» 10/21/2011 16:57 CHINA - TIBET Beijing announces more "restrictive measures" for Tibet The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the restrictive measures in the area for "stability" after the nine Buddhist monks carry out self-immolation. Two religious from the monastery of Kirti, the epicenter of anti-Chinese protests, arrested.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that the government of the northern province of Sichuan has launched "new and more stringent security measures" in the area to "ensure stability" after the wave of suicides of nine Buddhist monks. The nine, 8 men and a woman, set themselves on fire to protest against communist repression: the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, while condemning the act of suicide, have organized a day of prayer and fasting for their brothers.
According to ministry spokesman, Jiang Yu, the question "is not about religious freedom, which Beijing provides. The local government will take strong measures to ensure the safety of the people, their property and the normal social order. " According to Jiang, "there is no Tibetan problem. That's a catchphrase of the Dalai clique. China strongly opposes ethnic separatism, it protects its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The so-called 'Tibetan issue' is a way to interfere in our internal affairs. "
After the invasion of Tibet by Mao's troops and the daring escape of the Dalai Lama to India in 1959, where he lives in exile, Beijing has carried out an operation of constant destruction of Tibetan culture and faith. The monasteries were closed and then reopened under strict control of vocations, many monks were killed or deported, the Tibetan language is not taught and any form of cultural preservation prohibited. To protest against this situation, the 9 monks chose self-immolation.
The government, despite complete "religious freedom", continues to keep an eye on the Kirti Monastery, in the prefecture of Ngaba. It is the home of anti-Chinese protests and the monks who committed suicide. On 17 October, police entered the shrine and arrested two men: the two were beaten and taken away. Noboday, writes Radio Free Asia, "knows anything of their whereabouts."
