January 2000
-
Political Prisoner Dies in Drapchi
[ read ]
-
Private Tibetan school closed, teachers arrested
[ read ]
-
Testimony of a former political prisoner
[ read ]
-
Testimony of a juvenile political prisoner
[ read ]
-
Drapchi Protest Testimony
[ read ]
-
Religious repression: 'patriotic re-education" continues
[ read ]
-
Veteran independence activist serving 17 years
[ read ]
-
Successful South India Workshop
[ read ]
Sonam Rinchen,
a 29-year-old political prisoner, died in mid-January 2000 in Drapchi Prison.
Although the cause of his death is unknown,
unconfirmed reports indicate that he had been sick since 1997 and was
undergoing treatment.
Born in 1973 into the Khangsar family in Gyama town, Meldrogungkar County,
Rinchen became actively involved in pro-independence activities after the
mass demonstration in Lhasa on 27 September 1987. Rinchen started his
political activities in Meldro County, distributing and posting political
leaflets.
In 1990, during a community meeting in the village, his step father,
Thupten Yeshi, protested against Chinese mining operations in Meldro
County. He called for an immediate end to the mining.
On 30 June 1992, Sonam Rinchen along with Sonam Dorjee, Kunchok Lodoe and
Lhundrup Dorjee disrupted a "patriotic re-education" meeting. They unfurled
a Tibetan flag and shouted pro-independence slogans such as ìFree Tibet,î
ìLong live His Holiness the Dalai Lamaî and ìChinese quit Tibet.î After the
Meldro County Public Security Bureau (PSB) dragged the four away, whilst
simultaneously beating them, approximately 100 people joined the protest.
This led to several cases of arrests and detention.
A few weeks later on 6 July, Rinchen's stepfather, Thupten Yeshi, was
arrested on charges of ìcooperating with the demonstrators.î Both were
detained in Gutsa Detention Centre where Rinchen and Yeshi were subjected
to severe beatings. The fact that Rinchen's brother, Tamdin, was also
serving a five-year term in Drapchi Prison for his involvement in political
activities on 5 March 1988 resulted in especially harsh treatment for
Rinchen and Yeshi. They were transferred to Gutsa Detention Centre where
they were treated in an equally severe manner.
In October 1992, the Lhasa City Intermediate People's Court sentenced the
five men under article 102 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People"s
Republic of China. Rinchen, Yeshi and Lhundrup received 15 years"
imprisonment and five years deprivation of political rights. Kunchok Lodoe
and Sonam Dorjee received 13 years" imprisonment respectively. All five
were transferred to Drapchi Prison where four of them are currently
serving their term.
[ top ]
According to reliable information received in Dharamsala of the myriad
secret arrests and detentions of Tibetan people occuring in the Lhasa
region, it is reported that of those detained some have already been
released while others are still being detained and interrogated.
The arrests, however, continue unabated.
In Tren Konchu village in Lhasa, not only were the director and the staff
of Gyatso Khimlop School arrested, but the school was also closed down.
This private school, established in May 1996, is attended by approximately
40 students from all areas of the region. Bangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche was the
Director of the school and his wife Nyima Chodon assisted him in the school
administration. Besides morning and evening prayers, subjects like
Tibetan, English, Chinese and Maths were taught in the school. The school
was established and run jointly by Tsamtrul Rinpoche, a few kind-hearted
Tibetans and some foreign sponsors.
In August 1999, Tsamtrul Rinpoche, Nyima Chodon and three teachers were
arrested by PSB officials. Currently, the school remains closed and the
building has been confiscated by the Chinese government. Deprived of
education, some of the students of the school now resort to begging in the
streets in and around the Barkhor. A search of Tsamtrul Rinpoche's house
after his arrest by PSB officials revealed documents and items deemed
political by the authorities.
While in prison, Tsamtrul Rinpoche received severe beatings which have
reportedly resulted in major injuries. All of the people arrested from the
school have still not been released.
Ironically two months after the incident, official sources in China
announced that Gyatso Khimlop School is still running smoothly under the
supervision of Chinese government.
[ top ]
Lobsang Gyatso
was born in Dhong Kar town, Thagdey village, in Shigatse Region in 1976.
He attended school from the age of 8 to 10. In 1987, at the
age of 12, he joined Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.
