15 October 1998
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Solitary confinement for two female political prisoners
[ read ]
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Lhasans also targeted
[ read ]
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Details on Powo Tramo
[ read ]
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Extension of prison term for three Drapchi inmates
[ read ]
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Profile:
Victims of peaceful protest
[ read ]
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ICCPR Covenant must be actioned
[ read ]
A political prisoner released from Lhasa's Drapchi Prison in December 1997
has just spoken about the punishment of two Tibetan fellow women political
prisoners. The prisoners, both nuns, are said to be kept in solitary confinement
until the end of their sentences for singing independence songs in Drapchi
Prison. This is the first reported case to TCHRD of such a prolonged period
of solitary confinement.
Nyima,
aged 18, from Phenpo Poto Nunnery in Phenpo Lhundrup County, is serving
a five year sentence and is due to be released in 1999.
Jamdron,
aged 23,
a nun from Phenpo Gyarak Nunnery, will not be released until 2002. Both
were imprisoned in the 3rd rukhag (unit) at Drapchi, which contains all
female prisoners, both political and non-political.
During the 1997 Losar celebrations (Tibetan New Year) from
February 8 to 10, prisoners
in Drapchi were ordered to sing and dance. Prisoners from the 3rd unit
were ordered to sing a ìeulogy song of Mao Tru-Shi" [Mao Tse Tung] that
had been prepared for the occasion. Nyima and Jamdron stood up unexpectedly
and sang an independence song loudly in front of the other female prisoners.
Prison guards instantly took both of them to an interrogation cell where
they were beaten. After interrogation they were taken away to a detention
cell separate from the other female prisoners.
Other
nuns imprisoned in Drapchi protested for Nyima and Jamdron's release and
the prison guards reportedly called in army officials to control the prisoners
and confine them to their cells. The confinement lasted for three days.
On the fourth day they were taken out for regular exercise. The nuns then
initiated a fast, refusing to eat until Nyima and Jamdron were released
from their isolation cells.
The
head of the prison, Chen Yo Trang, refused to release Nyima and Jamdron
and said they would be given meals in their cell. After fasting for three
days the protesting nuns became extremely weak and Chen Yo Trang insisted
that they break their fast. They were advised to ìcome out clearly with
their thoughts and pointsî regarding the mismanagement of the prison authorities.
After
five days of fasting, the nuns were served with diluted rice gruel but
it is understood that prison officials did not respond to their demands
to remove Nyima and Jamdron from their special detention cell. They continue
to remain there until the expiry of their sentences. Although prisoners
are often punished by being kept in solitary confinement for restricted
periods, the case of Nyima and Jamdron is unique due to the extreme length
of intended solitary imprisonment.
[ top ]
Recent information from Tibet shows evidence that staff in Drapchi Prison are
being replaced. It is believed that the purpose of the staff changes is
to control leaks to the outside world from the high security prison prompted
by the May protests which the Chinese authorities continue to deny had
occurred. Drapchi contains the highest number of Tibetan political prisons.
The garage in Drapchi which employs people from outside the prison has also
been closed as a measure by the authorities to contain information about
incidences within the prison walls. International Human Rights groups have
received reports of torture, solitary confinement and deaths since the
demonstrations at Drapchi on May 1 and 4, 1998.
Restrictions have also been imposed on visitation rights from families of the prisoners.
This seems to be particularly directed at political prisoners. The enforcements
are so strict that even sweets brought by visitors are being unwrapped
for security reasons.
[ top ]
TCHRD has also received reports that interviews are currently being conducted
with the people of Lhasa City. People are being required to relay details
of their life, including schooling, work place and specifically any trips
abroad, since the age of eight. People who have been abroad are targeted
for further interrogations regarding why they went, where and when. Information
is also being asked on relatives abroad and their occupations.
