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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| Patriotic Education session in Chamdo [Photo source: Xinhua] |
The Chinese authorities in the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) and other Tibetan areas in neighboring provinces have launched a two-months renewed “Patriotic Education” campaign covering almost every sections of society beginning primarily with the monastic institutions, party cadres, security forces and government employees, farmers and private entrepreneurs, educational institutions and common people, to denounce the Dalai Lama and the “splittist forces” in the coming two months.
Following the recent series of protests across the “TAR” and the non-TAR regions by Tibetans, the Chinese authorities launched a renewed “Patriotic Education” campaign as it was earlier concentrated primarily in the monastic institutions long considered as the bastions of political dissidence, covering almost every section of Tibetan communities with more rigor and intensity. The stipulated two-months’ renewed “Patriotic Education” campaign launched at the begining of April following unprecedented protests across Tibetan plateau since 10 March, was reinvigorated and targeted not only the monastic institutions but also government employees, security forces, farmers, nomads, private enterpreneurs and educational institutions. The principle and underlying message of this campaign is to “vehemently oppose the Dalai ‘clique’” and “to expose the true nature of ‘Dalai clique’” and “March 14 riot”. Under the supervision of the Communist Party leaders, new committees were formally formed to formulate and execute the campaign across all sections of the society within two months stipulated time period.
Under the three themes, the renewed “patriotic education” campaign aims to ‘educate’ the masses about ‘opposing splittism’, ‘protecting stability’ and ‘backing development’, by holding meetings, inviting experts to give speeches, teaching and discussing the contents of the ‘patriotic education’ campaign, holding denunciation session of the Dalai Lama and screening propaganda shows and teaching Chinese laws and regulations.
According to the state run newspaper, Tibet Daily, dated 18 April, a two-month ‘patriotic education’ campaign was launched in Zangri County in Lhoka Prefecture, “TAR”, for government employees, peasants, retired government employees and party members across all townships under Zangri County, pledged and reaffirmed the work ethics for the party cadres. The Zangri County People’s Armed Police (PAP) and security forces were told that it was a right time to struggle and protest against the ‘splittist’ forces. The heads of townships and PAP under those townships were ‘educated’ about securing stability and further improving the national security. In various educational institutions, students were indoctrinated with communist ideology and taught how Tibet has flourished under its rule and denounced the old and backward Tibetan society by showing films from the period of the Cultural Revolution. Peasants, nomads and private enterpreneurs were told about the economic development achieved and happy life enjoyed by the Tibetans under the patronage and policy of the Communist party. For the monastic institutes, under this campaign monks and nuns are ‘educated’ to be patriotic towards nation, one’s religion, oppose ‘splittist’ forces, to help maintain social stability, social legal institutes and to restore religious order.
At the beginning of this month, alongside intensification of security, the Chinese authorities have ordered more stringent ideological education and ramped-up propaganda in Tibet “to build anti-separatist sentiment”, according to the Tibet Daily, a state run newspaper of 3 April 2008. Under this campaign, “work team” are sent to especially in monastic institutes on a regular basis to undertake this campaign no matter whether monastic populace are willing to attend or not but are compulsorily made to attend. The “TAR” Communist Party chief, Zhang Qingli ordered harsh punishments for local party officials found lacking in their commitment to Beijing’s official line. “We absolutely will not condone violations of political and organizational discipline and will definitely find those responsible and mete out harsh punishment”. He even told that efforts should be made to focus on negative portrayals of Tibet prior to the Communist invasion in 1950, and continued vilification of what Beijing calls the Dalai Lama’s secret campaign to split Tibet from China and sabotage the Olympics, according to the state run newspaper Tibet Daily.
On 3 April, more than eight people including monks were shot dead and dozens left injured after fellow monks of Tongkor Monastery in Kardze County, staged a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of two monks arrested earlier on 2 April for objecting Chinese “Patriotic Education” campaign in the monastery.
