OCTOBER 2003
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Four monks receive lengthy imprisonment terms
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Five Tibetans arrested in Tawu County
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Disappeared Tibetan surfaces sentenced to five years' imprisonment
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“Love your country, Love your religion” campaign in Ragya Monastery
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Chinese Border Patrol Fires on fleeing refugees, 17 arrested
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Demised Political Prisoner leaves a testimony of Chinese brutality
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Special Rapporteur on religion cites Tibet in a report to the UN General Assembly
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Arbitrary arrest in the aftermath of Gyaltsen Norbu's visit to Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery
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Monk suffering from Tuberculosis sentenced to seven years
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Executive Director attends Tibet Group Conference
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Executive Director visits Berlin
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Asian Consultation Meeting of the UN High-Level Panel on UN-Civil Society Relations
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Third Tibet Human Rights Training Program
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TCHRD received confirmed information through reliable sources that four monks from Khangmar Monastery in Sangkar Township, Marthang County, Ngaba Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”), Sichuan province, have been sentenced to varying heavy imprisonment terms of eight to twelve years on 29 August 2003. Another monk and a thangka (painted religious scroll) painter have also been arrested and sentenced to one-year imprisonment term.
Sherthar, 35, Soepa, 33, Tsogphel, 31, have been sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment term and Woeser, 30, to eight years’ imprisonment term. Another monk identified as Mingyur, 29, and a thangka painter (name unknown), in the monastery have also been arrested and sentenced to one-year imprisonment term. All of them are reportedly incarcerated in Ngaba “TAP” Prison. It is likely that the monks who received lengthy terms would soon be transferred to Maowan Prison (Ch: Aba Jlan yu), located in Maowan Qiang Autonomous County in Ngaba “TAP”. This prison accomodate prisoners who are sentenced to lengthy terms from Ngaba and Kardze regions.
The monks were arrested in mid January 2003 when they held a long life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama and for the successful completion of the Kalachakra teachings (Tibetan Buddhism wheel-of-time teachings) being conducted in Bodh Gaya, India, at the time. Reportedly ten monks from the monastery had gathered in the monastery prayer hall when the County Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) officials arrived in the monastery. The officials immediately arrested the monks and ransacked their quarters. Portraits of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama were discovered in the monks’ quarters. The monks were then whisked away to the Ngaba “TAP” PSB Detention Centre. Tsogphel, 28, another monk with the same name, was released after two months’ detention. Ngaba “TAP, People’s Intermediate Court formally sentenced the five monks and the thangka painter to imprisonment terms on 29 August 2003.
Khangmar Monastery houses around 120 monks and until the recent arrest of the monks, the monastery has been free of interference by the Chinese authorities except for occasional routine visits. In the wake of the arrest, the monastery is likely to be highly monitored and more arrest is feared. All the sentenced monks are from nomadic families and had joined the monastery at different ages. Sherthar is the chant master of the monastery. It is learnt that Tsogphel is handicap in his right arm. The thangka painter is originally from Barkham County but constantly travels to paint thangkas in different monasteries and houses.
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According to reliable information received from Tibet, five Tibetans, residents of Tawu County, were arrested on 5 October 2003. They were arrested on suspicion of alleged political activities.
Sichuan Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) officials arrested Yakpo Dhondup, Gyurmey Ngawang, Gyari Thupten Choedrak, Drakpa, Reser Trulku and Wangdue from a restaurant in Tawu County. The arrestees were led away to an undisclosed detention centre outside of Tawu County.
It is reported that when the body of Nyima Drakpa, who succumbed to torture inflicted in prison, was taken out of the hospital for cremation, hundreds of Tibetans came along to pay their last respect. The Tibetans threw Khatas (white scarves) over the body and prayed for the deceased. The local authorities had earlier warned the Tibetans against any activities over Nyima Drakpa’s death, nevertheless people defied the order and came to pay their respect. All the five arrestees were also present in the crowd. Gyari Thupten Choedrak, 52, is an affluent businessman. In 1995, he built a school called United Tibetan School at Khangse Township. The school housed over 100 students, all of whom were from nomadic and farming families. In 2002, the local Chinese authorities ordered that the school should be merged with the government school in the township. Yakpo Dhondup, 50, also a businessman built a school called Hope Private School. Gyurmey Ngawang, Drakpa and Wangdue are all drivers by profession.
