January 2002
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Freedom at last for Tibet's longest serving political prisoner
[ read ]
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Leading Tibetan social activist arrested
[ read ]
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Biography of Tulku Tenzin Delek
[ read ]
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TCHRD commemorates the 13th birthday of the XIth Panchen Lama
[ read ]
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Film footages smuggled out of Tibet
[ read ]
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A young Tibetan escapee sexually assaulted for months
[ read ]
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Destruction of old Lhasa
[ read ]
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An exile returnee earns 10 years for poster pasting incident
[ read ]
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Press conference on smuggled footages from Serthar Institute
[ read ]
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TCHRD campaign activities on the Panchen Lama's 13th birthday
[ read ]
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Educational talk series in TCV schools
[ read ]
Tanak Jigme Sangpo
was released on medical parole on 31 March 2002.
The 75-year-old Tibetan served 19 continuous
years in prison and a cumulative sentence of 41 years,
making him the longest serving political prisoner in Tibet.
Reports indicate that he is currently in Lhasa, Tibet's
capital city, under the care of his niece, Pema Chozom,
a retired teacher.
While welcoming the news of Tanak Jigme Sangpo's release on
31 March 2002, TCHRD believes that China has used him as a
"bargaining chip" in its ongoing negotiation to achieve
bilateral dialogue with the United States and also to
prevent international scrutiny on its human rights record.
"China is willing to let go of a few well-campaigned
political prisoners to save its face from being smeared
at international foras. If China is truly committed to
upholding international human rights standards, it should
release all the other 251 known political prisoners in
Tibet", said Ms Youdon Aukatsang, Senior Programme Officer
at the TCHRD.
This latest release came at an opportune time as the 58th
United Nations Human Rights Commission was in session in
Geneva. China was lobbying hard to avert any resolution
regarding the human rights record.
In the wake of the recent releases of Ngawang Choephel
and Tanak Jigme Sangpo, China has attempted to convince
the international community for bilateral dialogue on
human rights.
According to the verdict issued on 4 April 1992, Tanak
Jigme Sangpo was to be released on 3 September 2011 with
continuous 28 years' sentence. On his release on 31 March
2002, Tanak has already served 19 continuous years in
prison. This figure excludes his previous sentences.
Tanak Jigme Sangpo (b. 1926), also known as Jigsang,
was reportedly first arrested in 1960 while teaching at
Lhasa Primary School. He was charged with "corrupting the
minds of children with reactionary ideas". In 1964, he was
sentenced to three years' imprisonment in Sangyip Prison
for making comments regarding China's repression of Tibet.
In 1970 Tanak was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment
in Sangyip Prison for 'counter-revolutionary'
propaganda. Tanak was caught attempting to send a
document reporting Chinese atrocities through his niece,
who was trying to flee Tibet. Tanak Jigme Sangpo was
released from prison in 1979, and transferred to the
'Reform-Through-Labour' Unit One in Nyethang County in
Lhasa Municipality.
The Lhasa City PSB arrested him for the third time on
3 September 1983. According to the 1983 verdict, Tanak
was seen at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa on 12 July 1983
pasting a personally written wall-poster, which contained
anti-Chinese slogans. On 15 July, Tanak was seen wearing
a piece of cloth on his chest whereupon the words "self
determination for Tibetans" were written. The verdict
also said Tanak had shown no sign of reforming as he
continued with independence activities. On 24 November
1983, Lhasa City Intermediate People's Court sentenced
him to 15 years' imprisonment and five years deprivation
of political rights.
While in detention at Drapchi Prison, on 5 October 1987,
Tanak went towards the rukhag gate, timing his act when
prisoners were being fed. He shouted "Free Tibet", "PRC
fooled the Tibetan people" and "Chinese leave Tibet"
reading from a self-prepared poster. Prison guards
immediately caught him and after almost a year on 1
December 1988, he received an extension of five years'
imprisonment and one year deprivation of political rights.
