July 2000
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Stricter bans on religious practice in Tibet
[ read ]
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Mass expulsion in Lhasa's central cathedral
[ read ]
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Closure of A-Kyong Yarthang Monastery
[ read ]
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Political unrest in Sog County; 12 detentions
[ read ]
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Three arrests and three expulsions in Dozong Monastery
[ read ]
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Former ward of Gyatso School for Orphans reaches India
[ read ]
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Testimony of a former political prisoner
[ read ]
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A mother's perseverance pays off
[ read ]
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Farmers imprisoned for posters
[ read ]
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Appalling condition of Tibetan peasant
[ read ]
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A former political prisoner testifies
[ read ]
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A nun driven to insanity under brutal and inhuman torture
[ read ]
The Chinese authorities have hardened their policies
towards religious practice in all regions of Tibet
particularly in Lhasa, the centre of religious
activities. The massive campaign launched in recent
months has seriously affected the freedom of the Tibetans
inside Tibet. The Chinese security forces are conducting
extensive raids of Tibetan homes for religious artefacts
and the photos of the Dalai Lama. The atmosphere in and
around Lhasa has become more tense after this crackdown
and so far, 450 Tibetans were fined with 500 yuan each
for having displayed the Dalai Lama's picture in their
homes. Two students were reportedly suspended from their
school for having offered prayers. Photographs of the
Dalai Lama were burnt in Nangkha township in Toelung
Dechen County. Religious articles like thanka-paintings,
statues and altars were thrown into Kyichu River following
confiscation from Tibetan families.
The five government offices; Lhasa City People's
Government, Lhasa City Information Department, and Lhasa
City Discipline Inspection Committee, Lhasa City Justice
Bureau, and the Lhasa City Nationalities and Religious
Affairs Commission jointly issued an order in March
2000. The order prohibits the Tibetan government workers
and Party members in Lhasa from displaying pictures of
the Dalai Lama, setting up of religious altar, hoisting of
traditionally symbolic prayer flags, and installation of
juniper hearth for incense-burning. Furthermore, students
residing in Lhasa are restricted from visiting temples
or attending religious congregation and circumambulating
around the holy city of Lhasa.
In March 2000, the officers of Lhasa City Municipality
summoned the teachers and students of Lhasa Jebumgang
Primary School to a meeting and warned them of suspension
from school if they visit temple or participate in
religious activities. Two students who were caught offering
prayers to the Drazhi goddess for successful result in
the examination were reportedly expelled from the school.
In June this year, during a search operation conducted in
18 houses of the Tibetan members of Lhasa-based Tibetan
Opera Association, the Chinese officials forcefully seized
religious belongings including altar, thangka-paintings,
statues, and other religious articles, which were finally
disposed off in the nearby Kyichu River. Approximately,
450 Tibetans were fined 500 Chinese yuan each for
having displayed the Dalai Lama's picture in their
homes. Following the unexpected raids by the officials,
many Tibetan workers have reportedly shifted their
altar and religious articles in nearby monasteries for
safekeeping out of fear.
During Saga Dawa (the month of Buddha Shakyamuni's Birth
Enlightenment and Death), vigilance was intensified in
the Lingkor (circumambulation) area. A large number of
officers of the Public Security Bureau, the People's Armed
Police, and other regional security force, were stationed
there to watch the movement of the Tibetans. Staff of
Chinese government offices and schools were made to assist
the Chinese officials in identifying the common Tibetans
and the students who made circumambulation in and around Lhasa.
In a meeting held on March 2000 of various heads of
townships under Toelung Dechen People's Government, an
order prohibiting the display of the Dalai Lama's picture
was issued to the local farmers and nomads. Members of
Inspection Committee instituted by County and township
authorities warned residents of Toelung County of
unexpected raids in their homes.
According to a recently arrived Tibetan refugee from
Toelung Dechen, a Review Committee set up in June 2000 by
officials of Toelung Dechen County and the heads of various
townships undertook extensive raids on the pictures of the
Dalai Lama. Forcible seizure of the pictures of the Dalai
Lama from the homes of Tibetan residents took place in as
many as ten townships in Toelung Dechen County, namely,
Leu ( also known as Sangda) township, Ma township,
Gurum township, Jarak township, Nechung township, Lamo
township, Dechen township, Yada township, Thongka township
and Nangkha township. In the third week of June 2000, the
Committee members set ablaze the confiscated photographs of
the Dalai Lama in Nangkha township. The Review Committee
threatened the local Tibetans of legal investigation if
pictures of the Dalai Lama were discovered from their
homes.
