Horrific Anti-China Protests Become Tibet's Norm

“The Tibetans who made the decision to self-immolate, who can question them?” he demanded. “This is their choice. This is their own method of nonviolence.”

Meanwhile, a handful of Tibetans have begun to speak out against the self-immolations.

Tsering Woeser, a well-known poet living under virtual house arrest in Beijing, posted a recent online appeal calling for an end to the suicides, signing the appeal with two other Tibetan intellectuals.

“Tibetans must cherish life and live with resilience. Regardless of the magnitude of oppression, our life is important, and we have to cherish it,” the March 8 appeal said.

At least four Tibetans have set themselves on fire since then.