Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy

Human Rights Update and Archives

October 2004

Brothers arrested for pro-independence protest  [ read ]
Workshop on Patriotic Education held in Lhasa  [ read ]
China releases Geshe Sonam Phuntsok upon completion of prison term  [ read ]
Tibetan writer persecuted for liberal references to Dalai Lama  [ read ]
A Tibetan lama shot dead  [ read ]
U.N. Expert team cut short visit to Drapchi Prison  [ read ]
U.S. Government official visits Kathmandu Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre  [ read ]
A summarised information on Trulku Tenzin Delek’s death penalty  [ read ]
Two “Singing Nuns” of Drapchi Prison arrive in exile  [ read ]
Profile of a current political prisoner
Long-life prayer ceremonies to the Dalai Lama lead to five Tibetans' imprisonment  [ read ]
TCHRD Activities Bulletin:
TCHRD releases campaign brochure on Trulku Tenzin Delek  [ read ]
TCHRD staff invited to speak on human rights and democracy at Transit school  [ read ]
TCHRD Director invited to speak in Varanasi  [ read ]

Brothers arrested for pro-independence protest

Chinese authorities in Sog County, Nagchu Prefecture, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”) arrested two Tibetan youths for raising pro-independence slogans in front of the local government office.

On 14 September 2004, Nyima Tenzin, 20, and Sonam Nyima, 18, both brothers, called for freedom in Tibet in front of Sog County Government office. Officers from the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) immediately arrested the brothers and led them to Nagchu Prefecture Detention Centre.

Lodhor, father of the arrestees, is a senior staff in the government weather department. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is yet to receive further details about the arrestees.

Workshop on Patriotic Education held in Lhasa

On 31 October 2004, a weeklong workshop for officials in charge of “patriotic education” in monasteries and nunneries in Lhasa formally opened according to Lhasa Evening Daily on 1 November 2004.

Lhasa City Party Deputy Secretary, Lhasa National People’s Congress President, Head of the Committee for Patriotic Education in Lhasa City, Members of the Lhasa Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, officials from the United Front Work Department, officials of the Religious Bureau, and Head of Patriotic Education in Tibet Autonomous Region were present during the opening ceremony.

The head of the Committee for Patriotic Education in Lhasa, Lobsang Gyurmey, during his opening speech said, “Patriotic Education should be implemented to the fullest in the monasteries and nunneries and to prevent separatist activities. Precautionary measures should also be taken to stop the infiltration of literatures from the splittist group based in exile.”

Officials from the United Front Work Department, Religious Bureau and State Law Enforcement bodies attended the workshop. The participants will implement the contents of the workshop in two or three monasteries in the end of the year as a trail. A successful implementation will lead to city wide implementation in the next couple of years beginning from 2005.

“Patriotic Education” campaign was formulated on the conclusion of the third Tibet Work Forum in 1994. It was practically implemented from 1996 onwards. Although People’s Republic of China claims that the campaign was officially concluded in 2000, TCHRD maintains that it is still being conducted in the religious institutions in Tibet.

China releases Geshe Sonam Phuntsok upon completion of prison term

Chinese authorities have released Geshe Sonam Phuntsok upon completion of his five years imprisonment term, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, popularly known as Kardze Geshe, was imprisoned for his religious activities and for conducting long life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama in October 1999.

Early morning today, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) Officials brought Geshe in a government vehicle to his native Rongbatsang District in Kardze County, Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture ("TAP"), Sichuan. He had earlier arrived in Dartsedo County on 24 October 2004 after release from Chuandong no 3 Prison in Tazhu County and underwent medical treatment before arriving at Rongbatsang District.

TCHRD fears that Geshe Sonam Phuntsok is in poor health due to lengthy imprisonment and maltreatment in the prison.

Arrest
On 25 October 1999, a team of around 20 PSB officers arrested Geshe Sonam Phuntsok at gun point. He was barely clothed and barefooted at the time of arrest. Around 3000 local Tibetans gathered infront of Rongbatsang Government Office and demanded his immediate and unconditional release. The next day, a larger crowd comprising of Tibetans from neighbouring counties demanded the release of Geshe. About 600 PSB officers and People's Armed Police ("PAP") threw tear gas shells and fired indiscriminately into the crowd to quell the protest. Many Tibetans were detained and some received imprisonment terms and monetary fines for their acts. Tsering Wangchuk, a protester died while in detention.

