Rikyo, mother of three set herself on fire in a struggle to free Tibet. She is survived by her husband and three children, the eldest, a 9-year old son and two daughters aged 7 and 5.

Today a Tibetan woman set fire to herself and died in the small town of Dzamthang, located in Ngaba Prefecture. A mother of three, Rikyo is believed to have been 33 years old.Rikyo’s self-immolation is the fourth to have occurred in the town of Dzamthang, and takes the total number of such protests throughout Tibet to 38. Rikyo was a neighbour of the three young men who had self- immolated earlier this year in February and April. While not confirmed, it is believed by some exiles from that region that the killing of a student by security forces in January may acted as one of the catalysts for these self-immolation.

This latest incidence comes three days after the twin self-immolations that took place in Lhasa, which represented a major escalation in the scope of these protests since it took place in Tibet’s capital which had been under intense security blanket since 2008.

The ongoing fiery wave of self-immolation in Tibet has witnessed 38 Tibetans set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet. Today’s self-immolation protest comes just three days after two young Tibetan men set themselves on fire in heart of Tibet’s capital Lhasa.

Dorjee Tseten in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy/Sonam Gyatso)

DHARAMSHALA, May 28: Various sources in exile as well the Chinese official news agencies are now confirming earlier reports of a twin self-immolation protest in Tibet’s capital Lhasa yesterday.

According to reports received by Phayul, a 19-year-old Tibetan identified as Dorjee Tseten, along with his friend, an unidentified 25-year old male set themselves on fire in front of the historic Jokhang Temple in an apparent protest against the Chinese government.

Dorjee Tseten is feared dead while there is no information on the well being and whereabouts of the other Tibetan.

Speaking to Phayul, Sonam Gyatso, a monk at the Drepung Gomang Monastery in south India said that the two Tibetans had booked a room near the Jokhang Temple, one of the most holy shrines in Tibet, preparing for their protest.

“Dorjee Tseten and his friend stepped out of their rented room at around 2.15 pm (local time) and set themselves on fire,” Gyatso said. “Enveloped in towering flames, one of them ran to the flagpole in front of the Jokhang Temple and fell down while the other took around ten steps and fell on the ground.”

According to the same source, Dorjee Tseten is a native of Bora, Labrang Tashi Khyil in Amdo, eastern Tibet while the other youth is from Ngaba, the region which has been at the centre of the ongoing self-immolation protests in Tibet. Gyatso, citing sources in Bora, said that Dorjee Tseten is the son of Bendey Khar and Dolkar Kyi and has two elder brothers.

“Dorjee Tseten did his primary schooling in Bora and had gone to Lhasa to work there as a chef in a restaurant,” Gyatso said. “People in his native village identify him as gentle natured.” The same source added that the other self-immolator worked with him at the restaurant as a cashier. “The owner and other staff at the restaurant have all been arrested,” the exiled monk said. Chinese official news agency Xinhua in its report has identified the two as Dargye, from Ngaba and Tobgye Tseten, adding that the latter has died.

Lhasa has been at the centre of major Tibetan protests but this is the first time that a self-immolation protest occurred in Tibet’s ancient capital city. Prior to yesterday’s twin self-immolations, 35 Tibetans since 2009, have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom in Tibet.

Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama (R), is welcomed by Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney to the “World Parliamentarians’ Conventions on Tibet” conference in Ottawa April 27, 2012

Ottawa — The Government of Canada intends to facilitate the immigration of up to 1,000 Tibetan refugees living in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India over a five-year period, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“Our government’s openness to Tibetan refugees is in keeping with Canada’s best humanitarian traditions,” said Minister Kenney. “We look forward to working with the Government of India and the Tibetan-Canadian community on the implementation of this program, and on welcoming these individuals to Canada.”

Special immigration measures will be developed in response to a request by the Tibetan community and will focus on individuals who meet specific criteria. These measures aim to maximize the involvement of communities in Canada by focusing on individuals who have secured the support of the Canadian-Tibetan community or other interested supporters.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Canada has a long-standing tradition of facilitating immigration for various groups around the world by matching prospective immigrants to community sponsors in Canada through private sponsorships. This is done at no additional cost to Canadians because initial settlement costs, including housing, are guaranteed by sponsors.

This humanitarian initiative will assist Tibetan refugees in Arunachal Pradesh, who live in remote and isolated settlements.

Minister Jason Kenney speaking at the 6th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet in Ottawa

“I would like to recognize India’s long-standing support for the Tibetans in India,” added Minister Kenney. “This is Canada’s opportunity to complement India’s support for this vulnerable population.”

This is not the first time Canada has assisted Tibetans. In 1972, Canada established the Tibetan Refugee Program and resettled approximately 230 Tibetans in Canada who had been living in Northern India. This new initiative, which will bring in up to 1,000 Tibetans, is another example of Canada’s efforts to reach out to the Tibetan community.

Persons entering Canada under these special measures would be required to meet Canada’s requirements for immigration, including security, criminal, medical and background checks.

Minister Jason Kenney meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama