SEPTEMBER 2004
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Tibetans arrested for protesting against mining activity
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Obituary to Jampa Phuntsok
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Monk reports unjust selection of candidates for Geshi Lharampa exam
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Anti terror exercise drill in Tibet for the second time
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China releases Ngawang Gyaltsen after 15 years in prison
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UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visits Tibet
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EU Presidency Visits Tibet
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US State Department Religion Report critical of China’s religious record
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Monks undergo beatings for crossing the border
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Hu Jintao takes over as the Chinese Military Chief
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Carpenter given six years' imprisonment
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TCHRD commemorates 44th Tibetan Democracy Day
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Briefings by TCHRD staff
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TCHRD new recruits
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Three Tibetans from Sog County (Ch: Suo Xian) were arrested by local Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) officers for protesting against mining activity in the area, according to confirmed reports received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
The three Tibetans, Dejor, 40, Tsering Dawa, 40, and Thartsok, 33, were arrested on 4 September 2004 in Sari Village, Yongnak Township, Sog County, Tibet Autonomous Region (“TAR”). All of them are currently reported to be in Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture Detention Centre.
In July 2004, workers from Nagchu Mining Department visited Sari Village to mine the area. However, the resident Tibetans protested against the mining and managed to halt the work. It has been reported that there were heated exchanges between the Tibetans and the officials over the mining issue. Subsequently the officials from the Mining Department reported the incident to the authorities of Sog County. At the end of August, officials from Sog County Administration accompanied by PSB officers arrived at the village to investigate the incident. Dejor, Tsering Dawa and Thartsok identified as key leaders of the protests were subsequently arrested from their home on 4 September 2004.
In the aftermath of the arrest, a group of local Tibetans appealed to the authorities to release the three Tibetans citing their protest solely as a concern for the environment. However, the authorities dismissed the appeal on the grounds that they suspected political motivations behind the protest.
The family members of the three arrestees are reported to be anxious for they might be given lengthy imprisonment terms.
The UN Declaration on the Right to Development (UNDRD) states that governments must “formulate appropriate national development policies that aim at the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals, on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of benefits resulting there from”. Sog County incident clearly reveals that China as a member of the UN is in direct contravention of the UNDRD.
TCHRD calls upon China to respect the sentiments of the Tibetan people in any development work undertaken inside Tibet.¨
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Former political prisoner, Jampa Phuntsok, passed away on the morning of 17 September 2004. He was 75 years old. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) pays its tribute to him
Jampa Phuntsok was born in 1927 in Phenpo Lhundup County near Lhasa. At an early age of eight, he was admitted in Hardong Khangtsen, Sera Jhe Monastery. After four years in Sera Monastery, he shifted to Namgyal Monastery and studied Tibetan Buddhist scriptures for the next 22 years. In 1959 when China invaded Tibet, Jampa took arms and fought battles in Phenpo and Namtso region to resist the invasion. The Chinese army took Jampa’s family as hostage calling him to quit the resistance. Seeing his family in danger, Jampa surrendered to the Chinese army in March 1960.
Jampa was imprisoned for a total of 18 years in various prisons like Phenpo Lhundrup Prison, Phenpo Galtok Prison, Powo Sumdo Prison and Nyingtri Prison.
In 1979, when the first fact finding delegation visited Tibet, Jampa was in Nyingtri Prison. Jampa got an opportunity to brief a member of the delegation, Mr. Lobsang Samten, about actual situation in Tibet. Jampa went to him in his prison dress with a few apples in his hands. The two also took a photograph together. On knowing about the incident, the Chinese authorities labeled him a “black hat”. Jampa’s sentence was extended by six years and he was transferred to Powo Tramo Prison.
In 1984, Jampa sought permission to visit his aunt in Lhasa who was bed ridden due to serious ill health. When Jampa was in Lhasa, a change was introduced whereby prisoners were made labourers. Therefore, he did not have to return to prison. He went into meditation retreat on the hill in the south of Sera Monastery.
On 3 March 1988, during Monlam Chenmo prayer festival, Jampa Phuntsok stood up amongst a gathering of over 2000 monks, pilgrims, foreign tourists and Chinese officials, in the square at Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple. For few minutes, he shouted slogans calling for freedom in Tibet He was not immediately arrested but as expected, on 17 March 1988 Chinese PSB Officers arrested him when he returned into retreat. Jampa was given three years’ term for his protest and was imprisoned in Sangyip Unit no 4 and later in Outridu Unit 1.
