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Appeal Letter from Tibetan detainee in Nepal jail
[ read ]
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Account of a released detainee
[ read ]
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Four years' sentence for distribution of Dalai Lama's photos
[ read ]
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A former political prisoner flees Tibet
[ read ]
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An alleged accomplice in Karmapa's escape harassed
[ read ]
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Refugees encounter hardships during escape
[ read ]
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Profile of a current political prisoner
A physically challenged person sentenced to three years
[ read ]
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TCHRD Activities
WSSD in Jo'burg, South Africa
[ read ]
-
Law and language Workshop in Italy
[ read ]
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Human Rights and Democracy workshop in Shimla
[ read ]
[ top ]
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)
has received a letter of appeal from one of the Tibetan
detainees incarcerated in Dili Bazaar Jail, Kathmandu.
Following is the translated version of the letter dated 13 September 2002.
"I am Dorjee from Amdo Ngaba in Sichuan Province. The
very word 'prison' grips everyone's mind with fear and
terror. Actually it is frightening and difficult to be in
a prison.
Communication barrier and discriminatory practices
prevalent further aggravates our problems. We sincerely
request the world community to support and secure our release.
"I would like to share the prison condition inside Nepal's
Dili Bazaar Jail, where 10 of us Tibetans are currently
held. In the prison, we are served watery rice and dal
(lentil) without any vegetables twice a day. The food
provided is unclean and rice uncooked with lots of stones.
"Sonam Gyaltsen Lama, one of our Tibetan jail mates,
has been sick for more than a month. The prison doctor
is very careless and negligent about his responsibility.
He performs medical check-ups and prescribes the same
medicine to every sick inmates regardless of their nature of ailments.
"We are surviving this miserable existence with the hope
that we will be able to see the light of freedom soon.
If we die in prison now, we will die like a dog.
"In a big hall, about 100 prisoners old people, mentally
challenged and criminals are all put together. All 10 of
us have been in the jail for more than a year now.
We face many problems and hardships in the
prison. Sometimes other Nepali inmates bully and beat us
randomly. None of us dare hit back, as that will worsen
the case.
Others tell us that even if we were killed nobody would care.
"We were arrested and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment
for failing to possess travel documents required for
commuting between Tibet and India via Nepal.
We are not a free citizen. We fled the Chinese government's
brutal persecution to come into exile to seek an audience
with H.H. the Dalai Lama. We came into exile in India as
a refugee.
"Nepal is a transit point and we have to cross through it
to go to India. Unfortunately, on our return to Tibet,
the Nepali border police arrested us in Thangkot, and
demanded a fine of USD 2,000 from each of us.
From where and how can we produce that amount of money?
If we can pay the fine, we will be released any moment,
failing that we will be imprisoned for 10 years.
"The prison condition is so bad, that I cannot imagine how
we can survive for 10 years. We are just innocent people
returning to our country, Tibet, after having sought an
audience with H. H. the Dalai Lama.
As of September 2002, 12 Tibetan refugees remain
incarcerated in various jails in Kathmandu, Nepal, for
illegally crossing the border/staying in Nepal without
required travel and residential documents.
Ten Tibetans incarcerated in Dili Bazaar Jail are serving
10 years' imprisonment after having failed to pay the
exorbitant fines imposed by the Nepali Immigration
Department, operative under the Ministry of Home.
The fines ranged between Nepali Currency (NC) 20,000
(USD 260.42) to NC 205, 249.75 (USD 2672.52).
While information on the sentencing of two other
detainees in Jiri Jail and Central Jail are not clear,
their detention is confirmed.
On 20 August 2001, Nepali police arrested two monks,
followed by arrests of eight students two days later. They
were subsequently detained in Dili Bazaar Jail, the largest
prison in Kathmandu.
The two monks are Sonam Lama and Seycha Lama from
Sera Monastery in South India. The eight students, all
originally from Amdo in North-Eastern Tibet, are Sangye
Dhondup (M), 19; Lobsang Dorjee (M), 19; Dorjee Tashi (M),
21; Drukar M (26); Tenzin Yangzom, (F), 19; and Sheri Tso,
(F), 23; and Kyizom (F), 22. (For detailed information,
refer September 2001 and March 2002 Human Rights Update).
