December 2002
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China sentenced two Tibetans to death
[ read ]
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Row erupted over reconstruction at Serthar Institute
[ read ]
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Three More Tibetan refugees arrested in Nepal
[ read ]
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Updated Information on other Tibetans detainees in Nepali Jail
[ read ]
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Appeal letter from a detainee in Nepal Bhadra Jail
[ read ]
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A torture victim escapes after serving five years' prison term
[ read ]
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Monk evades arrest for Dalai Lama's video screening
[ read ]
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Nine years' sentence for instigating prison protest
[ read ]
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TCHRD Executive Director attends ACSF in Bangkok
[ read ]
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TCHRD commemorates Human Rights Day
[ read ]
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Welcome to new TCHRD staff
[ read ]
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)
has received additional information on the execution orders
issued on 2 December 2002 by Karze Intermediate People's
Court in Sichuan Province.
Two Tibetans, Trulku Tenzin Delek (a.k.a A ngag Tashi)
and his follower and a distant relative, Lobsang Dhondup
(28), were sentenced to death on alleged involvement in a
series of bomb blast incidents in Chengdu. Other charges
labelled against them are, "illegal possession of arms"
and "engaging in splittist activities".
According to sources within Tibet corroborated by Sichuan
People's Daily (3 December 2002), Lobsang Dhondup was
sentenced to immediate death penalty with a life-long
deprivation of political rights. Trulku Tenzin Delek
was given death with two years' reprieve and life long
deprivation of political rights. China's Criminal Law
grants defendants with a right to appeal within ten
days of sentence but success of such appeals are almost
non-existent.
According to our source, the execution has not taken place
to date. Local Tibetans made an appeal for annulment of
the death sentences. It is reported that the case is now
referred to Sichuan Higher People's Court.
Information filtering from Tibet indicates that during the
court proceedings on 2 December 2002 in Karze Intermediate
People's Court, Lobsang Dhondup shouted, "Neither Trulku
nor I am involved in any way with the bomb explosions. The
trial was unfair."
Reports indicate that Trulku accused the court of false
allegations and unfair trial proceedings and shouted,
"Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama." Security officials
immediately rushed into the courtroom and gagged Trulku's
mouth with a piece of cloth. He was dragged away into an
inner room within the court.
Since the sentencing, Chinese authorities have ransacked
several homes of local inhabitants to search for
"political" evidences, and Lithang County has come under
strict scrutiny.
Trulku Tenzin Delek, a highly respected senior teacher
from Lithang County in Karze "TAP" ("Tibet Autonomous
Prefecture") was taken into custody on the night of 7
April 2002. Some reports suggest that Lobsang Dhondup was
arrested earlier than Trulku. Trulku was held completely
incommunicado for eight months until the day of his trial.
The four attendants, viz., Tamding Tsering, Tsultrim, Asher
Dhargyal and Tashi Phuntsok, were arrested with Trulku.
The whereabouts of the four remain uncertain.
It is widely believed that religious leaders, due to
their ability to influence local people, have in recent
times become prime target for oppression. This pattern of
perceiving religious leaders as threat has resulted in a
series of arrests of revered lamas including Geshe Sonam
Phunstok and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok (returned to Serthar
Institute in mid 2002 after a year-long incommunicado
detention in Chinese custody).
This tightening of repression comes at a time when the
Chinese government is hell bent on branding political
activities with acts of terrorism following the September
11 incident. Amendments to the China's Criminal Law
adopted in December 2001 places severe punishments for
those who "organise or lead a terrorist organisation"
from three years to ten years' imprisonment to between
ten years and life (article 120 of the Criminal Law).
The term "terrorist organisation" is not defined thereby
allowing a broad and ambiguous range of interpretation
including non-violent political activities.
TCHRD is gravely concerned for the fate of Lobsang Dhondup and Trulku Tenzin Delek
and would like to seek immediate intervention by
Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial, Summary, or
Arbitrary Executions, governments and the international
community.
