November 2002
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Tibetan prisoner of conscience dies in detention
[ read ]
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Profile of a current political prisoner
Farmers incarcerated for peaceful independence demonstration
[ read ]
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China thwarts Buddhist Lama's India visit
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Political incident at a "patriotic education" session
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Exile Tibetan detained for entry into Tibet
[ read ]
[ read ]
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Escapee's experiences across the border
[ read ]
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A prisoner flees from Drapchi Prison Hospital
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TCHRD Activities
TCHRD briefs EU First Secretary in India
[ read ]
[ read ]
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Orientation to TCHRD staff on refugee law
[ read ]
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According to a reliable information received from Tibet,
Lobsang Dhargyal
died Monday morning, 19 November 2002,
in a "reform through labour" camp in Siling Town, Machen County
(Ch: Maqin xian), Golog "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP"),
Qinghai Province.
He was serving 16 years' prison term on alleged charges
of espionage and "splittist activities". He had earlier
served two and half years' sentence for advocating Tibet's
independence.
Although Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
(TCHRD) is yet to receive detailed information, it is
almost certain that Lobsang Dhargyal's sudden demise is due
to torture and maltreatment in the forced labour camp. It
was reported that he suffered brain haemorrhage at the
time of death.
The camp where Dhargyal was incarcerated is a Manufacturing
Unit for Hydro-Electricity Power Plant. More updates on
his death shall follow upon receiving further information.
The prevalence of torture as a reprisal for political
activities is of great concern especially in light of
the People's Republic of China's (PRC) obligations with
regard to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
Although the PRC had ratified CAT in 1988, TCHRD records
indicate total number of 79 known deaths both in custody
and after release as a direct result of torture since 1986.
The continued abuse and torture of Tibetans in Chinese
administered prisons and detention centres in Tibet
imply that the Chinese government is bent on suppressing
nationalist sentiments of the Tibetan people. Individual
rights and rule of law seem only to concur within that
parameter.
The Chinese criminal system has traditionally laid a strong
emphasis on "Laogai" - "reform through labour". In 1994,
the National People's Congress of the PRC promulgated
a Prison Law that officially outlawed the "Laoga"i
system. However, the system remains under the terminology
of "Prison".
The basic aim of the "laogai" system was not simply
punishment but also "reform and change for the better".
Inmates of both prisons and labour camps (which are now
both classified as prisons) are subjected to intensive
labour requirements and ideological training that are
considered effective tools to diminish individual political
zeal and to create business profits.
Lobsang Dhargyal was a former monk of Rabgya Monastery in
Machen County in Golog "TAP". Born to Shergyam and Tsodon
in 1962, Dhargyal engaged in nomadic works and studied
Tibetan language when he was young.
His father was a strong advocate of Tibet's independence
and was involved in many "reactionary" activities following
Communist China's annexation of Tibet in 1959. His father
committed suicide in 1970 to evade arrest by Chinese
authorities.
In the post 1987 pro-independence campaign, Dhargyal,
with monk friends Lobsang Palden and Yeshi Gyaltsen,
printed approximately 40,000 pro-independence leaflets of
slogans such as "Free Tibet" and "China, Quit Tibet".
On 15 November 1992, a grand enthronement ceremony
for the then 13-year-old Shingsang Tenzin Choekyi
Gyaltsen Rinpoche was scheduled to be held at Rabgya
Monastery. Shingsang Rinpoche, head of Rabgya Monastery and
the 20th reincarnation of the mother of Jetsongkhapa, the
founder of Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, is considered
one of the leading lamas in Qinghai Province.
On the eve of the ceremony, Dhargyal and his companions
pasted and distributed the leaflets in strategic places
such as public roads; street, malls and circumambulation
route around Rabgya Monastery. A Tibetan national flag
was hoisted on the rooftop of the monastery's chapel and
a small paper flag was pasted at the corner.
The next evening, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers
from Machen County and Golog "TAP" interrogated all the
monks. Ten days later on 25 November 1992, Dhargyal was
arrested. Wooden block prints used in printing the leaflets
were discovered from his room. However, his friends managed
to escape.