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According to reliable information received from Tibet, Kardze Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Lobsang Tenphen,* 38, to five years’ imprisonment in September 2003. Lobsang was charged of propagating information about Trulku Tenzin Delek and late Lobsang Dhondup to the outside world. He is currently incarcerated in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prison in Sichuan Province.
Lobsang Tenphen disappeared since February 2003 until he was produced before the court last month. It is learnt that he was arbitrarily detained in Yakra Phuk Prison (Tib translit: gyag ra phuk) all this while. On 12 February 2003, Lobsang was taken away from home by six PSB officials for interrogations and was detained since then. This is in direct contravention of International law and Chinese national law. In both the laws, it has been specifically stipulated that an arrestee shall not be arbitrarily detained and the family of the arrestee shall be informed of his charges and whereabouts. But in Lobsang’s case, he has been detained without anyone’s notice. Article 9, subsection I, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) stipulates, “…No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention…”
TCHRD has recorded 13 known Tibetans arrested in connection to Trulku Tenzin Delek’s case since April 2002. In January 2003, Lobsang Dhondup was executed and two Tibetans, Lobsang Tenphen and Luzi Tashi Phuntsok, still remain imprisoned.
Lobsang Tenphen was born in 1965 in Zhampa Township, Lithang County. Early in life he assisted in family farm works and didn’t receive any education. When he was 19 years old, he started a small business trading Yartsa Gunbu (a Tibetan medicinal plant, botanical name: cordyceps sinensis) and animal hides. At 25, he married Sonam Dolma, niece of Trulku Tenzin Delek and lived in his wife’s home.
* CORRECTION-The name Lobsang Tenphen was earlier mistakenly written as Taphel when information regarding his disappearance first surfaced.
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Tenzin Sangpo, 24, was practicing as a monk at Ragya Monastery. He told TCHRD, “I joined Ragya Monastery when I was 16 years old. There were some 500 monks in it. Since 2000, Chinese work teams frequent our monastery to conduct “love your country, love your religion” campaign. Every year some thirty Chinese officials come to the monastery and stay for a month. During it the monks are made to study anti Dalai Lama literatures and write anti Dalai Lama writeups. Questions also follow regarding the studies. This year they came in September to conduct the campaign.”
“On 4 August 2003, Yumzin Rinpoche Khedup Gyatso gave a Kalachakra (Tibetan Buddhism Wheel-of-Time teachings) teaching at Dolma Kar Village in Golog Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. The local populace gave a hearty welcome to Rinpoche. They led a convoy of jeeps and motorbikes to receive Rinpoche. The jeeps and the motorbikes carried Buddhist flags over it. People’s Armed Police (“PAP”) personnel intercepted the convoy and ordered the flags to be removed and handed over to them. The public said that the flag is a religious flag and had nothing political in it. But the PAP officers didn’t listen and took away the flags. The convoy was halted for some time for no reason.”
Tenzin Sangpo expressed his desire to practice his monkhood in India as it is difficult in Tibet with restrictions imposed on religious studies.
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TCHRD received confirmed information that a group of 34 fleeing Tibetans from Qinghai Province were fired live ammunitions by the Chinese border patrol. It is reported that 17 Tibetans were consequently arrested and the rest managed to flee the spot.
Gedun Rabgyal, a monk from Machen County, Golok Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”), Qinghai Province, who managed to reach Nepal, reported to TCHRD, “There were 34 people in our group, mostly from Golok “TAP”. We started off from Lhasa as a group with 32 people and two guides. On 11 September 2003, when we reached near Mount Everest, Eight Chinese border security personnel fired live ammunitions at us. The group panicked and started to run for safety. Some of us could run away from the spot but 17 people were arrested. Some of them might have been shot during the random firing. From a safe distance, I could see the border security personels beating and leading the arrestees away. I am very concerned for them. They might end up in prisons for long term without anyone knowing of their plight. I appeal for their release.”
