Photo via Tibet Post International
Two young Tibetan men self-immolated at Barkhor market outside of Jokhang temple in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa on Sunday, the latest in a wave of self-immolation protesters drawing attention to the issue of Chinese rule in Tibet. Tibet Post International points out that before setting themselves afire, the two shouted out unintelligible slogans, making it difficult to ascertain their motives. However, given the vast number of self-immolation protests we have been seeing, the acts are believed to be protests against Chinese rule. The event happened during celebrations in the past few days of the Buddha’s 2556th birthday, with some 5,000 pilgrims visiting the temple each day.
One of the young men, a 19 year-old named Tseten, died from his injuries. The other man (unknown), who was about 25 years of age, was hospitalized afterward (according to Xinhua News Agency, via the Korea Herald); Tibet Post International states that his current whereabouts are unknown.