After a year's detention in Golog Prison, Golog
Intermediate People's Court sentenced Dhargyal to three
years' imprisonment with two year deprivation of political
rights. During the entire period of his imprisonment,
Dhargyal was handcuffed and his feet were manacled. He lost
his two front teeth as a result of severe beatings. On 25
May 1995, Lobsang Dhargyal was released on medical grounds
six months before his due date of release.
The Tibetan Youth Congress based in Dharamsala, conferred
upon Lobsang Dhargyal, Lobsang Palden and Yeshi Gyaltsen
the Martyr's Award in August 1995, in recognition of their
courageous deeds and sacrifices for Tibet.
In early 1997, Rabgya Monastery had come under heavy
restrictions and surveillance. Therefore, in April 1997,
Dhargyal fled Tibet to escort Shingsang Rinpoche to Sera
Monastery in South India.
In May 2001, while returning to Tibet to visit his ailing
mother, Lobsang Dhargyal was arrested somewhere near
Shigatse in "Tibet Autonomous Region" ("TAR"). He was
subsequently handed over to Golog "TAP" authorities. In
October of the same year, Golog Intermediate People's Court
sentenced Lobsang Dhargyal to a 16-year prison term for
allegedly engaging in espionage and splittist activities.
A recent escapee from Tibet, 29-year-old Lobsang Tsultrim,
recalls, "In April 2001, I was returning to Tibet
with Lobsang Dhargyal and Tashi Gyatso via Solukhumbu,
Nepal-Tibet border, when the Chinese border police detained
us. When they began to hit us, we fought back and thus
managed to escape. Unfamiliar with the routes, we ran to
different directions."
"Dhargyal was arrested near old Tingri County (Dingri xian)
in Shigatse 'TAP'; I was arrested in new Tingri County and
Tashi Gyatso in Golog after he had returned home. After
five days' detention in Nyari Detention Centre, three
police officers escorted Dhargyal to Amdo Golog. That was
the last time I saw him. He looked healthy at the time,"
continued Tsultrim.
Another escapee, Tenzin, from Rabgya Monastery went to
visit Lobsang Dhargyal in early June 2002. He reported to
TCHRD, "Since Dhargyal was my friend, I went to visit him
in the detention centre. Though I don't know the name of
the detention centre, I know that it is located between
Siling and Dharthong County. I sent 500 yuan and some
eatables for Dhargyal through a guard, as face-to-face
meeting was not permitted. Later on, I received a note
from Dhargyal stating that he had received the items. I
recognised Dhargyal's signature on the note. I believe it
had not been long since he was taken to the Manufacturing
Unit of Hydro-Electricity Power Plant in Siling."
Lobsang Tsultrim, the former informant, is skeptical about
the nature of Dhargyal's death. He told TCHRD,
"I believe Dhargyal did not die naturally. I also think, since his
arrest, his parents and relatives were not allowed to see
him at all. It is inevitable that he suffered torture and
maltreatment in the prison.
"Dhargyal was a very good man. He was sociable and got
along with everyone. He was very well-educated and had a
great sense of patriotism. I was shocked by the news of
his untimely death. Every Tibetan should strive to live
up to his role. His image comes to my mind even today.:
In an earlier information received by TCHRD, four exile
returnees - Mathok Damchoe (27), Sonam Gyatso (34), Kunchok
Dhargyal (32) and Tsultrim Dhargyal (26) - all from Rabgya
Monastery, were sentenced to six years' imprisonment.
The latest report says that the first three monks were
sentenced to six years while Tsultrim Dhargyal received
five years' term. Chinese authorities view the act of
visiting India for pilgrimage and study with suspicion
of "splittist" activities. Speculation is also rife that
these people are suspected to have had close associations
with Lobsang Dhargyal.
After his arrest at new Tingri County in May 2001,
29-year-old Lobsang Tsultrim was detained in Nyari
Detention Centre in Shigatse "TAP" for almost two months.
Tsultrim was arrested for bringing politically significant
materials into China; small information booklets by Tibetan
Government-in-exile, photos of the Dalai Lama, and copies
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Tsultrim was later transferred to Golog Detention
Centre and detained for two additional months. The prison
authorities manacled his feet for over a month and shocked
him with electric cattle prods during interrogations.