The two recent detainees, Choeyang Dorjee and Palden Gyatso
are also detained in Dili Bazaar Jail. Two other monks,
Gendun Samten, (Rebkong monk, Amdo) and Heruka (details
of origin unavailable to date) are imprisoned in Jiri
Jail and Khar Guard Jail (Central Jail) respectively for
similar reasons.
Of the initial 14 detainees, Tenzin Yangzom and Kyizom
are both released for medical reasons, making the total
number of current Tibetan detainees in Nepal at 12.
Tenzin Yangzom who gave birth to a baby boy in Dili
Bazaar Jail was extremely weak at the time of her
release on 23 August 2002 (for further details, refer to
August 2002 Human Rights Update).
Kyizom suffered a nervous breakdown while being
interrogated by the Nepali Immigration Officers. Therefore,
she was handed over to the care of Tibetan Reception Centre
(TRC) in Kathmandu, on the condition that she should return
to prison after her condition improves.
Tenpa Rabgyal (not listed in the total 14 detainees),
arrested on 28 January 2002, was released on 18 June
2002 after an individual paid his fine of NC 11,000
(USD 143.22).
Tibetan officials from the Office of Tibet and Tibetan
Reception Centre in Nepal, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, and the US Embassy in Nepal
are making every effort
to intervene with the Nepali authorities to secure release
of these 12 Tibetans at the earliest possible date. No
one can predict whether or when these prisoners are going
to be released. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the
detained Tibetans and a court case is in process.
As of now, Sheri Tso, one of the girl detainees is sick and
a Tibetan doctor has visited and put her on medication.
TCHRD empathise the plight of these imprisoned Tibetans,
and we know there are many who would willingly pay the
fines to secure their release. However, it is for the sake
of all/future Tibetan refugees that the diplomatic process
that is underway is given a chance to succeed.
[ top ]
Tenpa Rabgyal,
one of the Tibetan detainees in Nepal jail, was released
on 18 June 2002 after an individual paid his fines.
He was arrested on 28 January 2002. Rabgyal spoke to TCHRD
about his experiences during his escape from Tibet.
Tenzin Rabgyal relates, "I am an 18-year-old student from
Lhasa. My parents wanted me to escape to India for better
and more comprehensive education. I secured travel permit
in Lhasa and then came to Dram."
At Dram, the border town of Nepal and Tibet, Rabgyal formed
a group with two elderly women who were going to see their
children in exile Tibetan schools. Two sherpas agreed to
guide the group. The group set off their journey across the
mountainous terrain in the night and walked for five days,
until they encountered two other sherpas.
Rabgyal continued, "Our initial guides abandoned us at
the hands of the other two sherpas who were supposed to
be our new guides. The excuse given was that the guides
would arrange a taxi for us to be taken to Kathmandu.
We already paid 2,000 yuan each to these two new guides.
The initial guides fled no sooner than the the new guides took charge."
"We pleaded our new guides to take us to Kathmandu.
After escorting us to a certain distance and extorting
considerable amount of money, they abandoned us again."
"In that way, we met another two guides and boarded a bus
to Kathmandu along with them. We changed several buses,
and somewhere along the way, I suddenly realised my bags
were missing and so were the guides. I carried on with
my journey."
Once Rabgyal reached Kathmandu, he was left on his own
to fend for himself. "Being total stranger to the place,
I was at a loss not knowing what to do. I was wandering
around when I suddenly met two army personnel, who were
suspicious of me. They took me to a military place and
confined me in a cell that night.
"The next evening around 5 p.m. I was handcuffed and
taken to the Nepali Immigration Department where I
was interrogated and detained for five days. I could
communicate with the officers through my little knowledge
of spoken English. During interrogation, the officers
noted everything down in Nepali.
"I never said that I could go back to Tibet without any
problem which the Immigration Department held accountable
for my lengthy detention at Dili Bazaar Jail."
Rabgyal was detained at Nepal's Dili Bazaar Jail for four
months and 12 days. Finally, he was released on a bail of
NC 11,000 (143.229 USD).
Rabgyal said, "I was not beaten during my detention. But
the food was very bad. We were given two meals a day.
Sometimes, few Nepali prisoners would bully and beat us at
their whim and fancy and when they were in a nasty mood."
Rabgyal express concern for other Tibetan detainees when
he said, "I am very concerned for those Tibetans who still
remain imprisoned in the jail.
The detainees fear that they might be handed over to the
Chinese, which some prison mates fear the Nepal government
is likely to do."
