Western voices question Tibetan self-immolation acts

Some Western media outlets have also pointed out that self-immolations, being an extreme way of committing suicide, fundamentally violate the doctrines of religions.

Both the media and the public said that Buddhism and Christianity alike are against suicide, and that self-immolation is a ferocious act that mostly originates from ignorance and religious fanaticism, and is not very much different from the suicide attacks of other religious extremists.

In fact, respect for life is a basic principle adhered to by all the religions. Austrian Catholic clergymen have rightly reminded us that self-immolations, which the young Tibetans carried out for an illusionary political claim, are nothing but irresponsible and abominable acts.

The attitudes of Western governments and the mainstream media are also under the scrutiny of their public opinions, which has alerted them of the values they are supposed to be upholding with regard to humanism and truthfulness.

Regarding the anti-China campaigns those governments and media have been waging, local press outlets in Austria have raised tough questions, such as: why have the Western reports on the issue always quote the “Free Tibet” movement which is well-known to be anti-China? Why the "Free Tibet" movement is always very well and precisely informed about each and every incident of self-immolation?

Some people are disappointed about the trend in Western mainstream politics that has put "politically correct" considerations before humanism and honesty.

A media outlet in Belgium said that the silence of Western governments on the issue of self-immolations is particularly noticeable and worrying, reflecting their political agenda, while Tibetan individuals have to pay with their lives.

It's worth noting that self-immolation is absolutely against the common values of all mankind and religious beliefs and should not be held hostage or taken advantage of to accomplish political objectives.

Double standards and hypocrisy in the west cost innocent Tibetan lives. Why not encourage people to live positively instead of instigating them to die?

The author is a Beijing-based scholar of international relations.