Around September 2001, Golog Intermediate People's Court
sentenced Tsultrim to three years' prison term. He was
released within 20 days of the sentence announcement. His
family and relatives paid 15,000 yuan to secure his
bail. He is originally from Amdo Golog.
Tashi Gyatso, a layperson from Dalang Township in Machen
County is currently in Golog Prefecture Prison serving a
total sentence of 12 years.
During their first encounter with the police in Solukhumbu,
Gyatso had Tibetan national flags, an autobiography of the
Dalai Lama, and other politically significant books. On
account of possession of "political" items, he was
arrested in Golog after his escape from the encounter. He
is regarded as one of the political prisoner with the
harshest sentence in the whole of Qinghai.
[ top ]
Lhundrup Dorjee,
born in 1968, is a farmer from Dasher
Village in Meldrogungkar County.
On 30 June 1992, Dorjee along with three other companions
disrupted a political "re-education" meeting in the village
of Meldro Gyama Trikhang in Meldrogungkar County. The
other three companions were Sonam Dorjee, Sonam Rinchen and
Konchok Lodroe. They are all farmers from Dasher Village
and in their thirties.
The Chinese authorities organise meetings for the villagers
and "educate" them about communist ideologies and propogate
Chinese version of the Tibetan history.
The four farmers rushed on stage, seized the microphone,
and wrestled with the officials. They shouted
pro-independence slogans and anti-Chinese statements
exhibiting a Tibetan national flag. Soon thereafter,
People's Armed Police (PAP) rushed to the scene to arrest
the demonstrators.
After the four demonstrators had been dragged away and
beaten by the PAP, approximately one hundred villagers
began to shout pro-independence slogans.
Thupten Yeshi, a farmer from Meldrogungkar County, was
formally arrested on 14 July 1992. Though Yeshi did not
take part in the protest on 30 June 1992, he was suspected
to be the "ringleader" of the protest. He was accused of
other political activities as well.
On 20 October 1992, the five farmers faced trial in Lhasa
Intermediate People's Court were sentenced.
Lhundrup Dorjee was severely injured during the
protest, and was sentenced to 15-year prison term with
five years' deprivation of political rights.
Thupten Yeshi was sentenced to 15 year's imprisonment and
five years' deprivation of political rights. Kunchok,
Sonam Dorjee, and Sonam Rinchen were all sentenced to
13 years' imprisonment and four years' deprivation of
political rights.
Sonam Rinchen died in January 2000 while still in prison,
after falling sick for more than three years without
receiving medical treatment.
Kunchok Dorjee was released on medical parole in
1996. Lhundrup Dorjee, Thupten Yeshi, and Sonam Dorjee
are currently serving their sentences in Drapchi Prison.
[ top ]
Tsewang Gyurmay,
24, originates from a family of pastoral
nomad in Nyarong County (Xinlong xian), Karze "TAP",
Sichuan Province.
Gyurmay told TCHRD, "Between 10 to 17 years of age, I had
private tuition from my uncle on Tibetan language. Three
years later, I joined Tsurphu Retreat Centre in Nyarong. I
also got the opportunity to study in Serthar Buddhist
Institute for three years."
Gyurmay reported that an influential Rinpoche was denied
visa to travel to India for reasons known only to the
officials. It is however widely speculated that Rinpoche's
faith in the Dalai Lama could have evoked Chinese concern
about 'splittist' influences in India.
"Delong Rinpoche, a 70-year-old renowned religious
practitioner from Nyarong, is a revered lama of Lhapo
Monastery in Nyarong. Rinpoche was born to a Chinese couple
in Jasang Khang area in China. Rinpoche began his religious
studies in Kartop Monastery in Derge County (Dege xian)
in Karze. The monastery follows Nyingma School of Tibetan
Buddhism.
"I had his blessings and know that he is a close associate
of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, the chief abbot and founder of
Serthar Buddhist Institute. Rinpoche always had a great
desire to seek audience with and blessings from His
Holiness the Dalai Lama.
"Delong Rinpoche left his monastery for Lhasa in August
2001with a Chinese passport. Except for few close monks,
no one knew about the trip. Somehow the news had leaked
because Lhasa police were already tipped off about
Rinpoche's arrival in Lhasa. It is believed that Karze
County police force were behind the act.