On 11 April, the “TAR” authorities sent the “Legal information Education” “work team” as a part of the “patriotic education” campaign in Drepung Monastery, who were confronted by the monks of the monastery against visit of the “work team” to conduct the campaign and later detained by the authorities. There is no information on the condition and whereabouts of those detainees. However, according to the Chinese official mouthpiece, Xinhau, dated 11 April, reported that a patriotic education group has arrived at the monastery “to help maintain social stability, socialist legal institutions” and “restore religious order” but suppressed the protest and detention of monks in its report and cited “TAR” government as saying the officials involved in the “patriotic education” campaign throughout Tibet “have received the understanding and support of monks and religious followers”. Mr. Zhang Qingli, the “TAR” Communist Party chief visited the Drepung Monastery on 18 April 2008.
On the same day on 18 April 2008, the “TAR” Communist Party chief Zhang Qingli visited Sera Monastery giving assurance to the monks that “the Communist Party committee and government of Tibet would protect the legal rights and interests of patriotic and devouts monks and nuns”. The Xinhua reported that the Buddhist service have resumed after being suspended due to Lhasa ‘riot’ bu the official mouthpiece completely skipped the report of the detention of around four hundreds monks of the monastery in the early morning raid in Sera Monastery. There is no information on the condition and whereabout of those detained from the monastery.
On 12 April, a special meeting was convened among the representatives of the various monastic institutions under all eighteen counties of Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”) at Dartsedo and instructed to commence the “patriotic education” campaign immediately across all religious institutions in Kardze.
According to official media reports, the campaign was reinvigorated across Lhasa city, educational departments in Lhasa, in Lhoka and Chamdo Prefecture.
On 3 April, monks of Wara Monastery in Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture “TAR” confronted and challenged the “work team” from carrying ‘patriotic education’ campaign by saying ‘even at the cost of our lives we will never defame and denounce our religious leader, the Dalai Lama”.
On 14 April 2008, the PAP forces ransacked the residences of monks of Tsang Monastery in Kawasumdo County(Ch: Thunde Xian), Tsolho “TAP” Qinghai Province, confiscated pictures of the Dalai Lama.
On 21 April, Dorjee Tsering, Lhasa City Mayor, has told that the “Patriotic education” campaign will be a standard litmus test for the party cadres.
With the launch of renewed “Patriotic education” campaign especially in the monastic institutions, which are originally set up for providing religious practitioners with a conducive environment for meditation on religious contents and for achieving inner peace, are being forcibly re-functioned to serve the Party as a production machinery of loyal political followers. Freedom of religion for Tibetan Buddhists would mean that authorities cease not only with their controls and restrictions in Tibetan Buddhist institutes but most importantly cease mixing up a party’s ideological messages with religious traditions. Any attempts, the violent destructive ones well as the nearly unperceivable ones that operate through indoctrination and manipulation, any attempts to assimilate politics and religion into a political version of religion are gross downfall against a people’s right to freedom of their religion. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) calls for the immediate end to the practice of conducting so-called “patriotic education” campaign in Tibet and allows the normal religious practice to flourish in the monastic institutions.
[ top]Panchen Lama spends his 19th birthday under house arrest
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the XIth Panchen Lama of Tibet today turns 19. He has been missing for the past thirteen years along with his parents. There has been no information about his well being and whereabouts till date.
Although numerous governments and independent organizations in the past have consistently pressed the Chinese authorities to disclose information about his whereabouts and well being but there were no positive response from the government of China.
The authorities have cited various excuses for denying access to the Panchen Lama and his family. In 2006 the Chinese authorities refused to arrange meetings between the Panchen Lama and Reuters stating that it was done purely out of respect for the family’s wishes not to be “disturbed” by outsiders.
In September 2005, Chinese authorities informed the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was in “good health and just like any other children is leading a normal, happy life and receiving a good cultural education”. A year later, in an official communication from China, UN rights experts were told that Gedhun Choekyi is not the Panchen Lama but “merely an ordinary Tibetan child”.
Ms Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Ms Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom and Belief discussed the case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima to the Chinese authorities during their official visits to China in 29 August- 2 September 2005 and 9 January 2005 respectively.
The Panchen Lama is now no longer an infant boy that requires protection from the state according to the Constitution of People’s Republic of China (PRC). Therefore, as a citizen he has every right to enjoy his freedom to determine his fate and the freedom of movement without being under the custodianship of anyone, including parents and the state.
The Chinese constitution stipulates that a person who has reached the age of18, he or she is entitled with fundamental rights such as right to religious belief, education and occupation. Therefore the continuing disappearance of the Panchen Lama is a gross violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. Article 34 of the Chinese constitution guarantees that,
All citizens of the People’s Republic of China who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election, regardless of nationality, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status, or length of residence, except persons deprived of political rights according to law.
In view of the civil and political rights guarantee to every citizen, it is the legitimate right of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima to exercise his freedom. In no way should he be kept under any form of detention as a result of political manipulation, custody or protection. If he chooses to remain under state protection and custodianship, China must procure and provide the world with valid document to support the case. If it is not the case, then the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) deems the continuing disappearance of the Panchen Lama as a case of arbitrary detention and imprisonment and total disregard for his fundamental human rights.
The detention of the Panchen Lama starkly contradicts the spirit of the Chinese constitution and its enshrined fundamental rights and freedom. Article 37 of the Chinese constitution states,
The freedom of person of citizens of the People’s Republic of China is inviolable. No citizen may be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people’s procuratorate or by decision of a people’s court, and arrests must be made by a public security organ. Unlawful deprivation or restriction of citizens’ freedom of person by detention or other means is prohibited; and unlawful search of the person of citizens is prohibited.
According to the Chinese constitution, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is not a minor citizen, and hence does not require family and state protection. As a adult he has the freedom of movement, since he is now not under the threat, the Chinese authorities should disclose his present whereabouts and well-being and allow international community, media and international dignitaries to access him.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
- On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced that the then six-years old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Xth Panchen Lama.
- Three days later, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his parents disappeared and have never been seen again.
- On 24 May 1995 the government of People’s Republic of China issued a statement describing the Dalai Lama’s proclamation as “illegal and invalid.”
- China proclaims another child to be the real incarnation - an unprecedented and bizarre act of an atheist state.
- Shortly after this announcement Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family disappeared from their native hometown without any information about their whereabouts and well-being.
- Chadrel Rinpoche, a former abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery seat of Panchen Lama, and Chairman of the Search Committee for the reincarnation of the XIth Panchen Lama and his assistant Champa Chungla also disappeared from Chengdu Airport in Sichuan Province on 14 May 1995.
- On 21 April 1997, the Shigatse Intermediate People’s court sentenced Chadrel Rinpoche to six years of imprisonment. He was charged with “plotting to split the country” and “leaking state secrets”.
- He was accused of working for and assisting the Dalai Lama in the search for the XIth Panchen Lama. Although his sentence ended on 13 May 2001 following the completion of a six-year prison term, there is no credible information on his whereabouts or on his state of health.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is gravely concerned at the continued disappearance and detention of the Panchen Lama and his parents and appeals for their unconditional release. TCHRD urges the International bodies to pressure the Beijing authorities to ascertain their whereabouts and well-being and to allow the relevant UN bodies to meet the Panchen Lama. The PRC should also ensure that the religious freedom of the Tibetan people be respected including their rights to identify religious leaders.
[ top]Chronology of Peaceful Protest in Tibet since 10 March 2008
Hundreds of Tibetans protested in Kanlho, Gansu
A fresh protest broke out in Tsoe City’s main square, Kakha Township, a remote region in Kanlho, Gansu Province in north-eastern Tibet, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On 18 March 2008, around 12:00 (Beijing Standard Time) the monks of Kakhamey Monastery in Kakha Township joined by hundreds of Tibetans went on a protest march to the local government office in Tsoe City, Kakha Township.
During the protest march the monks and ordinary Tibetans shouted slogans demanding an immediate end to the crackdown by the Chinese security forces. The Tibetan peaceful protesters also shouted loud slogan calling for “Tibetan independent” and “Long Live the Dalai Lama”.
The Tibetans’ peaceful demonstration culminated by pulling down the Chinese national flag and hoisting prayer flags in its place.
More protests reported from Achok Tsenyi and Dzoge Monastery in Tibet
Over one hundred Tibetans in Marthang County, Ngaba “TAP” staged a peaceful protest yesterday afternoon. So far there have been no cases of arrests or detentions were made after the protest, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). This is in the continuation of the reports that the Centre has highlighted in the past few days starting from 10 March uprising day.
On 19 March 2008, around 1:00 pm (Beijing Standard Time), scores of Tibetan monks of Achok Tsenyi Monastery in Achok Township, Marthang County (Ch: Hongyuan Xian), Ngaba “TAP” Sichuan Province, staged a peaceful protest which was later joined by numbers of common citizens of Achok Township. The protestors headed towards the Township government headquarter in the main market area where protesters brought down the Chinese national flag and hoisted the banned Tibetan national flag in its place at the government headquarters. The protesters were shouting slogans calling for the return of the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. The local Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers demanded protesters to call off the demonstration although, the protesters continued. Truckloads of armed police were brought into the main market areas to quell the protesters. There is no information on the number of arrest or detention of protesters at the moment. The Centre will continue to monitor the situation.
In another incident, on the evening of 10 March, monks of Dzoge Thangkor Soktsang Monastery in Dzoge County (Ch: Zoige Xian), Ngaba “TAP” Sichuan Province, lowered the Chinese flag hoisted inside the monastery compound and the same incident was repeated on the 14 March despite attempts made by the authorities to re-hoist the flag, according to confirmed information received by TCHRD. On the evening of 16 March, at around 6:30 PM (Beijing Standard Time) scores of Dzoge Thangkor Soktsang Monastery’s monks were barred from proceeding with their protest march towards the County government headquarters by hundreds of armed police.
The next morning at around 11:00 (Beijing Standard Time), a protest was again led by the monks of Dzoge Thangkor Soktsang Monastery which headed towards County government headquarters and was joined by common citizens, shouting slogans calling for the independence for Tibet, “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, “Release Panchen Lama” and “China quit Tibet”. The protestors stormed into the compound of the County PSB headquarters and lowered the Chinese flag, replacing it with the banned Tibetan national flag. Within a few minutes, tear gas shells were fired into the protesters by armed security forces to disperse the protesters. There is no information on the number of arrests or detentions at the moment from that incident.
Middle school student shot dead in Ngaba County
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| 16-year-old Lhundup Tso |
The body of a girl shot dead in the Ngaba County protest on 16 March was identified as Lhundup Tso, 16 years-old girl and a student of Ngaba County Tibetan School, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On 16 March 2008, around few thousands Tibetans erupted into a spontaneous protest following the morning prayer session at Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County by shouting slogans calling for “Tibet Independence”, “Return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet”, and “Freedom for Tibet”. The demonstration was later joined by common citizens of Ngaba County and headed towards Ngaba County government headquarters. At least 23 people including as young as 16 years old student, Lhundup Tso, were confirmed dead following Chinese Armed police shot many rounds of live ammunitions into the protestors at Ngaba County (Ch: Aba Xian), Ngaba “TAP”, Sichuan Province on 16 March. The names of those identified are, Tashi Wangchuk, Ghegyam, Norbu, Lotse, Ghepan Thalo, Ngudrup Tso, Atisha, Sangye, Tsezin and identities of others were not yet known.
Lhundup Tso, a 16 years-old was born to Mr. Jigshe (father) and Mrs. Sherab Tsomo a.k.a Shetse(Mother). She was a brilliant student of Ngaba County Tibetan School, Ngaba County, Ngaba “TAP”, Sichuan Province.
The present situation in Ngaba County, in particular, is known to be very tense following mass protests in the past few days which saw deaths and injuries of scores of Tibetan in the peaceful demonstration. More reinforcement from the Mainland China is sent into the area to check the further spread of protest into neighboring counties and bring situation under tight control.
Tibetans facing massive arrest drive in Tibet
After days of the peaceful protests in Lhasa and in other parts of Tibet, the Chinese authorities are now arresting hundreds of Tibetans in other parts of Tibet.
On 19 March 2008, Lhasa City Procuratorate has arrested 24 Tibetan protestors on a basis of pre-trial detention. Although 24 Tibetan protestors are on pre-trial detention but it is already a foregone conclusion that they will be charged with serious crimes and will receive harsh prison sentences.
In China pre-trial arrests are usual practice, it is most likely that the detained Tibetan protestors will be indicted within five days at an extraordinary pace compared judicial system in the democratic countries. The swift arrests and sentencing is part of Chinese legal system of sending fear and panic to the protestors to cease their activities. It can well be described as “killing goats to scare sheep”.
Official Chinese sources say that so far 170 Tibetans have voluntarily surrendered. Although the Chinese authorities promised to give ‘leniency’ to those who surrender within the dateline (midnight of 17 March 2008) however, given the nature of Chinese regime and its past record in dealing with Tibetan protestors in 1989, many doubt if the surrendered Tibetan protestors will receive any leniency as promised by the Chinese authorities. Chances are very little for Tibetans to receive leniency by surrendering themselves to the Chinese authorities.
As of now, over 1000 Tibetan protestors were arrested, hundreds disappeared and the numbers are rising. The situation in all parts of Tibet remains under intense restriction and vigilance and there has been many reports of ordinary Tibetan citizens reeling under a state sponsored crisis of intense shortage of food supplies, drinking water and other essential commodities to sustain life.
Tibetans in Ngaba County were already announced that they must surrender themselves to the Chinese authorities after days of protest on 15, 16 and 17 March with a promise of offering leniency. It also called upon people to surrender arms. The homes of suspected Tibetans involved in this week’s demonstrations were ransacked and raided. The prayer session at Kirti Monastery was forced to suspend indefinitely. There are cases of enforced disappearance surfacing from the area.
Fresh ultimatum issued in Gansu for Tibetans to surrender
After days of protests in the different Tibetan areas of Gansu Province which saw the death of scores of Tibetans, the Chinese government sent thousands of troops on foot, trucks and helicopters into the area in an attempt to curb and hunt for protesters. Fresh public notices both in Tibetan and Chinese languages were posted around the county and security personnel are making public announcement of the notice through loud speakers, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On 20 March, the public notice or ultimatum in disguise was jointly issued by the law enforcement authorities of Kanlho (Ch: Gannan) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’” (‘TAP’) Intermediate People’s Court, Procuratorate, and Public Security Bereau. The notice mentioned the recent protests in Sangchu (Ch: Xiahe), Luchu (Ch: Luqu), Machu (Ch: Maqu), Chone (Ch: Zhouni), Tewo (Ch: Diebu) Counties and in Hezuo city.
The public notice posted around all these counties and towns yesterday warned protesters - or criminal as the notice called them to surrender until midnight of 25 March. The notice says that those who turn themselves in will be treated leniently - but those who do not will be treated harshly, so is the case of those who shelter them. It is highly improbable given the nature of Chinese regime and its past record in dealing with Tibetan protestors in 1989 protest in Lhasa, many suspects the surrendered Tibetan protestors will actually receive any leniency as promised by the Chinese authorities. The prefecture law enforcement authorities have promised protection and rewards for those who surrender to the authorities. However, the actual arrest has already begun in house-to-house raid since yesterday.
More cases of arbitrary arrests, detentions and enforced disappearance of Tibetans in the late night raids in Sangchu and other counties are surfacing from these areas following issuance of public notice and massive launch of additional security forces into these counties. According to sources within Tibet, additional reinforcement of thousands of troops on foot, trucks and helicopters in Tibetan areas of Gansu and Sichuan Province were brought in as the government stepped up its hunt for protesters in the latest series of protests on the Tibetan plateau.
The official Chinese sources say that so far 170 Tibetans in Lhasa and 94 Tibetans from Phenpo Lhundrup County have ‘voluntarily surrendered’. Yesterday, the Lhasa City Public Security Bureau has issued a public notice on list of 21 people “wanted” as the main instigator or offender of the recent string of protests in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. Of which the photo identities of 14 people including monks were issued.
As of now, over 1000 Tibetan protestors were arrested, hundreds disappeared and the numbers are rising each day with more similar protests being reported from other parts of Tibet. The current situation in all parts of Tibet remains under intense restriction and vigilance.
Hundreds of Tibetans protested in Chentsa, Malho “TAP”, Qinghai Province
On 22 March 2008, around hundreds of Tibetans carried out a peaceful protest in Markhul-thang Township, consisted of four villages, which is located in Chentsa County, Malho “TAP”, Qinghai Province in north-eastern Tibet according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
The Tibetans in Markhul-thang Township were carrying out special religious ceremony for a prosperous bounty harvest for this year. Shortly after the end of the ritual ceremony, several hundreds of Tibetans erupted into a peaceful protest by proceeding to the County headquarter chanting slogans.
According to sources, the peaceful Tibetan protestors were proceeding to the County Headquarter carrying a portrait of the Dalai Lama and the missing eleventh Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima. In addition to that, the peaceful Tibetan protestors were carrying the banned Tibetan National flag and were shouting slogans “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, “The Dalai Lama to return to Tibet”, “Release the eleventh Panchen Lama Erdeni Gedun Choekyi Nyima” and “Freedom for Tibetan people”.
However, when the peaceful Tibetan protestors came near the County Headquarter, prominent local religious leaders requested the peaceful protestors to turn away from continuing their demonstration to avoid bloodshed and losing human lives. The demonstrators were later sent back to their respective places. Sources say that hundreds of Chinese security forces were expecting the peaceful protestors at the County headquarter in full combat kit to quell and disperse the peaceful protestors
On 22 March 2008, many monks of Makur Namgyaling Monastery erupted into peaceful protest but were stopped by the Chinese security forces.
According to the latest development in the area, at least three Tibetan protestors were arrested by the Chinese security forces on the morning of 23 March 2008. The arrestees were Sherab, aged 40, Tabo aged 40 and Kunbo aged 20. Six other Tibetans arrested by the Chinese security forces on two separate raids have not been identified at the moment.
On 23 March 2008, around eight hundred Tibetans from Lha Village, Nyarong Monastery, Lowa village and Meru village erupted into protest demonstrations. However the Chinese security forces stopped the peaceful Tibetan protestors when they were at a place called Lokog.
A large mobilization of Chinese paramilitary troops from Chinese city of Seling (Ch: Xining) to Chentsa County is on a full swing to quell the Tibetan protestors when the report last came in. The heavy security blanket is maintaining a close vigil on the protestors as well as patrolling the streets. The situation on the ground is said to be tense and volatile.
One shot dead and another in critical condition in Drango protest
According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), at least one Tibetan protester was shot dead and another left in critical condition following indiscriminate firing by the People’s Armed Police on the protesting Tibetans in Drango County, Kardze “Tibet Autonomous Prefecture” today afternoon.
At around 2:00 pm (Beijing Standard Time), a peaceful protest was initiated jointly by the monks of Chokri Monastery and nuns of Ngyoe-go Nunnery of Drawo Township, Drango County (Ch: Luhuo Xian), Kardze “Tibet Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Sichuan Province, in eastern Tibet which was later joined by the common citizens of Drawu Township. Around 200 protestors headed towards the township government headquarters chanting slogans “long live the Dalai Lama”, “Independence for Tibet” and “freedom for Tibet”.
According to multiple sources within Tibet, when the protesters were marching towards the township headquarters, a large number of People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers came to the scene to quell the agitated protestors. In the process, a clash occurred between the two sides, soon the Chinese security forces started firing live ammunitions indiscriminately into the protesting crowd, which led to the dead of at least one monk and left another in critical condition. The dead Tibetan is identified as Kunga, a 18-year-old monk of Chokri Monastery, Drango County (Ch: Luhuo xian), Kardze, “TAP”. Tsewang Dhondup, 30-year-old monk from the same monastery is known to be in critical condition after being shot by Chinese security forces. According to sources within Tibet, many doubt if he could survive the gun shot injury. No further information on the exact number of dead, injured or arrest could be ascertained at the moment. TCHRD fears more cases of death would surface as many rounds of gunfire were shot into the protestors. The Centre will issue further updates as the situation progresses.
Earlier on 18 March a similar protest broke out in Kardze which led to the dead of at least three Tibetans and left 15 injured following armed police indiscriminate firing on the protesters.
Death toll rise to at least 100, over 1200 arrests and more than 100 disappear in Tibet
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has been closely monitoring the situation inside Tibet particularly since 10 March 2008 when the first peaceful protest led by Tibetan Buddhist monks broke up in Lhasa on the 49th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day.
For the past more than two weeks, the exact figures on the number of arrest, death, injury or disappeared from the violent crackdowns during protests in various parts of Tibet is difficult to ascertain due to various circumstances such as censorship of information, lack of immediate and on the ground assessment, absence of third party fact finding mission and free media reporting in Chinese administered Tibet.
However, TCHRD has been able to filter considerable information based on eyewitnesses accounts, evidences and information given to the Centre by brave and conscious Tibetans inside Tibet. The information available to TCHRD have been reported to various human rights monitoring organizations, media and concerned UN bodies after our meticulous research and verification. According to eyewitnesses’ accounts and testimonies received by TCHRD, so far at least 79 Tibetans are known to have died as a direct result of brutal crackdown by the Chinese security forces. Over 1200 Tibetans have so far been arrested under various circumstances and around more than 100 Tibetans disappeared. The figure of death, arrest, and disappearance cases of Tibetans are mounting each day with more information surfacing from Tibet.
Following the issuance of public notice by the “TAR” law enforcement authorities viz, Higher People’s Court, the People’s Procuratorate and the regional Public Security Bureau (PSB) on 15 March for protesters to give themselves in before midnight of 17 March, the state-run official mouthpiece, Xinhua, stated that, over 170 Tibetans “surrendered” in Lhasa city by 20 March (7:00 PM Beijing Standard Time). Another 94 Tibetans “surrendered” in Phenpo Lhundup County, Lhasa Municipality, “TAR” according to the official mouthpiece report released on 19 March.
Around 16 March 2008, Lhasa PSB officers arrested Ngawang Namgyal, a former political prisoner and a former monk of Drepung Monastery, from his residence during mid night raid on alleged charges of ‘inciting and supporting the Lhasa protest’. There is no further information on the condition of his well being at the moment.
On 20 March, the Lhasa City PSB has issued a “wanted” list of 21 people as the main instigators or offenders of the recent string of protests in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. Of which the photo identities of 14 people including monks were issued. There has been no information whether they have been arrested or are still at large. The official mouthpiece, Xinhua, also claimed that over 381 Tibetans have so far “surrendered” in Ngaba County (Ch: Aba Xian), “TAP”, Sichuan Province, after the issuance of “surrender notice” on 20 March 2008 which was jointly issued by the law enforcement authorities of Kanlho (Ch: Gannan) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’” (‘TAP’) Intermediate People’s Court, Procuratorate, and Public Security Bureau. According to sources within Tibet, many protestors especially the monks, who were involved in the peaceful protest in Ngaba County have fled their monasteries and home to avoid arrest by the security forces which has been hunting down the protesters and ransacking their homes at will. Many of people from the area were known to have disappeared since the protest broke out on 14 March. TCHRD doubts the very nature of “surrender notice” issued by the Chinese authorities in “TAR” and non -”TAR” areas of Tibet. TCHRD believes “surrender is a willingness on the part of person who surrender under normal circumstance and not under the duress, threat by the authority in power by inducing in the minds of people that if they do not surrender, they would suffer far more serious repercussions’. Therefore, the Centre considers the issuance of public notices to surrender protesters as “threat in disguise” to intimidate and create fear psychosis on the minds of highly suppressed people of the region.
As of today, around 645 Tibetans from various parts of Tibet have “surrendered” to the Chinese authorities following the official issuance of surrender notice. Of which only few were known to have been released without formal charges. Given China’s past record in dealing with suspects in custody, TCHRD expresses its deepest fears that those who “voluntarily surrendered” or were arrested following demonstrations in various parts of Tibet are expected to face intense interrogation and grilling session in detention centres. It is highly probable that the detainees will be dealt with torture and extreme inhumane treatment in the detention centres to extract confession and related information. Torture is endemic and a regular feature in the network of Chinese administered prisons and detention centres. TCHRD is highly concerned about the well being of those arrested after the recent protests, particularly those suspected of being the ‘instigators’ and fears that the authorities will adopt extreme measures to curb the Tibetan sentiments in order to evade international criticism on her appalling human rights record in Tibet.
The Chinese authorities should guarantee free and fair trial for those who were arrested, who gave themselves in or detained following the protest. With total absence of legal representations, due process and other legal procedures, it is highly certain that many fundamental human rights of Tibetan detainees will be violated.
According to information, hundreds of military trucks, tanks and personnel have swamped the entire area of Lhasa, northeastern parts of Tibet particularly in Ngaba County, where maximum number of protests, arrest and death were registered.
TCHRD will submit the cases of those Tibetans killed, arrested and disappeared in Tibet to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and its relevant thematic mandates for urgent action. TCHRD appeals to the international community to urgently show their solidarity and act for the arrested peaceful Tibetan protesters and innocent arrestees.
Protest erupts after prayer for deceased in Drango County
Following a peaceful protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo xian), Kardze “TAP”, Sichuan Province, on 24 March 2008 which resulted in the death of one Tibetan and another left in critical condition after People’s Armed Police (PAP) fired indiscriminately into the protesting crowd, the monks of Drango Gaden Rabten Nampargyalpeling Monastery organized a special prayer session for the deceased in the morning of 25 March.
According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), at around 8:00 AM (Beijing Standard Time) on 25 March, the dead body of the 18-year-old monk, Kunga, who was shot dead in the protest a day before was brought to Drango Gaden Rabten Nampargyalpeling Monastery in Drango County by monks for a mass special prayer session. After the prayer, around 10 AM (BST) more than 400 monks of the monastery decided to hold a solidarity peaceful protest against the Chinese rule and at the same time vowed to stand up and support each other in case if death or detention occur to any of the monks during protest. The monks in their complete monastic robes proceed with their plan by raising slogans “Dalai Lama should return to the rightful throne in the Potala Palace”, “Release Panchen Lama”, “Stop current repression in Tibet” and “Independence and Democracy for Tibet.”
The protesters headed towards the county headquarters, but were blocked by PAP and Public Security Bureau (PSB) forces stationed on the bridge in between the county government headquarters and the monastery. The protesting monks managed to push forward with their march although forcibly obstructed by the Chinese security forces. The monks joined by some lay people proceeded with their protest march and shouted slogans, when the protesters reached the County Market square, the security forces started firing live ammunitions and blocked all alleys of county market. In short time, protesters lay down on the road to avoid bullet fire and shouted for the protesters to stand together. Though few agitated protesters hurled stones at the military trucks during the protest, however, senior monks present in the protest stopped them from doing so. The monks continued with their protest shouting slogans for a couple of hours before being ruthlessly crushed by additional forces of PAP and PSB. According to sources within Tibet, the protesting monks rushed back to their monastery. At the moment situation in the area is known to be very tense with every possibility of protesting monks and laypeople getting arrested. The present condition of Tsewang Dhondup, 30-year-old monk who was injured after being shot by Chinese security forces is known to be critical. There has been no information about injury and casualty in yesterday’s incident.
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