In February 1993, the Chinese government announced in Tashi Lhunpo that,
ìno one is to pay homage to the reincarnate Panchen Lama if he is born
abroad (outside Tibet) and recognised by the Dalai Lama.î On 1 May 1993,
Lobsang Gyatso and two other young monks from Tashi Lhunpo, Sitse and
Lobsang Tsultrim, pasted posters on the walls of their monastery protesting
the announcement. As a result, the Shigatse Public Security Bureau (PSB)
detained, interrogated and beat the three monks.
At that time, Chadrel Rinpoche, abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery intervened
and requested the police to release the monks. He assured the PSB that the
arrested monks would be punished and that they would not repeat such actions.
On 14 May 1995, the Dalai Lama proclaimed Gedhun Choekyi Nyima the
reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama of Tibet. On hearing this news, the
monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery celebrated and began preparations for his
reception. However, the Chinese government launched a major campaign four
days later denouncing the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama, and
announced that the decision was illegal. Chadrel Rinpoche, head of the
Panchen Lama search committee, was detained on May 17. Since that time,
scores of arrests have taken place in connection with the recognition of
the Panchen Lama and subsequent protests over the Chinese government
appointed Panchen Lama.
On 6 July 1995, all the monks of Tashi Lhumpo were required by Chinese
officials to assemble in the monastery. The monks were then surrounded by
police. Lobsang Tsultrim, Sonam Chophel and Lobsang Gyatso were arrested.
Inside the police vehicle, the three were tortured with electric prods,
kicked and slammed against the sides of the vehicle during transport to a
detention centre.
They were kept handcuffed for 15 days. They were fed only a small steamed
bread with a cup of boiled water for breakfast and food consisting of a
small amount of rice and vegetables that were mixed with insects, husks and
other non-edible contents. For four months they were required to perform
hard labour for 13 hours a day.
The monks from Tashi Lhunpo expressed outrage over the Chinese government"s
crackdown on the monastery. On 11 July 1995, many activities of the
monastery, including business and manufacturing, ceased. Temples were
closed, the monks refused to display traditional Thangka paintings, and
debating and the regular morning assembly were suspended.
On 12 July 1995, nearly 200 monks went to the local bazaar and
demonstrated, raising slogans against the Chinese government. The
protesters additionally wanted the Chinese "work-team" to leave the
monastery. Approximately 70 Chinese policemen attempted to stop the
demonstration and a scuffle ensued.
After 30 minutes, nearly 900 armed Chinese army personnel arrived at the
monastery. They prevented the monks from exiting their rooms or leaving the
monastery. Later that evening, they entered the monks" rooms when all the
monks were asleep, and 26 monks were taken to prison at around 2 o"clock in
the morning. The monks did not have time to dress as they were taken from
their beds and all of them were beaten. The next day an additional 10 monks
were held in an empty building of the monastery.
Monks staged a protest during a meeting with Ragdi and Gyaltsen Norbu, both
Executive Deputy Secretaries of the "TAR" held at the monastery the next
day. A majority of the monks raised slogans demanding their right to
practice religion and acceptance of the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama
recognised by the Dalai Lama. Monks spat at and threw floor mats towards
the political leaders and finally boycotted the meeting, returning to their
rooms before the meeting was concluded. That night approximately 10 posters
were posted on the walls of the monastery denouncing the Chinese occupation
in Tibet and the Chinese Panchen Lama decision.
The monks detained in the monastery underwent violent political
"re-education" for 12 hours a day, starting from 16 July. The purpose of
this "re-education" was to force the monks to denounce the Dalai Lama,
Gendun Choekyi Nyima and Chadrel Rinpoche, and ìto point out other's fault
and to accept one's own crime.î There were eight Chinese police and
"work-team" members present during the "political re-education" sessions.
They tortured the monks by pointing guns at them and threatening to shoot,
as well as with repeated beatings. Unable to bear this torture, Wangdu, of
Tashi Lhunpo, committed suicide on 17 July. He was 25 years old.
During the "political re-education" that went on for two months in the
monastery, the main entrance remained closed and none of the monks were
allowed to go outside. 900 Chinese army personnel stayed inside the
monastery to prevent dissent.