The Chinese government is reported to have circulated a
notice to the concerned Chinese offices instructing them
to subject the religious institutions to greater scrutiny
and control. Stricter restrictions and greater control on
the monasteries were enforced than ever before. As part
of the campaign, 30 monks were expelled from Tsuglagkhang,
the central cathedral of Lhasa on 15 July 2000.
The claims made by the Chinese government in it's White
Paper on Tibetan culture released on 22 June 2000 blatantly
contradicts the actual reality of restrictive religious
policies that grossly violates the rights of the Tibetan
people. Lhasa City Discipline Inspection Commission during
its sixth general body meeting held from 15 to 17 March
2000, restricted people from developing devotional faith,
considering the Dalai Lama as an enlightened being, sending
children to schools run by the Dalai Lama, and pursuing
the path of the Dalai clique. It further stresses that
those violating the statutory law shall be subjected to
severe punishments following strict investigation.
The Chinese authorities are also keeping watch over the
religious institutions. Since the inception of 'Strike
Hard' campaign in the religious institutions in 1996,
the Chinese authorities have introduced the 'patriotic
re-education' whereby they impart political ideologies
to the monks and nuns. This campaign has resulted in the
expulsion of 11,847 monks and nuns and nearly 565 arrest
and imprisonment as of June 2000.
[ top ]
According to information aired by Voice of America (VOA)
on 23 July 2000, the regional Chinese authorities expelled
30 monks from the Tsuklhakhang (central cathedral) of
Lhasa City on 15 July 2000.
Information gathered from reliable sources describe how the
concerned local Chinese authorities made an announcement
on 15 July 2000 calling for the urgent need to subject
the religious institutions in and around Lhasa to greater
scrutiny and control. The expelled monks were prohibited
from practicing and engaging in any religious activities
in Lhasa or their localities.
After their recent implementation of radically strict
policies aimed at effacing the Tibetan race and religion,
the Chinese government has now turned toward monasteries,
nunneries, and other institutions. The monks and
nuns in Tibet are deprived of their right to faith and
religion, and lack the freedom to practice their religious
training. Various policies designed at ridding the monastic
institutions of its monks and nuns were introduced in
all parts of Tibet, thereby turning the institutions into
places comprising of only a handful of caretakers.
Problems arising out of restrictions placed on religious
activities and forced expulsion is the main cause of fear
and apprehension to the religious people of Tibet.
[ top ]
A-Kyong Monastery was declared closed on 13 November 1999
by the Chinese 'work team' officers. The closure was in
response to repeated failure of the monks to turn up for
'patriotic re-education' meetings during three visits
of the 'work team'. The officers threatened the monks
as well as the county and township officials with arrest
and reduction in pay if the mass boycott was not put to
an end. Chokun Pal, the representative of the monastery
was told at Religious Affairs Department of Golok 'TAP'
to exert every possible effort to make the monks accept
the re-education. Desperate attempts to offer reward to
the monastery on successful completion of the campaign
resulted in failure. The monks remained adamant in their
stand. Only a deserted monastery awaited the 'work team'
on three different occasions.
A-kyong Monastery has a history that dates back to 500
years. The monastery was demolished during the infamous
Cultural Revolution that lasted for ten years between
1966-76. The local people in the 1980's restored the
monastery to its original form and glory. No assistance
in terms of finance and labour was forthcoming from the
Chinese authorities in the renovation matter. Before the
'work team' officers' arrival in Pema County, there were
approximately 60 monks in the monastery.
The 'work team' comprising of seven members from Pema
County and Chaktri township made their first visit on
17 June 1999. In a meeting held for the villagers at
the village office, plans to re-educate the monks in a
week's time were announced. The officials ordered the
parents to advise the monks to abide by their orders and
follow the 're-education'. The sessions, the officials
said, might continue for a year if it is not completed
within the stipulated week's time. Any monk who dared
to engage in political activities would face arrest and
imprisonment. The officers who visited A-Kyong Monastery
five days later to impart 're-education' to the monks
found the monastery empty with no monks. Left with no
alternative, these officers had to leave after two days'
stay in the monastery.
