
Since March 2009, more than 150 people are known to have set themselves on fire inside Tibet to protest against the repressive Chinese occupation. Self-immolation protests peaked in 2012 when more than 80 took place. There have been far fewer since 2013 but they are still a feature of Tibetan resistance.
Although many monks and nuns have set themselves alight, most self-immolation protesters have not been from religious institutions. They include teachers, students and herdsmen, as well as mothers and fathers.
The youngest was just 15 years old.
Many of the protesters have shouted slogans while on fire, including calling for the Dalai Lama’s long life and his return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet.
Several have urged Tibetans to stay united and protect Tibetan identity, such as Tsering Gyal, a young monk who set himself on fire in November 2013. Before dying he told his companions on the way to the hospital: “Today I self-immolated for reunion of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet. My only wish for you is to be united and to work for the preservation of Tibetan language and tradition. If we do these things, Tibetans will be reunited.”
Some protesters have left final written and recorded messages.
Sonam Topgyal, a 27-year-old monk who staged a self-immolation protest in July 2015, left a letter saying that “Chinese authorities repress [Tibetans] with their violent and brutal law, by demolishing our religion, tradition and culture and causing environmental devastation. Meanwhile, people absolutely have no freedom of expression nor can they convey their grievances.”
Sangye Dolma, who set herself on fire in November 2012, left behind a self-portrait photo with the words “Tibet is an independent country” on her hand (pictured).
How does China respond to self-immolation protests?

The Chinese government has responded to the protests with a surge in activity by security forces, a propaganda campaign against the protesters and punishments for protester’s families and communities. Self-immolators who survived their protests have been detained and the whereabouts and condition of many of them is still unknown.
Severe punishments are handed out to those accused of assisting or encouraging the protesters or sharing information abroad. Frequently protesters' bodies are cremated by security forces to prevent families carrying out traditional funeral ceremonies. Local communities are threatened with punishment for holding prayer services or offering support to protesters' families.
China has described the protests as “violent behaviour whose aim is to create an atmosphere of terror” and accused the Dalai Lama of instigating the protests. The Dalai Lama has not called for an end to the protests but has expressed his "sadness" over them and urged the Chinese authorities to "investigate what is the cause of this symptom, of these events".
Details of each confirmed self-immolation protest in Tibet, 2017 - 2019:

Yonten, 26 November 2019. Read more.

Gendun and Choekyi, 9 December 2018. Read more.

Dhopo, 4 November 2018. Read more.

Tsekho Tugchak, 7 March 2018. Read more.

Kunbey, 23 December 2017. Read more.
Tenga, 26 November 2017. Read more.

Jamyang Losel, 19 May 2017. Read more.

Chakdor Kyab, 2 May 2017. Read more.

Wangchuk Tseten, 15 April 2017. Read more.

Pema Gyaltsen, 19 March 2017. Read more.
Details of each confirmed individual self-immolation in Tibet, 2009-2016:

Tashi Rabten, 8 December 2016. Read more

Sonam Tso, 23 March 2016. Read more.
Kalsang Wangdu, 29 February 2016, Read More.

Tashi Kyi, 27 August 2015. Read more.

Sonam Topgyal, 9 July 2015.

Sangy Tso, 27 May 2015. Read more.

Tenzin Gyatso, 20 May 2015.

Nyi Kyab, 16 April 2015. Read more.

Yeshi Khando, 8 April 2015. Read more.

Norchuk, 6 March 2015. Read more.

Kalsang Yeshi, 24 December 2014. Read more.

Tsepe Kyi, 22 December 2014. Read more.

Sangyal Khar, 16 December 2014. Read more.

Lhamo Tashi, 17 September 2014. Read more.
Kunchok, 16 September 2014. Read more.

Tinley Namgyal, 15 April 2014. Read more.

Dolma, 29 March 2014.

Jigme Tenzin, 16 March 2014.

Lobsang Palden, 16 March 2014.
Lobsang Dorjee,13 February 2014. Read more.

Phakmo Samdup, 5 February 2014. Read more.

Tsultrim Gyatso, 19 December 2013. Read more.

Kunchok Tseten, 3 December 2013. Read more.

Tsering Gyal, 11 November 2013. Read more.

Shichung, 28 September 2013. Read more.

Kunchok Sonam, 20 July 2013. Read more.

Wangchen Dolma, 11 June 2013. Read more.

Tenzin Shirab, 27 May 2013.
Lobsang Dawa, 24 April 2013. Read more.

Kunchok Woser, 24 April 2013. Read more.
Jugtso,16 April 2013. Read more.

Kunchoek Tenzin,26 March 2013.
Lhamo Kyab, 25 March 2013. Read more.

Kalkyi, 24 March 2013. Read more.

Lobsang Thokmey, 16 March 2013.
Kunchoek Wangmo, 13 March 2013.
Sandhag,25 February 2013.
Tsesung Kyab,25 February 2013. Read more.
Phakmo Dhondup, 24 February 2013. Read more.

Rinchen, 19 February 2013. Read more.
Sonam Dhargye,19 February 2013. Read more.
Namlha Tsering, 17 February 2013.
Dhukpa Kyar, 13 February 2013. Read more.

Lobsang Namgyal, 3 February 2013. Read more.