On 6 December 1991, Tanak shouted slogans in three
different languages, Chinese, Tibetan and English, during
a visit by Swiss delegation. Other inmates quietened
Tanak fearing serious repercussions if caught. After the
delegation left, Tanak was dragged from the room and beaten
so severely that his body became numb. He was then placed
in solitary confinement.
Six weeks later, Tanak suffered a new form of 'cold cell'
torture. This cell is lined with sheets that are designed
to lower the cell's temperature. Permission to put on
extra clothing was denied and average winter temperature
in Lhasa is 3.5 degree celsius below zero and can drop as
low as 10 degree celsius below. On 4 April 1992, Tanak
received an extension of eight years and three years'
deprivation of political rights. This would have brought
his release date to 3 September 2011, at the age of 85.
[ top ]
On the night of 7 April 2002,
Tulku Tenzin Delek,
popularly known as Ah-nga Tashi, a highly-respected lama in Lithang
County, Karze "TAP", Sichuan Province, was arrested by
Sichuan PSB officers on suspected involvement in a series
of bomb blast incidents at Chengdu. Four of his attendants
were also arrested. They are Tsultrim Dhargyal, Tamding
Tsering, Asher Dhargyal and Dhondup (lay). The current
whereabouts of all five are unknown.
It is reported that his students Tulku Damchoe Nyima and
Tashi Phuntsok, Disciplinarian-in-charge of Othok Monastery
were also detained in the following days. The whereabouts
of both these monks also remain as yet.
Followers of Tulku Tenzin Delek believe he has been framed
for the bomb blasts due to his so-called "splittist"
actions. Tulku is renowned for his active involvement
in the restoration of Tibetan culture and religion,
social welfare activities and his bold statements about
repressive Chinese policies in Tibet. He was vociferous
in raising and resolving issues of local concern. Tulku
always emphasised the need to resolve issues amicably,
to adhere to the teachings of the Dalai Lama, to preserve
Tibet's unique culture, and for the salaried Tibetan cadres
to lead Tibet into the modern 21st century.
Recent trends in arrest indicate that Beijing authorities
seem to target prominent religious figures who had had
meetings with the Dalai Lama. Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, a
respected Buddhist practitioner, was sentenced in March
2000 to five years' imprisonment on charges of seeking an
audience with the Dalai Lama and for conducting long-life
prayer ceremony for him. Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, chief abbot
of Serthar Institute, is reportedly held incommunicado,
and most of his wells over 8,000 students were expelled
and approximately 2000 dwellings demolished in 2001. The
Chinese authorities maintained the suspicion that Khenpo
might have contacts with the Dalai Lama in both political
and religious matters, after his meeting with the Dalai
Lama in Dharamsala in 1990. The arrest of Tulku Tulku
Tenzin Delek is the most recent case. All these three
leading religious figures are from the same region of
Karze County, Sichuan Province.
[ top ]
Born in 1950 to Tsepak Dorjee and Dolma Choezom in Lithang,
Tulku Tenzin Delek joined Lithang Monastery at the age
of seven. He sought monk ordination from Khensur (former
abbot) Shakpa. After the Chinese forceful occupation of
Tibet in 1959, Tulku Delek returned to his family.
During the first Tibetan government-in-exile delegation
visit in 1970, Tulku Tenzin Delek briefed one of the
delegates in detail about the destruction of monasteries
perpetrated by Chinese authorities in Tibet.
Soon after the 10th Panchen Lama's release from Chinese
custody in 1978, Tulku Tenzin Delek secretly sought
an audience with the Panchen Lama at Labrang Tashi
Kyil Monastery. He expressed his concerns about the
indiscriminate torture inflicted on the local Tibetans
by Chinese authorities and sought intervention of the
Panchen Lama in securing acquittal for those charged with
"black hats". He also stressed the need for restoration and
renovation of most of the destroyed monasteries in Tibet,
particularly in Lithang.
