Tamding Tso, a 23-year-old mother who self-immolated on November 7.
Since 2009, a growing number of Tibetans have self-immolated in protest of Chinese rule. Tongren (Rebkong), a county in Qinghai Province, saw five self-immolations last week and two more today. Radio Free Asia reports:
Some Tibetan groups believe that recent Tibetan self-immolation protests have been timed to coincide with the Chinese Communist Party’s 18th Party Congress in Beijing, and to send a powerful message of Tibetan discontent with Chinese policies to the new leadership.
It appears the authorities sensed this coming. On Tuesday, Tibetan writer and activist Tsering Woeser posted this announcement of heightened security in a Tongren market to her blog:
Public Announcement
To create a harmonious and stable social and cultural environment for the success of 18th Party Congress, based on the requirements of Article 2 of “Eliminate Obscenity and Strike Illegal Publications” [2012] and Article 88 of the document printed and distributed by the Tongren County People’s Government Office, a special clean-up campaign will be carried out in the Longwu Regional Culture Market as follows:
(1) Cultural businesses are strictly prohibited from selling pictures of the 14th Dalai Lama, as well as any audio, pictures, books, articles, pendants, etc. that incite the split of the country, promote “free Tibet,” or are obscene, pornographic, or vulgar.
Click to view image at full size.
(2) All Internet cafe managers must strictly implement Internet cafe management and regulations. Juveniles are prohibited from entering Internet cafes. Verify Internet users’ ID cards according to regulation. Put a stop to providing public ID cards or ID numbers to Internet users and running business past closing time with the doors and windows closed. Strengthen safety awareness, promptly remind consumers not to surf the Internet excessively, and strictly prevent the sudden deaths of consumers.
(3) All game centers, karaoke bars, and other entertainment places must not admit juveniles except on national holidays, or set up entertainment activities which include violence or gambling. Pay attention to fire safety and eliminate hidden dangers.
In the next few days, the Culture Market Law Enforcement Alliance of Tongren County will carry out random inspections. All business owners should closely cooperate with and accept inspection, listen to suggestions, and reinforce corrections. Meanwhile, we will coordinate with the Administration of Industry and Commerce as well as the police force to severely punish those who are operating illegally and who refuse to correct their ways despite repeated admonition. Those who violate the law will be turned over to judicial organs for severe punishment.
We hereby make this announcement.
Culture Market Management Office of Tongren County
September 17, 2012
通告
为了给党的十八大胜利召开营造和谐稳定的社会文化环境，根据州扫黄打非[2012]2号文、同办发[2012]88号文件要求，决定对隆务地区文化市场进行文化市场专项清理整治行动，特通知如下：
一、各文化经营单位严禁销售十四世达赖照片及煽动分裂国家、宣扬“藏独”淫秽色情及低俗的音像制品，图片、图书、文字、挂件等。特别是盗印此类图文情况。
二、各网吧经营户要严格落实网吧管理和各项规定，禁止未成年人进入网吧，按规定核对上网人员身份证，杜绝为上网人员提供公卡或身份证号、超时营业并锁门闭窗等情况，强化安全意识，及时提醒消费者注意上网时长，严防消费者猝死等事件发生。
三、各游艺、歌舞等娱乐场所，不得在非国家法定节假日接纳未成年人以及游艺娱乐设置含有暴力、赌博内容的游戏娱乐活动。注重消防安全，以及排除安全隐患。
近期同仁县文化市场联合执法人员将进行随时检查，各经营户要密切配合接受检查，听取意见、建议加强整改，同时在此次行动中将对存在违法经营行为，屡教不改者，联合工商、公安进行严厉打击，触犯法律的移交司法机关依法严肃处理。
特此通知
同仁县文化市场管理领导小组办公室
2012年9月17日
Via Tsering Woeser. Translation by Mengyu Dong.
Note: Rather than check ID, Internet cafes will sometimes provide a “public ID card” to customers. Back.