Kunchok Kyab, 22 January 2013.
Jigji Kyab, 19 January 2013. Read more.
Dupchoek, 18 January 2013.

Tsering Tashi, 12 January 2013. Read more.

Wanchen Kyi, 9 December 2012.

Kunchoek Phelgay, 8 December 2012.

Pema Dorjee, 8 December 2012.

Lobsang Gedun, 3 December 2012. Read more.
Sangdak Kyab, 2 December 2012. Read more.

Kunchoek Kyab, 30 November 2012. Read more.
Tsering Namgyal, 29 November 2012. Read more.

Sangay Tashi,27 November 2012. Read more.
Wande Khar, 28 November 2012. Read more.
Kalsang Kyab, 27 November 2012.
Gonpo Tsering, 26 November 2012. Read more.
Kunchok Tsering, 26 November 2012. Read more.
Wangyal, 26 November 2012. Read more.

Sangye Dolma, 25 November 2012. Read more.
Tamding Dorjee, 23 November 2012. Read more.

Tamdin Kyab, 22 November 2012. Read more.

Lubum Gyal, 22 November 2012. Read more.

Tsering Dhondup, 20 November 2012. Read more.

Wangchen Norbu, 19 November 2012. Read more.

Sangdak Tsering, 17 November 2012.

Chakmo Kyi, 17 November 2012. Read more.
Khabum Gyal, 15 November 2012.
Tingzin Dolma, 15 November 2012.
Nyingchak Boom, 12 November 2012. Read more.

Nyingkar Tashi, 12 November 2012.
Gonpo Tsering, 10 November 2012. Read more.
Jinpa, 8 November 2012.
Tsegye 7 November 2012. Read more.
Dorjee Kyab, 7 November 2012.

Dorjee, 7 November 2012. Read more.
Samdup, 7 November 2012. Read more.
Tamdin Tso, 7 November 2012. Read more.

Dorje Lungdup, 4 November 2012. Read more.

Thubwang Kyab, 26 October 2012.

Lhamo Tseten, 26 October 2012. Read more.
Tsepo, 25 October 2012.
Tenzin, 25 October 2012.

Dorjee Rinchen, 23 October 2012. Read more.

Dhondup, 22 October 2012. Read more.

Lhamo Kyab, 20 October 2012. Read more.
Tamdrin Dorjee, 13 October 2012. Read more.

Sangye Gyatso, 6 October 2012. Read more.
Gudrub, 4 October 2012. Read more.
Yungdrung, 29 September 2012.
Passang Lhamo, 13 September 2012.
Lobsang Kalsang, 27 August 2012.

Damchoe, 27 August 2012. Read more.
Tashi, 13 August 2012. Read more.
Lungtok, 13 August 2012. Read more.
Jopa, 10 August 2012. Read more.

Dolkar Kyi, 7 August 2012. Read more.

Lobsang Tsultrim, 6 August 2012. Read more.

Lobsang Lobzin, 17 July 2012. Read more.
Tsewang Dorjee, 7 July 2012.
Dekyi Choezom, 27 June 2012.

Nyawang Norpal, 20 June 2012. Read more.

Tenzin Kaldrup, 20 June 2012. Read more.

Tamdrin Thar, 15 June 2012. Read more.

Rechok, 30 May 2012. Read more.

Dorjee Tseten, 27 May 2012. Read more.

Dargye, 27 May 2012. Read more.

Sonam, 19 April 2012. Read more.

Choephak Kyap, 19 April 2012. Read more.

Tenpa Dargye, 30 March 2012. Read more.

Choemi Palten, 30 March 2012. Read more.

Sherab, 28 March 2012. Read more.

Sonam Dargye, 17 March 2012. Read more.

Lobsang Tsultrim, 16 March 2012. Read more.

Jamyang Palden, 14 March 2012. Read more.
Gepey, 10 March 2012. Read more.
Dorjee, 5 March 2012. Read more.

Rinchen, 4 March 2012. Read more.

Tsering Kyi, 3 March 2012. Read more.

Nangdrol, 19 February 2012. Read more.

Tamchoe Sangpo, 17 February 2012. Read more.

Lobsang Gyatso, 13 February 2012. Read more.

Tenzin Choedon, 11 February 2012. Read more.

Sonam Rapyang, 9 February 2012.

Rigzin Dorjee, 8 February 2012. Read more.

Lobsang Jamyang, 14 January 2012.

Sonam Wangyal, 8 January 2012. Read more.

Pawo Tennyi, 6 January 2012. Read more.

Pawo Tsultrim, 6 January 2012. Read more.

Tenzin Phuntsog, 1 December 2011. Read more.

Palden Choetso, 3 November 2011. Read more.

Dawa Tsering, 25 October 2011. Read more.

Tenzin Wangmo, 17 October 2011. Read more.

Norbu Dathul, 15 October 2011.

Choepel, 7 October 2011. Read more.

Khayang, 7 October 2011. Read more.

Kalsang Wangchuk, 3 October 2011. Read more.

Lobsang Konchok, 26 September 2011.

Lobsang Kalsang, 26 September 2011.

Tsewang Norbu, 15 August 2011.

Phuntsog, 16 March 2011. Read more.
Tabe, 27 February 2009. Read more.