In 1982, Tulku Tenzin Delek sought an audience with the
Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and thereafter stayed in Drepung
Tashi Gomang Monastery, South India, for six years. In
1983, the Dalai Lama recognised him as the reincarnation
of Geshe Adham Phuntsok and named him as Tenzin Delek.
In 1987, Tulku Tenzin Delek returned to his native place
in Tibet. Tulku Tenzin Delek left for Othok Thang Karmar,
few kms from Nyagchuka County to carry on with his plans
to construct monasteries. But there the regional officials
tried to halt such activities. He went straightaway to
Beijing and secured official permission from the late
Panchen Lama who named the new monastery Kham Nalanda
Thekchen Jhangchub Choling.
Between 1991 and 1995, Tulku Delek managed to built seven
monasteries and an old peoples home in Nyagchuka County
(Ch: Yajiang Xian), Karze "TAP". The seven monasteries are
Jamyang Chokor Ling, Delek Choling Nunnery, Golok Thegchen
Namgyal Ling, Tsochu Gaden Choeling, Golok Tashi Kyil,
Detsa Monastery, and Tsegon Shedup Dhargyal Ling.
During the same period, Tulku Delek met with Lithang county
officials to stop afforestation in Nyagchu County when
the Forest Department began its work. Tulku said that the
forest belonged to the local people and they should have
the sole right to decide what they wished to do with their land.
Later, he filed a case at the provincial level court.
During the controversial issue of the 10th Panchen Lama's
reincarnation in May 1995, Tulku boldly commented,
"I only recognise the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen
Lama recognised by His Holiness the Dalai and no one
else." Once in the presence of county officials,
Tulku said, "You people issue orders calling for
ban on the display of portraits of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama in monasteries. For me, it does not make any
difference. Displaying the banned pictures does not deepen
my devotion to His Holiness nor the official ban on the
portraits lessens my faith. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
is my very soul".
In a special meeting held by Karze authorities in 1997,
Tulku Tenzin Delek was accused of six different charges
in a document titled Angag Tashi. The charges included
"endangering state security" and illegal construction of
monasteries under the banner of religion. This document
was distributed in 18 different counties and Tulku
faced dangers of imminent arrest. Tulku took retreat
for five months in a nearby hill. In the meantime, local
Tibetans collected approximately 30,000 signatures and
sent an appeal letter to the provincial authorities to
call off the arrest warrant. The authorities relented on
the condition that Tulku would henceforth not indulge in
political activities.
Later in 1997, Tulku built a school in Geshe Lungpa
Village in Nhyakchuka County, which provided assistance
to more than 300 children of poor nomads and farmers. All
costs such as food, clothing, teachers' salaries were
borne by Tulku himself. However, the local authorities
termed the private school illegal and forcefully conducted
"patriotic education" sessions in the school, eventually
leading to the closure of the school. The old people's
home in Nyagchu County was also closed due to pressure
from local authorities.
In 2000, Tulku mediated a dispute over ownership of
grassland between the regions of Lithang and Mola, which
had reportedly led to two deaths. The Chinese authorities
accused Tulku of his interference in the matter and were
about to arrest him when Tulku once again went into retreat
for a period of seven months.
In a letter left by Tulku, he stated, "I have never
committed any political crimes. I received a phone call
from the Chinese authorities saying that I should come to
the detention centre alone as they have something to tell
me. If you people could clear my charges through legal
procedures, I shall come out".
For the second time, approximately 20,000 locals signed
and appealed to the central authorities at Beijing to
consider Tulku's case. The central authorities said that
Tulku was henceforth banned from conducting any religious
activities, and his freedom of movement was restricted. He
was only permitted to live a life of an ordinary monk. It
is believed that the Beijing government viewed Tulku
Tenzin Delek in the same light as Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok,
chief abbot of Serthar Institute; they are "splittists"
who "endanger state security".
[ top ]
The
XIth Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
observed his 13th birthday on 25 April 2002, seven years after he and
his parents disappeared.