[ top ]
Samdup,
a 26-year-old farmer, is originally from Amdo
Ngaba in Sichuan Province. He gave first-hand information
to TCHRD about his friend Sang Ga who was sentenced to
four years for photo-copying and distributing the Dalai
Lama's photos.
"I have a best friend. His name is Sang Ga. He is
approximately 26, originally from Hortsang, Sangchu County
(Ch: Xiahe xian), Gannan 'Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture',
Gansu Province. A monk from Togden Monastery (a Bon
Monastery also called as Topgyal Monastery) in Amdo
Ngaba. In July 2001, he photocopied a photo of H.H. the Dalai Lama
that was taken during the conferment of Nobel Peace
Prize in December1989, and wrote seven lines below the
photograph. The first line stated, "Long live H.H. the
Dalai Lama"
and rest of the lines contains opposition to the Chinese
policy of forced plantation in Tibetan areas in Amdo. The
photocopied document was pasted on the walls of popular
Tibetan restaurants in Amdo Ngaba and distributed among
the local populace. I received two copies myself."
According to Samdup, two weeks later, Ngaba PSB
officers came to Topden Monastery and ordered Chepo,
disciplinarian-in-charge of the monastery, to show Sang Ga's room.
Chepo happens to be the elder brother of Sang Ga. The
police raided Sang Ga's room to search for incriminating
evidence. The raid resulted in the confiscation of a
copy of the Dalai Lama's autobiography. The next day,
Sang Ga was detained in Ngaba PSB Detention Centre. For
the following three days, he was interrogated and tortured.
Samdup continued, "Despite the interrogation and the
use of torture methods, Sang Ga did not confess to his
activities. However, the PSB officers told him that they
were clearly aware of his misdeeds since their accusation
was based on concrete evidences. Some informant seemed
to have revealed everything to the police about his
activities. Sang Ga told the PSB officers that he borrowed
the book from another person. However, they still remained
unconvinced and tortured him all the more to extract
information about his accomplices. He denied any second
person's involvement and claimed sole responsibility for
the activities."
"During one such interrogation sessions, Sang Ga even dared
to say that whatever he wrote was a true fact. When he
confessed finally, the abbot of Topden Monastery was called
and the PSB questioned him about Sang Ga's conduct. The
abbot was reprimanded for failing to discipline his
student. He was furthermore threatened that he would be
held responsible for any untoward incident in the future."
Samdup further told TCHRD, "After 15 days' detention,
Ngaba PSB Detention Centre could not decide his case
and consigned the case to Barkham County PSB Detention
Centre. Thereupon, officers from Barkham arrived at Ngaba
County PSB Detention Centre to continue interrogation for
another one week. Sometime in late July or early August
2001, Sang Ga was sentenced to four years' imprisonment,
and subsequently imprisoned in Barkham County Prison."
"Since Sang Ga is a very close friend of mine, I am very
concerned about his condition," lamented Samdup. "I was
even told that Barkham PSB put up a circular detailing
his misdeeds and subsequent imprisonment."
Samdup said, "As for me, I attended the village primary
school for six years. After completing my primary
education, I worked on a farm. In 1993, I went to Lhasa for
the first time. I was 19 years old. I worked as a sales
assistant to a Tibetan businessman called Lhundup. For
three years, I moved very frequently between Lhasa and
Dram. In 2000, I started my own business and moved between
Lhasa, Amdo and Dram. For a whole year from 2000-2001,
I stayed in Amdo Ngaba."
"I came to India to seek audience with H.H. the Dalai Lama
and plan to join a Tibetan school sometime later to learn
English language ".
[ top ]
Chemi Tsering
(ordained name Yeshi Thargyal), a 30-year-old
former political prisoner from Tibet, testified to TCHRD.
"I am originally from Village no. 7, Namgyal Township,
Lhoka Gongkar County. I attended the village primary
school for six years. In 1986,
I was ordained as a monk in Lhoka Sungrabling Monastery where I stayed till 1988."
Tsering said,
"Spurred by the series of pro-independence
demonstrations since 1987, a meeting was convened
between our monk friends to put up independence posters
to commemorate the 10 March Uprising of 1959. The monk
friends included Yeshi Tsering, Tsultrim Jampa, (both were
my roommates),
Yeshi Damdul, Yeshi Ngawang and Paljor Choegyal. That
night, we discussed our plan to carry out pro-independence
activities. We wrote freedom slogans such as "Chinese
get out of Tibet", 'Long Live H.H. the Dalai Lama', and
'Free Tibet" on eight 2 x3 sized posters. We then pasted
these posters next to the gate and surrounding walls near
the office of the People's Government of Kyimshe Township
at 11 p.m. We also wrote freedom slogans with red paint
on the same gate.
