There are two issues I wish to raise here. The first is this: have self-immolations that, to date, number more than 100, achieved its desired result? Has Tibet been freed and the Dalai Lama returned to 'his rightful place"?
'No' to both. So the lives have been lost in vain. We have seen endless arguments presented here against self-immolation. Buddhists cannot take their own lives. It's against the 5 precepts and against the Refuge vows.
The second issue is that of freedom for Tibet. As far as I can see, the only freedom being fought for by self-immolators is "political freedom". At this moment in time, Tibetans in Tibet are free to practice Buddhism and follow their lineage practices. This includes the practice of Dorje Shugden. Whereas, back in the country f their exile, India, this freedom of religion has been taken away with the enforcement of the ban on Shugden practice.
As for the high lama who had committed self-immolation, why did he do that? To stir up more support for the cause of Tibet? Yet in the eyes of the world, it brought the image of the Tibetan sangha further down a notch or two.