On 8 January 1996, some prisoners recited Dhentsik Monlam, "words of truth",
a Tibetan prayer. Prison officials ordered them to stop the prayer,
stating that, "blind faith is strictly prohibited." When Lobsang Gyatso
replied that, they were not following blind faith, he was beaten with
electric cattle prods. His feet were shackled and he was stripped of his
clothes. He was made to stand naked, exposed to the harsh winter night.
This took place from 10 pm to 3 am. By 3 am, he had nearly frozen to death.
While in prison, Gyatso was subjected to repeated torture. Next to his cell
No. 5, Dingang Rinpoche from India was imprisoned in cell No. 4. Because
Rinpoche gave a book containing political ideologies to Lobsang Gyatso, he
(Gyatso) was handcuffed, beaten and deprived of food for two days,
beginning on 15 March 1996.
On 5 October 1996, Lobsang Gyatso was released. He was subsequently
expelled from his monastery by Chinese officials, fined 3500 yuan (US $440)
and detained in a police station for 15 days without charge. Chinese
officials forced him to wear Chinese dress. He was repatriated to the
control of Dhongkar township officials.
During his three years in Shigatse after his release from prison, from 1996
to 1999, he tried to clarify misconceptions surrounding the Dorje Shugden
issue. He discussed the historical background of the issue and current
information regarding the situation to monks in the monasteries, towns and
villages in the area. He distributed books and audio-cassettes containing
speeches of the Dalai Lama on Dorje Shugden, Tibetan Uprising Day and the
future constitution of Tibet. When the Chinese officials became aware of
his activities, he was handed over to Dhongkar Township who in turn
released him to his family.
Unable to freely exercise his right to political and religious freedom,
Lobsang Gyatso left for India on 30 October in 1999. He reached the Tibetan
Reception Centre in Nepal on 14 November and arrived in Dharamsala, India
on 28 November 1999.
[ top ]
Born in Chushul County, Lhasa Municipality,
Sonam Tsering
lived with his family until the age of 16.
During that time, he had been to public school for only one month,
spending his time primarily farming with his family.
In 1991, he became a monk in Nyethang Tashigang Monastery.
On 31 May 1994, along with monks Phuntsok Rigchok, Ngawang Changpa,
Phuntsok Soldrak, Pema Thinlay and Migmar, Sonam Tsering held a brief,
peaceful demonstration in the Barkor area in front of the Jokhang Temple in
Lhasa City. Within five minutes, ten PSB officials arrested the six monks
and beat them while in transport to a detention centre. At the time, Sonam
Tsering was 14 years old.
Initially detained and interrogated in Rhaorang Prison, they were
transferred to Gutsa Detention Centre on 24 July. Despite being a juvenile,
Sonam Tsering was beaten by prison guards during interrogation. At present,
he continues to suffer the effects of this maltreatment.
The quality of food in the detention centre was extremely poor. Uncleaned
lentils were boiled with roots and worms. Their daily ration consisted of:a
small cup of tea and two small "tingmos" (steamed bread) for breakfast;
boiled, worm-infested lentils with a small amount of half-cooked rice for
lunch; and carrot soup with two small tingmos for dinner. Families sent
food to their imprisoned monks, but only half reached the prisoners.
The People's Intermediate Court held a mock "trial" on 11 November 1994.
Their "crimes" were read out by a lawyer, Jampa Ngodup, and their sentence
was passed. Three days later, a policewoman came with a charge-sheet
written in Chinese. The primary charge was "endangering state security."
According to the charge-sheet, Phuntsok Rigchok and Dorje Lamtso were
sentenced to six years; Pema Thinlay and Migmar Wangdu to two years; and
Sonam Tsering to four years. The accused were informed that they could
appeal to the People¥s Intermediate Court three days later. None of the
accused filed an appeal, stating that, "appeals in Tibet are futile."
On 22 November 1994, claiming they were conducting medical check-ups,
prison officials extracted blood from the imprisoned monks. Afterwards, Sonam
Tsering was taken back to Gutsa Detention Centre, where he remained for
approximately six months. The others were moved to Drapchi Prison. Sonam
Tsering¥s blood was again forcibly extracted on 15 May 1994, and again on
17 July 1994. Twelve days later he was transferred to Drapchi Prison where
he was made to undergo rigorous physical exercise. If he did not adequately
perform the exercises, he was punished by being forced to stand for long
periods of time in the hot sun.