[ top ]
According to confirmed reports received by TCHRD, a scuffle
erupted between nuns of Serthar Buddhist Institute and
PSB officers (Public Security Bureau) from Karze "TAP",
Sichuan Province, on 25 December 2002.
The PSB officers attempted to destroy ongoing
reconstruction works at the demolished site of the
institute. One police suffered head injury when a stone
hit him.
Additional police force converged the next day to continue
demolition task. Over 200 monks and nuns assembled to
halt the work resulting in yet another affray between the
two parties. In the midst of it all, the police reportedly
shot gunfire. It is unclear as yet whether anyone was hurt
in the incident.
Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, abbot of Serthar Buddhist Institute,
is currently undergoing medical treatment in a hospital in
Barkham County in Sichuan Province. Members of Serthar's
Managing Committee are trying to resolve the issue by
peaceful means.
Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok was returned to Serthar Buddhist
Institute after being held incommunicado for a year
in Chengdu. Upon Khenpo's return in November 2002,
religious discourse resumed within the institute under
heavy surveillance. Severe restrictions were imposed on
religious teachings and practices.
The burgeoning strength of the institute has fallen
drastically and fences were built around the dismantled
huts in order to prevent further construction and
renovation. After two years of escalating restrictions
and propaganda campaigns, the Chinese authorities in
2001 evicted thousands of monks and nuns, and destroyed
over 1,000 hut dwellings. Serthar Institute is located in
Serthar Town, Karze "TAP", Sichuan Province.
Updates shall follow upon receiving further
information. For background information on Serthar Institute,
click here
[ top ]
According to reliable information from Kathmandu,
Nepali Border Police recently arrested three Tibetans,
two juveniles and an adult. The three; Tashi (30), male,
Samdup (15) male and Yanglha Tso (15) female are from Amdo
Labrang in Gansu Province.
The three had left Tibet with tong xin zhang, a travel
document that enables asylum seekers to reach till Dram,
Tibet's southern border region. In the first week of
December 2002, they hired a Nepali guide for 2000 yuan
each and left Dram for Nepal. At the Nepal border, the
guide abandoned them robbing off all their belongings.
On 13 December 2002, as the three continued their way,
Nepali border police stopped them at Barabise check post.
After approximately two hours' detention, they
managed to run away and board a local bus that took them to
Kathmandu City. They then hired a taxi to go to Boudhanath
and as they were getting down, two ordinary looking people
caught them. They said something, which the three did not
understand. Since they could not communicate a word in
Nepali, the two men immediately handed them over to the
Boudhanath Police.
No sooner did the news reach Tibetan Reception Centre (TRC)
then the staff members there sought immediate intervention
of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
For three days the matter could not be resolved as it fell
on the weekend. On 16 December, Boudhanath police handed
the three to the Nepali Immigration Department.
The case was again reported to the UNHCR to secure their
release before any charge sheets were laid. Under normal
circumstances, newly-arrived refugees under the custody of
the Immigration Department are easily released following
the UNHCR's intervention. However, this was not to be the
case for the three Tibetans this time.
On 17 December 2002, the Immigration Department issued
court paper where it was stated that the three detainees
would remain in jail until further investigations
"pursuant to the Immigration Act 2049 Chapter 8 (2),
[their] imprisonment has been extended on 2059/9/2 (17th
Dec 2002) with a provision of ration as per the law,
according to the Civil Code, Rule of Judicial Proceeding
no. 121."
The same day, Tashi and Samdup were transferred to Dilli
Bazaar Jail. Yanglha Tso was detained in Central Jail
in Kathmandu.
[ top ]
In August 2001, 12 Tibetans were arrested in Nepal for
lack of possession of legal documents to enter or reside in
the country. They can buy their freedom for a staggering
fine of USD 1,600 and USD 2,700. To date, three women who
were seriously ill secured their release upon payment of
fine by a western group, including the one released today.