"In Lhasa, Rinpoche stayed in a hotel with a few of his
attendants. A week later, Rinpoche was denied Chinese Visa
to travel to India for pilgrimage and was ordered to return
to his hometown. No credible explanation was provided for
the denial. Rinpoche had to fly back with his attendants
to Nyarong.
"The local people were highly disappointed with the
whole turn of events. They were saddened by the fact that
Rinpoche's desire for an audience with HH the Dalai Lama
remained unfulfilled. Though Rinpoche is of Chinese origin,
his reverence for HH the Dalai Lama is strong. Chinese
authorities fear that once Rinpoche leaves Tibet, he might
not return. Moreover, Chinese government never appreciates
anyone meeting HH the Dalai Lama whom they consider as an
enemy of China,"
recalls Gyurmay.
[ top ]
A 30-year-old
Dorjee
reached Tibetan Reception Centre in Kathmandu on 15 September 2002.
He is a farmer from Gormo Municipality in Amdo Ngaba.
Dorjee reported to TCHRD,
"Chinese authorities have extended 'patriotic education'
campaign into the lay community as well. During the yearly
meeting that the authorities hold for the local populace,
Chinese officials would call upon the masses to imbibe
communist ideology and to discard 'splittist' ideas.
"In October 1999, more than 100 Chinese officials including
the head of Gorma Municipality (Golmud shi) attended one
such meeting. When a break was announced in between the
meeting, I stood up to walk forward. The township head
directly pointed at me and asked 'what do you want?'
I responded 'I want Free Tibet'. I spoke it loud and
clear. An elderly Tibetan told me to run but I did not.
"Within few minutes, a dozen armed police and soldiers
dashed into the crowd and walked up to me. I always carried
a small paper knife in my pocket. I took that out and the
police were hesitant to come close to me at first. But I
was outnumbered and my knife was snatched away. My arms
were twisted behind my back. All of a sudden, I was pulled
down to the ground and all police and soldiers began to
beat and kick me. From that day onwards, I have hearing problem.
"That evening, I was taken to the local PSB Detention
Centre. As beating continued in the detention centre, I
vomited blood. I became so sick that I could not eat and
move around. My inmates called the police and reported my
precarious condition. A doctor who checked me told that
I needed immediate medical attention.
"After one month and 15 days's hospitalisation, the doctor
still recommended complete bed rest. My family paid all the
medical expenses. So, an agreement was reached with the
police that my parents would take care of me. However, I
had to report to the police station on a regular basis. In
that way, I was allowed to return home.
"In 2001, I was having lunch in a restaurant with several
other friends. Suddenly, few PSB officers barged into
the restaurant and I was whisked away. I was interrogated
about my activities and subsequently subjected to minor
beatings.
"Then, one day, I was paraded around with several
other criminal prisoners. I was detained for 15 days and
released. I was told that my movements and activities
would be monitored.
"Because of such restrictions, I escaped with my wife and
four children to India. I also hope that my children will
get better educationn in exile."
[ top ]
In stark contradiction to Chinese government's claim
of welcoming exile Tibetan brethrens into Tibet,
TCHRD has received several cases of people being arrested for
attempting entry into Tibet. Tseten Dorjee, 28, born in
India, faced detention when he recently tried to go to
Tibet.
Dorjee related to TCHRD,
"I was born to a seven-member family in Kollegal Tibetan
Settlement in South India. I worked as a chef in several
places in India. I was also at the Indian Army for seven
years since 1992. In February 2002, I reached Nepal.
"After a few days in Nepal, I met several newcomers who
were returning to Tibet. I took the opportunity to join
the group. We walked via Mount Kailash and reached Ngari
'TAP'. We came across seven policemen and they detained
us for 18 days in Ngari Detention Centre. Afterwards, we
were transferred to a new detention centre in Shigatse,
just opposite Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. There were more than
200 Tibetan prisoners who all were arrested for attempted
escape from and entry into Tibet.
