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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| Trulku Tenzin Delek © TCHRD |
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed information from reliable sources that on 18 July 2007 the Chinese authorities in Lithang County has detained an elderly Tibetan supporter of Trulku Tenzin Delek and prohibited the monks of Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery from carrying a reception ceremony of Trulku Tenzin Delek’s portrait during the inauguration of newly built assembly prayer hall.
It all began on 18 July 2007 coinciding the Buddhist ceremony of Choekor Duechen (the day on which Buddha Shakyamuni preach the first Sermon), when a large gathering of Tibetans in nomadic area of Othok Village in Lithang County, Kardze Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture "TAP" organized a traditional annual horse race. The horse race was held near Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery with large gathering of Tibetan devotees and spectators alike for the occasion. The monastery was built by Trulku Tenzin Delek and named Kham Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery by the late Panchen Lama.
On the same day 18 July 2007, a newly constructed assembly prayer hall (Tib: Dhukhang) of Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery was inaugurated with monks carrying the portrait of Trulku Tenzin Delek onto the throne during a reception ceremony. According to the information received by the Centre, the concerned Chinese government officials entered the monastery and banned monks from carrying out such activities and probed into the carrier of the portrait. It was reported that a large number of general public present during the ceremony have exhibited a clear sign of disapproval of authorities’ decree and highhandedness in handling the matter.
A day later on 19 July, the local Chinese government official came to Othok Village and detained an elderly Tibetan lady whose name could not be identified, for her alleged ‘crime’ of motivating people to go and meet Trulku Tenzin Delek. The officials were also known to have warned and issued order to the village committee to manage their people and be responsible for their action.
In the backdrop of the incident, the authorities of Lithang County sent People’s Armed Police (PAP) and put the monastery and surrounding areas un severe restriction. Because of which a group of local people from Lithang went to lodge their complaint to the higher authorities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, "TAP". They were also reported to have barred from going there. Another group of ten Tibetans from Nyachuka County while on their way to lodge complaint regarding authorities’ highhandedness were also said to have been detained.
Trulku Tenzin Delek (a.k.a A ngag Tashi), a highly respected Tibetan monk who vociferously spearheaded the activities for environmental protection, culture and preservation of Tibetan Buddhism was arrested on charges of series of bombing incidents in 2002 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture "TAP"
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| Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling © TCHRD |
On 7 April 2002, Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Kardze "TAP" of Sichuan Province "TAP" found Trulku guilty of conducting "terrorist bombings and inciting secession activities." On 2 December 2002, Trulku was sentenced to death with two-year reprieve along with Lobsang Dhondup, a disciple of Trulku for "causing explosion" and "inciting separatism"
Both Trulku and Lobsang Dhondup refused to accept the court verdict and appealed to Sichuan Higher People’s Court to revoke their death sentence, which rejected their appeal and upheld the original verdict in the second-instance trial and on January 26, 2003 handed down the same verdict. Lobsang Dhondup was given an immediate death sentence and executed on the same day of the court’s verdict.
On 25 January 2005, the Higher People’s Court in Sichuan province, in Southwestern China, commuted the death penalty with two-year reprieve for a Trulku to life term and deprivation of political rights for life. There has been no credible information on the current whereabouts and condition of Trulku Tenzin Delek since the court verdict and it remain a matter of great concern given his poor health condition prior to his arrest and other health complication during the period of detention.
It is widely believed that Trulku Tenzin Delek is framed with false allegations of involvement in bombing incidents. He has been under close scrutiny by Chinese authorities for his strong support of Tibetan culture and religion, his rising popularity in the local Tibetan community, his staunch support for Tibet’s leader in exile, the Dalai Lama and his teachings, and his social welfare activities in Lithang County including setting up schools, old people’s home, constructing monasteries and resolving community disputes.
TCHRD believes that Trulku is innocent and was wrongly implicated in the bombing incidents and urged the Chinese authorities to ascertain his whereabouts, well-being and release him immediately. TCHRD also request for a free and fair retrial as per the international standard legal norms and practices.
[ top]China releases a Tibetan Political Prisoner, Thupten Yeshi, upon completion of 15 Years’ term
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| Thupten Yeshi ©TCHRD |
The Chinese authorities in Tibet have released a long-serving political prisoner, Thupten Yeshi upon completion of his 15-year imprisonment term on 5 July 2007, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Thupten Yeshi was arrested on 6 July 1992 on alleged charges of being the main plotter of demonstration by a group of four farmers during a meeting at Gyama Township, Meldrogungkar County, "Tibet Autonomous Region" "TAR" earlier on 30 June 1992.
According to reliable sources, Thupten Yeshi, 58-year old, was released on 5 July 2007 from Chushul Prison (Ch: Qushui) after completing his 15-year prison sentence. Born to a humble farming family, in Gyama Township, Thupten Yeshi married and joined his bride’s family in Gyama Township before his arrest in 1992 by the Chinese authorities for leading the demonstration.
Arrest:
On 30 June 1992, a large assembly of around 1200 people including prominent leaders of Gyama Township in Meldrodungkar County were gathered for a meeting. During the meeting, the four farmers Lhundup, Sonam Rinchen, Kunchok Lodroe and Sonam Dorjee suddenly came forward with a huge Tibetan National Flag and stormed the stage while the meeting was in progress. On the stage they shouted slogans such as "Free Tibet", "Chinese Leave Tibet" and "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama". Their protest created disruption and chaos amongst the crowds and the meeting was unable to continue. After fifteen minutes of protest, the police came to the scene and immediately arrested them.
Later on 6 July 1992, Thupten Yeshi was also arrested on charges of being the prime plotter as well as the ‘ring leader’ of the group. He was detained in Meldrogungkar County Detention Centre for about 13 days. During that time, his wife Tsering Yangchen, was allowed to see him once but they were not allowed to talk. Later he was secretly transferred to Gutsa Detention Centre, in east of Lhasa, where he was detained for almost three months and suffered inhuman treatment and torture during interrogation sessions.
Sentence:
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| Sonam Rinchen ©TCHRD |
After period of thorough interrogations and repeated torture in Gutsa prison, the Lhasa People’s Intermediate Court on 20 October 1992 convicted all five of them of offenses of "counter revolutionary plot", and "inciting reactionary propagandas". Thupten Yeshi, Lhundup and Sonam Rinchen were sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment and deprivation of political rights for 5 years and Sonam Dorjee and Kunchok Lodroe were sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment and deprivation of political rights for 5 years as well. On 20 November 1992, they were shifted to Drapchi Prison. Immediately after their arrival in Drapchi, Thupten Yeshi was put in a solitary confinement cell for reciting mani(prayer) and his failure to ‘reform’. They were later transferred to Chushul Prison in April 2005. The length of the sentences handed down to all five Tibetans who peacefully demonstrated against the Chinese rule, clearly indicates the determination of the authorities to crack down on the political activisms.
Death due to torture:
One of the group members, Sonam Rinchen, then in his twenties, died in 1999 while in prison, after being ill and part of his body paralyzed as a result of repeated torture whilst in prison and detention centre. The fifth member of the group, Kunchok Lodroe, was released on medical parole in 1996 and is still reportedly in poor health.
TCHRD fears that Thupten Yeshi is in poor health due to lengthy imprisonment and maltreatment in the prison. While in prison in February 1999, Thupten Yeshi suffered from renal problem and had blister all over his body that he was admitted to Xizang Military Hospital (Ch: Zong yi yuan) near Drapchi for seventeen days for treatment. Before being fully recovered he was taken back into prison in his poor physical condition. Torture and maltreatment being a regular feature in the network of Chinese administered prisons and detention centres, the Centre is highly concerned about the well-being and safety of the political prisoners upon whom the worst of torture is afflicted. According to a former Drapchi inmate who recalls Thupten Yeshi’s patriotism and audacity, " He is very hard, robust and never easily gives up his stand even after lot of punishment. He is patriotic to the core."
TCHRD expresses serious concern over China’s treatment of (political) prisoners. The deaths of more than 89 political prisoners as result of torture and ill treatment–inflicted by prison officials are alarming, requiring serious investigation by independent bodies.
TCHRD does not recognize release of high-profile Tibetan political prisoners as a mark of improvement in human rights situation in Tibet. The Centre also urges the PRC to release Jigme Tenzin , Jigme Gyatso, Lobsang Tsultrim (all serving lengthy sentences and currently imprisoned in Chushul [Ch:Qushui] Prison) as per the appeal of the UN expert since they have "been convicted of a political crime, possibly on the basis of information extracted by torture". In 2007 TCHRD documented 116 known Tibetan political prisoners languishing in a network of prisons in Tibet. China must release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience if it is sincere about improving its human rights record.
[ top]Commotion between two communities lead to arrest of 30 Tibetans
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Mr. Ban Ki-moon, eigth United Nation Secretary General ©TCHRD |
After the session, Buhrer approached the Secretary General with a group of journalists and posed his question on Tibet. He asked the Secretary General, "Mr. Secretary General, the UN is working on the independence of Kosovo. At the same time, one of the oldest nations of the world, Tibet, is still under foreign occupation and is one of the last countries under colonial rule since it was invaded by China in the 1950s. What about the implementation of the UN resolutions on self-determination for Tibet? And what will you do as Secretary General to facilitate a peaceful settlement between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama? Are you ready to meet the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who advocates non-violence, or is the UN more keen to reward those resorting to violent means."
Mr. Ban after listening attentively to Buhrer’s question, came out with a response but was immediately cut off by his spokesperson, Michèle Montas.
[ top]Tibetan literary website closed down by Chinese authorities
The Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that the Chinese authorities in the northern Chinese city of Xian have closed a literary website run by a Tibetan for apparently posting "political" content. The popular site, known as "The Lamp", was believed to have more than 800 registered forum users. The website was closed down on 4 July by the Internet police. The editor of the website told RFA that, "When we called the office where we bought the Web site, they thought perhaps it was due to the detection of political content by the Chinese Internet police."
However, the Chinese service provider has no clue for the closure. The official at the state-owned Xian Technology Ltd (which sells and distributes websites) declined to comment when asked about the closure.
The Tibetans who contribute to the site have expressed their anger and frustration. One of them said,"The sudden closure of this Web site has disappointed many young Tibetan readers. Many have already expressed their disappointment on another Web site called ‘Tibetan Language.’ Several college students called and informed me how they miss our Web site".
China maintains strict control and regulation on free flow of information.
[ top]Human Rights Commission Chairman highlights Human Rights abuses in Tibet
Stephen Crabb, MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, has written to Mark Malloch Brown, Gordon Brown’s new Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to highlight international human rights issues.
He wrote in the letter to Lord Malloch Brown, "You have a large number of responsibilities in your new Ministerial position, including human rights, global issues, the UN, the Commonwealth, Africa and Asia. I would like to begin by asking what assurance you can give that human rights will be a priority for you amidst a wide range of significant responsibilities?"
"Given your responsibility for the UN – and the wealth of experience you have of that institution – may I ask what plans you have to promote and defend human rights within the UN mechanisms, and whether you can offer new proposals for reforming and strengthening the UN’s ability to promote and defend human rights?"
Mr Crabb highlighted human rights abuses in North Korea, Burma, Sudan, Tibet, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, and the caste-discrimination against the Dalits in India.
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
HBF pays visit to TCHRD
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| Dr. Michael and Ms. Christtiane with TCHRD staff during their visit at the Centre |
Director of Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBF) India Office, Dr. Michael Koberlein, and Asia Programme Coordinator in HBF Berlin Head Office, Ms. Christtiane Molt, paid a visit to the TCHRD office in Dharamsala, India. During the two-day visit (25 - 26 July), they interacted with the staff members of the Centre. Both of them were visiting TCHRD for the first time and it was especially significant for Dr. Michael as it is his first official visit after being appointed as the Director in December 2006.
The Executive Director, Mr. Urgen Tenzin, and the Personnel for UN Affairs and Resource Mobilisation, Mr. Tenzin Norgay, briefed the visiting HBF delegation about the activities of the Centre with the SWOT analysis recently conducted by the staff members as a background. The visit was significant in planning future collaboration between the HBF and TCHRD in promoting the human rights of the Tibetan people.
Apart from TCHRD, the delegation also paid visits to other partners in Dharamsala both past and current. They include the Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution, Dolmaling Nunnery and the Audio Visual Section of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR).
The staff members of TCHRD are grateful to the Boell Foundation for its consistent trust and collaboration for the past many years. The Centre looks forward to further collaboration in the future in highlighting and bringing positive change to the grave human rights situation in Tibet.
