1:30 pm (local time)

Location: Shitsang Gonsar Monastery, Luchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not Known

On the same day, another monk, Tsesung Kyab, set fire to himself in front of the main temple of Shitsang Gonsar Monastery in Luchu County. Images received from Tibet show Tsesung engulfed in flames outside the monastery as pilgrims look on. At the time, many Tibetans had congregated at the monastery for a special prayer ceremony and ritual during which monks carry the Buddha’s statue while circumambulating the monastery. According to sources, Tibetans struggled with Chinese security personnel who attempted to extinguish the flames and remove Tsesung’s body. The bystanders were able to take his body to his home in Choekhor village for prayers and the cremation ceremony. Several hundred Chinese armed police arrived at the monastery, according to a source, and imposed restrictions in the area. It is believed that Tsesung Kyab is a cousin of Pema Dorjee (23), who set himself on fire and died at the same location on 8 December 2012.

Name: Tsesung Kyab

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 25 February 2013, 1:30 pm (local time)

Location: Shitsang Gonsar Monastery, Luchu County, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not Known

On the same day, another monk, Tsesung Kyab, set fire to himself in front of the main temple of Shitsang Gonsar Monastery in Luchu County. Images received from Tibet show Tsesung engulfed in flames outside the monastery as pilgrims look on. At the time, many Tibetans had congregated at the monastery for a special prayer ceremony and ritual during which monks carry the Buddha’s statue while circumambulating the monastery. According to sources, Tibetans struggled with Chinese security personnel who attempted to extinguish the flames and remove Tsesung’s body. The bystanders were able to take his body to his home in Choekhor village for prayers and the cremation ceremony. Several hundred Chinese armed police arrived at the monastery, according to a source, and imposed restrictions in the area. It is believed that Tsesung Kyab is a cousin of Pema Dorjee (23), who set himself on fire and died at the same location on 8 December 2012.

Name: Sangdag

Age: Not known

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 25 February 2013, 10 am (local time)

Location: South of Ngaba, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Unknown

Slogans: Not reported

On 25 February 2013, a monk from Diphu Monastery called Sangdag set fire to himself around 10:00am on a road to the south of Ngaba township. Soon after Sangdag’s protest, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and doused the flames then removed him to a hospital in Ngaba. However, shortly afterwards the Chinese police transported him to another unidentified location. Sangdag is from Dowa village in Drotsig Township, Ngaba County in Amdo, Northeastern Tibet.

Name: Sangdag

Age: Not known

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 25 February 2013, 10 am (local time)

Location: South of Ngaba, Amdo

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Unknown

Slogans: Not reported

On 25 February 2013, a monk from Diphu Monastery called Sangdag set fire to himself around 10:00am on a road to the south of Ngaba township. Soon after Sangdag’s protest, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and doused the flames then removed him to a hospital in Ngaba. However, shortly afterwards the Chinese police transported him to another unidentified location. Sangdag is from Dowa village in Drotsig Township, Ngaba County in Amdo, Northeastern Tibet.

His Slogans: “Tibet is Independent,’ ‘Freedom in Tibet,’ and ‘May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of years”

Name: Phagmo Dhondup

Age: Early 20’s

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 24 February 2013, 7 pm (local time)

Location: Jhakhyung Monastery in Tsoshar, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased,

On 24 February, when hundreds of Tibetans were gathered at the Jhakhyung Monastery for a traditional prayer ceremony and offerings of butter lamps, Phagmo Dhondup set himself on fire. More than two months after his self-sacrifice, reports detailing the event surrounding his protest emerged. According to the source, Phagmo Dhondup went to a restaurant with a friend before his self-immolation protest and left a message calling for Tibet’s independence and freedom. According to eyewitness account, at around 7pm that day Phagmo Dhondup bought two bottles of kerosene and some coloured papers. He then drank a bottle and a half of the kerosene and burnt the paper while raising slogans, ‘Tibet is Independent,’ ‘Freedom in Tibet,’ and ‘May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of years.’ Later, when Phagmo Dhondup reached the ancient Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung region of Tshoshar, Eastern Tibet, he doused himself with the remaining kerosene and set himself on fire. Monks at the monastery rushed him to a nearby hospital. After undergoing treatment at a hospital in Siling for over a month, Phagmo Dhondup succumbed to his injuries and passed away. The date of his demise is not confirmed. Phagmo Dhondup was a native of Tsaphuk town in Palung region. He is survived by his father, Shawo, and a sibling. In a conversation with a friend just minutes prior to his protest, Phagmo Dhondup reportedly said, “Till now, over a hundred Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire for freedom. They are the true martyrs of Tibet. If Tibet does not get its freedom and independence, China will annihilate Tibetan culture and tradition.” “This year, Chinese authorities have restricted studying Tibetan language in our Tibetan areas in Bayen and all teachers have been expelled from the region. I am really sad now. Today on the night of the 15th day of the Tibetan New Year, I will set myself on fire in front of the debating grounds at the Jhakhyung Monastery. Today is Tibetan Independence Day.”