The current list of detainees in Dilli Bazaar Jail, Kathmandu are:
- Sonam Lama male 26 years
- Sechya Lama male 24 years
- Choeney Dorjee male 34 years
- Palden Gyatso male 32 years
Sonam and Seycha Lama were arrested on 20 August 2001
for lack of residential papers. Choeney Dorjee and Palden
Gyatso were arrested few days later.
- Sangye Dhondup male 19 years
- Lobsang Dorjee male 19 years
- Dorjee Tashi male 21 years
- Drukar male 26 years
- Tsephel female 25 years
All these five students were arrested on their way back
to Tibet on 22 August 2001. Sheri Tso, 23-year-old
female was released today following the payment of
109,000 Nepali Rupees. She is now under observation
at the TRC clinic. While still imprisoned, she had to
undergo colostomy surgery on 30 November 2002. She was
however ordered to return to prison before she had fully
recovered. A Tibet Support Group raised the funds and
secured her release.
- Gendun Samten male 31 years
Gendun Samten, alias Heruka, a monk, was arrested just
south of the Tibet border while attempting to return to
Tibet in June 1999. Fined USD 675, he is currently serving
a 10-year sentence in Bhadra Central Jail, Kathmandu.
To date, two appeals for Royal Clemency to the King of
Nepal have failed. Legal proceedings were applied.
However, on 10 December 2002, the court rejected the
appeal against the sentences due to "delayed submission
of appeal." Since then, the Supreme Court was approached
but this process is expected to take up to another twelve months.
It is however, possible to directly submit
an appeal to the Home Ministry, although the chance of
receiving a pardon is bleak. So far the only response
received has been the claims that there is not sufficient
justification to consider this case. The Cabinet has within
its power to withdraw the convictions if they choose,
but they must be approached through the Home Ministry,
and as yet there has been no response.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy would
like to emphasise that while it understands the plight
of the Tibetans incarcerated, it fears that the payment
of fines to secure release might set a precarious trend
and impede the fleeing refugees who transit through Nepal
every year.
[ top ]
TCHRD produced below the translated version of an
appeal letter sent by
Gendun Samten
alias Heruka,
who is currently serving 10 years sentence in Bhadra Central
Jail in Nepal. He has already served two and half years
in the jail since his arrest in 1999. The letter written
on 5 December 2002 was addressed to "all the human rights
defenders of the world."
"I am Gendun Samten alias Heruka from Rebkong County in
Amdo. I am 31 years old. I came into exile in November 1993
and joined Drepung Monastery in South India. I undertook
Buddhist studies for four years until my health failed. I
then came to Nepal and joined Khunpo Monastery where I
taught Tibetan language on a voluntary basis.
"On 19 June 1999, while attempting to return to Tibet I
was arrested at Jiri [northwest of Kathmandu], and held in
Dilli Bazaar Jail for one month. Later, I was detained for
two and half years at Bhadra Jail where I am currently
serving a lengthy term. Nepali authorities imposed a
fine of 700,000 Nepali Currency for not possessing valid
travel documents.
"Now, out of desperation, I am seeking assistance from
all of you. At this point, I want to make two things
clear. Does the Nepali Government recognize Tibetan people
as a refugee? Nepal is the first transit place for fleeing
refugees from Tibet. If we are recognized, then why are
we arrested for lack of legal documents? Secondly, are we
allowed to stay in Nepal if we possess Indian Registration
Certificate (RC)? If so, then why is that even after having
RC, I am fined and given prison term? For the sake of
truth and justice, it is paramount to bring the plight of
Tibetans in Nepali jails to international media attention.
"We are making a sincere appeal for the intervention of
sympathetic individuals, international organizations,
and the United Nations to secure our release. Life is
hard spending several years in jail. So, I would express
my appreciation for all those who have assisted us in
improving our food situation, and further appeal for that
assistance to continue. Also, if I can get books and study
materials to learn English, that will be of such great help
- as I do not plan to waste my time in jail for nothing.
