Contact is taking a holiday!

Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

Kunchok Tseten, 30

December 3, 2013;

Kunchok Tseten, 30, has set himself ablaze in Tibet’s Meruma town in Ngaba County. Before collapsing, Tseten shouted slogans demanding the return of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, and for the union of Tibetans inside Tibet and exiles, “Long live Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso, let’s unite our brothers here and those in exile”. Chinese police on routine patrol immediately surrounded him and, after a few clashes with local Tibetan bystanders, took him away. Some bystanders, Tseten’s wife, and a few of his relatives were arrested. All businesses in the town were shut. His brother has reported that Tseten said this summer “I can’t tolerate the atrocities committed by the Chinese government on us Tibetans, and with all the self-immolation by Tibetan brothers and sisters thus far I would one day sacrifice myself by burning myself”. Tseten lived with his wife Namnang, 28, and two children, Chakdor Kyab, 4, and Paltsel Kyab, 3. UPDATE, 5 DECEMBER: The authorities claim that Tseten died shortly after his protest and that they cremated his body; they have handed over an urn reportedly containing his ashes.

    Print       Email