A Tibetan burned himself to death and another was taken away by the authorities on Friday as the number of self-immolation protests against China's rule rose to 14 since March, exile groups said .
The two cases near Kirti Monastery in Aba, Sichuan Province, come days before Britain and China meet for a human rights dialogue.
Citing eye witnesses, Free Tibet said a lay protester called for the return of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, before setting himself alight. The flames were extinguished by soldiers and he was taken away.
Soon after, a second man is said to have burned himself to death. The body was removed by the authorities, the group said in a statement.
It was too late to verify the claims with the government.
Kirti has witnessed the vast majority of the 14 self-sacrifices, mostly of monks and nuns who resist restrictions on their religious practice and freedom of movement. At least six have died.
The Dalai Lama has condemned the self-immolations, but accused China of forcing such desperate acts on people through a policy of "cultural genocide".
China blames the Dalai Lama for co-ordinating the protests because he has led prayers for the victims. China says it allows freedom of worship and brings economic development to Tibetan communities.
The exiled Kirti abbott, Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche, said, however, that monks are kept under a state of "virtual martial law". Independent verification is difficult because China does not allow foreign journalists into the area.
Tibetan activist groups have said Britain and other members of the international community must make a greater effort to alleviate the situation.
"These latest self-immolations confirm that what we are currently witnessing in Tibet is a sustained and profound rejection of the Chinese occupation. It is a damning indictment of the international community that 14 people, in different parts of Tibet, have now chosen to set themselves on fire and the international community has failed to respond," said Free Tibet director Stephanie Brigden.
Tibetans set fire to themselves in China to demand return of Dalai Lama | World news | The Guardian
The two cases near Kirti Monastery in Aba, Sichuan Province, come days before Britain and China meet for a human rights dialogue.
Citing eye witnesses, Free Tibet said a lay protester called for the return of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, before setting himself alight. The flames were extinguished by soldiers and he was taken away.
Soon after, a second man is said to have burned himself to death. The body was removed by the authorities, the group said in a statement.
It was too late to verify the claims with the government.
Kirti has witnessed the vast majority of the 14 self-sacrifices, mostly of monks and nuns who resist restrictions on their religious practice and freedom of movement. At least six have died.
The Dalai Lama has condemned the self-immolations, but accused China of forcing such desperate acts on people through a policy of "cultural genocide".
China blames the Dalai Lama for co-ordinating the protests because he has led prayers for the victims. China says it allows freedom of worship and brings economic development to Tibetan communities.
The exiled Kirti abbott, Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche, said, however, that monks are kept under a state of "virtual martial law". Independent verification is difficult because China does not allow foreign journalists into the area.
Tibetan activist groups have said Britain and other members of the international community must make a greater effort to alleviate the situation.
"These latest self-immolations confirm that what we are currently witnessing in Tibet is a sustained and profound rejection of the Chinese occupation. It is a damning indictment of the international community that 14 people, in different parts of Tibet, have now chosen to set themselves on fire and the international community has failed to respond," said Free Tibet director Stephanie Brigden.
Tibetans set fire to themselves in China to demand return of Dalai Lama | World news | The Guardian