On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Xth
Panchen Lama. The Government of the People's Republic
of China (PRC) declared the announcement invalid
and illegal. A few days later Gedhun CHoekyi Nyima
disappeared. After a few months, the PRC government
appointed its own Panchen Lama, a boy named Gyaltsen
Norbu. In May 1996, the PRC admitted to holding Gedhun
Choekyi Nyima "at the request of his parents" for "he
was at the risk of being kidnapped by separatists and
his security had been threatened". It is strange that the
Chinese authorities would go to such lengths to provide
"security" for someone they considered just an ordinary boy.
In the years following this announcement, the PRC
ordered that only the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama
was to be recognised in Tibet, while monks, nuns and
ordinary Tibetans were ordered to denounce Gedhun
Choekyi Nyima. Reports from refugees fleeing Tibet,
and from western travellers, are that pictures of the
Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama are displayed prominently
in the main monasteries and tourist hotels of Tibet. On
the other hand, pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and Gedhun Choekyi Nyima are banned throughout Tibet.
Many UN representatives and delegations from governments
have expressed concern over the Panchen Lama's continued
detention, and called for the Chinese authorities to allow
access to the boy by an independent figure acceptable to
the Chinese government and Tibetans to verify his health
and living conditions. However the PRC continues to deny
any outside access to the child and his parents. In October
2000 Chinese authorities told a British delegation that
the boy was well and attending school. They said that his
parents did not want international figures and the media
intruding into his life. Two photographs claimed to be
of the Panchen Lama were shown to the British delegation
showing a boy of approximately the right age. However it
was impossible to determine the boy's identity or location,
and the British officials were not given the photos to
take with them.
In August 2001, a Polish Parliamentary delegation visiting
Lhasa was told in response to repeated questions that
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was healthy; the delegation was
promised photos of the boy within six weeks but never
received them. Just recently the Polish Government received
a letter from the Chinese embassy in Warsaw stating that
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents did not want their
peaceful life disturbed by strangers, and that the Chinese
government "respects freedom of choice for its citizens and
hopes that the Polish people would understand that too."
In March 2002, a government delegation from the Tibetan
Autonomous Region (TAR) met with a European Parliament
delegation and once again said that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
did not wish to be disturbed. The TAR delegation refused
to answer questions about photographs promised to the
Polish delegation.
In the light of a refusal to provide photographs which
positively identify Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, or to allow
independent access to the boy and his family, the Tibetan
people can only fear the worst. The Tibetan Centre for
Human Rights and Democracy is appalled at the Chinese
government's continued detention of a 13-year-old boy. We
once again call on the PRC to allow an independent figure
to visit Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and verify his health and
living conditions.
The continued disappearance of the second highest lama in
the Tibetan hierarchy completely contradicts China's claim
to respect religious freedom in Tibet. While we applaud
the concerns of countries around the world regarding
the Panchen Lama, TCHRD fails to understand why this
year no country had the courage to table a resolution
against China's human rights record at the UN Human Rights
Commission. Without international condemnation, China will
continue to detain important religious figures and deny
religious freedom in Tibet.
[ top ]
In March 2002,the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and
Democracy received smuggled film footages from Tibet
showing the destruction of one of Tibet's leading religious
centres, Serthar Buddhist Institute. The Centre made a
10-minute documentary to generate awareness about the
actual situation inside Tibet
Serthar Institute, also known as Larung Gar, is located
in Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture", Sichuan
Province. Until last year it was Tibet's largest Buddhist
Institute. Serthar's non-sectarian academic teachings by
Khenpo (abbot) Jigme Phuntsok attracted Buddhist scholars
from all around the world, including students from mainland
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea. It was also home to a
large number of Tibetan monks, nuns and lay-people. Total
population before the current crackdown was well over 8,000.
