London (CNN) -- As I write, we have just received news of what we believe to be the 29th Tibetan in the past month to set fire to themselves in protest at Chinese rule in Tibet. By the time you read this, it is likely that more have made this extraordinary choice. At Free Tibet we have seen protesters die from their injuries and survivors disappear by Chinese state authorities. It's hard to imagine how bad the circumstances must be for a person to decide that the most effective way they can make their views known is to wrap barbed wire around their body -- so that burning clothes cannot be pulled off them -- drink gasoline, pour it over themselves, light the fuel and be consumed by fire.
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Free Tibet: We have seen protesters die from their injuries, survivors disappear by authorities
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As many as 29 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest against Chinese rule, group says
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Without legal or political recourse to address their grievances, they risk their lives, says Brigden
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Brigden: World remains largely unaware of the situation as the region is effectively cut off
@placeholder has documented a number of incidents of collective punishment of communities where protests have taken place.