Aflame for Freedom in Tibet: The Origin and Development of the Self-Immolation Movement

Since 2009, images of Tibetans setting themselves on fire in protest of the repressive policies of the Chinese government have drawn attention from around the world. In Aflame for Freedom in Tibet: The Origin and Development of the Self-Immolation Movement, Namloyak Dhungser examines the protest movement and its motivations through interviews with Tibetans, both inside Tibet and abroad, and in the context of developments in Tibetan history, providing unique insight into the multifaceted origins of this movement in both contemporary and historic Tibetan perspectives. The number of self-immolating protestors continues to climb: a final plea from Tibetans to the world to secure their freedom. This book is not only a path to a deeper understanding of the Tibetan situation―past and future―but a call to action to recognize basic Tibetan human rights.

Namloyak Dhungser is an independent scholar and Tibetologist.

Joshua Esler is a researcher and Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education and Director of the Indian Ocean Research Centre. He is also Senior Research Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, Australia.