In 1999 a Chinese Communist Party "work team" visited the
Institute and ordered that only 1400 residents were
permitted to study there. First to be expelled were
students from other Asian countries. Then in June 2001
fifty trucks and jeeps arrived at the Institute and,
under the protection of thousands of security officials
who camped on the outskirts of the Institute during the
demolition, began to destroy the residential area.
The documentary shows Chinese authorities overseeing the
demolition of buildings, while monks and nuns retrieve
their possessions from the wreckage. It also contains
interviews with two ex-residents of Serthar Institute
who are now in exile. Of particular concern to former
residents of the Institute is that Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok
and his niece, herself a senior religious instructor,
are being held incommunicado in Chengdu. Another major
concern described by a nun interviewed in the documentary
is that hundreds of nuns in particular are now homeless.
In the last seven years, TCHRD has recorded the eviction of
almost 19,000 monks and nuns from religious institutions
across Tibet; the closure of 24 religious institutions;
and the arrest of thousands of monks and nuns who
are often guilty of little more than expressing their
opinion or refusing to denounce their spiritual leader,
the Dalai Lama.
Youdon Aukatsang, Senior Programme Officer of TCHRD, said
"The documentary completely contradicts China's claim to
respect religious freedom in Tibet. China may have escaped
condemnation on their human rights record at the Human
Rights Commission this year, but with evidence such as
this, the world can no longer turn a blind eye."
[ top ]
An escapee from Tibet reported to TCHRD, on conditions of
anonymity, her harrowing experiences during escape across
the Himalayan Mountains.
The informant reported to TCHRD:
I went to primary school whan I was ten years old.
After completing my primary education, I attended a middle
school in Gyaltse County for three years. I did not pass
the exams and therefore, I had to quit school. I stayed
at home for a year and worked at my aunt's restaurant
in Lhasa.
In January 2002, I made plans with my companion to flee
from Lhasa to Dram. We hired a guide and paid him 4,500
yuan each to help us escape safely.
We reached Dram without any major problems and stayed there
for two days. Then, the guide handed us over to a Nepali
guide called Sundra. So, along with another guide who was
escorting three other escapees including an elder woman,
we walked along the mountainous terrain. After walking for
several days, we ran out of food. The two guides on the
pretext of getting food for us ran away. But, they sent
two young boys to help us. We requested one of them to go
and bring back the guides. So, one boy went in search of
the guides while the other, though not so familiar with the terrain,
took us ahead for a considerable distance and then
he also ran away. With the boy also gone, we lost our track
but arrived at Tatopani, the border town of Nepal. There,
we met a group of Nepali men and they told us that they
would guide us to Kathmandu individually.
A Nepali called Matang took me and I was separated from
my companions while they went on their own. After passing
Tatopani, Matang took me to his cousin Sherpa Norbu's
house where I was kept. He asked me to be his wife and
against my will, he forced and raped me. I was completely
strange to the place and didn't know a word of Nepali.
I was feeling helpless and I could not run away.
I was confined inside the room for the whole day, and
was kept locked inside for the following two months and
15 days. During that time, I was repeatedly used as his
wife against my will.
There was another sherpa called Tsering. I requested
him to take me to the Tibetan Reception Centre in
Kathamandu. Without Matang's knowledge, I escaped from his
cousin' house with the help of Sherpa Tsering. I hid in
Sherpa Tsering's house for ten days before making it to
Kathmandu. There, I met two Tibetans from Amdo and they
gave me 2000 NC. I had 400 yuan with me. I gave all the
money to Sherpa Tsering. Matang's wife and Sherpa Tsering
took me to the Tibetan Reception Centre on 21 March 2002."
The informant underwent a medical check-up at the Tibetan
Reception Centre in Nepal. Now she wants to study at a
Tibetan school run by the Tibetan government-in-exile in India.
[ top ]
In late April 2002, reports were received from Tibet
concerning evictions and demolitions of buildings contained
within a World Heritage protected site in Lhasa.