"On 15 March 1989, we pasted three posters in the market
place of Chideshol Township. Although we managed to get
back to our monastery, a patrolman saw what we did. The
next day, 'TAR' Chairman, Dorjee Tsering, issued
a statement of decree stating that any 'separatists'
arrested would be put to death.
It was written on a large sheet of paper and put up on the
wall. We secretly went to tear the paper down. However,
the police caught us in the act and began
shooting indiscriminately. We escaped unhurt.
"On 17 March 1989, Lhoka Gongkar County Public Security
Bureau officials came to our monastery, ransacked our rooms
and found all the equipments used to make the posters.
Yeshi Damdul along with five other suspect monks were
remanded to police custody. After four days, the same
police force took Tsultrim Jampa and Yeshi Ngawang. All
of them were held at Lhoka Prefecture Detention Centre.
"One month later on 20 April 1989, Paljor Choegyal, Yeshi
Tsering and I was arrested and held in Lhoka Gongkar County
PSB Detention Centre for three days.
During our detention, we were interrogated, beaten and
hit with whatever they could get hold of. In May 1989,
we were formally arrested.
"On 9 August 1989, six of us were taken for trial by Lhoka
branch procuratorate. Three of us refused to accede to the
charges made. Three days later, we were shifted to Lhoka
Prefecture Detention Centre and met with other arrested
friends. We learnt that they were compelled to carrying out
"Free Tibet" activities, as they were severely tortured. So
we had no choice but to confess.
"Subsequently, on 30 October 1989, 'TAR' Lhoka Intermediate
People's Court held a trial whereby six of us were charged
with "counter-revolutionary' propaganda.
The court verdict stated that we had shown disregard to
the Constitution of the State by showing allegiance to
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and by 'disrupting' peace and
harmony by pasting 'counter revolutionary' posters. We were
charged with having violated Article 102 of the Criminal
Law. Yeshi Ngawang and Yeshi Damdul were sentenced to
five years' imprisonment and three years deprivation of
political rights. Yeshi Tsering was sentenced to four
years' imprisonment and one year deprivation of political
rights. Paljor Chogyal and Tsultrim Jampa received
three years and I got two years' sentence and one-year
deprivation of political rights.
"Except for Yeshi Ngawang, the other five were released
upon completion of their prison term. On 20 April 1993,
at the time of prison visits,
Yeshi Ngawang reportedly handed over an entire list of
political prisoners and prison conditions inside Drapchi
to his visiting family.
This was discovered by the prison officials who subjected
Ngawang to a month-long solitary confinement. He was
charged with 'leaking state secrets' and his sentence was
extended by another nine years bringing his total sentence to 14 years.
"On 20 December 1989, I was transferred to Drapchi Prison
and placed in rukhag (prison unit) 4. After 15 days,
I was replaced in rukhag 5, which was primarily created
on 5 January 1990 for the political prisoners. During my
two years' imprisonment, I was involved in other prison
activities in Drapchi. When Lhakpa Tsering, a political
prisoner died due to severe Chinese torture, we staged
hunger strike and created an uproar to demand explanation
from the prison authorities.In another incident, when
Lobsang Tenzin, a student from Lhasa University, and five
others were transferred to Powo Tramo Prison, we protested
against their transfer."
Chemi Tsering was released on 19 April 1991.
"When I was released after completing my sentence, I could
not afford good medication. I was not allowed to rejoin
Sungrabling Monastery. After prison release, I had to
report frequently to Lhoka Gongkar Police Station about
my activities and my freedom of movement was severely
restricted.
This created unnecesssary disturbances to my family
members. Hence, I left for Lhasa where I got a job. Because
of our activism, we are at a disadvantage in the society.
"When any major anniversary approaches, the ex-political
prisoners are the first ones to be closely monitored. The
police would call all of us and give endless discourse on
not engaging in any political activities again. So during
my ten years stay in Lhasa, I have nothing to show, with no
proper religious studies and good job. I am still a monk,
and have desire to continue my religious studies."
