Dharamsala -- The most comprehensive footage of protests in
Tibet this year, including shocking images of Palden Choetso, a
35-year-old nun from Geden Choeling Nunnery in Tawu, eastern Tibet, who
died after lighting herself on fire on November 3, has been obtained
from sources in Tibet. One video shows Palden Choetso standing upright
as flames engulf her body. Additional footage shows Tibetans' response
to the self-immolation, including nuns protesting and chanting "Freedom
to Tibet"; thousands of Tibetans at a candlelight vigil early on the
morning of her funeral; and Chinese security forces converging on Nyitso
Monastery. In the past eight months, 11 Tibetans have lit themselves on
fire in an unprecedented wave of protest against China's escalating
clampdown in eastern Tibet.

"This footage confirms reports that
10,000 Tibetans gathered at Tawu's Nyitso monastery in a mass outpouring
of support and prayers for Palden Choetso. Her ultimate act of
nonviolent protest galvanized the entire community to openly and
publicly offer their respects and solidarity in spite of China's
military clampdown in the region," said Tawu Lobsang Jinpa, a former
political prisoner from Tawu who escaped to India last February. "In
Tawu, the crackdown continues although many Chinese soldiers are
patrolling the town in civilian clothes to stop the world from seeing
these images. Surveillance cameras have been installed around the
monastery to monitor the monks' every move."

"This is an
extremely difficult time for Tibetans everywhere. This footage shows not
only the desperation but also the determination of Tibetans to fight
for their freedom at any cost. We fear the situation will continue to
escalate and more Tibetan lives will be lost if the Chinese government
does not lift its repressive measures and commit to a just and lasting
resolution to this spiraling crisis in Tibet," said Tenzin Dorjee,
Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet.

Tibetan sources
report that following her self-immolation, Palden Choetso's body was
taken to Nyitso Monastery. Her funeral was held early in the morning on
November 6th. Tawu town is located in Kardze prefecture of the Tibetan
province of Kham (annexed by China into Sichuan and Yunnan provinces
after 1965), an area long known for actively resisting Chinese rule.
Following the widespread protests in Tibet in 2008, Chinese forces have
been stationed in and around Tawu town.

"We urge world leaders to
respond to the crisis in Tawu immediately with bold multilateral
pressure on the Chinese government. The Tibetans in these videos have
risked everything to have their voices heard. Their actions must be a
wakeup call that China's repression will only stop if the world
intervenes now," said Tenzin Jigdal, Program Director of Students for a
Free Tibet India