Reports indicate that around 24 or 25 April 2002,
demolitions began on a building on the southeast corner
where Dekyi Shar Lam (Ch: Beijing Dong Lu) and "Snow land
Street" meet. Apparently, the Beijing government's plans
are to demolish the entire block around this building
complex, including an old residence called Samding. The
area concerned is the block beside (immediately north of)
the well-known tourist hotel "Snowlands," including a
French restaurant opposite (east of) the Pentoc Hotel and
the Xiangbala Hotel. This block contains some important old
aristocrat buildings, such as Phunkhang and Ganglha Metok
and is one of the few remaining centres of traditional
Tibetan buildings. The area is approximately three minutes
walk from Jokhang Square, which is the historic centre
of Lhasa.
These demolitions are just part of the Chinese authorities'
ongoing destruction of Lhasa's traditional Tibetan
character. Many traditional Tibetan-style buildings have
disappeared due to Chinese Government's determination to
turn Lhasa into a "modern" Chinese-style city.
Tenants of one of the buildings are reported to have
been evicted around 24 April with only five days'
notice. According to reports from ICT, the residents have
been offered accommodation in the new buildings replacing
their old homes, but the rent is expected to be much higher
and the size of the apartments much smaller. Because of
this, many of the Tibetans who rented in this area will
be forced to move to another part of the city where rents
are cheaper. Chinese settlers who come to Lhasa for work
and business opportunities are more likely to be able to
afford the new rents. Once again, a "modernisation" project
in Tibet will benefit Chinese people rather than Tibetans.
These evictions and demolition contravene numerous
international laws. Among them is the right not to be
forcefully evicted which is an important principal to the
right to adequate housing, contained in the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The destruction of culturally significant buildings also
breaches the protection granted by the UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)
World Heritage status.
TCHRD joined NGOs from around the world in calling on the
United Nations to investigate the demolitions and evictions
and order Chinese government authorities to comply with
international law.
[ top ]
Nyima Dakpa
is a 27-year-old monk of Tawu Nyitso Monastery, which is
located in Sichuan Province, Karze "TAP" (Tibet Autonomous
Prefecture).
Dakpa went to a local primary school and studied for
three years. He then studied a year in County Middle
School. Till his admission in Tawu Nyitso Monastery in
1989, Dakpa engaged himself in field works.
Dakpa stayed for one year in Tawu Nyitso Monastery and
fled to India in 1990. He stayed in India for three years
in South India. In 1994, Dakpa once again returned to his
monastery where he stayed until his arrest in 2000.
In the summer of 2000, Nyima Dakpa pasted pro-independence
posters of "Free Tibet" on the doors of local
Chinese office, bank and Memorial Garden in Tawu County
district. The posters carried slogans such as "Free Tibet",
"Tibetans in Tibet have no freedom", "Tibet is not a
part of China", and was signed at the end with his name.
Many local Tibetans had reportedly witnessed the incident.
The county PSB officials who started investigation the
very next day arrested and detained another Nyima Dakpa
from the same monastery. The incident led to the flight
of Dakpa. While the one under police custody was released
after 15 days' detention when the officers realised their mistake.
A police team led by Yeshi, a Tibetan police officer in
Tawu Police Station, was set out in nabbing operation of
Nyima Dakpa. Finally, the police managed to arrest Dakpa
in May 2000 from a village nearby Lhasa on having received
information about his hideout.
On account of the "exemplary deed" that Yeshi, the
police officer, did in the arrest of Nyima Dakpa, Chinese
government gifted him a car. A security post was set up
within the vicinity of Tawu Monastery manned by about 15
staff and Yeshi was put in charge of it.
Dakpa was kept in a detention centre in Tawu County, and
suffered severe beatings to extract confession about his
alleged crimes.
The court trial for Dakpa was not made public fearing
possible protest by the masses. On 5 October 2000, the
county court passed sentence on Dakpa who was given ten
years' imprisonment in Tawu Prison on charges of propaganda
and incitement against the masses. It was only in December
2000 that his family members and relatives were allowed
to deliver food and to meet him. His family and friends
were denied visitation rights for two months after the
sentencing.