On their second visit ten days later, the officials
called a meeting with the disciplinary in-charge and other
concerned staff of the monastery. The officers reprimanded
the staff and ordered them to ensure that the monks follow
the 're-education session'. However, the monks' refused
to oblige and further stated that to oppose the Dalai
Lama is against the basic principle of 'refuge-taking'
in Buddhism and against the monk hood itself.
On 1 November 1999, officials of Golok Tibetan Autonomous
Prefecture notified the monastery that 30 'work team'
officials would visit the monastery for a week. The monks
were threatened with closure of the monastery if they
oppose the orders. To their chagrin, none of the monks
were present during their visit, not even the caretaker of
the monastery. After having stayed for seven days in the
monastery, the officials left but declared the monastery
closed on 13 November 1999.
Thupwang (35) who related the incidents leading to the
closure, was a former monk of A-Kyong Monastery since
he was 18 years old. He has six family members with two
brothers and one sister. They farm for a living. At the age
of eight, he attended Yarthang village Primary School. For
the next three years, he helped his parents in the farming
activities. Thupwang escaped into exile on 6 July 2000.
[ top ]
According to a recent arrival from Sog County, eight people
were arrested from Sog County in March 2000 on charges of
political activities. Additional information from another
source indicates that four people were arrested at a later
stage although the date of their arrest still remains
unclear. Five out of the eight people reported to have been
arrested earlier were monks of Sog Tsendhen Monastery and
the other three were lay people from the county. They were
arrested on two different dates although the charges were
same. On the night of 17 March 2000, Yeshi Tenzin (32) and
Gyurmey (28) were arrested and were beaten and compelled
to reveal the names of their 'accomplices.' Two days later,
on 19 March 2000, three monks, Tenzin Chowang (63) Namgyal
Sopa (26) and an unidentified monk, and three lay people;
Diru Dadak (36), Tsering Lhagon (40) and Serpa Sichoe (80)
were arrested. The eight were alleged with engaging in
political activities and linked to past pro-independence
incidents in Sog County. They were initially taken to Sog
County PSB office and later transferred to Lhasa where
they were detained in Lhasa Intelligence Bureau. Since
their last detention in the 'TAR' Intelligence Bureau,
the eight have not been seen nor their family members have
been allowed to visit them.
From another source, four people, Khedrup, Thupten Tsering,
Dhra Thutop and Yeshi from 3rd village, Yong Nag township
were arrested. They were all from Sog County and were
reportedly arrested under suspicious grounds of involvement
in political activities. While details surrounding their
arrest is not clear, it is possible that they could have
been associated with the aforementioned people. Khedrup
is reportedly being detained in Sangyip Prison and Thupten
Tsering is the younger brother of Tenzin Chowang.
Sog County and Sog Tsendhen Monastery in particular, have
been noted for being the breeding ground for resistance
activities including the bomb explosion on 23 October 1995.
The principal culprit escaped arrest, but others involved
for other political activities have experienced their
share of punishment. Three of the aforementioned Sog
residents were already arrested in 1997. Tenzin Chowang
was arrested on 20 June 1997 and Serpa Sichoe on 23 August
1997. They were both arrested on grounds of suspicion
for the bomb explosion in Sog County and other political
activities. While in detention, they were reportedly ill
treated and as both of them were old, their conditions
became so critical that they had to be released after
six months. Namgyal Soepa who was arrested on the night
of 18 August 1997 for the same reason as Chowang and
Sichoe was apparently also released due to his parents'
relentless appeal.
In 1998, a huge military barrack was built in the
pastureland of Yakla township in Sog County. At the time
of construction, people in the county believed that it
was a school. Following the completion of the building,
PLA forces were stationed there. On the day of inauguration
in 1999, the head of the Sog County (xian zhang) announced
that it is a military barrack constructed particularly for
the protection of the people in Sog County and that 1000
PLA forces were specifically brought in from China for the
purpose. According to the same informant,PLA personnels
are stationed at Sog Tsendhen Monastery. The monks are
subjected to strict vigilance and are ristricted from
moving around freely. This restriction is also extended
to the lay people.
Additional information on the arrest of 28-year-old
Lobsang Lhundup, also from Sog Tsendhen Monastery was
received by TCHRD. 'Work team' members who were present
at the monastery conducting the 'patriotic re-education'
campaign arrested him in July 1998. They discovered
cassettes containing speeches of the Dalai Lama from his
room. Ludup whose name was spelt Lhundup was initially
detained in Nagchu Prison and was later transferred to
Drapchi with a prison sentence of two years.