Once when Sonam Tsering became sick as a result of this punishment,
he requested medical treatment. In response, a prison guard hit him three
times on the head claiming that his sickness was a lie. Tsering stated that
for all the political prisoners it was impossible to receive medical
treatment unless bedridden and on the verge of death.
In Drapchi, the 5th unit of the prison is for male political prisoners and
in this unit, there are two further divisions, a new unit in the front and
an old one behind. There are approximately 120 political prisoners in the
new unit and there are twelve prisoners in each cell. After being detained
in the new unit for eight months, Sonam Tsering was transferred to the old
unit. The following is testimony from Tsering concerning the May 1 and 4
demonstrations of 1998.
[ top ]
On 1 May 1998 a Chinese flag-raising ceremony was held in the prison ground
in Drapchi. All the prisoners of the new unit were required to attend the
ceremony. As soon as the flag was raised, two prisoners threw leaflets in
the air advocating Tibetan freedom and shouted slogans of ìfree Tibet.î
This in turn caused other poltical prisoners of the new unit to shout
similar slogans. After sometime, prison guard Tado Yephel informed the
prisoners that the commotion which had occurred during the flag-hoisting
ceremony would be looked into.
To express solidarity with the new unit prisoners, old unit prisoners did
not attend the following ceremony. They were prepared to protest if they
were taken to a similar ceremony scheduled to be held the next day. The new
unit prisoners who were taken instead protested again. These prisoners
shouted, ìLeave our people alone,î and ìthey are killing our people,î as
they were forcibly removed from the courtyard. Then old unit prisoners
began shouting ìfree Tibetî and ìleave our people alone.î The scene became
chaotic, with large numbers of Tibetan prisoners protesting. At one point,
the prison gate was blocked by the protesters who attempted to open the
gate that divided the new and old units.
During the protest Ngawang Sungrab from Drepung Monastery was shot in the
stomach by Chinese prison guard Showo Tuhu. A fellow prisoner who had
studied medicine attempted to stop the bleeding with a piece of bedsheet. A
few minutes later, prison guards took Ngawang Sungrab to a hospital. Dawa,
Ngawang Dorjee and Tsering Phuntsok were taken outside.The next day, badly
beaten and bandaged, Dawa and Ngawang Dorjee were put in separate cells.
Approximately six policemen arrived on May 4, and all the prisoners who had
taken part in the protests were beaten using wires and sticks. When the
police came to cell No. 11 which housed Sonam Tsering, the prisoners were
made to stand up and face questioning. They were interrogated as to why
they had shouted slogans and who had organised the protest.
One Chinese prison official beat and kicked Thupten Kelsang who refused an
order to kneel down. By the end of the beating, Thupten Kelsang was
unconscious. As a result, prisoners boycotted dinner that evening. Since
the demonstration, severe restrictions have been imposed in Drapchi Prison.
Personal property, including pens, papers and books were confiscated and
burnt. Restrictions on normal activities including use of the toilet were
heightened. Monthly visitation rights for families were halted. A book
dealing with the necessity of opposing "splittism" was distributed amongst
the prisoners who were required to study its contents.
Sonam Tsering was released on 30 May 1998, and since then he has received
no information on further activities in Drapchi. After his release, he
learned that the Chinese had expelled him from his monastery and his
movements were monitored and restricted. Faced with these difficulties, he
fled from Tibet on 16 October 1998.
[ top ]
Thinley Karmo
is a 20-year-old nun of Gonlung Nunnery from Dathang town,
Driru County in Nagchu Prefecture. She arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal on 13
December 1999.
Karmo's parents are nomads. In 1994, she joined Gonlung Nunnery at the age
of 15. At that time there were around 90 nuns at the nunnery.
A three-member "work team" visited the nunnery in May or June of 1998. They
issued red cards (residential permits) to 30 nuns. The other 60 nuns were
ordered to leave the nunnery. Currently there are only 30 nuns in Gonlung
Nunnery.
The "work team" members set in place a number of restrictions over the
remaining nuns. They banned pictures and prohibited the recitation of any
prayers related to the Dalai Lama. The 60 expelled nuns returned to their
homes. Thinley Karmo was one of the expelled nuns.