On 17 March 1991, Jampa was released from prison. In total he had spent about 26 years in Chinese prisons and labour camps. Upon release, Jampa again planned to stage a protest during the “40th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet”. However, his friends and other well wishers advised him not to do so and instead to go to India to propagate about the fate of Tibet. Accordingly, Jampa arrived in Dharamsala, India, in October 1991 and stayed in Namgyal Monastery as the caretaker of the temple till his death.
In exile, Jampa was the voice of the cry in Tibet and a spokesperson for the prisoners in Tibet. Exile Tibetans and westerners know him as the “brave thin old monk who protested defiantly during the Monlam Chenmo”.
TCHRD pays tribute to Jampa Phuntsok for his belief and courage to speak his conscience.¨
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Gendun Tsundue, lay name Tsering Dorjee, is a 37 year old monk. He reached Tibetan Refugee Reception Center (TRRC), Nepal, on 24 July 2004. Gendun told TCHRD about the selection of candidates for the re-introduced practice of Geshe Lharampa Degree (highest academic degree in Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism) examination and the activities of Chinese authorities in Gaden Monastery.
Gendun Tsundue reported, “On 27 July 2004, the authorities selected six monks, two each from Drepung, Sera and Gaden Monastery to appear for their preliminary test in front of 16 judges. However, the selection of the six monks was not done on merit basis and was selected for their allegiance to the authorities’ directives.”
In 1988 China outlawed the observance of Monlam Chenmo, the great prayer festival, calling it a feudal practice evoking deep feeling of grievances among the masses. However, the authorities announced that the prayer festival will be resumed in 2005. The candidates who wish to sit for the Geshe Lharampa Degree, highest academic degree in Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, are required to study six political books in addition to traditional subjects to pass the examination.
Gendun also reported to TCHRD about “patriotic re-education” in Gaden Monastery and expulsion of monks under the pretext of being underaged. Around fifty monks have reportedly received heavy sentences for their reverence to the Dalai Lama.
Gendun Tsundue was born in DolhungVillage, Torden Township, Tsekhong County, Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture “TAP”, Qinghai Province.¨
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People’s Liberation Army (PLA), People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) staged a joint anti terror exercise drill in Lhasa on 13 September 2004 for the second time. The drill was designed to combat sudden terrorist attack. The first anti terror exercise drill code named “Himalaya 03” was conducted in Lhasa in November 2003.
The official manipulation of the global fight against terror became clear on 27 October 2001 during the Ninth Session of the 24th Meeting of Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC), where approval was given to the ruling State Council’s proposal that the People’s Republic of China join the international campaign against “terrorism, splittism and fanaticism”. Li Peng, then Chairman of the NPC, said that, “The decision for China to join the global campaign is wise in the wake of ‘splittist’ activities in China and will be helpful to strike hard against terror created in the country by inside and outside enemies”.
Trulku Tenzin Delek, a highly respected Buddhist teacher in Lithang County, Sichuan Province, was implicated of causing series of bomb explosions in Chengdu, on 3 April 2002 and was subsequently arrested on 7 April 2002. On 2 December 2002Kardze People’s Intermediate Court sentenced him to death with two years’ reprieve, whereas a co-accused, Lobsang Dhondup, was sentenced to immediate death penalty and subsequently executed on 26 January 2003 when the Sichuan Higher People’s Court rejected their appeal for a retrial.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy is anxious about Beijing’s use of global campaign against terror to suppress Tibetan peaceful activist. ¨
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China released Ngawang Gyaltsen in June 2004, according to confirmed information received by TCHRD.
Ngawang, member of the secret organisation “Group of Ten”, was originally sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment term. However, he secured an early release after getting sentence reduction of two years.
Ngawang was first arrested on 27 September 1987 for a protest organised by 21 Drepung monks including him. He was released after four months detention at Gutsa Detention Centre. Upon release, he joined the “Group of Ten”. He and the other members pasted and distributed pamphlets calling for freedom and human rights in Tibet.
Ngawang and a friend, Kelsang Thutop, planned to escape to India. However, the Chinese border patrol arrested the two at Nepal-Tibet border on 13 May 1989. They were taken back to Lhasa and kept in “TAR” Detention Centre. Both suffered severe beatings during interrogations.
