(Image Source: Flickr/FutureAtlas.com) 

BY LUCIA LEE

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

One nun and an activist became the eleventh and twelfth Tibetans this year to set themselves on fire in a protest against Chinese occupation of Tibet. euronews has the story of the activist.

“A Tibetan activist has suffered burns to his legs after setting himself on fire outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. There has been a string of self-immolations by ethnic Tibetans protesting over claims of repression in China.”

A blogger for TIME’s Global Spin empathizes with the Tibetans after interviewing a senior monk. In the article, the monk explains the motive behind the immolations.

“’Our culture, our language, it's all being taken away from us... If we don't fight back, all that will be left of Tibet will be some monks...The Chinese government gives us economic development, but that is not enough. The most important thing for Tibetans is our spiritual life. If the Communist Party tries to take away our faith and our culture, we will fight.’”

But The Hindu quotes the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, who says the Tibetan separatist leadership is at fault.

“As is well known, except for a few extreme religious sects in the world, all religious groups respect life and oppose violence... Not condemning self-immolation, but playing it up and inciting others to follow the example, is challenging the common conscience and moral bottom-line of humanity.”

In an opinion piece for the Washington Post, Tibet’s exiled Kalon Tripa, or chief executive, counters that view, and calls for action from the international community.

“The Tibetan leadership in exile does not encourage self-immolation or protests inside Tibet because China only responds with more repression. … The international community must press the government of the People’s Republic of China to restore freedom and resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue for the mutual benefit of the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.”

And while both sides sling blame -- ABC’s Australia says the real story is difficult for foreign reporters to get to.

“Getting to the bottom of this or any Tibetan's story is very difficult when trying to do so from here in Beijing. But foreign reporters have little choice when the authorities won't even let us go near these sensitive Tibetan areas. And as long as Tibetan nuns and monks keep setting themselves on fire, this is not likely to change in a hurry.”