"Sungrabling Monastery had a total of approximately 60
monks. Owing to several cases of political activities and
subsequent arrests, the Chinese authorities have introduced
'patriotic education' campaign in the monastery. Many monks
left the monastery refusing to obey the official order to
denounce H. H. the Dalai Lama.
"China's policy in Tibet is to indoctrinate the mind of
youngsters through various means such as discos, theatre,
bar, brothels etc. Most of the lucrative businesses are
taken over by Chinese immigrants settled in Tibet. There
are many school dropouts because they simply could not
afford to pay high fees. Crimes such as robbery and theft
are on the rise in Lhasa. Moral degeneration is taking
place in the Tibetan society.
"I fled Tibet in pursuit of more freedom and religious studies."
[ top ]
Dhundup
is a 25-year- old monk. He was born in village # 5, Guru Township,
Toelung Dechen County.
On being interviewed by TCHRD, Dhundup recounted, "I joined
Tsurphu Monastery at the age of 13. I was 18 years old
when the formal recognition and enthronement of Gyalwa
Karmapa took place at our monastery. The strength of the
monks in the monastery at that time was around 200.
"When I was 20 years old, Chinese 'work teams' began
'patriotic education' campaign in the monastery that
went on for an entire month. Thirty Chinese 'work team'
officials instructed the monks on politics and socialism."
Dhundup had to leave the monastery when he was 23. He said,
"I stayed at the monastery until I was 23. I had to quit
the monastery because I was accused of being involved in
Gyalwa Karmapa's dramatic escape to India. Although the
charges were totally false, I was held under suspicion
just because I was related to Gyalwa Karmapa's personal
attendant, Drunag. The Chinese officials from Toelung
Dechen County interrogated me. One police officer said
that since one of Gyalwa Karmapa's attendants was my
cousin, I should know about the escape. The policemen
ransacked my room and discovered some pictures of H.H the
Dalai Lama, which they confiscated. During the course of
my interrogation, I was beaten and threatened.
"Two other monks named Shelo and Chugdar were also held
under suspicion. All three of us were not allowed to
leave the monastery without official permission. While
other monks could go to Lhasa and other areas freely,
our freedom of movement was restricted for almost three months.
"Finally during the summer vacation, three of us were
allowed to go on a holiday for a month and a half. But the
monastery-in-charge, Lobdol, specifically told me that I
was not allowed to go anywhere except for my hometown.
"Somehow, I managed to stay in Lhasa for the entire
vacation and went on pilgrimage to monasteries like Sera,
Drepung and Gaden. On my return to the monastery I came
to know that the authorities had learnt about my stay in
Lhasa and they had some pictures of mine taken in Lhasa
as evidence. The entire scene annoyed me and I finally
expressed my displeasure against their treatment.
"I was victimised and kept under strict vigilance for a
fault I never committed. I wanted to leave the monastery
the same day but my leave was sanctioned only after four
days. Thus I left the monastery for good. Since I left the
monastery voluntarily, I had to pay 800 yuan as per the
monastery's rules. After I left, I learnt that my friend
Migsa Dorjee was interrogated about me but he claimed to
know nothing."
Dhundup further reported that the Chinese 'work team'
began their "patriotic education" campaign after Gyalwa
Karmapa left the monastery and that a number of monks have
left the monastery as a result of incessant interference
into their religious studies by Chinese "work team".
Dhundup attempted escape in 2000 but he did not
succeed. Giving us an account of his days in the detention
centre, Dhondup said, "Shigatse 'People's Armed Police'
(PAP) arrested me along with 19 other Tibetans at Dingri
County, Shigatse 'Tibet Autonomous Prefecture' (TAP),
'Tibet Autonomous Region' (TAR). We were detained at Nyari
PSB Detention Centre for four months.
"During detention, I was hit, kicked and stamped upon by
officials from the detention centre. They confiscated 1500
yuan and my wristwatch. After my release, I went back to
Lhasa and got engaged in petty business for my living."
[ top ]
Phuntsok Tsering,
a 20-year-old monk, is originally from Nyakchuka
County, Kandze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan
Province. Tibetan refugees flee Tibet overcoming great
risk of heavy security patrolling, freezing winter cold,
and payment of huge sums to guides that sometimes leave
the escapees in a lurch.
Phuntsok Tsering shared with TCHRD his life in Tibet and
escape experiences at Nepal border.
"For four years, I was a monk at a local monastery. I come from a nomadic family."
