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Another nun burns herself to death in Tibet

Phayul November 03, 2011

By Tendar Tsering

A file photo of Palden Choetso who died after setting herself on fire,protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet, in Tawu, Kham, eastern Tibet on November 3, 2011.

DHARAMSHALA, November 3:

Phayul is receiving confirmed reports of yet another self-immolation by a Tibetan nun in Tibet.

Palden Choetso (also known as Choesang), 35, a Tibetan nun from the Gaden Choeling (also called Dharkar Choeling) near Nyitso monastery in Kham Tawu region of eastern Tibet set herself on fire today at around 12:40 pm local time.

"She died of severe burn injuries after setting herself on fire calling for freedom in Tibet," said Bawa Kalsang Gyaltsen, a member of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.

"Currently, Palden Choetso’s body has been kept at the Nyitso monastery and Chinese Armed Police have surrounded the monastery. As per latest information, the Chinese police are forcing the monks to handover the deceased’s body," added Kalsang.

This is the eleventh self-immolation in Tibet since March this year and the second instance when a nun has set herself on fire protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Coinciding with the two day G-20 submit in France beginning today, Tibetans and Tibetan supporters in more than 60 cities in 25 countries across the world are urging world leaders to raise the urgent issue of self immolations in Tibet with the Chinese president Hu Jinaao at the G-20 summit.

"These unprecedented acts by Tibetans are the ultimate form of non-violent action and TYC recognizes these as valuable sacrifices," said Tsewang Rigzin, the president of Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)-the largest Tibetan pro-independence group in exile at the launch of the global movement.

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