Names of some of the arrestees are listed below: - Taklo, 17, Golok “TAP”, nomad
- Choezin, 19, Golok “TAP”, Ragya monastery monk
- Tsephu, 24, Golok “TAP”, nomad
- Lhagyal, 32, Amdo, Tsang Monastery Monk
- Kunsang, 20, Haiyan County, Tsang Monastery Monk
- Redre, 19, Haiyan County, Tsang Monastery Monk
- Nyandak, 17, Thunde, Tsang Monastery Monk
- Choesang, 30, Thunde County, Tsang Monastery Monk
- Lhathar, 30, Rebkong County, Malho “TAP”, Guide
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TCHRD has obtained a copy of testimony written by the late Nyima Drakpa who died on 2 October 2003. At the time of his death, Nyima was on medical parole. He died as a result of torture inflicted while in prison. He was suffering from severe health complications at the time of his release from Tawu County Detention Centre.
It is evident from Nyima’s testimony that he was repeatedly tortured and he knew death was imminent for him and yet fought defiantly against his oppressors. Below is the translation of his testimony which was originally hand-written in Tibetan by him and signed on 1 April 2001.
An Appeal from the core of my heart
To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and all fellow Tibetan brethren,
My name is Keri Nyima Drakpa (sked ri’i nyima grags pa) and I’m a Tibetan youth from Tawu County of the Kham region of Tibet. Just as the saying goes: “Although small, a marmot has all his physical attributes complete”, similarly, though I am neither a scholar full of wisdom, nor a man known for his wealth, I’m someone with a boundless love and concern for my own nationality. I have always been concerned with, and given much thought to, our nationality’s state of absolute backwardness and that under the oppression of the ruling classes, we don’t even have the right to use our own language etc. This represents a denial of human rights and deprives us of any degree of political authority.
At the same time, having studied and absorbed the glorious historical accounts of how our ancestors had exercised political authority and ruled the country, I made a firm resolution that, if necessary, I would definitely sacrifice my own life for the sake of my nationality. Thus, with unfeigned sincerity, wishing that my fellow Tibetan nationals could enjoy proper freedom, and desperately hoping that aseparate Tibetan country could be established, I wrote many posters demanding that, “ All Chinese should return to their hometowns and allow Tibet to be independent.” I put them up on the end as well as side walls of the District Government buildings on 7th January 2000, 9th April 1998, 10th November 1999, 12th November 1999, 19th November 1999, 6th December 1999 and 29th December 1999.
At the end of each poster I signed my name clearly. However, ill fated that I am, before I had managed to accomplish a single objective, my precious life seemed doomed to be ended at the hands of the cruel and repressive Chinese.
Last year, on the 22nd of March, when I was in Lhasa, four members of the Dawu Public Security Bureau officers arrived and arrested me immediately. Right from the start, without even asking me a single question, they started beating me like beating a drum and rendered me incapable of uttering even a word. They gave me neither a mouthful of food nor a drop of water to drink, and immediately took me in a plane back to Chengdu. Upon arrival in Chengdu, they let a few Chinese police officers beat me up. Those reincarnations of the black devil himself, in the form of Chinese cadres, pinned me down and beat me so mercilessly that I became half dead and half alive. At the time, I fell unconscious. When I regained consciousness, it was around eleven at night. I sensed that my whole body hurt with excruciating pain and it was impossible to move properly. In particular, I realised that both my legs had turned numb and were devoid of any sensation.Ten days after we had arrived in Tawu, they started interrogating me. Despite the intense and excruciating pain all over my body, ill fated though I was, I managed to tell them exactly everything that I deeply believe and feel in my heart, and acknowledged that I had indeed written all those posters.
Therefore, last year on October 5th, the Court in Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, sentenced me to a prison term of nine years. However, I’m now in such a decrepit state that I cannot eat even a mouthful of food, and my legs, too, are rendered lame by the cruel Chinese. As such, I know that before long I am going to die. I am certainly not afraid to die. As the last breath of the life of this ruddy-faced Tibetan is about to cease, let this appeal be relayed to my maternal uncle, Jowo Kyab, or to fellow Tibetan brethren who cherish and value the interest and cause of our Tibetan nationality, to ensure that through the good offices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, China’s bullying, cruel treatment and legal punishments of Tibetan people like me is made widely known among the international community of the world. And besides, I appeal to my fellow Tibetan brethren with whom I share the same flesh and bone, you must know and understand the truth about how China mistreats us through unreserved bullying, illegal and immoral actions. We must unite at all costs and rise up against China.
