CTA releases documentary film 'The Burning Question' (Tibet)

[Peter Terpstra]

CTA releases documentary film 'The Burning Question'
Phayul[Monday, September 24, 2012 23:39]

DHARAMSHALA, September 24: The Department of Information and
International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration today
released a documentary film aimed at highlighting the critical situation
inside Tibet heralded by the series of self-immolations that has
engulfed the region.

The 30-minute long film, “The Burning Question: Why are Tibetans Turning
to Self-immolation?” depicts the background and the underlying causes of
the self-immolations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HhKF4_-9g8

51 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves in fire since 2009 demanding
freedom and the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the
Dalai Lama from exile.

Speaking to the press at the release, Tashi Phuntsok, additional
secretary of DIIR said the film was part of CTA’s constant effort in
reporting on the facts and the underlying causes of the self-immolations.

“We request to use the film as much as possible so that it can reach a
large audience - nationally and internationally,” Phuntsok said.

“The Tibetans who have set themselves on fire deserve all the attention
of the world and world leaders.”

Five Hundred copies of the film in English have been released. DIIR said
the documentary will be very soon released in both Tibetan and Chinese
languages.

Tibet’s elected leader, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay recently expressed
disappointment at the global response to the ongoing crisis inside Tibet
and said that the wave of fiery protests inside Tibet were a reflection
of Chinese government policies.

Calling the self-immolations “political action” Dr Sangay has blamed
China’s failed policies in Tibet - founded on “political oppression,
social marginalisation, cultural assimilation and environmental
destruction” - as root causes of the protests.

“The fact that these Tibetans are going to such lengths of protest means
the [promised Chinese] ‘socialist paradise’ never touched the land of
Tibet – the welfare and education policies they always write on paper
were never realised,” the de facto Tibetan prime minister had said.

“The responsibility for the tragic self-immolations of Tibetans lies
entirely with the Chinese government and so does the solution.”

A special report by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission
on China released last month on the self-immolations inside Tibet listed
multiple political, social, and environmental factors, including the
“deteriorating outlook” for Tibetan culture, language, and environment
as causes behind the ongoing crisis.

The report
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31977&t=1

noted that the “steepening decline” in the status of religious
freedom; the ongoing security crackdowns and enforced “education”
campaigns; and the “lack of hope” of China engaging in substantive
discussions with the Dalai Lama’s envoys are factors leading to the rise
of self-immolations inside Tibet.

Phayul.com
http://tinyurl.com/c6e6hpl