"I was interrogated mainly about the purpose of my trip
and the exile Tibetan government based in North India. I
was asked about the main contents of the talks given by the
newly elected Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche; number of
departments in the exile government; number of staff at
the Tibetan Reception Centre and their activities. I was
also questioned as to how many exile Tibetans schools have
been set up. They have lots of photos from exile, mainly
of schools and monasteries. I replied that I entered Tibet
to meet my relatives, and pilgrimage.
"This new detention centre had a sign board 'Reception
Center' (Tib: Nyelenkhang). According to information
published in a newspaper, Nyelenkang was reportedly meant
to provide accommodation to exile Tibetans who return to
Tibet. The rooms have decent facilities including nice and
thick cushions and clean toilets. But the inmates have
to follow strict rules and regulations such as complete
restrictions on singing songs, prayers and outings. We
were provided a cup of black tea and a little Tsampa
(roasted barley) in the afternoon and mostly uncooked
Tibetan noodles in the evening.
"As 'reception centre' was newly constructed, it has a
new impressive look. However, it is no different from a
regular prison because restrictions are imposed on the
inmates' freedom of movement and expression. The name is
just a facade.
"During my detention, Taiwanese and Singaporean visitors
from Lhasa visited the prison block. During their visit,
we got good food but afterwards, the food would be just
the same. When people fall sick, they don't get good
medical treatment at the detention Centre. The medicine
that I received for my lung disease there aggravated
my sickness. They had to take me to Shigatse People's
Hospital. I was detained for six months and 20 days.
During that time, I was forced to work with other inmates
in the construction of roads and buildings.
"Since I didn't have a travel permit, I was deported to
Nepal via Shigatse and Dram (Tibet-Nepal border). I was
not even allowed a pilgrimage. In Dram, the Chinese police
facilitated my crossover into the Nepali area.
"I went to Tibet to see the true situation inside Tibet. On
our outings for construction works, I saw that rural Tibet
is still reeling under high poverty like in areas like
Dingri and Shigatse. The so-called development is confined
only to the metropolitan cities. I have found that even
the roads in the rural areas are rugged compared to the
cities. I felt sad to notice such poverty in Tibet. There
were many Tibetan beggars as well.
"Once I arrived in Nepal, I feigned madness and the
border police let me proceed to Kathmandu. I arrived at
the Tibetan Reception Centre in Kathmandu on 23 November
2002."
[ top ]
Twenty-two-year-old
Lobsang Sherab
reported to TCHRD,
"I was a herder before becoming a monk at 15 years in
Sogtsang Monastery. I am originally from Dzoge County,
Ngaba 'TAP', Sichuan Province.
"In April 2000, two monks from my monastery, Phegyal and
Palden, wrote 'Free Tibet' on the windscreen of a private
vehicle parked on the roadside. On that day itself, local
police arrested both the monks. Later, Dzoge County Court
sentenced the two monks to two years' prison term. Palden
was released before the completion of his term but Phegyal
passed away at the end of February 2002 after release. It
is said that he suffered immense torture in the prison. I
don't know the name of the prison. Both the monks are
originally from my native place.
"In May 2001, I tried to escape Tibet with a group of
five including a road guide. Before we managed to cross
Solukhumbu, Chinese patrolling policemen arrested us. It
was around midnight. After tying our shoelaces together,
the police kicked us around. They hit shoes on our head
and said it was symbolic of HH the Dalai Lama giving
us blessings. They did all these in an apparent attempt
to make a mockery out of our deep faith in HH the Dalai
Lama. Our religious sentiments were deeply hurt by their
callous behaviours.
"The following day, we were detained for a night in
Tingri Detention Centre in Shigatse 'TAP'. We were later
transferred to Nyari Prison (or Shigatse PSB Detention
Centre) where we were detained for four months. There
were five blocks in the prison and my group was put in
block four. There were about 170 people in the block,
most of whom were Tibetans returning from India. I saw
Tenpa Dhargyal and Thinlay from Amdo Golog. They were
detained because they had brought eight Tibetan national
flags and other political documents from India. The two
were interrogated for 15 days and they suffered tremendous
beatings.
"In September 2001, 69 of us from Dzoge County were sent
back to our place in a truck. There, we were detained for
ten more days. After paying a fine of yuan 3,500 to the
county police, I was released.