"I left my native place for Lhasa on 9 May 2002 with
a monk friend called Khaphel. In Lhasa we stayed for
three days with an old Chinese man, who gave us food and
shelter. From Lhasa, we came to Saga County in Shigatse
Prefecture. The long and tedious journey from Saga County
to Mount Kailash began on foot. Overall, it took us one
month to reach Mt.Kailash from Lhasa. We stayed for a week
in Mt. Kailash and did circumambulation the whole time.
"From Mt. Kailash, we travelled mostly in the night, under
the cover of darkness and crossed the border at night. We
came through a place called Legmey on the Nepali side of
the border. We met a Tibetan couple with four children
at a place called Tsangla. They were on their way to Nepal.
We formed a group totalling eight people without a guide.
"After walking for five days on foot, we met a group of
rebel Maoists. The rebels who did not wear any uniforms
were carrying guns. Each of us was asked to pay NC 100
each, failing which we would not be allowed to proceed
further. We pleaded them to let us go and told them that
we have no money. A local man who could speak Tibetan
helped us pay NC 200 to the Maoists, who in turn gave us
a receipt and then let us pass.
"After few hours walk, we again met a group of seven armed
Maoists. They wore tattered ordinary clothes. When we
produced the receipts, they let us pass through without
any problem.
"In the afternoon, while we were passing through several
huts, suddenly two men called us to stop. They claimed that
they were Maoists leaders. We showed them the receipts,
but they said it was not enough. We were ordered to return
but we refused and pleaded earnestly. They threatened to
beat us. I immediately hit one of the men with my walking
stick and blood began to ooze from his head. Soon after,
both the men ran away.
"As the evening began to close in, we camped besides a big
rock, and put up a makeshift shelter. Around midnight, a
group of people (more than 20) suddenly descended upon us.
Most of them were armed. They lifted up our cover and
began hitting us. I was hit on my head with a rifle butt
and also stamped on the face. As a result, one of my lower
teeth broke. My friend was also hit on the head and both
of us bled profusely. The wound was not healed fully even
after reaching Tibetan Reception Centre in Kathmandu.
"Amidst the scuffle that ensued, the couple from our group
hid their children for fear of being killed. The person
whom I hit with my stick in the previous encounter was
with the group. Furious at me, he pulled out a gun and
was about to shoot me when his friends stopped him.
We pleaded that we would give money but to let us to go ahead.
We pooled together NC 5,800 and gave the amount to them.
Then they left us. We assumed they needed money.
They were apparently Maoists, but the receipt that we paid at
the first encounter did not help us this time. They told
us that they were Maoists and followers of Mao Tse Tung.
"Next day, we met a Nepali police. He stopped us from
going ahead. So, we went up to a certain point and then
came back from another route.
"I fled Tibet because I want to seek blessings of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. I have no other purpose."
[ top ]
Anu
is a 47-year-old woman from Lhubug in Lhasa. For many years,
Anu worked as a tailor at her home in Lhasa.
When she was young, Anu met with a terrible accident.
A Chinese military truck hit her thus causing her to have
her leg amputated. Since then, she has been walking with
a support of a crutch.
In the beginning of March 2001, Beijing Central government
re-launched "Strike Hard" campaign in Tibet. In China,
the campaign is targeted primarily "to curb rising
criminal offenses". Subsequent to the launch of the
"Strike Hard" campaign, specific orders were issued to
concerned authorities in Tibet that the campaign proposed
to crackdown heavily on drug trafficking, smuggling
activities, mafiatic crimes, financial scams and guiding
people illegally across foreign countries.
It was during this time that Lhasa PSB officers arrested
Anu from her home on alleged charges of political
activism. She was detained in Lhasa PSB Detention
Centre where she was subjected to severe interrogation
sessions. Two other suspects from nearby Lhasa were also
held during the same time.
According to a friend, "Anu's helpful nature could have
aroused Chinese suspicion. She is known to be generous
and kind-hearted. It is believed that before her arrest,
she was very helpful to political prisoners both former and
current. She would visit political prisoners incarcerated
in jails with food and provide accommodation to released
prisoners as well."
Around October 2001, Lhasa Public Security Bureau Detention
Centre sentenced Anu to three years' "re-education through
labour" in Trisam. She is currently serving her sentence
in Trisam.
TCHRD has reported similar cases earlier where Tibetans
received prison sentence or earned the wrath of Chinese
authorities for assisting political prisoners.