[ top ]
Three monks from Dozong Monastery were reportedly arrested
and three more expelled in connection with 'patriotic
education', that started in June 1998 with the arrival
of 15 'work team' members. The officials' order to sign
pledges of denunciation against the Dalai Lama was met
with fierce resistance by the monks and resulted in the
arrest of Phurbu (22), Jangchup Dakpa (23) and Khedup
Phakchok (21). Several monks were slapped and as many as
60 monks underwent political education for 15 days in the
aftermath of the arrest. Following an order that called
for voluntary expulsion of monks below 18 years of age,
the three monks were expelled but their identities still
remains unclear. This case was reported by Gaden, a 21
year-old former monk of Dozong Monastery located in Chamdo
Region, Pema County, Chel township.
'Re-education' session in Dozong Monastery involved
regular meetings, distribution of booklets and political
education classes for the monks that was specifically
designed to denounce the 'Dalai separatist forces' and to
garner support for the Chinese government policies. The
three monks were arrested when they back-answered the
'work team' members, subsequent to the signature drive
scuffle. The members in collaboration with Pema County
PSB officials arrested these three monks and continue to
detain them in Pema County.
Almost 100 monks of Dozong Monastery who were mostly of
young age were called for a meeting and asked to decry the
acts of the three arrested monks. The monks' refusal to go
along the official line was deemed politically motivated
and hence, special political classes were taken for the
monks for two weeks. The 'work team' members left the
monastery after giving strict instructions to the monks
to continue with their political education till their
next visit.
Dozong Monastery was restored and rebuilt in the early
eighties after it was demolished during the Cultural
Revolution. The monastery has approximately 120 monks
comprising mainly of younger monks. Gaden, who became
monk of Dozong Monastery in 1998, had a total period
of eight years schooling; the first seven years in a
government-administered school in Chel township and a year
in Pema County Middle school. Due to limited religious
freedom in the wake of 'work team' visits, Gaden escaped
from Tibet and reached India on 23 July 2000.
[ top ]
Wangchen Choegyal
is a 12-year-old orphan from Taksi township in Jondha County in Chamdo Region.
When he was three years old, his mother died in childbirth.
A year later his father died in a road accident.
In 1993, his uncle sent his brother and sister
into exile as he was poor and could not afford to take
care of them.
Choegyal stayed with his uncle till he was seven and
finally in 1996, he was admitted to the Gyatso School for
Orphans. Choegyal remembers that he was very comfortable
at the school until its closure this year.
Following the closure of the school, he recounts,
"Officials from the Civil Administration Department came to
sort us out. Those with relatives in Lhasa were summoned
to the care of their relatives while 20 of us who had
no one in Lhasa were taken to Chamdo. A bus took us from
Lhasa to Nagchu and then we were moved into a truck for
Chamdo. Once in Chamdo there were nine of us with no one to
go to. Still, the authorities brought us back to Lhasa. I
do not know how they got rid of the others but I realised
that I was with an eight-year-old boy called Dhondup
Gyaltsen. Somehow the authorities found out that I had an
uncle in Ramoche. They took the two of us to a rickshaw
driver and told him to take us to Ramoche. It had been ages
since I had been there and moreover I was a child then,
so I had no idea about where to look for my uncle. That
night I stayed at Gyalsten's relative's place. After a
few days, I found my uncle through Gyaltsen's relatives."
One day when Choegyal was with his uncle in Barkhor for
circumambulation, he saw Choezom (13) from Derge in Kham;
Tsesong (7) and Norzom begging. They were all from the
same orphanage. He saw other boys selling dry seeds and
loitering in Lhasa.
According to Wangchen, in October 1999, approximately
ten officials, dressed plainly, came to Gyatso School for
Orphans. The officials guarded the school and prohibited
the children from going out. This school, established in
May 1996, took care of approximately 60 orphans. Founded by
Bhangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche, the school was funded by donors
from abroad. Subjects like Tibetan, English, Chinese,
Maths and thanka painting were taught in the school. The
officials ransacked Rinpoche's house and reportedly found
'political' documents. Bhangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche, his wife,
Nyima Chodon and four staff members of the school were
arrested. The staff, Gadhe Gya (30), English teacher;
Dawa Dhondup (35), Tibetan teacher; Gelek Nyima (30),
Thanka painting teacher and Dawa (30), Chinese teacher
have reportedly since been released.
