By IANS,
Dharamsala : Worried over the increasing number of self immolation by Buddhist monks, Tibetan exiles here are asking the UN to intervene in Tibet.
Concerned over what he thinks is an “explosive situation” prevailing in Tibet, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has again knocked at the doors of the UN.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Sangay said: “Since the current tense situation has arisen, several countries have expressed their concern.”
These include the US, Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and South Africa, he said.
“We, Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, appeal to the UN to send a special envoy to Tibet, particularly areas where these self-immolations took place, to investigate the ground reality.”
A string of self-immolations broke out in Tibetan areas in the provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai bordering Tibet in recent months. A total of 17 people have reportedly killed themselves this year.
Reiterating the commitment of his government-in-exile, Sangay said: “The CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) is not seeking separation from China or independence for Tibet.
“We will continue to strive for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people … through dialogue and negotiations.”
A post on the CTA official website said Wednesday that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had not made many public statement in response to the self-immolations.
“Now, I have nothing to say. Only pray,” the CTA quoted the Dalai Lama as saying in an interview with The Wall Street Journal Friday.
He said he would welcome an investigation into the self immolations.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet along with many of his supporters and took refuge in India when Chinese troops moved in and took control of Lhasa in 1959.
India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans.
China has denounced the Dalai Lama as the “ringleader of the conspiracy of Free Tibet”.