"I am totally against payment of hefty fines to the Nepali
Government. Rather I would prefer your direct assistance
in making our stay in prison much easier. If you pay the
fines to get our release then it is an admission of guilt,
and that we are not. More importantly, I have a feeling
that such arrests and imprisonment of many innocent
Tibetans will be repeated. So my suggestion for you is
to continue the court case and to win justice.
"We place high hopes on the rights groups and the United
Nations bodies to act on our behalf, and to get justice
done for us - as our only fault was not possessing a valid
travel document."
TCHRD has received a copy of Heruka's chargesheet for
imprisonment signed on 11 June 2001 by a Nepali Immigration
Officer. The letter stated "Regarding your illegal stay
in Nepal without visa or passport from the date of your
entry into Nepal on 22 June 1996 and taken into custody
for investigation from 22 June 2000, you were demanded to
submit the visa fee of USD94,000/- (NRs.699,360) and a fine
of NRs30,000/-, a sum of NRs 729,360/- as per the decision
of this department made on 25 May 2001 (2058/2/12) and
on your written refusal to submit the amount stating your
inability, you are given this chargesheet as per the Rule
of Judicial Proceeding No- 121 for imprisonment of 10 years
from 22 June 2000 (2057/3/9) till 21 June 2010 (2067/3/8)
pursuant to the CIvil Code, Fine and Punishment No.38 (4)."
[ top ]
Dhak Lobsang
was born in 1960 in Jheney Village, Jompa Township, Lithang
County, Karze Prefecture. His parents, Wangdu and Kelsang
Lhamo had six sons and two daughters including Lobsang.
The family relied on farming for their livelihood.
Lobsang reported to TCHRD,
"I have a maternal uncle named Tashi Phuntsok. He worked as
an administrator in Lithang Monastery. He was very popular
in the area because he was among the resistance group from
Lithang who fought against the invading Chinese troops. In
1962, my uncle was arrested and subsequently executed
in prison. Owing to his participation in the resistance
movement, my family was labelled as 'oppressive' feudal
lords. Chinese authorities confiscated all our belongings
and properties, and we were denied schooling opportunities.
"At 23, I became a monk of Lithang Monastery, and
successfully managed to complete study on dialectic course
which took eight years. I also learnt lessons on Tantric
study - one of the two fields of Buddhism, the first being
Sutra - in the monastery. I also carried out important
responsibilities within the monastery.
"In 1992, I was involved in pro-independence activities.
I wrote independence slogans, distributed and pasted the
leaflets in Lithang County.
"In the midnight of 19 August 1993, six PSB officers came
to my residence to arrest me. One of the officers pointed a
gun on my forehead, and warned me against making any move
while others ransacked my room to search for political
materials. I was then handcuffed and asked to follow them
at gunpoint.
"After nearly half a kilometre's walk, a PSB jeep came to
pick us up and took us to Lithang PSB Detention Centre,
located only a kilometre away from Lithang Monastery. Upon
reaching PSB station, they put me in a dark room, which I
later learnt was an interrogation room. Within few minutes,
about seven PSB officers interrogated me. Initially, one
officer questioned if I knew the reason why I was there
at the police station. I replied I didn't know. They
warned me not to be smart and said I clearly knew the
reason. They ordered me to tell the truth so that they
can reduce my punishment. I didn't say anything. After
warning me for the third time, I was told that there were
two paths ahead of me - one white, one black - and it was
entirely up to me to choose. The officers told, 'It is in
your hands'. When I refused to say anything, the officers
said 'you are lying'. I was beaten and kicked. I was hit
with stick, cattle prod, and other torture equipments. No
part of my body was left without being hit or kicked. As
a result of kicks and blows, I lost my two front teeth.
I thought I would die. After nearly an hour of beating,
I fell unconscious. When I regained my consciousness I
realised that they had poured cold water to wake me up
and the beating resumed. I lost my consciousness several
times and the officers each time cold water was poured to
wake me up. I was in no position to talk, stand or move. I
could hardly open my eyes.
