Dharamsala, India: The United States of America stated on Monday that it was 'seriously concerned' over the the self-immolations inside Tibet after three monks in a span of three days succumbed to their injuries after self-immolating in protest of the Chinese repressive policies.
They also stated that they represent the deep frustration over the curbs on religious freedom in the Chinese-occupied Tibetan plateau.
State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland stated that Washington has consistently raised the issue with Beijing and said, "We're seriously concerned by reports that three more Tibetans have self-immolated over the past few days."
These recent acts of protest have raised the number of self-immolations to 15 such cases in the past one year.
"These actions clearly represent enormous anger, enormous frustration with regard to the severe restrictions on human rights, including religious freedom, inside China," stated Nuland and added, "We have called the Chinese government policies counterproductive."
Nuland also stated that the US has 'urged the Chinese government to have a productive dialogue, to loosen up in Tibet and allow journalists, diplomats and other observers to report accurately, and to respect the human rights of all of their citizens.'
This is not the first instance of US expressing concern over the Tibetan issue. A similar statement was issued by them in October 2011. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in her Asia-Pacific summit in November 2011 expressed her apprehension over the series of self-immolations.
The July 2011 dialogue between the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama did not go well with China.
The Tibetan government-in-exile based in India has maintained that it does not encourage self-immolations but understands the frustrations behind them.
OVERVIEW
Two former monks Tsultrim and Tennyi, both aged around 20 years, self-immolated near Kirti monastery in Tibet on 6 January. Tennyi succumbed to his injuries the same day and Tsultrim, the next day.
The third self-immolation was carried out by a monk named Lama Soepa on 8 January. He too succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
It was the first time the Tibetan-inhabited province has been hit by such a death. Most self-immolations have taken place in neighbouring Sichuan province, mostly protesting religious repression and Chinese repressive policies.This amounts to a total of fifteen such cases in the past one year where monks self-immolated protesting Chinese repressive policies.