Sentence
In March 2001, after a year and five months, Kardze People's Intermediate Court sentenced Geshe to five years' imprisonment term on charges of "Inciting splittist activities among the masses", "travelling to India on an illegal document procured from Lhasa, for seeking audience with the Dalai Lama and for taking photographs with him", "illegally conducting religious ceremony on several occasions within Kardze County", and "for conducting long-life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama in Rongbatsang".

Ill health in prison
During two separate visits to the prison, Geshe's father and a relative were shocked to see him in a frail health. His father, Agya Phuntsok, described that Geshe was lean, semiconscious and could not move properly. He had been reportedly put on IV drips for seven hours.

Background
Geshe Sonam Phuntosk was born in 1951 in Choesa Village, Shusar Township, Ronbatsang District, Kardze County. Early in his childhood, he was ordained as a monk and at the age of 18 he received sacred initiation and other religious teachings from eminent Buddhist masters. In the 1980s he taught Tibetan literature to monks from 35 different monasteries. He also recorded historical descriptions of 13 monasteries in Kardze "TAP". Geshe was based at Dhargay Monastery in Rongbatsang District but often traveled to monasteries and remote villages throughout Kardze County to conduct religious ceremonies and teachings. In 1996, Geshe travelled to India to visit holy places for pilgrimage. He met with the Dalai Lama as part of his pilgrimage during that time. Geshe Sonam Phuntsok returned to Tibet and continued to conduct religious ceremonies for nearly three years thereafter.

Tibetan writer persecuted for liberal references to Dalai Lama

A Tibetan writer, Woeser, (Ch: Wei Se) has been stripped of her job, home and freedom of movement for her writings that the Chinese authorities deemed as favourable to the Dalai Lama.

According to a press release by Human Rights in China (HRIC) on 27 October 2004, “China’s United Front Department and Publications Bureau have determined that Wei Se’s writings contained “political errors” due to their positive references to the exiled Tibetan leader.” It further said, “As a result, Wei Se has lost her job, and her former work unit, the Tibetan Cultural Association, has evicted her from her home and terminated her health and retirement benefits, She has also been prohibited from applying for a passport to leave the country.”

Woeser’s book, Xizang Biji (Notes on Tibet) written in Chinese, was published by Guangzhou Huacheng Publishing Company in 2003. The book is a collection of 38 essays relating to Tibetan history and social life. Guangdong Provincial Bureau banned the book and the authorities of “TAR” banned it in September 2003. “The Huancheng Publishing Company’s director and the book’s editor were subjected to criticism and investigation”, reported HRIC citing its sources in Tibet.

HRIC further added that “Wei Se’s work unit, the Tibetan Cultural Association, organized a special committee to carry out “thought correction” on Wei Se, and Party organs sent various officials to talk with Wei Se and her family on a daily basis. Wei Se was also assigned to write an article praising the Qingzang (Qinghai) Railway, and was pressured to abandon her practice of Tibetan Buddhism.”

Woeser, born in 1966, is a resident of Sichuan Province. She graduated with a degree in Chinese from South-West Nationalities Institute, Chengdu, in 1988. She has worked as a journalist and was the editor of the journal Tibetan Literature (Xizang Wenxue). She was also a visiting scholar in Beijing’s Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts. Besides “Notes on Tibet”, Woeser earlier authored “For Tibet” which was a collection of poems published by Qinghai People’s Publishing House in 1999.

A Tibetan lama shot dead

A Chinese “PSB” officer shot dead a Tibetan monk, Tsering Pal, in Darlag County PSB office in mid September 2004, according to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Tsering Pal was apparently hit in the forehead ensuing an argument in the PSB office.

Reports that reached TCHRD corroborated by Tibet Information Network (TIN) News Update on 18 October 2004 details that Tsering Pal and two other monks arrived at Darlag County to do shopping for the summer picnic of Togden Monastery marking the end of summer retreat. The three monks stayed in a guest house upon arrival in Darlag County. An evening after the shopping the three monks found the door of the guest house closed. The guesthouse manager called the PSB when the monks shouted to open the door. The PSB officers arrested the monks and took them to the local PSB Detention Centre. The monks were detained for two days and beaten severely on the first night of detention.