On 28 November 1989, Lhasa People’s Intermediate Court sentenced Ngawang and the other members of the “Group of Ten” to various imprisonment terms. Ngawang was sentenced to 17 years’ with deprivation of political rights for five years on charges of “counter revolutionary propaganda” and “illegally crossing the border.”
Ngawang Gyaltsen a.k.a Ngodup Gyaltsen, 38, was born in Toelung Dechen County, south of Lhasa City. He was ordained as a monk at Drepung Monastery in 1984.
Ngawang Phulchung and Jampel Jangchub, members of the “Group of Ten” are still in Drapchi Prison. The rest have been freed over the years after completing their terms in prison.
It's true that the marks required for admission to Tibet University are lower than those for other universities in China. But many Chinese students whose marks aren't sufficiently high enough to get in to universities in their native provinces come to Tibet and submit fake house registrations to gain admission to Tibet University. Most of the seats available at Tibet University end up being taken by Chinese students". ¨
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The Executive Director of UNICEF has criticised the level of access Tibetan children have to the primary school education. In a UNICEF press statement prior to her visit to Tibet at the end of August, Ms. Carol Bellamy stated that "only 31% of children in Tibet have access to the compulsory 9 years of education", and expressed her concern that "although conditions in Western China, and in Tibet, have dramatically improved in recent years, growth has occurred at a significantly slower pace than in the East, creating fears of a widening poverty gap."
Her statement echoed the opinion expressed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Education, Ms. Catarina Tomasevsky at the end of last year, who called the state of China's education system for Tibetan people "deplorable". According the press statement on 30 August 2004, Ms. Bellamy, Executive Director of the UNICEF, had a brief stopover in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, to discuss cooperation for children with local government UNICEF partners in Sichuan.
Ms. Bellamy visited Lhoka Prefecture (Ch: Shannan Prefecture) on 29 August 2004 "to get a first hand look at the situation in Western China". Whilst there, she met with prefecture-level health and education officials headed by the Vice Governor of the Prefecture, Chang Zhen. Dr. Christian Voumard, UNICEF China Representative was also present at the meeting, which focussed on safe motherhood, basic education and enhancing teachers and educators. ¨
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The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (“WGAD”) visited the People’s Republic of China, including Tibet, from 19-30 September 2004. The mission included visits to Beijing, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and Lhasa, according to a press release by the United Nations on 16 September 2004.
The UN mission headed by the WGAD Chairperson Leila Zerrougui was to make visits to “a broad range of detention centres, including prisons, re-education through labour camps, psychiatric hospitals and police stations.” Meetings with Justice, Public Security and Foreign Affairs Ministries were also on the schedule as well as meetings with judges, prosecutors and lawyers. The mission was also to meet with former detainees and family members of persons in detention as part of gaining insights into the real situation.
The mission report by the WGAD will be presented during the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, set for March-April 2005. At the time of this issue of Human Rights Update going to the press, the UN mission have not made any press statement about the findings of the mission. The visit is the third undertaken by the WGAD in China and Tibet. The first two were carried out in 1996 and 1997 respectively.
Arbitrary detention is one of the gravest violation of human rights in Tibet. The state law enforcement agents arbitrarily detain Tibetans who differ in political thoughts. Those who speak their conscience are often detained for a long period of time without trails and tortured during interrogations in the Detention Centres. The detainee’s family is not informed and extended detention often leads to disappearance.
Gedun Choekyi Nyima, who was recognised as the 11th Panchen Lama at the age of six, dissapeared on 17 May 1995. It has now been nine years since the boy’s disappearance.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) welcomes the UN mission to China and Tibet. The Centre strongly believes that first hand information through visits by UN experts will improve the human rights situation in Tibet. TCHRD hopes that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had not bowed to Chinese authorities’ interference and had easy and direct access to those whose are deprived of their liberty. ¨
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The European Union (EU) Presidency visited Tibet from 20-23 September 2004.The visit came prior to the EU-China Bilateral Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing on 24 September 2004.
The visit was undertaken directly to gather information on the human rights situation in Tibet.