His Slogans: “Tibet is Independent,’ ‘Freedom in Tibet,’ and ‘May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of years”

Name: Phagmo Dhondup

Age: Early 20’s

Sex: Male

Profession: Monk

Date of Self-immolation: 24 February 2013, 7 pm (local time)

Location: Jhakhyung Monastery in Tsoshar, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased,

On 24 February, when hundreds of Tibetans were gathered at the Jhakhyung Monastery for a traditional prayer ceremony and offerings of butter lamps, Phagmo Dhondup set himself on fire. More than two months after his self-sacrifice, reports detailing the event surrounding his protest emerged. According to the source, Phagmo Dhondup went to a restaurant with a friend before his self-immolation protest and left a message calling for Tibet’s independence and freedom. According to eyewitness account, at around 7pm that day Phagmo Dhondup bought two bottles of kerosene and some coloured papers. He then drank a bottle and a half of the kerosene and burnt the paper while raising slogans, ‘Tibet is Independent,’ ‘Freedom in Tibet,’ and ‘May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of years.’ Later, when Phagmo Dhondup reached the ancient Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung region of Tshoshar, Eastern Tibet, he doused himself with the remaining kerosene and set himself on fire. Monks at the monastery rushed him to a nearby hospital. After undergoing treatment at a hospital in Siling for over a month, Phagmo Dhondup succumbed to his injuries and passed away. The date of his demise is not confirmed. Phagmo Dhondup was a native of Tsaphuk town in Palung region. He is survived by his father, Shawo, and a sibling. In a conversation with a friend just minutes prior to his protest, Phagmo Dhondup reportedly said, “Till now, over a hundred Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire for freedom. They are the true martyrs of Tibet. If Tibet does not get its freedom and independence, China will annihilate Tibetan culture and tradition.” “This year, Chinese authorities have restricted studying Tibetan language in our Tibetan areas in Bayen and all teachers have been expelled from the region. I am really sad now. Today on the night of the 15th day of the Tibetan New Year, I will set myself on fire in front of the debating grounds at the Jhakhyung Monastery. Today is Tibetan Independence Day.”

Twin Self Immolation

Name: Rinchen

Age: 17

Sex: Male

Status: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 19 February 2013 at around 9:30pm (local time)

Location: Dzoge Township, Ngaba County, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not reported

Name: Sonam Dhargye

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Status: Layperson

Date of Self-immolation: 19 February 2013 at around 9:30pm (local time)

Location: Dzoge Township, Ngaba County, Amdo, Northeastern Tibet

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Slogans: Not reported

Teenagers Rinchen (17) and Sonam Dhargye (18) set themselves on fire in a dual protest on 19 February in Ngaba County at around 9:30 pm (local time). Both succumbed to the flames. According to sources, the families were able to recover their bodies. Rinchen and Sonam reportedly went to the same primary school in Kyangtsa Township. Rinchen had however attended another school in Wenchuan for a few years and moved to Qinghai, where he worked. At the time of his protest, Rinchen was on his Losar (Tibetan New Year) Holiday visiting his family in Kyangtsa. According to the same sources, the families were able to recover both their bodies; it is not clear if they were allowed to carry out the traditional prayers and rituals without interference by the Chinese officials. Rinchen’s parents were Dhondup Tsering and the late Aadon. Sonam Dhargye’s parents are Tsering Dhondup and Takho.