"Soon after we were in Dzoge County, three Sogtsang
Monastery monks pasted posters in Thango Township area. The
posters called for 'unity amongst the Tibetans, and that
the Tibetans should use Tibetan language and preserve
Tibetan culture.' The three involved in the poster-pasting
incident are Choephel, Wangden and Yibning. Dzoge police
officers immediately arrested the three monks. Choephel,
believed to be the instigator of the incident, was
sentenced to two years' imprisonment while the other two
were fined 4000 yuan each.
"I went with my group of five to Lhasa again in
February 2002. We stayed in a hotel nearby Lhasa called
Mentzekham. The Chinese police arrested us for no
reason. They said we looked like murderers, and that we
appeared to have plans to escape to exile. After being
detained for five days, we were released. The rest of
my companions were returned to Dzoge and I remained in
Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. In September 2002, I escaped
again with 28 others and reached Tibetan Reception Centre
in Kathmandu on 30 September 2002."
[ top ]
Karma Dawa
alias Kadar fled from a hospital located near
Drapchi Prison where he was recuperating after undergoing
a major operation. He was serving a total sentence of 21 years.
Formerly booked under criminal offences of alleged
robbery and gun pilfering from a police officer, Lhasa
Intermediate Court sentenced Kadar to 13 years' term in
Drapchi Prison. Kadar along with other co-prisoner Karma
Sonam initiated the May 1998 Drapchi Prison protests
during which they raised pro-independence slogans and
threw leaflets into the air. This daring act within the
prison compound earned them sentence extension of eight
and nine years respectively.
TCHRD held four interview sessions with Kadar.
TCHRD produced below the translated version of his personal
testimony written in Tibetan language:
"I am originally from Sershul County (Ch: shiqu xian).
In 1994, I came to Lhasa with my companion Tsering Norbu for
pilgrimage and business. Within four days, seven policemen
arrested us near Ramochi Monastery and detained us in a
police headquarter. We were accused of robbing people and
stealing gun from a police officer. Both of us were beaten
very badly.
"After one week, we were transferred to Gutsa Detention
Centre where I was detained for a year and eight
months. During interrogations, I was shocked with electric
cattle prod and threatened with further assault to extort
confession. The whole time I was detained, I did not
confess to the charges.
"Finally, I was sentenced to 13 years' prison term after
three court trials. I repeatedly stated my innocence and
demanded the court to produce either evidence or witness
of my alleged crimes. Upon being sentenced, I requested
an appeal against the sentence. The court officials told
me that I would have to complete my sentence before I was
allowed to appeal.
"In 1996, I was shifted to Unit 6 of Drapchi Prison. I
recounted my story to a Tibetan official in the prison who
encouraged me to appeal. Therefore, I sent two appeals to
Lhasa Intermediate People's Court. In the appeal letter,
I wrote my experiences of being falsely charged, of my
trial and innocence.
"Three months later, two Lhasa Intermediate Court officials
arrived at Drapchi to meet me. Dekyi, a Tibetan woman
official asked me why I wrote the appeal letter and said it
was a useless exercise. She advised me against pursuing an
appeal as that might possibly lead to sentence extension. I
restated to the officials about my innocence and demanded
that they provide proof of my crimes. The officials noted
down all my comments but nothing happened thereafter.
"For three years, I worked in the sewing room of Drapchi. I
used to secretly listen to (Tibetan broadcast of) Voice
of America and Radio Free Asia. I became aware of the
conditions of Tibetan political prisoners. During visits of
the foreign delegations, the food in Drapchi would improve;
otherwise the food was generally inadequate to meet the
health needs of the prison inmates. During such visits,
most of the Tibetan political prisoners were shifted to
their cells to show that there were not many political
prisoners.
"In the quiets of the prison cell, I would reflect
on the sad tragedy of the Tibetan situation. Hence,
I felt increasingly obliged to protest the conditions
under which the Tibetans suffer under Communist China in
general and the horrific conditions of political prisoners
in particular. I held discussion with Karma Sonam,
another prisoner, and we decided to protest whenever an
appropriate opportunity presented itself; either a visit
from a foreign delegation or on an important anniversary
or any large public meeting. So, Sonam and I wrote
'Free Tibet' and 'Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama'
on small sheets and had 15 each.