Dakpa Sonam,
22 years old, is a former monk of Nyizong Monastery in Sershul County
in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP). Nyizong Monastery was
renovated in 1982 with the help of donations from locals after it was
completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Dolma Lhakhang
Monastery is located close to Nyizong Monastery and the monks of the
monasteries live together.
In July or August 1998, eight officials of Sershul County came to the
monasteries and ordered their closure. The monks of Nyizong Monastery
refused to vacate the monastery claiming that ìthey had renovated the
monastery and no one had the right to close it down.î The monks from both
of the monasteries resisted and argued with the officials. However, the
officials maintained that the monastery ìis the property of Chinese
government and nobody could own it.î On 12 August 1998 six monks were
arrested from the monasteries and identified as the principle "culprit."
The monks: Rukha Phuntsok, Tsultrim Gyaltsen, Jokpa Choezin, Leypa, Sungdo
and Dakpa Sonam were held for one month. Three of them were taken to
Sershul County Prison and the other three were sent to a "re-education
through labour" centre.They were released on 15 September 1998.
The monks were ordered to stop their renovations and leave the
monasteries. All 206 monks were later expelled and ordered to return to
their homes. At present, both the monasteries remain closed.
Dakpa Sonam left his home on 17 October 1999, and reached Nepal on 16
December 1999. He wants to join a monastery in India.
Ngawang Ngodup
is a 25-year-old monk from Wara Monastery
in Trenkar town, Jomda County in Chamdo Prefecture. He
arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal on 19 November 1999. Ngodup
did not attend school and joined Wara Monastery when he
was 14 years old.
In November 1997, a five-member "work team" conducted
"re-education" sessions in Wara Monastery. They remained
for approximately four months. The "work-team" conducted
frequent meetings in the monastery. They instructed
the monks to oppose the Dalai Lama and lectured on,
"how Tibet is a part of China." If monks did not attend
the "re-education" sessions, they were fined five yuan
per day. The "work-team" ordered the monks to sign a
pledge denouncing the Dalai Lama and showing "loyalty" to
China. All the monks, including the head of the monastery,
refused to sign the pledge. "Work-team" members threatened
to close the monastery and expel the monks if they
continued to resist the aforementioned demands.
In February or March 1998, "work team" members
expelled twelve monks, including the abbot of the
monastery. Following the expulsions, the "work team"
forcibly collected signed "pledges" from approximately 70
monks, most of whom were below the age of 18. The rest
of the monks were ordered to leave the monastery.
During the "re-education" the "work team" imposed a ban
on pictures of the Dalai Lama. They also announced that,
ìany monk who returned to Wara Monastery from India would
have to pay a penalty of 30,000 yuan per year to Jomda
County Administration. Ngawang Ngodup was expelled from his
monastery after he refused to acceed to the restrictions
imposed by the "work team." He fled Tibet and reached
Nepal on 19 November 1999.
Sog Tsendhen Monastery in Sog County in Nagchu Prefecture,
was visited by "work team" members in the summer of 1997.
The monks were summoned for meetings and repeatedly given
political instructions by the county officials. At present,
there are around 150 monks who have been issued residency
permits. The rest of the monks were ordered to leave the
monastery. Since 1992, monks of Sog Tsendhen Monastery
had pasted several "free Tibet" posters around the town
and county. However, no arrests took place until "work-
team" members visited the monastery. In the summer of
1997 county PSB officials arrested five monks from the
monastery. Four were released in 1999. The fifth monk,
Lobsang Lhundup (age 25) from Yang-nang town of Sog County,
is believed to be presently detained in Nagchu Prison. He
was arrested in July 1998. His parents and relatives
were denied permission to visit him in prison in December
1998. Since then, his parents have been unable to see him
and they do not know of his current whereabouts.
Lobsang Tenzin
is an 18-year-old monk of Chamdo Monastery
in Guru town, Chamdo County. Tenzin became a monk at the
age of 13. "Work team" members visited Chamdo Monastery
in August 1996 and set a limit of 800 monks. At that time,
approximately 500 monks were expelled by the forty or
forty-five member "work-team."