Choegyal's uncle, being poor, could not take care of him,
so Choegyal decided to flee in to exile. He walked for 26
days across the Himalayas and reached Dharamsala, India,
in early July 2000.
[ top ]
Drupkyi Nyima
is a 23-year-old monk from Dingpuche Monastery
who reached Dharamsala on 23 July 2000.
Originally from Lhoka Region, Nyima spent a year in
Tsethang Detention Centre with Pema Wangyal in 1995. In
February 1995, Nyima, Thupten Tenzin (lay name Tsewang
Dhondup) 22 years old, Pema Wangyal (lay name Kalden
Choezin) 21 years old, all from the same monastery, wrote
three different independence posters and stuck them around
Kyiru township including the gate of the PSB shop and Reti
Khang, a prominent gathering place. After 15 days, PSB
officials came to Dingpuche Monastery and checked their
handwritings to compare with the one on the posters. On
18 March 1995, Dhondup was arrested and held in Tsethang
PSB detention centre. Fifteen days later, the other two
were arrested and were taken to Lhoka detention centre.
Once in Lhoka Detention Centre, the PSB officials started
interrogation sessions. Nyima reports that although
he was not electrocuted, slapping and kicking was
commonplace. After four and a half months of detention,
Lhoka Intermediate people's court settled their prison term
without any trial. Tsewang was sentenced to four years'
imprisonment and two years deprivation of political
rights. After a month he was transferred to Drapchi
Prison. Nyima and Wangyal were to be held for a year
each. They continued to be held in Tsethang Detention
centre as they had already exhausted more than half of
their term there. While in Tsethang, Nyima reports that
they had to grow vegetables and wash police vehicles and
cut firewood.
Tsethang Detenton Centre is the biggest detention centre in
Lhoka. There are approximately four units and in each unit,
there are 7-8 cells. The bigger cells can accommodate
six people while the smaller ones only three. All
serious criminals in Lhoka are kept in this detention
centre. There are about nine prison officials and the
People's Armed Police patrol outside the gates. Majority
of the inmates (approximately 50) are Tibetans. None of
them are political prisoners. In March 1996, the two of
them were released. They were prohibited from joining any
other monastery. They were subjected to strict scrutiny
and had difficulty moving around.
On 14 June, Nyima was arrested on Dhingri Dhamar by Chinese
border police. He was held in Gangkar border military
police for one day where he received severe beatings. He
was handed over to Dhingri County PSB officers and where
he was held for ten days. After confiscating 50 yuan,
he was released but ordered to return to Lhasa. Nyima
believes that the officials had no knowledge about his
background. In stead of returning to Lhasa, Nyima walked
for another 13 days and reached Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nyima is from Kyiru township in Dranang County, Lhoka
Region. He comes from a family of eight members. He has
been to mangtsuk school for three years and another years
in shungtsuk school. In July 1994, Nyima joined Dingpuche
Monastery where there were 50 monks at the time of his
admission.
[ top ]
After years of perseverance, a mother's campaign to
meet her son in prison in Tibet paid off.
Sonam Dekyi,
mother of Ngawang Choephel, the ethno-musicologist who was
arrested in August 1995 by Chinese officials on charges of
"espionage" has been allowed to visit her son. Although
Dekyi is the first Tibetan, out side of Tibet to be
allowed a visit, Choephel happens to be the only Tibetan
prisoner from India with entire relatives in India. This
visit has come about as a result of joint campaign by many
organisations, individuals and some high-level officials
and Vermont Congressional delegation.
TCHRD has campaigned for Ngawang Choephel's release
since his arrest in 1995. The Centre has organised press
conferences and numerous marches and candle-light vigils in
support of his release. A signature campaign was launched
by the Centre in 1997 urging the Chinese government to
allow Sonam Dekyi to meet with her son. In 1998, the Centre
in collaboration with International Campaign for Tibet
and Campaign Free Tibet organised an international tour
for Sonam Dekyi to seek support for the release of her son.
Yet, Sonam Dekyi remains the main catalyst who never once
gave up hope to see her son. According to Rutland Herald,
Vermont, the Chinese ambassador to the United States
accepted Dekyi's visit over a debate on the permanent
normal trade relations between China and the United States.
Ngawang Choephel, a Fulbright scholar in Middlebury
college, Vermont, was in Tibet researching ethnic Tibetan
traditional music when he was arrested by Chinese officials
in 1995. He has since been sentenced to 18 years for
espionage and is reportedly suffering from a number of
diseases including hepatitis and pulmonary infection. While
this visit is viewed as a victory by many, human rights
organisations continue to staunchly opt for his release
on medical parole.