After their release, the monks visited a clinic to treat their injuries. Upon return to the monastery, Trulku Drondul took along the three monks back to Darlag County PSB office. Trulku demanded reimbursement for the medical expenses of the three monks. However, the authorities declined to reimburse and an argument followed. Xiao Fu, a PSB officer, fired a single shot in the air as a warning. Amidst the scuffle, the pistol went off and hit Tsering Pal in the head leading to his death.

An angry crowd of around 150 Tibetans proceeded to Darlag County when the news reached Trachog County. The crowd threw stones at the PSB office and also at government vehicles. However, there were no reported casualties.

In the aftermath of the protest, two Tibetan lamas holding Chinese post intervened to calm the situation. It is reported that the PSB had to offer a considerable sum of money as compensation to the victim’s family.

U.N. Expert team cut short visit to Drapchi Prison

The Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) in a press statement on 4 October 2004 said the team had “to discontinue its visit to Drapchi Prison” in Lhasa. The expert team who were on 12 day visit to China was denied interviews with certain individuals from Drapchi Prison its list. The Chinese authorities cited internal regulation as its reason.

Unlike its previous visit in 1997, the WGAD visited Lhasa Detention Centre popularly known as Gutsa Detention Centre during the current visit. It is the first time an expert team visited the Detention Centre.

The four member U.N. expert team headed by Chairperson Leila Zerrougui and Vice Chairperson Tamas Ban, said that the current visit focused on the developments since 1997 visit. The team met with the same authorities and visited the same detention centres as during the previous visit.

The team pointed out that “at this stage the four recommendations formulated in its 1997 report have not yet been implemented”. The press statement said, “the provision which stipulates that everyone shall not be consider guilty until convicted has not been amended to clearly stipulate the presumption of innocence until proven guilty; no definition for the term in criminal law “endangering national security” has been given, hence the application of criminal law provisions using this unduly broad notion may invariably give rise to arbitrariness; no legislative measures this unduly broad notion may invariably give rise to arbitrariness; no legislative measures have been taken to ensure a clear-cut exception from criminal responsibility for those peacefully exercising their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and finally, no real judicial control is exercised within the procedure to commit someone to re-education through labour. The lawsuit the affected person may initiate cannot be deemed under international law as an effective remedy against arbitrary deprivation of liberty.”

The expert team also noted that “some of the authorities competent in detention related matters do not seem to fully realize…the safeguards against arbitrariness provided by international standards must be respected.”

The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will submit its full report during the 61st United Nations Commission on Human Right in early 2005.

U.S. Government official visits Kathmandu Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre

Mr. Arthur E. Dewey, the U.S Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, visited the Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre (TRRC) in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 20 October 2004.

The visit was to promote the protection and assistance of Tibetan refugees residing in Nepal or who are in transit through Nepal. Hundreds of Tibetan refugee children gave a hearty welcome to Mr. Dewey.

Mr. Dewey said that he would report about the situation of Tibetan refugees to his ministry in Washington D.C. He further assured the continued support of U.S. Government to the refugee community through United Nations High Commission for Refugees. During 2004, the U.S. Government provided about ten million dollars to relevant organizations to assist refugees and conflict victims in South Asia.

Nepal forms the transit for Tibetan refugees fleeing persecution in Chinese occupied Tibet. A large number of Tibetans pass through Nepal to reach India every year.

A summarised information on Trulku Tenzin Delek’s death penalty

TCHRD brings forth a summarised version of background information on Trulku Tenzin Delek, his arrest and death sentence, court trail and imprisonment to urge the international community to stop the execution of Trulku Tenzin Delek. The execution verdict of Trulku Tenzin Delek will be confirmed by 25 January 2005 if his death sentence with a two-year reprieve is not reversed.

Trulku Tenzin Delek is a popular religious figure from Sichuan Province in eastern Tibet. On 2 December 2002, Kardze Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Trulku Tenzin Delek and his disciple, Lobsang Dhondup, to death for “causing explosions” and “inciting separatism”. Trulku was sentenced to death with two years’ suspension and deprivation of political rights for life while Lobsang Dhondup was given immediate death penalty and life long deprivation of political rights. Lobsang Dhondup was executed on 26 January 2003.