The Presidency visited Lhasa and its surrounding areas. Meetings with Public Security Bureau, Education and Religion departments as well as “TAR” authorities were held. However, the delegation did not visit any prison in view of past experience as prisoners are placed at risk on contacting the delegation.
The last official EU visit was made in May 1998. Co-incidently, on 1 and 4 May 1998, a protest broke out in Drapchi Prison.The delegation was unaware of the protest. Eight Tibetan prisoners died when PAP officers opened fire to quell the protest. New prison regulations were introduced and 27 Tibetan prisoners received sentence extension for participating in the prison protest. ¨
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The United States State Department released its latest International Religious Freedom Report on 15 September 2004. The report was critical of China’s religious record and described the Government of China’s “respect for religion poor” and “level of repression high.”
The report mentions that, “the Government maintains tight controls on religious practices and places of worship in Tibetan areas of China.” Gedun Choekyi Nyima, Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok and late Nyima Drakpa received special mention in the report. It also indicated that situation in Kardze “TAP” in Sichuan Province is relatively volatile compared to other parts of Tibetan areas.
The U.S. Government urged the Central Government and local authorities to respect religious freedom and preserve religious traditions.
Excerpts from the report
- The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China provides for freedom of religious belief, and the Government’s May White Paper on “Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet” states, “Tibetans fully enjoy the freedom of religious belief.” However, the Government maintains tight controls on religious practices and places of worship in Tibetan areas of China. Although the authorities permit many traditional religious practices and public manifestations of belief, they promptly and forcibly suppress activities they view as vehicles for political dissent or advocacy of Tibetan independence, such as religious activities venerating the Dalai Lama, (which the Chinese Government describes as “splittist”).
- The Government strictly controls access to and information about Tibetan areas, particularly the TAR, rendering it difficult to determine accurately the scope of religious freedom violations. The “patriotic education” campaign begun in the mid-1990s officially concluded in 2000, but coercive activities to ensure the political reliability of monks and nuns continued. Core requirements of “patriotic education,” such as the renunciation of the Dalai Lama and the acceptance of Tibet as a part of China, continued to engender resentment on the part of Tibetan Buddhists. Dozens of monks and nuns continued to serve prison terms for their resistance to “patriotic education.
- In July 2003, authorities reportedly closed the Ngaba Kirti Monastic School in Ngaba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, and summoned its chief patron, Soepa Nagur, to Sichuan’s capital city Chengdu, according to the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Funded in 1994 with private funds to provide traditional Tibetan and monastic education to rural residents, the school attracted the attention of local authorities in 1998, who forced the school to change its name, include secular subjects in its curriculum, and finally merge with another nearby institution.
- In October 2003, Tibetan monk Nyima Dragpa of Dawu County in Sichuan Province’s Kardze Prefecture died while serving a 9-year sentence for state subversion. Based on a letter the monk allegedly wrote before his death, NGO and foreign media observers attributed his death to torture suffered in prison. In November 2002, Tibetan Buddhist monk Lobsang Dhargyal reportedly died of a brain hemorrhage in a “reform through labor” camp in Qinghai Province. TCHRD attributed the monk’s death to torture and maltreatment while in detention. There has been no official public confirmation of or investigation into Lobsang Dhargyal’s death.
- Chadrel Rinpoche, the lama accused by the Government of betraying state secrets while helping the Dalai Lama choose the incarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama, was released from prison in January 2002, according to officials. There are reports that Chadrel Rinpoche is being held under house arrest near Lhasa, but officials have not confirmed his whereabouts and refused requests from the international community to meet with him. They continue to state that Chadrel Rinpoche is studying scriptures in seclusion. In August 2003, TCHRD reported that Champa Chung, 56-year-old former assistant of Chadrel Rinpoche, remained in custody after the expiration of his original 4-year prison term in 1999.
- In August 2003, five monks and an unidentified lay artist received sentences of 1 to 12 years’ imprisonment for alleged separatist activities, including painting a Tibetan national flag, possessing pictures of the Dalai Lama, and distributing materials calling for Tibetan independence. The monks—Zoepa, Tsogphel, Sherab Dargye, Oezer, and Migyur—were all from Khangmar Monastery in Ngaba Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
- Authorities prohibit Tibetans from actively celebrating the Dalai Lama’s birthday on July 6. Celebrations of other major religious festivals such as Monlam Chenmo and the Drepung Shodon have been marked by a somewhat more open atmosphere and diminished security presence than in the past, but teachers and students at Tibet University were prohibited from actively celebrating the Saga Dawa festival in 2004.