Choephel was reportedly transferred to the remote and
high security Powo Tramo Prison on 1 July 1998 after
being held in Nyari Detention Centre in Shigatse. He was
reportedly held in Drapchi Prison for three days. Since
the travel itinerary did not include visiting Powo Tramo,
it is likely that Ngawang Choephel would be brought to
Lhasa to meet with his mother. The visit is seen as a
moral booster for Ngawang Choephel and another impetus
for activists who want him released.
[ top ]
Tsering Choephel,
aged 33 years, and
Chungdak,
aged 31 years,
are farmers of Lhasa 'TAP'. In June 1995, the two farmers
pasted pro-independence posters on the office gates of
the local authorities.
The PSB launched an investigation, resulting in
Tsering Choephel and Chungdak being arrested by PSB
officials. Taken from their homes, the two were kept
in Lhoka Region PSB Detention Centre for four months.
During their stay in Lhoka Region PSB Detention Centre,
they both endured intensive interrogation sessions.
At the end of 1995, the Lhoka Region Intermediate People's
Court sentenced the two detainees. Tsering Choepel was
sentenced to four years' imprisonment, and Chungdak was
sentenced to three years' imprisonment. They remained
in the detention centre for another 20 days after their
sentencing, before being transferred to Lhasa's Drapchi
Prison.
Life in prison entailed hard labour and exercise,
punishments and inhuman treatment by the prison
guards. Tsering Choephel and Chungdak suffered innumerable
hardships in the prison until their release in the year
1998 and 1999 respectively.
[ top ]
Che-ga
and all his family members reached Dharamsala on 4 July 2000.
Che-ga escaped into exile to seek blessing from
the Dalai Lama, to send his children into school in India,
and to speak about the situation in Tibet. He describes
that there is no school in his village, and although
there is a school in the township, it is too expensive
and education imparted to the students are inadequate
and Chinese-orientated. Che-ga says "These schools are
just for the name's sake." However in the county there are
schools but it is especially meant for government officials
and Chinese immigrants. These schools are much better in
every respect compared to their village school. Nomadic
children rarely get an opportunity to attend these school,
since they don't get required percentage of marks. There
are 300 families in his village only a couple of people are
literate, even the village leaders are mostly illiterate.
In the election held in Che-ga's village, the candidates
are pre-determined and people do not have any voice in
the election. He states that "if the person is good and
capable and people choose to elect the person, he or she
will not be accepted by the township and county authorities
and instead would appoint some other candidate."
Che-ga has never been to school. As a nomad, his family
possess 10 animals, one Yak, five Dri (female yak)
and four horses. Fifteen years earlier Che-ga's family
had 17 yaks and dri and 30-40 sheep, but due to lack of
available grassland several of his livestock gradually
died. He explains that scarcity of grassland was caused due
to excessive exploitation of mineral resources, such as
gold and silver in Gama township. Despite fewer animals,
taxes are imposed on the animals. Land tax, health tax,
butter tax, hides tax, meat tax and taxes on Yartsa Gunbhu
(Cordrypsis senesis a medicinal plant).
Each animal is charged one yuan as a land tax and 10
yuan per head each year as health tax. Animal health tax:
two yuan annually for each animal. Five to six gyama of
meat for each animal, butter tax of one gyama. One hide
every year.
Animal Dung tax: Che-ga has to give 40 khel of dry drung
to the authorities each year.
All married women in his
village can not exceed two children. If they fail to meet the
requirement, they are fined 2000-3000 yuan. The women have
go to the township for sterilization.
Che-ga is a 32-year-old nomad from 'Tibetan Autonomous
Prefecture' in Sichuan Province. His wife and three
children escaped to India together.
[ top ]
Kalsang Dorjee
reached Dharamsala on 23 July 2000 after
travelling for a month and a half. On 5 March 1988,
after the conclusion of the Monlam Chenmo festival,
Kalsang Dorjee (34) from Lhasa participated in peaceful
demonstration for Tibetan independence along with
hundreds of people in Lhasa City. Kalsang was involved
in fighting with three Chinese officials, in the ensuing
fight he broke the teeth of one Chinese officials. On 7
March 1988, at around 12 midnight three trucks full of
People's Armed Police rounded up his house and arrested
him. After his arrest, Kalsang was taken to Barkhor Local
Police Station and detained there for five hours. In the
local Police station, Kalsang was severely beaten by the
Chinese person whose teeth were broken, and 20 other PAP
officials. As a result severe physical damage occurred
and he vomited blood.