The arrest and trial of Trulku Tenzin Delek and Lobsang Dhondup exemplifies China’s disregard of fundamental human rights of Tibetans and violation of international law as well as domestic laws — the arbitrary nature of their arrests, lack of adequate and concrete evidences for conviction, absence of presumption of innocence, use of coercive interrogation and torture on the detainees, denial of visitation rights and right to be informed for the detainee’s family, denial of adequate and fair legal defense for detainees, closed and unfair trial, arbitrary arrest and sentencing of relatives, and swift execution of Lobsang Dhondup thereby impairing chances of Trulku’s fair retrial. The conflicting media reports of the bomb blast incident only substantiate the contrived nature of the allegations made by Chinese authorities on the case.

The court trial of Trulku Tenzin Delek and Lobsang Dhondup were closed and court officials further denied Trulku Tenzin Delek his right to an attorney to represent him. The trial has prompted an international outcry regarding China’s fair trial standard. Chinese authorities have failed to provide any information of evidences for convictions, the manner in which such evidence was obtained, and what if any evidentiary link exist between the explosions and Lobsang Dhondup or Trulku Tenzin Delek and their so—called conspiracy.

Despite appeals made to Sichuan Higher People’s Court for reversal of death sentence, the court upheld the earlier verdict. This verdict is in breach of China’s Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law which stipulates that only Supreme People’s Court may exercise death penalty review and approval authority. Article 48 of the Criminal Law provides that “Except for judgements made by the Supreme People’s Court, according to law, all sentences of death shall be submitted to Supreme People’s Court for approval. Sentences of death with a suspension of two years may be decided or approved by high People’s Court”. Article 199 of the Criminal Procedure Law guarantees that “ the death sentences are to be approved by Supreme People’s Court” and its article 202 provides for the review of death sentence cases by Supreme People’s Court and review of death sentence cases with a suspension of two years by a higher people’s court to be conducted by a collegial panel composed of three judges”.

Just as China’s legal provision and definition of terms such as “state secrets” and “endangering state security” are ambiguous, so does one find contradiction within China’ law on death penalty review and approval. The stipulation under the Organic Law of the Supreme People’s Court that the death penalty review and approval authority may be delegated to Provincial Higher Court directly contravenes the provisions under Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law. On the one hand, the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure law were passed by the National People’s Congress and are the basic laws of the nation. On the other hand, the Organic Law of the Supreme People’s Court were passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and is just an ordinary law of the nation. According to a Professor from Beijing University, “The force of the latter law is less than the former. It is without a doubt an unconstitutional behaviour for an ordinary law to contravene basic law”.

In a response given by China’s Foreign Ministry over an official European Union (EU) demarche over Trulku Tenzin Delek’s case, the German Foreign Ministry was informed that Trulku is “being held in Chuondong Prison in Dazu district in eastern Sichuan Province and is in good health”.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry further indicated that his suspended death sentence would be “calculated from the day the judgement became final and could be commuted to lesser sentence”.

As the death sentence verdicts were upheld on 26 January 2003, the two-year suspension period of Trulku Tenzin Delek will expire by 25 January 2005. Article 51 of China’s Criminal Law stipulates that a death sentence could be commuted to life in prison “if no intentional crime during the period of suspension” is undertaken by the prisoner and “if major meritorious service is truly performed, punishment shall be commuted to fixed term imprisonment of not less than 15 years, but not more than 20 years”.

Beijing authorities fear a nexus between the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism with that of political activism in Tibet. In that context, Beijing has employed every effort to transform Tibetans’ hearts and mind that has been met with stubborn resistance and defiance for decades.

China’s ploys to exterminate Tibetan Buddhism and later on influence of the Dalai Lama have ranged from the virtual extinction of Tibet’s religious institutions between 1949 and 1979 to the “patriotic re-education” campaign launched since 1996, the Dalai Lama vilification crusade endorsed officially since 1994 to targeting influential religious figures within Tibet such as Trulku Tenzin Delek, late Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, Chadrel Rinpoche, XIth Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and recently released Geshe Sonam Phuntsok.

