The Tibetan government-in-exile denounced the slayings of Tibetan protesters by security forces in China and urged the Beijing government Thursday to address the region's grievances.
Lobsang Sangay, head of the government-in-exile based in northern India, called for a worldwide vigil by Tibetans and their supporters next month to press the Chinese government to resolve the crisis in Tibet through dialogue.
"Let us send a loud and clear message to the Chinese government that violence and killing of innocent Tibetans is unacceptable," he said in a statement following reports of more deaths in southwestern China.
At least two Tibetans were killed and several more were wounded when security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters in China's Sichuan province earlier this week.
Sangay urged the Chinese leadership to heed the demands of the Tibetan people and respect their rights.
"You will never address the genuine grievances of Tibetans and restore stability in Tibet through violence and killing," Sangay said.
"Tibetans are being economically marginalized. Tibet is in virtual lockdown," he said.
Protests against Chinese rule in Tibet have been on the rise. Over the past year, 16 Buddhist monks, nuns and other Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protests against Chinese rule.