"Around 5 a.m in the morning, two officers held me from
my arms and dragged me to a room where Mr. Passang, Head
of the Lithang County, and Chakdrup, Head of Lithang PSB,
were waiting for me. The moment I was placed in the room,
Chakdrup slapped me hard on my cheek and said 'this guy
is the troublemaker". Then Passang told me 'not to invite
death for myself' and said I still had the opportunity
to choose the white path i.e. confession. When I did not
respond, the officers flung me into the custody room. After
two days, they took me to the torture room and started
interrogation accompanied with beatings. They frequently
asked questions like 'Who are your other friends?' 'What
links do you have with those outside Tibet?' and, 'Who
told you to write the slogans?' They interrogated me more
than 13 times within a period of three months.
"I was detained for three whole months at Lithang PSB
Detention Centre .My handcuffs were unchained only for
just five minutes during the two times my clothes were
changed. I met my friends; Jamyang Dhondup, Choephel and
Lhadar, who were all arrested before. I came to know that
they were equally tortured.
"During one interrogation session, I was shown the
pro-independence leaflets with my handwriting, which they
probably found from my room. I finally confessed.
"One day, I heard Lhadar, one of our associates, suddenly
died in the prison reportedly of ill-health. It came as
a great shock to me. However, all of us, in the prison,
know that he succumbed to excessive torture and beating
by the authorities.
"On 16 November 1993, my case was taken over by Karze
Prefecture PSB officers from Lithang PSB officers and I
was re-interrogated. On 18 April 1994, I was transferred
to Karze PSB Detention Centre along with my fellow
accomplices from Lithang; Jamyang Dhondup, and Choephel. My
handcuff was removed during the time. I was detained for
more than four months.
"I was kept along with more than eleven people inside
a small room. The place was so congested that there was
hardly any place to move. Each of us had less than one-foot
breadth of space to sleep. We could only sleep sideways.
There were two open-ended buckets meant for toilet in
that room. The foul smell of the toilet along with the
congestion was unbearable and suffocating. But we had
no other option. The food provided was not fit enough
to eat. It was so bad and meagre that many of my fellow
prisoners fell sick. Only pigs would be given such food.
"On 17 July 1994 I was taken along with Jamyang Dhondup
and Choephel, for a closed trial at Karze Intermediate
Peoples Court. On 17 August 1994, we were given sentences
on charges of involvement in 'counter revolutionary
activities, incitement and propaganda', which were all
evident in our sentence paper.
"Chophel was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with five
years' deprivation of political rights; Jamyang Dhondup was
sentenced to five years' imprisonment with three years'
deprivation of political rights. I was given five years'
prison term with subsequent three years' deprivation of
political rights.
"In the first week of September 1994, I was taken to Ngaba
Prison, located in Maowen County, Sichuan Province. During
my imprisonment, I was beaten three times, though not so
severe as before. I was assigned to work in an electric
wire factory where I had to sort out zinc and aluminium out
of old electric wires. I got my hands maimed several times.
"On 18 August 1998, I was released. I stayed in Tibet for
nearly two years before escaping into exile in July 2002."
[ top ]
Tashi Delek,
24, is originally from Dartsedo County (Ch: kangding xian),
Karze 'TAP', Sichuan Province. His personal
testimony to TCHRD is as follows:
"I have six family members. My family survives on
nomadic occupation. At 10, I became monk of Gyephak
Monastery. Around 1997-1998, I got admission into Serthar
Buddhist Institute founded by Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok.
"By the end of year 2000, a new video hall was set up in
Tawu County (Ch: Daofu xian) in Karze 'TAP' where lots of
action movies were screened. Sometimes, movies depicting
life history, public teachings and religious discourse of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama were shown clandestinely to
an audience that consisted mostly of the elderly lot.
"In the beginning of May 2002, inaugural function for
a horse-racing event was organised at a place called
Nyaktren in Menyak, Dartsedo County. As many as 500-600
people from nearby places congregated to participate,
celebrate and watch the occasion. I made plans with my
friend Tenzin to screen videos. On the first and second
day of the event, we screened foreign movies. On the third
day, we went to seek permission from a village head. He
categorically stated that he was not saying yes or no to
the permission sought and left the decision entirely at
our discretion. Around 10 p.m. in the night, we screened
His Holiness' video twice to an estimated 250 people.