Keri Nyima Drakpa
Dated 1st April 2001
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The Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights on freedom of Religion or Belief ,Mr. Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia), in an interim report (A/58/296) to the 58th session of the UN General Assembly, cited his intervention with the Chinese authorities about the situation of several Tibetan political prisoners in eastern Tibet. Under the country wise China item, the report highlights the detention of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, arrest of three monks and a layman of the Serthar Buddhist Institute, arrest of five Tibetans in October 2002, and prohibition on Tibetan officials from visiting Mount Kailash during its holy year. The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly is expected to discuss the report next month when it deals with human rights questions including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world.
Mr. Amor’s report says: “Concerning the situation of Tibetans, the Special Rapporteur informed the Chinese Government of information about the arrest of five Tibetans, on 17 October 2002, in the city of Ganzi: Shamba; Tsangpo; Namgyal; Kayo Dogha; Tsering Dorjee; and Jampal.” The five Tibetans were arrested in early winter of 2002 after they organised long life prayer ceremonies for the Dalai Lama and were subsequently sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in April 2003.
The Special Rapporteur also raised concern that “Tibetan officials from Lhasa were said to have been threatened with losing their pensions and/or employment if they visited the sacred site of Mount Kailash during the Buddhist holy month of Sagadawa.” The Tibetan Year of Water Sheep (2003-2004) was an auspicious time for Tibetans to engage in a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, one of the holiest mountains in Tibet.
In the report, the Special Rapporteur informs the UN General Assembly about the detention and the death sentence passed on Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and how his case was also raised in a report to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
Finally, the UN religious rights expert informed the General Assembly about a recent intervention with the Chinese authorities saying: “In a second communication of 12 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur transmitted information on the arrest of three monks, Tamding, Palzin and Shongdu, and a layman, Ngodup, of the Serthar Buddhist Institute on 27 May 2003. They were reportedly arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in an incident on 25 December 2002 related to the reconstruction of housing destroyed the previous year by the authorities, during which there were reports of casualties and destruction of police vehicles (see para. 21 of E/CN.4/2003/66).”
In November 1994, Mr. Amor became the first ever UN human rights expert to monitor the human rights situation, including that of religious freedom in Tibet. In the past few years a number of international NGOs have been urging the Chinese authorities to invite Mr. Amor for a follow-up visit. There are now reports that following separate human rights dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union and United States of America, the Chinese authorities have agreed to invite the Special Rapporteur on religion for an official visit. The Special Rapporteur does not refer to this issue in his report to the UN General Assembly.
The Special Rapporteur, however, “calls on all the States concerned to cooperate fully in the follow-up procedure, which is a natural extension of any visit and constitutes an essential means of cooperation that benefits both the States, non-governmental organisations and individuals concerned by his mandate and the United Nations human rights machinery as a whole.”
The report is made available on the official website of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights www.unhchr.ch
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Thapkhe Gyatso, 23, was a monk at the Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery who fled into exile to pursue his monastic studies in India. He reported that it was very difficult to do his studies in Tibet as there are restrictions imposed on religious studies.
Thapke Gyatso told TCHRD, “In August 2003, Chinese appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, visited Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery. Prior to his visit, the local authorities instructed the monks to give him a hearty welcome. Around 80,000 Yuan was spent in renovation and laying roads. The authorities ordered the local populace to welcome him and specific orders were given to the monks of the monastery to receive audience with him. The Panchen Lama stayed in the monastery for five days and there was strict survelliance during the time. He gave a teaching but there were few monks, so the monks and nuns from nearby monasteries were ordered to come to Tashi Kyil monastery and receive the teaching. Tourists were prohibited to visit the monastery.
When the Panchen Lama departed from the monastery, many pro-independence posters were pasted in and around the monastery. Sangchu County PSB started investigations and randomly arrested monks under suspicion. The monks were made to write their handwriting and cross checked with the posters. My friends Trinley Gyatso and Choe Gyatso were detained for a few days.”
The Dalai Lama recognised Gedun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of Xth Panchen Lama. On 17 May 1995, the XIth Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, then six years old, suddenly dissappeared and has not been seen till date. China appointed Gyaltsen Norbu as the XIth Panchen Lama.
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Luzi Tashi Phuntsok, 42, was born in Othok Village, Nyakchuka County, Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”), Sichuan Province.
Luzi Tashi was the disciplinarian of Jamyang Choekorling Monastery, popularly known as Othok Monastery, and shouldered much responsibility of the monastery including conducting prayer ceremonies and organising festivals.