- On February 12, police arrested Choeden Rinzen, a monk at Lhasa’s Ganden Monastery, for possessing a Tibetan national flag and a picture of the Dalai Lama, according to Radio Free Asia. Two friends of Choeden Rinzen reportedly were arrested with him but later released.
- There were some positive developments regarding prisoners. On April 18, authorities reportedly released Tibetan Buddhist monk Ngawang Oezer from TAR Prison upon completion of a 15-year sentence for participating in pro-independence activities at Drepung Monastery. In August 2003, authorities had announced that Ngawang Oezer’s sentence had been reduced by 2 years.
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Dhondup Tsering (22), Tashi Dhargay, (19), and Dhondup Namgyal, are monks from Dhargayling Monastery. They hail from Dechen Village, Tamdoe Township, Dechen County, Yunnan Province. The monks went through tremendous hardships in fulfilling their dream of getting an audience with the Dalai Lama in India. Tashi, who is a heart patient with ulcer, endured severe beatings from police officers. On their second attempt, they were able to come to India.
Dhondup Tsering told TCHRD, “ Dhargyeling Monastery is a small Monastery with only 20 monks. I joined the monastery at the age of 12 and studied Buddhist Philosophy for nearly 10 years. I along with Dhondup Namgyal and Dhondup Tsering sought permission from the abbot of the monastery, Thaldhoe Rinpoche, to visit India in order to seek an audience with the Dalai Lama. “
“On 1 December 2003, we began our journey to Lhasa. On reaching Lhasa, we were introduced to a Nepalese guide and paid him 4000 Yuan each to take us across the border.”
“We started our journey on 29 December 2003. Once we crossed into Nepal, a strong Nepalese army patrol of about 30 arrested us at Barabesi, Nepal. One Nepali army officer interrogated us in Tibetan language and simultaneously kicked and beat us brutally. The army frisked us thoroughly and took 1500 Yuan from us and 2900 Yuan from the others.”
“We were detained in a toilet under strict surveillance with no food for a night. The next morning at around 11 am, the Nepalese army handed us to Chinese Security officials at Dram. All of us were interrogated individually by the Chinese officials and were subjected to severe beatings, despite the fact that Tashi Dhargay was having ulcer and heart problems. We were kept in the prison with no cot and electricity.”
“We were later transfered to Nyelam Detention Centre and detained for 11 days and were given poor diet. We were then transferred to a new prison at Shigatse, which had around 200 exile returnee detainees. However, our group was kept separately in another cell for 23 days and was then taken to Lhasa. On reaching Lhasa, the authorities ordered us to return to our respective homes.”
“Due to severe beatings, Tashi Dhargay’s health condition deteriorated and had to be taken to a Chinese hospital for treatment. He was hospitalized for nearly two months and incurred a total expense of 8100 yuan. A relative helped him settle the bills.”
“Once Tashi got fit and was discharged from the hospital, we made another attempt to visit India on 2 July 2004. We didn’t hire a guide this time. Fortunately, we were able to reach Kathmandu Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre without much problem on the way.”
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Hu Jintao, 61, took over the Chairmanship of the Central Military Commission (CMC) after the fourth plenum of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) accepted the resignation of Jiang Zemin, Xinhuanet.com reported on 19 September 2004.
Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China and also the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee was earlier the Vice-Chairman of the CMC.
The namelist for CPC Central Military Commission after adjustments and additions by the fourth plenum of the CPC Central Committee is as follows: Chairman of CMC, Hu Jintao, Vice-Chairmen of CMC, Guo Boxiong, Cao Gangchuan, Xu Caihou, and Members of the CMC, Liang Guanglie, Li Jinai, Liao Xilong, Chen Bingde, Qiao Qingchen, Zhang Dingfa and Jing Zhiyuan.
Hu Jintao on becoming the Chairman of the CMC consolidates his position as the paramount leader of People’s Republic of China.
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Tashi Topgyal, 50, was born in Thong Village, Yamo Township, Ngamring County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region (“TAR”). He has three sons and does farming for their livelihood. Tashi learned carpentry when he was young and does carpentry works during free time between every harvest. He worked in construction sites and made wooden household furnitures.