One classic example is that of Ama Lhundrup Wangmo (in
her sixties) from Lhasa City. She is known to be actively
involved in visiting political prisoners incarcerated in
Lhasa prisons.
On 10 August 1998, Lhasa PSB officers took her into
police custody on suspicion of involvement in political
activities due to her prison visits. She was arrested on
two other occasions, once in 1987 and then again in 1993 on
political grounds. Though she was released owing to lack
of any evidence against her, her dealings and movements
are constantly monitored.
Another example is that of Dawa (in sixties) from North
Lhasa. For his involvement in political activities,
he served two years of his three-year sentence in
Gutsa Detention Centre before being released on medical
parole. He is known to be extremely patriotic and had a
sense of responsibility towards all prisoners. He used
to visit all the prisons nearby Lhasa to take food for
the prisoners once a month. His assistance to political
prisoners coupled with his other political activities
raised Chinese concern resulting in his arrest just prior
to the 1997 Hong Kong hand-over ceremony.
[ top ]
Ms. Norzin Dolma,
English Researcher of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights
and Democracy, attended the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa,
22 August - 4 September 2002.
As part of the Tibet Delegation comprising of members
from two other Tibetan NGOs - Tibet Justice Centre and
International Campaign for Tibet - and representatives
from Tibetan Government-in-exile, TCHRD contributed in
generating awareness about Tibetan situation in general
and Tibet's environmental concerns in particular.
The Tibet Delegation, headed by Mr. Jampal Choesang,
Representative of Office of Tibet, South Africa, held
two vigils at Nasrec (the NGO Global Forum's venue)
and at Sandton (the venue for the official conference)
to protest against the denial of accreditation to three
Tibetan NGOs from India and United States to the Summit and
also to call for China-Tibet dialogue. TCHRD publication
"Dispossessed: Land and Housing Rights in Tibet"
was released with other publications during Tibet Briefing
held on 1 September 2002.
A Tibet Exhibition stall was set up at the NGO forum venue
where the delegation displayed pictures and thangkas, and
disseminated information about the actual situation inside Tibet,
and distributed Tibet publications free of cost.
The delegates spoke to lots of media both TV and print,
and managed to raise greater awareness about Tibet and also
concerning the denial of accreditation to three Tibetan NGOs.
TCHRD also attended several caucus meetings, side
events and workshops during the Summit and lobbied for
inclusion of human rights and Tibet-related languages in
the political declaration and the programme of commitment
adopted by NGOs and governments attending the WSSD.
[ top ]
Mr. Tenzin Norgay,
Field Officer at TCHRD, attended a two-week Language
and Law Workshop in Bolzano, Italy from 26 August - 6
September 2002. The South Tyrol Provincial Government
in co-ordination with various other organisations and
individuals organised the workshop to educate Tibetan
translators in the specific field of legal language
translation.
The workshop dealt with theoretical themes of legal
system, legal language and legal translation. The first
week covered topics such as autonomy, multilingualism and
linguistic rights of the minorities. The second week
was dedicated to technique centred translation; making
translation easier, universal and precise.
Two different Austrian and Italian Television channels
covered the workshop program that was telecast in their
respective countries. Mr. Norgay gave interviews to the
TV crew from the perspectives of a Tibetan NGO.
The workshop participants also met with the President of
South Tyrol Provincial Government. The president assured
his personal as well as government's support on the Tibet
issue. Later, they also met the Parliament Chairperson
who also assured the same.
[ top ]
Mr. Ugyen Tsewang,
Information Officer at TCHRD, was
invited as guest speaker during a three-day workshop on
democracy and human rights held from 6-8 September 2002 at
Shimla.The workshop was jointly organised by four regional
Tibetan organisations in Shimla. Around 50 local Tibetans
participated in the workshop.
Mr. Karma Choephel, member and former Chairman of ATPD;
Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, President of NDPT; and
Ven. Lobsang Dhondup, a former political prisoner, were
the other guest speakers.
Mr.Tsewang spoke on human rights concepts, Universal
Declaration of Human Rights", and human rights situation in
Tibet. On the light of current human rights situation in
Tibet, the participants were asked to relate the relevant
articles of UDHR in corresponding to different form
of human rights violations in Tibet. At the end of the
workshop, almost all the participants expressed the need
to conduct such workshop regularly especially targeting
youths.