In November 1998 approximately 50 "work team" members
re-visited Chamdo Monastery. They stayed for approximately
two months, conducting "patriotic re-education"
sessions. During the sessions the "work team" distributed
documents, divided the monks into various units and later
questioned them individually. During the "re-education"
the "work team" expelled fifteen monks from the monastery
who were blacklisted as "gamblers" and had been previously
fined (200 yuan each) by the monastery.
An additional 25 monks were expelled from the
monastery by "work team" members for exhibiting ìbad
expression.î In total 540 monks were expelled from Chamdo
Monastery. Lobsang Tenzin escaped Tibet in October or
November of 1999 and reached Nepal on 20 December 1999.
He hopes to rejoin a monastery in India.
Kelsang Lhundup is a 20-year-old former monk of Driru
Monastery in Nagchu Prefecture. His parents are nomads. He
joined Driru Monastery when he was 14 years old.
Before the arrival of "work team" members in April or
May of 1996, there were 88 monks in Driru Monastery. A
four-member "work team" stayed for one month in the
monastery conducting "patriotic re-education" sessions.
Approximately 40 monks were issued permits and the rest
were asked to leave the monastery. Currently, only 12
new monks have been allowed to stay and study religious
scriptures in the Driru Monastery, but they cannot attend
any religious gatherings and have to wear laymens'
clothes in the monastery.
A second "work team" consisting of ten members visited the
monastery in August or September of 1996. They stayed for
six days and during that time searched the monastery for
pictures and ìincitingî literature. In the Spring of 1998,
"work team" members arrived at the monastery for the third
time. 48 monks were expelled. They were not "registered"
and did not have the residency permits required to stay
at the monastery. Most of them were below 18 and seven
others who were later expelled had been to India for
pilgrimage. Currently there are approximately 40 monks
remaining in the monastery.
Lhundup left the monastery on 29 October 1999 and reached
Nepal on 13 December 1999. He wants to join a monastery
in India.
Jamyang Dorjee
is a 23-year-old monk from Drongnag Monastery in Driru
County, Nagchu Prefecture.
Drongnag had approximately 80 monks before the arrival of
a five member "work team" in April or May, 1998. They
stayed in the monastery for about 50 days. During their
stay the "work team" searched all of the monks" rooms and
confiscated all pictures of the Dalai Lama. "Re-education"
sessions were held regularly and the monks were forced to
submit letters pledging to obey the instructions of the
"work team."
On the basis of the "pledges," 49 monks were issued
permits allowing them to remain at the monastery. The
remaining 31 monks were expelled from the monastery and
returned to their families" homes. Jamyang Dorjee fled
Tibet in October or November 1999 and reached Nepal on 13
December 1999. He wants to join a monastery in India.
Ngawang Wangmo
is a 23-year-old nun of Lodrong Nunnery in Nganang town,
Phenpo Lhundrup County in Lhasa Prefecture.
She joined Lodrong Nunnery in 1996. Currently there are
around 45 nuns at Lodrong.
She reports that a "work-team" consisting of 13 members
visited the nunnery in April or May of 1998. The "work
team" was entirely Tibetan and they stayed for around three
months to conduct "patriotic re-education." They asked
every nun individually to choose between the Dalai Lama
and the People's Republic of China. A number of "pledges"
were forcibly taken from the nuns and they appointed their
own members for the Democratic Management Committee of
the nunnery.
There were around 25 nuns who were living outside the
nunnery at that time because they were not registered
with the "work team." Despite repeated requests to the
authorities, the nuns were not allowed to stay in the
nunnery. Most of these nuns were from Phenpo Lhundrup
County. Ngawang Wangmo also reports that on 15 January
1999, two nuns, Kelsang (24) of Phenpo Lhundrup County
and Namdol Dolsang (30) of Lodrong town, Meldrogungkar
County, were arrested by Meldrogungkar PSB. They were
arrested on the charge of pasting and distributing ìfree
Tibetî posters in Lodrong township along with eight other
nuns. Wangmo states that both the nuns were detained in
Meldrogungkar County Prison for one month and were then
taken to Gutsa Detention Centre, where they were detained
for approximately three months. They were later sentenced
to three years imprisonment, and in July or August of 1995,
they were transferred to Drapchi Prison.