[ top ]
TCHRD has received details on Powo Tramo Prison from a former non-political prisoner
who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. To date, details on conditions
within the prison have been difficult to receive due to its remote location,
lack of visitors at the prison, and the high security surrounding political
prisoners.
Powo Tramo has been renamed as Tibet Autonomous Region Prison no. 2 and currently
has a total of approximately 480 male-only prisoners. It is located in
Dzona, Tramo County, about 40 km away from the main town in Tramo County.
Most of the prisoners are from Chamdo region although a few are from Lhasa
region or some other Chinese Provinces. The prison staff are Public Security
Bureau (PSB) officials and outside the prison the guards are People's Armed
Police (PAP) soldiers.
This prison is comprised of three units. Units one and two are together in the
main prison complex. The third unit is in Damchu area, about two hours
drive from the main prison complex. The first and second units each have
10 cells and in every cell there is room for 14 prisoners. The total number
of prisoners in units one and two is 280.
The interviewee had not been to the third unit but understood that it was larger
than the other two units, with approximately 200 prisoners. Prison cells
are often flooded as the area is prone to floods. The road connecting the
prison to the villages are cut off most of the year due to the floods.
There are currently 11 political prisoners known to be held at Powo Tramo. All
are serving long term sentences (over 10 years) and are subject to deplorable
prison conditions. The movements of political prisoners is restricted to
within the prison grounds. Unlike criminal prisoners, they are not sent
to work outside, for fear of contact with people beyond the gates. Neither
are they granted any visitation rights during their sentence.
The source reports that in May 1997 a prisoner who was believed to be a spy
from India was brought into unit number one at Powo Tramo from Lhasa. Other
political prisoners, including three monks, were kept in the second unit,
although he was unaware of how many political prisoners were in the third
unit.
Every morning prisoners are forced to do "exercises" and then put to hard labour
during the day. Criminal prisoners are assigned to agricultural work and
felling trees. Food is allocated each month — the prisoners are provided
with 45 gyama (22.5 kilograms) of roasted barley flour and a little meat.
Every morning and evening they are given a cup of tea which is used to
make tsampa, and at lunch they receive tea and vegetables.
Once a year, generally in November, a meeting is held for prisoners from all
three units. At this meeting, some prisoners have their sentences increased
or reduced, depending on behaviour.
One of the known political prisoners who is currently serving a term of 18
years at Powo Tramo is Lobsang Tenzin, a 30-year old former student of
Tibet University. He was initially sentenced to death, which was reduced
to a life sentence due to strong international pressure and then further
reduced to 18 years on the grounds of ìgood behaviourî. Lobsang Tenzin
was one of the political prisoners at Drapchi prison who attempted to hand
a petition to the then U.S. Ambassador to China, James Lilley, who visited
Drapchi in March 1991. He was transferred to Powo Tramo after this incident.
[ top ]
The sentences of three prisoners who protested during a delegation visit to
Drapchi Prison, have just been extended, reported TIN this week (October 7).
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visited Drapchi
Prison on October 11, 1997, sparking off severe repercussions.
As reported in Human Rights Update on March 31, 1998 this highlights an associated
risk for prisoners when international delegations visit prisons in Tibet.
Reports from unofficial sources indicate that prior to delegation visits, the Chinese
authorities clean the prisons and prisoners are briefed on behaviour, portraying
a positive illusion of prison conditions. Many prisoners blatantly disregard
warnings by Chinese authorities and attempt to tell visitors the truth.
In every reported case these acts of defiance have been followed by punishment
such as torture or heavy sentence extensions.
During the delegation visit a year ago, three non-political prisoners, Sonam Tsewang,
Triga and Wangdu, had organised a short protest as they did not want the
independent experts to be misled by prison authorities. Reports received
around that time indicated that they were consequently beaten and put in
solitary confinement. The delegation's report made no mention of the incident.
The Chinese authorities later gave assurances that no punitive actions would
be taken against the prisoners. However, unconfirmed reports to TIN say
that Triga may be sentenced to a further ten years, Sonam Tsewang to five
and Wangdu to three years. Their original sentences are not known.