In 1993, he protested vehemently against the Chinese deforestation drive in his local area. It is said that Chinese authorities targeted Trulku Tenzin Delek, a respected Buddhist teacher in eastern Tibet, for his popular social activities and cultural preservation works in Tibet. The locals protested against Trulku Tenzin Delek’s arrest through petitions and fund raising activities. Tashi was one of the main protesters against the authorities. He was among the group who went to County, Provincial and Beijing authorities to seek justice. Luzi Tashi defied the authorities time and again.
When Trulku Tenzin Delek was implicated in a bomb explosion case on 7 April 2002, Chinese officers arrested many Tibetans who showed their support to him. Unconfirmed reports indicate that as many as 80 Tibetans were detained with some being released after two or three months while others after 10-20 days and some still in detention.
Tashi was arbitrarily arrested on 17 April 2002 from his monastery and detained in Nyakchuka County Public Security Bureau (PSB) Detention Centre for a day. Later, he was transferred to Yakra Phuk (Tib translit: gyag ra phuk) Prison. In the end of November 2002, Kardze People’s Intermediate Court sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on alleged charges of colluding with Trulku Tenzin Delek.
At the time of Tashi’s arrest, he was suffering from tuberculosis and was hospitalised. Owing to ill treatment and lack of proper medical attention, his health deteriorated while in prison.
Luzi Tashi Phuntsok, was briefly released on 28 July 2003 to tend to his disease. However, it is later learnt that Luzi Tashi was unable to pay the bail amount and Nyakchukha County PSB denied accepting responsibility of his release in the county. He was taken back into custody and remain imprisoned.
The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights on freedom of religion and belief had communicated with the Chinese Government on May 2002 concerning circumstances relating to Trulku Tenzin Delek and others. The Chinese Government has submitted a response stating that “On 20 August, the procuratorial authorities instituted criminal proceedings against the defendant Tenzin Delek Rinpoche with the Intermediate People’s Court of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, for the crimes of fomenting separatism and causing an explosion and against defendant Phondup (Lobsang Dhondup) for formenting separatism, causing an explosion and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.”
TCHRD registered 13 known arrests in connection with Trulku Tenzin Delek’s case. As per current information received, all the others have been released after various prison terms and detentions except for Trulku Tenzin Delek, Tamdin Tsering and Luzi Tashi Phuntsok.
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Ms. Tsewang Lhadon, Executive Director, attended the Tibet Support Group Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic from 18-22 October 2003.
The Conference offered an opportunity and a platform for all TSGs to meet and exchange experiences with each other and communicate the same to the Central Tibetan Administration in order to forge more effective means of supporting the cause of Tibet.
Ms. Lhadon participated in three of the four main workshops, Political Initiatives, Human Rights and Western Development Strategy. In the group discussions that Ms. Lhadon participated, she discussed and shared opinions with other TSG groups, TCHRD’s stand on the above issues, in an effort to help chart a common and acceptable Plan of Action for the next few years for the cause of Tibet, was maintained. Being a representative of a human rights organization, Ms. Lhadon expressed strong views on the human rights issues regarding Tibet in her discussion group. She expressed that present human rights violations in Tibet are a result of the forceful occupation of Tibet by China. Three main points that Ms. Lhadon expressed in her group that have been included in the Final Plan of Action of the TSG’s were : Freedom of Expression and Protest in Tibet, Religious Freedom and Education and Language.
Mrs. Tsewang Lhadon also met Tibet’s longest serving political prisoner, now released, Takna Jigme Sangpo. On behalf of the centre she conveyed warm greetings, good health and long life for Jigsang la.
In conclusion, human rights in Tibet received great attention during the conference. The fact that fundamental human rights has no boundaries, there was great emphasis on highlighting the human rights situation of Tibet. Every member of the TSGs agreed unanimously on the plan of action and strategies that were drawn-up at the conference on the issue.
The Executive Director, Mrs. Tsewang Lhadon visited Berlin from 22-27 Ocotober 2003.
While in Berlin, Ms. Lhadon met Mr. Gregor Enste, Head of the Asia Desk and Ms. Tanja Kunz from Henrich Boell Foundation (HBF). HBF has been supporting TCHRD unwaveringly over the years. Ms. Lhadon briefed them on the work of TCHRD, its progress, its needs and concerns. She expressed that TCHRD is today a well-established human rights organization within the exile community as well as internationally.