"On 1 May 1998, the prison authorities planned to celebrate
the International Labour Day which was to have a flag-raising ceremony,
and demonstration of military drills by the inmates.
All the prisoners, both criminal and political,
were lined up for the occasion. Just before
the flag was raised, Sonam and I stepped forward and
shouted 'Free Tibet' and distributed leaflets. Other
prisoners promptly joined in and shouted 'Free Tibet'.
This caused total chaos for about twenty minutes in the prison
compound. The Chinese army and police immediately responded
by converging on the prisoners. Many prisoners were beaten
and suffered serious injuries. This protest resulted in
the consequent death of eight political prisoners and
sentence extension of 27 political prisoners.
"I was badly beaten and placed in solitary confinement
for three months and 28 days with hands cuffed and feet
manacled. I was interrogated on a monthly basis and two
prisoners were assigned to monitor and report on all
my activities. After this period, I was again taken to
court to be re-sentenced. I received sentence extension
of eight years and Karma Sonam got nine years' sentence.
I again used the opportunity to protest my innocence and to
denounce the unjust court procedures.
"At this time, the court agreed to investigate my previous trial.
However, nothing came of it and I did not hear of
any results of the investigations. During both trials,
I was denied access to legal representation and only
Karma Sonam, myself and Chinese court officials were
present. Both of us were placed in Unit One of Drapchi Prison.
"I began to experience serious health problems, however,
prison officials refused to believe that I was unwell and
my health began to deteriorate. After repeated pleas for
medical check-up, I was finally taken to Lhasa Military
Hospital sometime in July 1999. During all this time, both
my feet and wrists were chained. A doctor recommended that
I required operation.
"I was told to sign a document claiming responsibility
for my death in the event of a failed operation. A prison
official asked me if I had any wish to be fulfilled before
the operation. I requested them to let my mother visit me
in the hospital but this was denied. I then asked them to
remove the chains from my body but this too was denied. I
was chained even while the operation was being performed.
"After one month in the hospital, my condition began
to improve. I once again requested for the chains to be
removed but to no avail. Two army guards guarded all the
political prisoners from Drapchi in the hospital.
One day they decided that all the prisoners should wash and
hence we were taken to the courtyard. I declined to go as
I found it difficult to walk. Out of sympathy, the guards
removed my chains. Soon, new guards arrived who did not
insist on the chains to be put on. So, I hid the chains
under the bed and was free to move about. The guards did
not seem to know that I should be chained. So, I escaped
this painful experience.
"After three days on 6 August 1999, I saw an opportunity
to escape. At about one o'clock in the afternoon, I told
the guards that I wanted to go to the bathroom. I wore my
plain clothes inside my prisoner's uniform. The guards
were watching television and did not pay much attention
to me. When I saw the guards completely engrossed with a
TV programme, I quietly slipped out of the bathroom and
ran away.
"I ran for three days before I began to slow down to
walk. I went to my uncle's place and stayed there for a
month. I managed to escape before the police could arrive
to arrest me. My uncle and his daughter faced intimidation
by the police for not reporting about me immediately. I
was in hiding for many months.
"In 2002, I managed to escape all the way to Tibetan
Reception Centre in Nepal. I escaped mainly to avoid
re-arrest and to serve as a voice for other imprisoned
Tibetan political prisoners still languishing in Chinese jails."
[ top ]
Mr. Francois Massouli,
EU's First Secretary (Pol) in India
was in Dharamsala for a two-day visit from 29 November to
1 December 2002.
During his short visit to TCHRD, the Executive Director
and staff members briefed him on the current human rights
situation in Tibet.
The First Secretary was also acquainted with the plight of
Tibetans languishing in the Nepali Prison. TCHRD raised
the issue of right to self-determination to be included
in the China-EU dialogue on human rights.
[ top ]
Mr. Deepak Kumar Thakur,
a prominent Delhi based lawyer and refugee law expert,
gave orientation to TCHRD staff members on
refugee law and refugee rights on 30 November 2002.
The staff members raised many pertinent questions
concerning the Indian laws guaranteeing refugee rights
and freedom of movement.
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