Kalsang was later taken to Outridu Prison and detained
there for 12 days. During the time, he was interrogated
five times and simultaneously struck with electric baton
and iron rod. He received hard jolts with iron rod on his
head. Due to severe beatings coupled with poor nutrition
in Outridu, he fell unconscious several times.
Kalsang was later transferred to Seitru along with 60
people. After a day, he was transferred to Gutsa Detention
Centre with 50 people. In Gutsa, he was kept in Unit 1,
cell # 5 with 34-year-old Tsering Dhondup of Drepung
Nechung Monastery, Tsering (29) monk of Drepung Monastery
and Yeshi Lodroe (60) a monk of Drepung monastery. While
in detention he was randomly interrogated for more than
six months. Each interrogation lasted three hours. He
was asked about his personal background, reason for his
participation, and his companions.
Kalsang was originally sentenced to two years imprisonment,
but due to pressure by the previous Panchen Lama,
Kalsang was released along with 84 other people from
Gutsa on 10 November, 1988. In December 1988, through the
influence of his cousin, who is working in the Chinese
government office, Kalsang secured a job in a bank
in Dram, at the Tibet- Nepal border. In 1990, Kalsang
received a special eight-month training on banking in
the Chinese province of Haibei. He thereafter obtained
an college certificate. While in Dram, he worked in the
foreign currency exchange counter where he got hold of
many incriminating documents and cassettes containing
speeches of the Dalai Lama. Kalsang claims that he
stole these cassettes from the border security army who
had confiscated them from people returning to Tibet.
Kalsang carried these documents to Lhasa when he had
official business to attend to.
In April 1992, he was transferred to Bank of China in
Lhasa City to work in loan service section.
In July 1993, he was arrested again for distributing audio
and video cassettes containing speeches of the Dalai Lama,
Future Constitution of Tibet and various other documents
from India. Kalsang was arrested at work in the Bank of
China in 1993 by several officials of PSB intelligence
wing.
Kalsang was detained in 'TAR' PSB office, and in the night
he was shifted to some unknown location in Lhasa. Kalsang
was kept there for 10 days during which time, he was
interrogated to find out whoelse were involved. The
officials tried every possible method s including enticing
him with good food and cigarettes. However, Kalsang stuck
to his original version of having obtained the documents
himself. Unable to withdraw any information from him, the
officials finally released him under the conditions that
he would observe the activity of a person (name withheld
for security reason) who was suspected of being involved
in political activity, and report to the PSB office every
Saturday. The other suspected person was instructed to
observe the activity of Kalsang. But since, both of them
knew each other, they did not report anything. Fearing
their ultimate arrest, he fled Lhasa in December 1993
along with his friend and a monk.
They travelled to Ngari for four days. Upon reaching Lhasa,
Kalsang fell sick and started vomitting blood. Unable to
travel further he returned to Lhasa, leaving behind his
friend. On the way, he was arrested by the local army and
detained in a village in Ngari for a few days. He then
returned to Lhasa with a friend. Upon reaching Lhasa he
was admitted into the Tibetan Medical Institute for three
months. On 30 May 1994, 'TAR' PSB officials arrested him
and interrogated him on his attempted escape. Kalsang was
put under house arrest for a year, and was later expelled
from his job at the bank.
Kalsang was further debarred from admission in to the
government hospitals, and was not issued the medical pass
required to receive a reduced rate for medical expenses.
Once a person is involved in political activities, they
are generally expelled from their job and are unable
to find any means of livelihood. Even the basic papers
such as citizen card, are being excluded from political
prisoners, and the right into public services and public
representation are permanently denied to them. Moreover,
relatives and family members of a political prisoner
are found working in a government office are constantly
kept under surveillance and the security of their job is
under threat.
Unable to withstand such a situation, Kalsang finally left
Lhasa on 9 June 2000 for India. He reached Dharamsala on
23 July 2000 after travelling for one month and 14 days.
Kalsang is from a three-member family with one elder
sister and a father. Kalsang had been school from 1972
to 1977 for five years in Lhasa primary school and
from 1977 to 1981 for four years he attended Lhasa City
Middle school. After completion of Middle School, he was
appointed as teacher in Nagchu primary school but due to
family problem he could not take that job. Then in 1984,
Kalsang worked in a general store in Tromsekhang area, and
simultaneously worked as a office secretary of the areas
local committee. He was a member of area security guard as
well. From March 1986 for almost six months he was sent for
military training at the Tsel-Gungthang military school.