The HBF members expressed their satisfaction at the work of TCHRD and gave assurances to Ms. Lhadon that they will work to support the centre as long as it can.
Ms. Lhadon also discussed the centre’s pressing concern of addressing a wider audience in general, which can only be brought about by communicating the human rights situation from larger platforms.
While in Berlin, Ms. Lhadon met Mr. Hans-Joachim Daerr, a senior member in the German foreign office and Director General for Global Issues, the United Nations, Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid. Along with Ms. Gudrun Henne, Director of the ICT Berlin Office, Ms. Lhadon briefed Mr. Daerr on the human rights situation of Tibet. She explained that Germany being a strong supporter of human rights and cultural values could make a difference to the Tibet issue by raising it with their Chinese counterparts. She acknowledged the German Chancellor’s mention of human rights with the Chinese leadership during his last visit to China. In return, Mr. Daerr assured that he would work to put Tibet human rights issue on the agenda of his government’s talks with China in the future.
The Executive Director also met with Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt, Director of the German Institute for Human Rights. Ms. Lhadon briefed Dr. Bielefeldt on the work of TCHRD, its aims and objectives. He in turn showed a deep interest in the human rights of the Tibetan people and shared his Institutes aims and objectives.
Ms. Lhadon also met Mr. Tsewang Norbu and many members of the German Tibet Support Groups, the Initiative Duestchland. She exchanged valuable information with them as well.
Ms.Norzin Dolma represented TCHRD at the Asian Consultation Meeting of the UN High Level Panel on UN Civil-Society Relations, UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, on October 22 and 23 2003. Fifty-three NGO representatives participated in the consultation meeting organised by CONGO Group of Asia.
The consultation meeting is intended to assist the work of the High Level Panel committee of 13 members established by the Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan. The consultation addressed concerns and challenges of the NGOs and put forward proposals and recommendations to enhance the relationship between the United Nations and Civil Society. The High Level Committee members will forward the recommendations to the Secretary General in April 2004.
Ms. Dolma raised the issue of denial of access and accreditation to Tibetan NGOs in the processes and forums of the United Nations owing to pressure tactics exercised by the Chinese Government. The denial of accreditation to three Tibetan NGOs namely TCHRD, Tibet Justice Centre and International Campaign for Tibet in the World Summit on Sustainable Development was cited as an example to substantiate the concern. Therefore, ensuring proper access to Tibetan NGOs in the United Nations is the first step towards fostering and strengthening relationship between the United Nations and the Civil Society. The second important concern raised was the dominance of government politics in the processes and forums of United Nations.
The issue of denial of access and accreditation to Tibetan NGOs received widespread support from the NGOs present and it was specifically listed in the recommendation to the High Level Committee members. Ms. Dolma further established network with other Asian NGOs especially with the Chinese representatives.
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in collaboration with Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), and Lobsang Sangay, a Phd candidate at Harvard Law School, co-organised the Third Tibet Human Rights Training Programme at Gurgaon near New Delhi from 26-31October 2003.
The training programme attracted 29 participants from a diverse audience including principals and teachers from the Tibetan schools in exile, staff members of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and representatives from six Tibetan non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
During the one-week program, the participants were introduced to human rights and the concepts that underpin them, such as their universality and emphasis on promoting the equality of all people, the U.N. mechanisms through which Tibetans have sought over the years to have their rights protected , and ways to advance their rights through the use of the media and internet to conduct human rights campaigns with press releases, web pages, e-newsletters, e-postcards, online petitions and forums, etc.
In summary, the workshop offered a forum to better understand human rights and tools to promote and protect them, an examination of present and future Tibetan democratic structures, an analysis of China and the way in which trends today may impact events in Tibet in the future, a scrutiny of human rights in Tibet and, lastly, a discussion of strategies to transform the above information into actions that the participants can initiate to improve human rights for the Tibetan people.
The organizers are extremely thankful to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for making the program possible. TCHRD and its co-organisers would like to thank all the resource persons: Mr. Lobsang Nyandak, Mr. TT Karma Choephel,Mr.Ngawang Choephel, Lobsang Sangay, Bruce Van Hooris, Kate Saunders, and Gabrielle Lafitte for their invaluable expertise and insights.
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