The once idyllic setting of the Tibet has been shaken once more by the recent sentence of two tibetan monks for 'luring' young men into immolating themselves.
In a further show of Bejing's persistance in exercising authority in the Tibet, a People's court in Aba prefecture, Sichuan, China, has sentenced one men to death for activities that have led eight men to immolate themselves by fire.
Since 2009, more than 90 Tibetans have attempted to immolate themselves by fire to protest the chinese annexation of Tibet, most of them young monks or nuns, who have for the most part died from their attempts.
In this case, the chinese authorities are trying to stem the gruesome practice, by holding responsible those individuals who they feel have contributed to the martyrs' demise by inciting them or convincing them to commit such acts.
The chinese authorities have determined that the two men indicted, one of whom received the death sentence, contributed to the death of three people and the injury of five more.
Since self immolation has become the predominant form of protest, which attracts attention worldwide and media reporting, the Chinese authorities have tried to curtail the activities that lead to such sacrifices and now, with this sentence, they are attempting to send a signal to those religious men who are leading the monks to their death that they will be punished severely.
Although it is believed that the death sentence will be commuted, as it is unreasonably harsh and would only result in further empathy for the monks, it does mark a new step in China's attempt at controlling the region.
adapted from The Independent / auth: Coonan 2.1.13
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