NLEK

After listening to several reports about the recent cases of self-immolation in China, it’s almost impossible not to view personal problems in a whole different light. Over the last year, at least 19 Tibetan campaigners have set themselves on fire in public places across China. Every act is undertaken as a direct response to China’s repressive government in an overall attempt to free Tibet. I am so in awe of the strength of these individuals, their ability to put their own selves aside, acting upon something with such selflessness for the rights of other people, is something that our society could learn from.

I get so frustrated to hear so many people complaining about their lives within our society, with free health care, freedom of speech and the ability to vote government leaders in and out of power we really have little reason to complain. Don't get me wrong, I'm prone to a little moan myself but in the grand scheme of things and in comparison to the current situation in China, the rise in petrol prices seems nothing more than inadequate.

Correspondents have reported that the recent violence in the region of Sichuan is to date “the most severe outbreak of anti-government protest among Tibetans in nearly four years”, but with international press and media banned from the area, China is doing its best to continue to repress the opinions of both those within the region and those outside of it. In this day and age it seems insane to me that these types of regimes continue to exist but even more unbelievable is that such extreme acts of belief are seemingly unrecognised by many members of our society. Everybody has the ability to make a change.

http://www.freetibet.org/