It is reported Dakpa was so severely beaten that both his
legs were broken and he could not even stand properly on
his own. It is said he required support from his fellow
prisoners to go to bathroom. Nyima Dakpa reportedly said,
"If I am released, I will continue to paste Free Tibet
slogans till Tibet get freedom".
Dakpa is physically described as tall. He hails from a
farming family and he has a brother named Norbu in Gaden
Tilwu Khangtsen in South India.
[ top ]
The Tibetan Centre of Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)
held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondent's Club
in New Delhi on 18 April 2002.
At the press conference, TCHRD screened for the first time
a 10-minute documentary showing the massive destruction
of Serthar Buddhist Institute in Sichuan Province in
Tibet. The documentary was made from film footage smuggled
out from Tibet by ex-residents of the Institute.
As many as 50 press correspondents from foreign, national
and Tibetan news agency encompassing print, radio and
television came to a packed hall to cover the event. There
were also officials from various embassies.
Two former residents of Serthar Institute, Khenpo Tenkyong
and Paldrup, were present at the press conference to field
questions from the journalists. Ms. Youdon Aukatsang,
Senior Programme Officer, and Mrs. Norzin Dolma, English
Researcher, acted as interpreters. The event received wide
media coverage in the following days.
[ top ]
On 25 April 2002, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and
Democracy held activities to mark the 13th birthday of
Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the XIth Panchen Lama,
who has been missing since May 1995. TCHRD sent urgent appeals to
Ms. Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, and other United Nations bodies such as
the Committee on the Rights of Child, and Working Group
on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance prior to his
birthday. The appeals urge the UN to increase pressure
on China to allow an independent figure to meet the child
and see that he is well.
Amid heavy rain and windy weather, an information stall
was held at the bus-stand in McLeod Ganj, attracting many
Tibetans and tourists alike. The Centre disseminated
reports and booklets free of cost and answered queries
concerning human rights in Tibet. Hundreds of signatures
were collected for a petition urging the release of Gendhun
Choekyi Nyima and message charts for the abducted child
were also displayed.
Meanwhile in the community hall, an exhibition of pictures
by Tibetan schoolchildren and quilt-making project
attracted some brave souls who dared risk the rain and
wind. The pictures depict student's understanding of human
rights and their perspective on human rights situation
inside Tibet.
Other Tibetan organisations, including the National
Democratic Party for Tibet, the Regional Tibetan Women's
Association, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and
Students for a Free Tibet held prayers throughout the day
for the IX Panchen Lama. A candlelight procession in the
evening then ended at the main Temple, where speeches and
prayers were conducted.
Finally, TCHRD screened two documentaries, "Tibet's
Stolen Child" and "Destruction of Serthar Institute". It
was a premiere screening of the "Destruction of Serthar
Institute" in Dharamsala, and for many of the monks and
nuns who viewed the documentary, it was clearly shocking
to see the Chinese authorities destroying homes of their
fellow monks and nuns in Tibet.
[ top ]
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
successfully concluded its first round of educational talk
series in Upper and Lower TCV schools in March and April
2002. The staff members mainly dealt with human rights
concepts, democratic principles, United Nations and its
various mechanisms, Tibetan democracy and human rights
situation inside Tibet.
Ms. Youdon Aukatsang, Senior Programme Officer; Mrs. Norzin
Dolma, English Researcher; Mr. Ugyen Tsewang, Information
Officer, and Mr. Tenzin Norgay, Field Officer, took a
total of 15 classes in Upper TCV School and 20 classes in
Lower TCV School within a period of four days. The classes
ranged from VII to IX.
The awareness level of the students concerning Tibetan
issue in particular and human rights and democracy in
general was very impressive. They raised many pertinent
questions on the subject and actively participated in the role-plays.
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