[ top ]
Jangchup Dolma,
a 21-year-old nun from Yangchen Galo Nunnery,
reportedly became insane due to prison ill treatment she
received while in detention.
Dolma participated in a political demonstration in the
Barkhor area on 28 February 1995 along with her cousin
Rinchen Palmo (21). Four Public Security Bureau Officials
(PSB) immediately arrested the two. While being taken to
Gutsa Detention Centre, they were kicked and punched. The
nuns were detained in Gutsa Detention Centre for five
months. For the first two months the nuns experienced
severe maltreatment. They were hit with electric batons,
kicked and punched.
Later Dolma and Palmo were transferred to Drapchi Prison
on 30 July 2000. On 15 July1995 about 150 ml blood was
extracted from each of the nuns by the officials of
the People's Hospital. It was told that the extracted
blood will cover the cost of food during their stay in
Gutsa. During their stay in Gutsa the nuns were denied any
visitation rights. Jangchub Dolma later developed heart
problem because of treatment meted out on her.
In June 1995, the Intermediate People's Court of Lhasa
sentenced Dolma and Palmo to five years' imprisonment with
a deprivation of political rights for two years. Along with
58 other nuns, Dolma and Palmo were transferred to Drapchi
Prison on 30 July 1995. In total 60 nuns were placed in
the new female unit '3' of Drapchi Prison. On the second
day of their arrival, the nuns were forced to wake up at 4
am and attend an hour-long military exercises after which,
they were served a Tingmo (steamed dough) and black tea.
Their routine for the next three months was set on the
second day of their arrival in Drapchi. They were made
to stand in the sun from 8.30 am to 8 pm. To make them
stand still, papers were placed in-between their legs
and under their armpits. They were forced to balance a
filled bowl on their head. If they made any movement they
were beaten and sometimes hot water was thrown on their
body. Electric batons were used on their bodies. Many nuns
fell unconscious during this harsh punishment, but none
of the nuns were allowed to help each other. Sometimes
they were made to stand until 12 midnight. Occasionally,
there were given 10 minutes break to go to the toilet,
but these were random and infrequent.
At a particular military exercise, in November 1995,
the nuns were forced to run from 8.30 am to 12 noon and
from 2 pm to 6.30 pm but sometimes they were made to do it
till 1 am. Often the nuns were forced to balance a brick
on their foot for approximately seven minutes with their
legs stretched out horizontally. Various other forms of
punishment like standing barefoot in cold water during
winter from 7 pm to 2 am was also applied. The diet too was
extremely poor as well. Such ill treatment went on till 2
December 1995. Eventually, Dolma developed ulcer and kidney
pain. She was specially scrutinised by the prison officials
and often faced reprisals for trivial matters. Dolma
found it suffocating and ultimately became insane.
Since 13 December 1995, the nuns were engaged in wool
weaving work in their respective cell. Each prisoners
is given a quota of four sang of wool per day, so the
prisoners had to stay until 12 pm mid night to finished
their quota.
On 20 February 1997, during a meeting in a prison, Rinchen
Palmo was subjected to solitary confinement for showing
'bad expression' at prison officials. Unable to bear this,
Dolma questioned the prison officials. That evening at six,
prison officials took her away and she did not return
until midnight. Upon her return, I found out that she
endured severe beatings for six hours.
Dolma continued to get into trouble and receive beatings
for her intrepid behaviour such as complaining about
the poor prison diet saying, "it is mouldy." Again in
November 1997, Dolma, along with 10 other cell mates
were kept standing barefoot in cold water for reciting
prayers. Dolma received additional beatings for laughing
at the prison officials.
During the May 1998 Drapchi protests, Dolma, Chogdrup
Dolma, and a number of other prisoners were placed in
solitary confinement for three months from May to August
1998. During this time, she was again hit with electric
baton, rubber cord and belt buckles on her head and over
her body. As a result, Dolma suffered a fracture in her
finger. In October 1998, Dolma's sentence was increased
by six years. She is currently the longest serving female
prisoner in the new "3rd" unit.
Jangchub Dolma now suffers from complex health problems
but has not received any medical assistance.
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