In the wake of China’s fear over the Dalai Lama’s alleged influence in inspiring nationalism amongst Tibetan Buddhists, popular religious figures inside Tibet have now come under close scrutiny and suspicion over recent years. Several of Tibet’s leading lamas have faced insurmountable obstacles and persecution from the Chinese authorities over their alleged links to “splittist” activities and their loyalty to the Dalai Lama. The arrest and sentencing of Trulku Tenzin Delek suggests that charismatic and influential religious leaders in Tibet are perceived as a threat to the authorities — due to their ability to gain respect and trust among the population.

It is widely believed that Trulku Tenzin Delek is framed with false allegations of involvement in bombing incidents. Trulku is a staunch activist in the revival and restoration of Tibetan culture and religion and was actively engaged in social welfare activities. Trulku’s rising popularity for his outspoken allegiance to the Dalai Lama and his numerous community services — construction of seven monasteries, an old people’s home, and an orphanage school in Nagchuka County (Ch: Yaijing Xian) in present day Sichuan — started to trigger China’s concern over “national stability”. Trulku had also reportedly supported the Dalai Lama’s candidate to be the Panchen Lama.

In the light of all the evidences that TCHRD has received, it strongly believes that Trulku Tenzin Delek is innocent and deserves to be freed from execution, life imprisonment, and prison term. As a human rights organization, TCHRD condemns death penalty on the grounds that it constitutes ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and violates the right to life. Trulku Tenzin Delek’s trial is unfair and unjust from the legal perspective as well as from the point of failure to produce any evidence to impose such a severe sentence. Therefore TCHRD strongly urges the Beijing authorities to free Trulku Tenzin Delek from execution and life imprisonment and to release him unconditionally or else grant him a fair retrial with proper legal access and defense.¨

Two “Singing Nuns” of Drapchi Prison arrive in exile

Two of “Drapchi 14 Singing Nuns”, Gyaltsen Dolker, 33, and Namdrol Lhamo, 39, arrived in Nepal on 22 October 2004. Both served 12 years in Drapchi Prison for protesting against the Chinese authorities. Gyaltsen secured her release on 21 March 2002. At the time of her release, there were unconfirmed reports that her health condition was poor.

Gyaltsen was born in Meldro Gungkar County, Lhasa. She was initially sentenced to four years’ imprisonment term in August 1990 for taking part in a peaceful demonstration with 12 other nuns from Garu Nunnery. However, in 1993 her sentence was extended by another eight years making it 12 years term when she along with 13 other nuns recorded songs of freedom whilst in prison.

Namdrol Lhamo a.k.a Nyidron was released in September 2003 upon completion of her prison term. Her health condition was also known to be poor at the time of release. Namdrol was arrested on 12 May 1992 for pro-independence activism along with two other nuns. She was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment term. Her sentence was extended by another six years taking her original sentence to 12 years when she participated in the freedom song recording incident whilst in Drapchi Prison.

Tibetan prisoners of conscience are often harassed by the State agents for their background in political incidents. Life upon release from prison doesn’t change as they are bound in “invisible chain”.

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PROFILE OF A CURRENT POLITICAL PRISONER

Long-life prayer ceremonies to the Dalai Lama lead to five Tibetans’ imprisonment

In the end of 2001, a series of long life prayer ceremonies for the Dalai Lama were conducted in 64 villages and two nunneries in Kardze County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”), Sichuan Province. The prayer ceremony which started from Gaden Choeling Nunnery in Sershul Village was completed in about six months.

In October 2002, the authorities of Kardze County came to know of the secret prayer ceremonies and suspected political motives behind it. Accordingly, all the organizers of the prayer ceremonies in respective villages were interrogated. Jampa Sangpo,41, Dorjee Phuntsok,53, Namgyal,35, Choephel from Shae Village, Kardze County, and Tsering Dorjee,42, of Chulen Lago Village, Tsering Nyima,26, of Lhopa Sertok Village were identified as organizers of prayer ceremonies in their respective villages. All of them were arrested from their home and detained in Kardze County Public Security Bureau Detention Centre. Dargay, 30, a monk in the monk-dance -troupe was also arrested and detained.