In August 2002, several wall posters calling for Tibet’s independence were found pasted and scattered in the township market. An investigation team comprising of PSB officials from Ngamring County and Shigatse Prefecture carried out thorough investigations and interrogations to find the person responsible for the incident. The PSB team carried out thorough investigations in the neighbouring villages as well as interrogated all the people who were deemed suspicious. However, they could not find out the “culprit”.
Upon further investigations, the PSB team became suspicious of Tashi and subsequently raided his house on 22 October 2002. On ransacking his house, the officials discovered an “Autobiography of the Dalai Lama” as well as “Guidelines for Future Polity of Tibet”. His neighbours houses were also ransacked.
Just a few days after Tashi’s arrest, the PSB arrested Ngodup Dorjee, a bank staff at Ngamring County Bank. The officials also found a Tibetan national flag in his house.
Tashi was detained in Shigatse Prefecture Detention Centre and was tortured brutally during interrogation sessions. The authorities did not inform his family about his whereabouts. His family became anxious when they couldn’t locate him.
In mid 2003, Shigatse Prefecture People’s Intermediate Court sentenced Tashi Topgyal to six years’ imprisonment term on charges of “endangering state security” through anti government propaganda.
In the end of 2003, Tashi was transferred to Drapchi Prison in Lhasa where he continues to be imprisoned. He is expected to be released in 2009.
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On 2 September 2004, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) commemorated the 44th Tibetan Democracy Day.
A panel discussion on “Highlighting Peoples’ Role in Democracy” was held at the Club House in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, India. The panelist included Tibetan Parliamentarian Geshe Jigme Wangyal and Ngawang Lhamo, Tibetan Youth Congress President Kelsang Phuntsok, Research analyst Atsok Lukar Jam, Activist Tenzin Tsundue and Former Tibet University Student Ganglha.
The panel delved on the topic of Tibetan democratic transition, Opinions on Tibetan charter and functions of Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Shortcomings and Prospects of Tibetan democracy and People’s role in democracy.
The discussion turned out to be highly robust with passionate participation from the audience. People from all walks of life had gathered on their own to be part of the discussion. The discussion last for four hours. There were over 200 people
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- Mr. Jampa Monlam, Researcher, briefed a gathering about Trulku Tenzin Delek, the monk under death sentence. The Students for a Free Tibet organised the public gathering on 5 September to campaign for Trulku whose death sentence with two years reprieve is drawing close. The organisation also screened documentary movies about Tibet and painted slogans on clothes to raise awareness about Trulku.
- On 27 September, Mr. Jampa briefed a group of candle light vigil holders at the main temple in Mcleod Ganj. On the same day in 1987, a group of Drepung monks initiated the first political protest since the invasion of Tibet in 1959.
- In September, two parliamentarian delegations were on visit to Dharamsala. TCHRD gave briefings to both the delegations about the human rights situation in Tibet.
Ms. Tsewang Lhadon, Executive Director, and Mr. Ugyen Tsewang, Information Officer, briefed an Indian parliamentarian delegation where as Ms. Norzin Dolma, Senior Programme Officer, and Mr. Tsering Agloe, Researcher, gave briefing to an Italian Parliamentarian delegation.
Being the sole non governmental organisation focused on the issue of human rights in Tibet, TCHRD regularly briefs media, delegates, students and interested individuals on the human rights situation in Tibet.
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The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) welcomes its new staff Mr. Tsering Agloe, Researcher, and Ms. Tsering Choekyi, General Assistant. The two were recruited following a written test and oral interview on 10 and 11 August 2004 respectively. They officially joined the Centre on 1 September 2004.
- Mr. Agloe, 24, did his Masters degree in English Literature from Loyola College, Madras. While in college, Mr. Agloe was the spokesperson for the Tibetan Students Association of Madras and was the editor of the magazine “One”. He was also a member of the Loyola Intellectual Society (LIS) and student’s activities of All India Catholic University Federation.
Mr.Agloe will soon publish his debut poetry book titiled “Tibet: A Burning Lamp”.
- Ms. Tsering Choekyi, 24, did her schooling from Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School, Dharamsala, India. She received her Masters degree in Political Science from Madras Christian College in 2004 and is currently pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management from Pondicherry University through its distant learning programme.
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