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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| "Ngawang Dripsel" |
A former political prisoner, Ngawang Dripsel was released from prison after completing his prison term on 6 November 2000. He hails from a humble background in Tsodoe Township, Phenpo Lhundup County, Lhasa Municipality, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”). Ngawang Dripsel spent much of his life in Drepung monastery studying and doing odd jobs. He didn’t receive modern education when he was young. He spent much of his early childhood helping parents in household chores until he was 20 years old.
He joined Drepung Monastery, one of the three centres of learning after his parents advised him. He learnt to read, write and other basic religious training and studies for four years in Drepung Monastery. However, he always preferred to work in the monastery’s tea stall instead.
His connection to the world of political activism began on 13 May 1992 when he along with eight monks came to stage a peaceful pro-independence protest in Lhasa against Chinese rule. Later, eight more monks joined them. During the peaceful demonstration, the monks carried Tibetan National Flag from Lhasa Mentsekhang, (Lhasa Tibetan Medical Institute) to Lhasa’s main Cathedral shouting slogans calling for “Tibetan Independence”, “China quits Tibet”, “Long live the Dalai Lama” in a loud voice. The peaceful pro-independence movement lasted about 20 minutes.
Immediately the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People’s Armed Police (PAP) came to the protest scene and swiftly taken them to Gutsa Detention Centre. While in Gutsa Detention Centre, they were tortured and interrogated by an electric prods and other torture weapons.
They were subjected to all kinds of inhumane tortures and beating during their interrogation period. They were forced to undress, to stand still and lashed with belts worn by the prison guards turning their bodies into wounds and bruises. Later, for a half-day they were hung by a rope from a roof and made to face a sewage flowing below them. During their five months detention in Gutsa, they were kept in separate cells.
On 13 September 1993, they were brought to Intermediate People’s Court for trial. They were convicted for “counter-revolutionary crimes” and “instigating reactionary propagandas”. All of them were given sentences of varying prison terms.
In the prison, from 1992 till1994 they were made to work in vegetable farm. In the prison cells, they were made to do hard labour, force exercise drill from morning to afternoon with poor diet and hygiene. They were mal-treated, tortured and subjected to degraded punishments.
Ngawang Dripsel further testified to the TCHRD that, the Chinese prison guards repeatedly beaten him with electric cattle prod and as a result he suffered from chronic headache in prison. Ngawang Dripsel says he was never admitted to clinic in prison even though he was sick and in poor physical condition.
His cellmate, Joden after his release from prison set up a Tibetan restaurant in midst of Ramoche in Lhasa. He employed Ngawang Dripsel in his restaurant. Ngawang met his cellmate Joden who has set up a Tibetan restaurant in Lhasa after his release from prison.
Ngawang Dripsel stirred by nationalistic sentiments once again involve himself in political activism by writing and exposing how Tibetan political prisoners were tortured and persecuted in the prison. He sent many of his prison memoirs and write up to the Tibetan government in exile.
Ngawang dripsel was again arrested and detained on 7 November 1997 in Samye County Detention Centre in Lhasa for his political activism. He was given another 3 years imprisonment term in Toelung County Detention Centre, Tibet Autonomous Region (“TAR”).
On 6 November 2000, he was released from prison after completing his prison term. After realizing that life of his prison was not easy for a former political prisoner, seeing bleak future ahead of him if he continues to stay in Tibet, he escaped to India on 1 August 2007 and reached Kathmandu Tibetan Reception Centre safely.
The list of monks who participated in the pro-independence movement at the time of their arrest and imprisonment:
1. Phuntsok, 26 years old, Lhasa, handed with 8 years of imprisonment.
2. Phuntsok Sig-gey, 27 years old, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 8 years of imprisonment.
3. Paljor Dorjee, 22 years old, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 7 years of imprisonment.
4. Phuntsok Leksang, 20 years old, Nagchu County, Damxung, handed with 7 years of imprisonment.
5. Jorden, 22 years old, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 5 years of imprisonment.
6. Ngawang Lungtok, 19 years old, from Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 5 years of imprisonment.
7. Penpa, 23 years old, Toelung Dechen County, handed with 5 years of imprisonment.
8. Ngawang Dripsel, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 4 years of imprisonment.
9. Phuntsok Samten, 20 years old, Nagchu prefecture, handed with 4 years of imprisonment.
10. Drapa (nickname), 24 years old, Toelung prefecture, handed with 4 years of imprisonment.
11. Samdrup, 27 years old, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 3 years of imprisonment.
12. Ngawang Choegyal, 21 years old, Penpo Lhundrub County, handed with 3 years of imprisonment.
13. Thinley Tenzin, 30 years old, Meldrogungkar County, handed with 3 years of imprisonment.
14. Jampa Tenzin, 26 years old, Meldrogungkar County, handed with 2 years of imprisonment
15. Tenzin Nyima, 24 years old, Meldrogungkar County, handed with 2 years of imprisonment
16. Lobsang Ngawang, 26 years old, Lhasa, handed with 1 year of imprisonment.
Restriction in Golog Tongkyab Monastery
In mid July 2007, the Chinese Government arrested number of Tibetans in Golog region, Qinghai Province, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (TAP). On 16 July 2007, a large number of Chinese soldiers suddenly entered the Tongkyab Monastery and arrested an abbot and a monk.
In related to the above incident, Thupwoe and Rigphel from Gonma Toema Township, the People’s Armed Police (PAP) also arrested Kundo and Rigkyab from Donkha Township and a large group of local Tibetans in a surprise raid. The main reason for the arrest of Tibetans was due to a construction of mosque by Hui Chinese businessman and since then the mosque’s construction remained severely opposed by the local Tibetans.
According to the local Tibetans, the mosque was apparently built without procuring permission from the local officials. A wealthy Hui Chinese businessman sponsored the construction of mosque.
In response, the local Tibetans protested and damaged the mosque and restaurants owned by Hui Chinese in the area. The local Chinese authorities blamed the local Tibetans’ fury and rampage as one instigated and fanned by the monks of Tongkyab Monastery. Later, the Chinese authorities ordered the Tongkyab Monastery to pay the compensation to restaurants and mosque for the damages and losses. However, the monks from Tongkyab Monastery strongly denied their involvement and refused to accept charges leveled by the Chinese authorities.
The Tongkyab monastery has been under the close scrutiny of the Chinese authorities for some time. Previously the Democratic Management Committee (DMC) conducted Patriotic Education campaign in the monastery to denounce and condemn the Dalai Lama but was met with stiff resistance from the monks of Tongkyan Monastery. During the Patriotic Education campaign, the monks were taught and forced to accept the Dalai Lama as the chief splittist and the enemy of the state. However, the campaign was met with little success.
In the aftermath of those events, the Tongkyab Monastery is at present put under close scrutiny and vigilance. According to the reports, heavily armed People’s Armed Police (PAP) surrounded the monastery when the report last came in.
In addition, the local Chinese authorities summoned the local Tibetans and clergy for a meeting. In the meeting, the local Chinese authorities ordered the monks not to leave the Tongkyab Monastery and issued instruction not to use mobile phones.
Meanwhile, in another development, the People’s Armed Police (PAP) arrested about 60 Tibetans in Golog “TAP” after a confrontation between Tibetans and Hui Chinese during the annual horse racing festival.
The tensions between the two communities have been reported frequently in the past. In this case, the confrontation was spark off by an incident where the Tibetans found human teeth and fingers in the dishes served by Hui Chinese restaurants. There have been numerous incidents of such types in the past.
The Tibetan people have been long complaining about the discrimination, humiliation and ill treatment at the hands of Hui Chinese. The deep-seated resentment came to surface after human body parts was found in the dishes. The incident took place during the annual horse racing festival in Sog. The Tibetans went rampage over the Hui Chinese restaurants and brought significant damages to their property.
In order to put the situation under control, the Chinese security polices were sent to the area to quell the demonstration. The Chinese security polices lobbed tear gas to disburse the protestors. In the process, many Tibetan protestors were arrested.
There were local Tibetan officials and local Tibetans in the list of detainees detained in the detention centre. Not long after, some of them were conditionally released from the detention centre. However, the two Tibetans protestors Nyiwoe and Rigkyab were still detained in the County prison. In addition, Woebar and Kundhor from Bod Monastery were imprisoned in the Golog Township prison.
In related to the incident, the local Chinese authorities issued terse order to the security personnel to arrest two prominent Tibetan Lamas from Tongkyab Monastery namely Dunlo and Palden Sangpo. The Chinese security personnel attempted to arrest two of them but they some how escaped to unknown places. The Chinese authorities pronounced two of them as the ringleaders who spearheaded the demonstration.
At the present, there were around 150 monks in Tongkyab Monastery. Since the outbreak of the protest, the monks were virtually put in a state of house arrest surrounded by heavily Chinese security personnel.
[ top]Tibetan boys missing after graffiti calling for the Dalai Lama’s return
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| Bora Secondary School © TCHRD |
Seven teenage Tibetan boys have been detained in Gansu Province, formerly a Tibetan territory, now under China’s Gansu region afterTibetan boys missing after graffiti calling for the Dalai Lama’s return.
Seven teenage Tibetan boys have been detained in Gansu Province, formerly a Tibetan territory, now under China’s Gansu region after their graffiti called for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet was found scribbled on walls, human rights watchdog reported.
Human Rights Watch said the boys were aged between 14 and 15. They were largely believed to be detained in Gannan prefecture in Gansu province on 7 September 2007. One detainee, 14 years old boy was reportedly beaten badly during or after the arrest. He was bleeding profusely when seen by his relatives, Human Rights Watch said in a statement. According to the latest Human Rights report, the names of the five of the seven missing boys as Lhamo Tseten, age 15; Chopa Kyab, age 14; Drolma Kyab, age 14; Tsekhu, age 14; and a second Lhamo Tseten, age 15. The names of two other boys still remain unknown.
The boys were transferred to Xiahe (Labrang) County on 10 September 2007. There is no information on their present whereabouts. They were from nomad families studying at a secondary school in Amchok Bora village.
Human Rights Watch further said that police refused to allow relatives to move the injured boy to a hospital unless they returned him within two days and paid 5,000 yuan ($600) in advance. The family was unable to pay the ransom demanded by the police.
On 21 September 2007 Human Rights Watchdog urged Chinese government to release seven Tibetan teenagers. When the report last came in on 22 September 2007, the boys were still said to be missing. This is yet another evidence of how Chinese deprive and violate the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, particularly in light of China hosting 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing.
[ top]A Tibetan music teacher arrested in Lithang
Lithang areas continue to reel under intense restriction and control even after the arrests of Ronggye A’drak and other Tibetan protestors. According to reports, the control and vigilance now penetrates into the socio-economic fabric of Tibetan people.
On 22 August, the Chinese authorities arrested a talented music teacher, Kunchen from Latse Village, Lithang, Sichuan Province. The arrest took place in the evening and at the moment there has been no information about his whereabouts and well-being. The local Tibetans and his relatives remain deeply concerned about his sudden disappearance.
A 32-year old music teacher hails from a nomadic family and lives with his mother and aunt. His father passed away when he was 20 years old. His family was a nomad by occupation.
The musician Kunchen is a man of many tastes; he is not only a talented musician, but also a painter too. He spent his childhood nurturing and shaping his artistic and musical career. He learnt the art of playing Tibetan guitar from a well-known teacher Dunbel.
The musician Kunchen performed many stage performances to the local Tibetans. He has earned a good reputation as a musician with huge fan following in his own native place. The local Tibetans loved his musical compositions and melodies. His versatile contributions in areas of music and art left a lasting impression on his people from their day-to-day life.
The walls and murals of Lithang Monastery are adorned with his Thangka paintings of Buddha and Bodisattvas. He has also erected a reliquary statue of Buddhas and adorned the walls of the Lithang Monastery with a mural of Dharma Protector Nechung Oracle. The Tibetans in Lithang pay their daily respects and devotions to the statues and wall paintings he has painted and constructed for them.
Some of his best hits were “Oh! White Crane”, “Sweet Melodies of White Crane”. The songs have become well-known hits both inside and outside Tibet.
During the time of his arrest, he was working as a professional music teacher in a Middle School in Lithang. He was arrested in connection with the recent en mass protests in Lithang following Ronggye A’drak’s protest. The sadness and sorrow loomed large over the Lithang Middle School with his arrest. With his absence, the songs, dance and music lessons in the school came to an end. At the present, his students are waiting for his return and the music classes to commence once again.
[ top]Tibetans arrested in Sog, Nagchu County
A confrontation broke between two Tibetans and several Hui Chinese over selling and buying of Yartsa Gunbu, a medicinal plant caterpillar fungus (Tib: Yartsa Gunbu, Botanical name: cordyceps sinensis) in Sog Township, Nagchu County, Tibetan Autonomous Region (“TAR”). Soon the petty dispute turned into an ugly fight. The outnumbered Hui Chinese severely beaten up the Tibetans. The two Tibetans were severely beaten by the outnumbered Hui Chinese. The local Tibetans witnessed the scene and soon joined the fight in support of the two Tibetans. The entire incident abruptly turned into a major commotion between two communities.
During the fight, the dozens of people were seriously injured from both sides. The critically injured were brought to public hospital in Sog County and to Lhasa city for treatment.
Just after the scuffle, the local Tibetans in Sog County took the matter in their hand by expelling Hui Chinese restaurant and shop owners. Along with them other ethnic Hui Chinese were also banished from the Sog County. Three Hui Chinese who apparently intermarried with Tibetans were allowed to stay. They usually behaved well with Tibetans and had a close bond.
Dozens of security personnel from Sog county and Nagchu came to calm the tensions however their efforts were in vain. Eventually, a respected local religious lama, Ngawang Jigdrel Rinpoche intervened and addressed the local Tibetans and brought the angry Tibetans under control. Order and peace was restored in Sog and Nagchu area.
Resentment towards the migrant traders and settlers are palpable and only a spark is needed to trigger protests. Often official indifference and disregard to local inhabitants’ problem provides this spark. Today in many parts of Tibet, the collection and sale of Yartsa Gunbu is a lucrative business although it is looked down upon as an unwholesome activity. However, many inhabitants are left with no alternative other than to engage in this business with shrinking grassland and restriction put on by the authorities on the number of livestock that each family can raise which have failed to provide sufficient subsistence to mostly nomadic inhabitants. Over the years with migrant Chinese settlers entering the lucrative trade, it has further aggravated the problem of local Tibetan inhabitants.
In aftermath of the scuffle, security polices from Public Security Bureau (PSB) arrested Tibetans who played key roles in the fight. Finally, about 13 local Tibetans were arrested and People’s Intermediate Court handed down imprisonment ranging from one year to three years by late July 2007.
The names of known arrestees were Kunsang, Sangpo and Norbu Lamsang. According to the report, a 60 years grandmother was also in 13 Tibetans who received imprisonment. At present the 13 Tibetans were imprisoned in a prison in Nagchu Prefecture, "Tibetan Autonomous Region" (“TAR”).
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
TCHRD XVIth Workshop on Human Rights and Democracy
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| Group photo session with the workshop participants |
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) organised its XVIth Workshop on Human Rights and Democracy at Podrang Hall, Leh, Ladakh from 10 September to 14 September 2007. Over 45 participants from remote Changthang area, Choglam-sar Tibetan Settlement and Leh Town attended the workshop. The participants comprise from representatives of Local Tibetan Assembly, village heads, community leaders, members of the Tibetan Freedom Movement, Tibetan Co-operative Society, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Local Tibetan Trader’s Association and teachers of the schools.
The resource persons for the workshop include three Tibetan Parliamentarians, a former Election Commissioner and six staff of the TCHRD. They spoke on various topics ranging from human rights to the issues concerning Tibetan people and polity. The participants had a productive interaction and question and answer session with resource persons. TCHRD extends its heartfelt thanks to resource persons who took time out of their busy schedule to educate the participants, who in turn will share the knowledge with the Tibetans in their locality when they return to respective communities. The topics discussed and covered by concerned resource persons were as follows:
1. “The roles of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Tibetan polity “ by Mr. Karma Yeshi, Parliamentian.
2. “Importance of Electioneering in a Democratic Country” by Mr. Namgyal Dorjee, Former Election Commissioner.
3. “Policies and Functioning of three organs of Tibetan Government in Exile” by Mr. Pema Jungney, Parliamentian.
4. The role and responsibilities of Member of Parliament” by Mr. Dawa Tsering, MP, Parliamentarian.
5. “Evolution of the Tibetan democratic system” by Mr. Urgen Tenzin, Executive Director, TCHRD.
6. Human Rights Situation in Tibet” by Mr. Jampel Monlam, Assistant Director, TCHRD
7. “Concept of Human Rights and Universal Declaration on Human Rights” by Tashi Choephel, Researcher, TCHRD
8. “Functioning of United Nation” by Mr. Tenzin Norgyal, UN Affairs Personnel, TCHRD.
9. “State of Education in Tibet” by Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Information Officer, TCHRD
10. “Testimony of former political prisoner” by Mr. Dawa Tsering, Field Officer, TCHRD.
On 14 September 2007, a public talk was organised at TCV School Hall, Leh, Ladakh. The talk aimed at educating the public about the Tibetan polity and functioning of Tibetan Government in exile.
Mr. Pema Jungney, MP spoke on the occasion about the Democratisation of Tibetan in Exile while Mr. Namgyal Dorjee, former Election Commissioner, illustrated the importance of People’s participation in voting and fair election. Mr. Dawa Tsering, MP gave an insight view of the Middle way approach and its implication. The talk was followed by question and answer sessions.
TCHRD organised a Panel discussion on Tibetan Democracy Day
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| Panelist from the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and Kashag |
On 2 September 2007, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) celebrated the 47th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day by organising a public discussion on the functioning of the Tibetan legislative body or the parliament and the role of the Kashag or the Executive Body of the Tibetan government in exile.
Every year the Tibetans in exile commemorated 2 September as a Tibetan Democracy Day. On this day the Tibetan Parliament in exile was born and since then subsequently celebrated as a Tibetan Democracy Day. Mr. Urgen Tenzin, Executive Director, TCHRD initiated the public discussion with a brief introductory speech.
Over two hundreds participants from all walks of life attended the public discussion with active interest. The keynote addresses were given by Mr. Pema Jungney, a veteran parliamentarian on the functioning of the Tibetan legislative body and Ven Tsering Phuntsok, Kalon for Department of Religion and Culture on the role of Cabinet in the Tibetan democratic processes in exile.
The chairmen of the local assemblies from Dickyiling Tibetan Settlement Dehradun, Tibetan Cholsum Industrial Settlement Poanta Sahib, Sakya Tibetan Society Puruwala, Phuntsokling Settlement Dalhousie, Tibetan Bonpo Foundation Solan and Dhoeguyugyaling Hebertpur Settlement were the special invitees for the public discussion. Each of them highlighted and raised couple of key questions regarding challenges and difficulties they face while practicing democracy at the grassroots level.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) called upon the Tibetan people to participate and take more of people’s initiative in the democratization of Tibetan democracy in exile. The publications, pamphlets and reports were distributed to the public on that day. Eventually, the discussion was ended with an active debate amongst the audience.
The Executive Director attends WFDA Conference in Philippines
The second biennial conference of the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) took place in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Manila, Philippines from 19 to 21 September 2007. The conference was organized in the wake of increasing challenges face by many of fledgling democracies in many Asian countries. The conference was convened by the “WFDA” Steering Committee and hosted by the Initiatives for International Dialogue, with generous support from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD).
During the three-day meeting, the conference identified and addressed pressing issues towards achieving ‘democratization’ in Asia. A special focus was given to evaluating the first framework for Action in the light of developments in the region since the biennial conference in Taipei in 2005.
On 19 September 2007, a Concurrent Working Groups consisting of Burma, China, Laos, North Korea, Vietnam and Tibet was convened on Assisting Democratization in Closed Societies. The Executive Director of Centre, Mr. Urgen Tenzin was one of panelists for the discussion representing Tibet. The Executive Director spoke on the current political status of Tibet, the present scenario of human rights situation inside Tibet as well as the democratization processes in exile Tibetan communities. The conference issued two documents, i.e. Manila Declaration and 2007/09 Framework for Action.