Following the severe investigation by the authorities in all the villages for Tibetans linked with organizing the prayer ceremonies, many Tibetans including people who participated in the prayers fled to other places or hid in the mountains to escape arrest. About 20 Tibetans were detained in connection to the prayer ceremonies.

The Tibetan detainees were interrogated and beaten brutally during interrogation sessions. In April 2003, Kardze County People’s Court passed sentences on the detainees. Dorjee Phuntsok, Jampa Sangpo, Namgyal Choephel, Tsering Dorjee, Tsering Nyima were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment term. Dargay, who has been crippled due to constant beatings in the Detention Centre was returned to his family with an imposition of 3000 Yuan as fine.

Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has been a very volatile region in Tibet in recent years. Many Tibetans have been arrested from the region for their religious or political beliefs.

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TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN

TCHRD releases campaign brochure on Trulku Tenzin Delek

TCHRD releases an eight-paged brochure on Trulku Tenzin Delek entitled “Save Trulku Tenzin Delek” in Tibetan and English languages .

Trulku Tenzin Delek’s death sentence with two years reprieve ends on 25 January 2005. Campaigns to stop the execution are being carried out through out the world. TCHRD brochure is to urge the international community to pressurise the Chinese Government to stop the execution and release Trulku Tenzin Delek unconditionally.

Two separate media briefings were held to spread the message. Mr. Jampa Monlam briefed the Tibetan media to urge the Tibetans to campaign for the release of Trulku Tenzin Delek whereas Ms. Norzin Dolma, Mr. Tsering Agloe and Mr. Tashi Choephel held a press briefing for the Indian media asking for the same.

Trulku Tenzin Delek and Lobsang Dhondup, co-accused, were sentenced to death on 2 December 2002. Sichuan Higher People’s Court upheld the lower court verdict and accordingly executed Lobsang Dhondup on 26 January 2003. Trulku Tenzin Delek whose death sentence was suspended for two years ends on 25 January 2005.

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TCHRD staff invited to speak on human rights and democracy at Transit school

TCHRD was invited to brief the teaching staff of Sherab Gatsel School, popularly known as transit school, about human rights and democracy.

On 12 October 2004, Ms. Norzin Dolma, Senior Programme Officer, and Mr. Tenzin Norgay, Field Officer, spoke to the participants on the concept of human rights, United Nations and its mechanisms to protect human rights and the situation of human rights in Tibet.

The next day on 13 October 2004, Mr. Jampa Monlam, Researcher, and Mr. Ugyen Tsewang, Information Officer, briefed the school teachers about Democracy, Tibetan Democracy and a future democratic Tibet.

The staff said that the talk has been very effective in enhancing their knowledge regarding the subjects.

Transit School provides education to overaged Tibetan new arrivals who wishes to gain education in exile. The school is an oasis for many Tibetans who have not received education in Tibet.

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TCHRD Director invited to speak in Varanasi

TCHRD Executive Director, Ms. Tsewang Lhadon was invited to speak at a workshop at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) in Varanasi between 21-24 October 2004. The workshop was organised by the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC).

The Director introduced the Centre, its aims and objectives, its work and discuss how young Tibetans can get involved in the Centre's work and activities.

Ms. Tsewang Lhadon explained in detail the working of the Centre, its use of the UN mechanisms to highlight human rights situation in Tibet as well as bring pressure on China to improve the HR situation of the Tibetan people. She explained to the participants how TCHRD as watchdog of human rights violations in Tibet is dependent on information received from Tibet. How important it was to receive authentic and detailed information in order to get world attention.

Ms. Lhadon also explained the challenges human rights monitoring groups faced with China becoming more powerful, influential and sophisticated in its approach towards its policies.

The workshop was attended by forty-five Tibetan college-going students. Some of the Resource persons who spoke were Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Geshe Ngawang Samten (Director of the Institute of Tibetan Higher Studies), Mr. Penpa Tsering (Director of the TPPRC), Ms. B. Tsering (President of the Tibetan Women's Association), Mr. Kelsang Phuntsok (President of the Tibetan Youth Congress), Ms. Lhadon Tethong (Executive Director of Students for Free Tibet), Mr. Chime Yungdrung (General Secretary of National Democratic Party of Tibet) and Penpa Tsering (ex-political prisoner and representative of the Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet).