Contact is taking a holiday!

Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

Sonam Tso

May 7, 2016;

2016 / Sonam Tso, a mother of five has self-immolated near a monastery in Dzoege county in Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Sonam, who was in her 50s, self-immolated on March 23 calling out for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for freedom for Tibet. Reports of the incident are only now emerging from Tibet, via Radio Free Asia, because of the communication clampdown imposed by Chinese authorities in the area.  She died at the monastery before her husband and uncle, who is a monk, could take her to hospital. Sonam’s uncle Tsultrim was detained by police for eight days because he discussed the incident with other people, and he was forced to delete the pictures he had taken of Sonam’s protest. Sonam Tso’s husband Kalsang Gyaltsen was also called in for questioning three times. She has left behind two sons and three daughters. Her self-immolation is the second inside Tibet this year, the first was Kalsang Wangdue, a monk from Kardze, in February.

    Print       Email