While in Drapchi, Namdol Dolsang was tortured and the
prison authorities "extracted" blood from her. As a result,
after her release she became very weak and was hospitalised
for an extended period. Both nuns were released from
Drapchi in February or March 1998. At present Dolsang is
staying with her parents, but is unable to do any work. She
is receiving medical treatment paid for entirely by her
family. Despite her weak condition, she has to report
regularly to the township authorities, from whom she must
receive permission for any of her activities and movements.
Wangmo arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal on 13 December 1999.
[ top ]
Ngawang Gyaltsen
(lay name Ngodup Gyaltsen), a 35-year-old
monk from Drepung Monastery, is originally from Lhasa City,
Toelung Dechen County. He studied for three years in a
primary Mangtsuk (public) School in Dechen township. When
he was 15 years old, he left school to help his parents,
who are farmers.
Around 1983 he joined Drepung Monastery situated in the
north of Lhasa City. The younger monks had to assist with
work in the monastery, and during the daytime Gyaltsen
cut stones. He studied religion in the morning and in
the evening.
According to a decree issued by monastery authorities at
Drepung in 1986, 50 monks were to study religious texts
full-time. As Ngawang Gyaltsen was a good student,
he was listed among the 50 monks and within a short time he
became known for his command of religious and philosophical subjects.
In Lhasa, on 27 October 1987, along with 20 other
monks from the monastery, Gyaltsen staged a peaceful
demonstration against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
This was the first large and open protest by Tibetans
since 1959. Shouting slogans including, "Tibet is for
Tibetans", "Chinese quit Tibet", "Long live the Dalai
Lama", and "Support our rightful struggle". They walked
around the Barkhor and the Jokhang Temple approximately
five times. When they stopped at the front gate of the
"TAR" administrative office (the highest Chinese authority
in occupied Tibet), Chinese policemen and Public Security
Bureau officials arrested the monks and detained them in
Gutsa Detention Centre. They were badly beaten during
interrogation sessions in Gutsa, and left without food
for some time. Afterwards, they were forced to eat, in
the presence of prison guards, a bowl of leftover pig's
food. When they refused, the prison guards beat them.
Ngawang Gyaltsen and his companions were released on
22 January 1988 after four months of detention when the
10th Panchen Lama intervened on their behalf. The monks
rejoined the monastery. In 1989, Ngawang Gyaltsen was
once again involved in independence activities along with
approximately 10 other companions. They distributed
independence pamphlets, participated in peaceful
demonstrations and established a group, the Tibetan
Freedom Organisation. When the Chinese authorities became
aware of their activities, they were in imminent danger
of arrest. In order to escape arrest, Gyaltsen attempted
to flee Tibet. On 13 May 1989, at the Nepal-Tibet border,
Chinese officials arrested Gyaltsen and his friend. They
were transferred to Lhasa. By the time they reached
a detention centre in the "TAR," Gyaltsen's head was
covered with blood from the beatings he sustained during
transportation to Lhasa in the police vehicle.
All of his 10 companions from Drepung who were members
of the Tibetan Freedom Organisation were arrested at
different times. They were kept in different cells
during their frequent interrogation sessions in Sangyip
Prison. The prison authorities denied visitation rights
to their relatives. On 28 November1989 the "TAR"
Intermediate People's Court read out the charges and
sentences of the 10 monks in front of 1500 people. Ngawang
Gyaltsen was sentenced to 17 years" imprisonment and
five years deprivation of political rights, on charges of
"counter-revolutionary propaganda" and for attempting to
illegaly cross the border.
Unhappy with the sentences he had received, Gyaltsen
appealed to the "TAR" People's High Court, but received
no response. On 7 January 1990 he retracted his appeal,
realising the futility of the exercise.
A week later, Gyaltsen and the other imprisoned monks were
transferred to Drapchi Prison where the prison conditions
and their treatment were extremely severe. They were forced
to undergo exhausting manual work during their first few
days. Gyaltsen is still in Drapchi Prison. He will have
completed his sentence in year 2007.
[ top ]
The 3rd Workshop of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights
and Democracy, held from January 19th - January 24th
2000 at SOS Bylakuppee School in South India was attended
by 130 Tibetan students studying in various colleges in
India. Eminent speakers and parliamentarians graced the
events with their speeches and talks on the concept of
human rights and Democracy.
This Workshop was widely appreciated, and the third of
its kind since the last two organised in New Delhi in two
consecutive years following the inception of TCHRD in 1996.
|