"I know a policeman named Tsering (name changed to protect
identity) who works in 110 section of the county police
station. A month later in June 2002, Tsering told me that
his office was informed about my video screening activities
and advised me to escape to evade arrest. However, we did
not heed to his advice.
"Around mid June of the same year, county police summoned
me and my friend to the county police station. We both
were questioned about which videos we had screened and
what others we planned to screen in the future. I answered
that our main motive was to make a living out of video
screening. Every details of the question-answer were
recorded. They let me out after confiscating my citizen permit.
"That night, my grandpa expressed grave concern about my
safety since he had no information about the whereabouts of
my other friend. He told me to run away. I borrowed 2,000
yuan and left for Lhasa. I stayed at my cousin's place
in Lhasa for sometime. My cousin gave me money and I made
good my escape from Lhasa. I reached TRC in Kathmandu in
September 2002."
Delek also provided information on another incident in his area. He said,
"In Menyak, there is a monastery called Rabgang. Around
1999, Gyutul Stupa was constructed nearby the monastery. A
huge religious gathering was organised to mark the
occasion. Prior to that, the monastic authorities have
already got permission from the county level authorities
to allow the event to take place.
"On the D-Day, Chinese police ordered against people
gathering in large numbers for religious discourse offered
by several lamas. The disciplinarian-in-charge of Rabgang
Monastery and few other monks demanded to know the reasons
for restrictions as they already had permission for the
event. Two people got slightly injured in a minor fight
and religious teachings couldn't happen.
"The same evening, approximately 300 Chinese police
surrounded Rabgang Monastery and threatened to destroy the
monastery. They had brought tools with them. The police
scoured every monks' quarter saying that the monastic
complex was a robbers' den.
"In the course of time, 12 lay people were detained
including two young girls aged 19 and 20 respectively. One
year after their detention, the family members bailed the
detainees on payment of 3,500 yuan each. No monks were
arrested that time."
[ top ]
Karma Sonam
was born in Lithang County, Karze "TAP", Sichuan Province.
He was initially a non-political prisoner
who later got sentence extension for "political" activities
within the prison.
Arrested in 1993 on alleged charges of criminal activities,
Sonam was given 14 years' sentence. Subsequently, he was
incarcerated in rukhag (unit) four of Drapchi Prison,
and was assigned to weave carpets.
According to Karma Dawa, a former inmate of Drapchi
Prison, who had escaped to India in 2002, "Karma Sonam
has great love for Tibet. Many political prisoners suffer
a great deal at the hands of prison officials in Drapchi
Prison. There are cases where prisoners have committed
suicide out of desperation. We used to feel very sad and
angry at the same time."
Karma Sonam along with his co-prisoner Karma Dawa
made plans to initiate pro-independence activities
at an opportune time and wrote independent slogans on
approximately 30 papers. They vowed to carry on the task
even at the risk of their lives.
The opportunity presented itself when prison authorities
planned a celebration for International Labour Day on 1
May 1998. The ceremony involved flag-hoisting ceremony
and demonstration of military style drills by inmates. At
10 a.m., every non-political prisoners, and over 60
female political prisoners from new rukhag 3 and 60 male
political prisoners from rukhag 5 were assembled in the
main prison courtyard. Prisoners from old rukhag 3 and
5 were excluded from partaking due to their previously
demonstrated aptitude for political disturbances within
the prison. Armed guards surrounded the prisoners with an
especially heavy detail of extra PSB personnel for the
female inmates. Heads of Chinese Prison system and of
Drapchi Prison were present on the occassion.
When the Chinese flag was being raised and unfurled, Karma
Sonam and Karma Dawa stepped forward and started shouting
pro-independence slogans and decried raising Chinese flag
on the Tibetan soil. The other prisoners promptly joined
in and the two initiators threw independent leaflets into
the air. For a short time, the scene was uncontrollable
but People's Armed Police (PAP) quickly moved in and beat
the protesting prisoners. Warning shots were fired into
the air.