TIN also states: "According to the source inside Tibet, after the incident
they were tied with ropes and brought to a prisoner meeting afterwards
and the increase in their sentences was announced."
In a letter from Wu Jianmin, the permanent representative at the UN, he said,
"Neither Sonam Tsewang nor any other inmate in Drapchi prison has been
beaten or suffered any reprisals as a result of the interviews by the working
group. They are still serving their sentences in that prison, leading a
normal life and enjoying the same treatment as other inmates."
TIN was told that the UN Working Group intends to discuss the issue at its next
session in November after repeated pressure from TIN.
[ top ]
March 5, 1989, is a prominent date in recent Tibetan history.
On this day, a three-day Independence demonstration was held across Lhasa,
to mark the previous year's protest during the Monlam Prayer Festival,
an auspicious day on the Tibetan calendar.
The 1989 demonstration sparked off a conflict between
Tibetan protesters and Chinese authorities. The number of deaths has never
been confirmed, although many people were detained, tortured and killed
at the time.
Dawa Tsering, a layperson from Ramoche market square,
participated in the demonstration on March 5th.
He was 18 years old at the time. After five days, Public
Security Bureau officials came to his house to arrest him for his participation
and he was sent to Yitridu prison, Sangyip Complex.
After a year of detention, he was released. However, during his one year detention,
he endured harsh beatings from prison authorities which damaged his kidney.
He developed a critical kidney condition so serious that he could not even
stand straight. Reports received around that time indicated that he walked
with a bent back. He was admitted to the regional hospital by his parents
although his health did not show any signs of improvement. Finally, on
May 14, 1994, he died at his home as a result of his injuries. He was 23
years old at the time of his death.
Another man who demonstrated at the same event was Phurbu (commonly known as Tarak),
a 34-year-old from eastern Lhasa, Galingsha. His father Dorji and mother
Tsamchoe carried out small business. The protest began at Tsemonling in
Lhasa.
When the demonstators approached the People's Hospital, about a kilometre away,
Phurbu was shot three times. On admission to the People's Armed Police
hospital, north of Lhasa, his left leg had to be amputed just below the
knee cap. However, his wound became badly infected and septic, necessitating
another amputation. Phurbu did not recover from his bullet wounds. Even
after his discharge from the hospital his health continued to deteriorate
and he remained fully bedridden. He stayed at home till September 3, 1996
on which date he passed away.
[ top ]
China"s decision to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) on October 5, 1998 appears to be a response to persistent international
pressure on the Chinese government to uphold international human rights
standards.
The decision timed with the recent visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, to China and Tibet. Although TCHRD welcomes
the signing, executive director, Lobsang Nyandak says
"We are concerned that the signing of the ICCPR is another political manoeuvre
by the Chinese government to deflect attention from its deteriorating
human rights record."
The signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR) a year ago was similarly timed with a high-profile state
visit, when Chinese President Jiang Zemin went to the USA.
Despite having signed the ICESCR, China has yet to ratify the covenant and become
legally bound by its provisions. China's latest gesture in signing the
ICCPR does not guarantee that its provisions will be upheld.
"If China genuinely intends to abide by these covenants,
they would ratify the instruments,"
said Lobsang Nyandak.
With the signing of the ICCPR, China has now signed
and ratified 11 international instruments. In spite of this, gross human
rights violations continue in Tibet and in China.
China's views on enforcing the Civil and Political Rights covenant were expressed
by the President of the Chinese Society for the Studies of Human Rights,
Mr. Zhu Muzhi, in an interview by Xinhua news agency on October 7. When
asked about plans to promote these rights, he replied: "Since China did
not participate in drafting the covenant and its national conditions differ
from those in other countries, the Chinese government will pay attention
to the issues of how to implement the covenant and how to adapt it to China's
existing laws and regulations."
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