Karma Sonam and Karma Dawa were severely beaten and placed
in solitary confinement cells along with many other
prisoners. Rest of the inmates were dispersed to their
respective cells.
Three days later, the prison authorities attempted to
stage another almost identical ceremony for International
Youth Day on 4 May 1998. Once again during the ceremony,
the prisoners raised pro-independence slogans, led by
Lobsang Gelek, a monk from Khangmar Monastery.
Many prisoners were beaten and confined in solitary cells
for days together. All the prisoners underwent individual
interrogation sessions. Eight prisoners died in the
aftermath of the incident, and 27 prisoners received
sentence extension for their participation.
Three months later, Lhasa Intermediate People's Court
gave its verdict on Karma Sonam. He was given a sentence
extension of nine years. Currently he is serving a total
sentence of 23 years in Drapchi Prison.
[ top ]
Mrs. Tsewang Lhadon,
the Executive Director of TCHRD, attended the Asian Civil
Society Forum (ACSF), a Conference of NGOs (CONGO),
in Bangkok, Thailand from 9 to 13 December 2002.
ACSF was represented by over 200 local, national, regional
and international NGOs from more than 33 countries on the
theme "UN/NGO Partnerships for Democratic Governance:
Building Capacities and Networks for Human Rights and
Sustainable Development.
Mrs. Lhadon was invited to make a presentation on the
Thematic Workshop on "Right to Self-Determination". In
her presentation, she strongly emphasized the right of
the Tibetan people to self-determination and called on the
NGO community to support the Tibetan people's non-violent
struggle to achieve this right.
Many agitated Chinese delegates threw questions at
Mrs. Lhadon after the presentation. She was asked if she
had ever visited Tibet to speak so much on Tibet at which
she replied " I would be most happy to visit Tibet if you
can guarantee my safety".
Mrs. Lhadon also made interventions at the plenary on
the Human Rights Day on 10 December 2002, and raised the
urgent issue of the death sentences on Trulku Tenzin Delek
and Lobsang Dhondup as well as the general human rights
situation inside Tibet.
Besides these, Mrs. Lhadon attended the thematic workshop
on 'Human Rights Defenders' and intervened to speak of
'virtually non-existent human rights organizations in
China". She supported the presenter, Nicholas Becquelin
from Human Rights in China on the subject.
Outside the sessions, the Chinese delegates met Mrs. Lhadon
and asked her not to make such interventions. She was told
that she was their countryman and therefore, she must not
embarrass China outside.
For further details or inquiries, contact
[ top ]
In commemoration of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2002,
TCHRD issued a public statement (in English and Tibetan),
urged the international community to be aware of the actual
human rights situation inside Tibet.
Taking advantage of the huge public gathering at
Tsuglakhang, main temple of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala,
TCHRD extensively distributed its publications free of
cost at a stall set up near the temple.
A massive signature campaign drive was also initiated for
annulment of twin death sentences, and secondly to avail
medical opportunity for released nun Ngawang Sandrol
outside Tibet. Large number of Tibetans and foreign
nationals willingly signed the petition.
TCHRD held a press conference in New Delhi on the same
day. Jamyang Tenzin, Trulku Tenzin Delek's nephew based
in Dharamsala, spoke to the media person while TCHRD
staff Ms. Youdon Aukatsang and Ms. Tenzin Chokey acted
as interpreters.
Mr. Jampa Monlam, Mr. Tenzin Norgay and Ms. Norzin Dolma
held a simulataneous press conference for the local
media in Dharamsala. Both the events received wide media
coverages.
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TCHRD staff members extend warm welcome to our new driver,
Mr. Palden Tsering, who joined office on 1 December
2002. Mr. Tsering had completed 13 years' service of
driving at Special Frontier Force (SFF) in Chakrata and Sikkim.
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