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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| Ngagchung of Larung Gar Buddhist Institute of Sertha |
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses its serious concern for the fates of two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, who were sentenced to death by the Lhasa Municipal Intermediate People’s Court on 8 April 2009.
There is no information on whether the duos have appeal to the higher people’s court for review after the death sentence verdict by the Lhasa Intermediate people’s court. If no appeal is presented, then the sentence is automatically review by the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) Higher People’s Court and submitted to the Supreme People’s Court for approval. As the intermediate period of review draws near, TCHRD is seriously concern about the prospects of their imminent execution as it was earlier reported that the two “have to be executed in order to assuage the people’s anger” as quoted saying by the court spokesman in the state media.
The Centre remains unconditionally opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases, as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It should also be noted that the death penalty has never shown to have a special deterrent effect nor should state use it to justify the wrong done by the defendant.
Since the court trial took place in complete secret, almost nothing has been known of the circumstances under which the defendants, detained for more than a year, were tried. It is highly doubtful whether the defendants received anything remotely like international standard for fair trial such as whether defendants were adequately represented by defense lawyers of their choice or to challenge the evidence brought against them in the court. The absence of due legal process is matter of great concern for the Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to face detention and are waiting farce trial. TCHRD, therefore, appeals to the authorities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to rescind the death sentence of Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, and commute their death sentences. The Centre also calls for the authorities to provide them with an opportunity to be re-tried in a judicial process that is more in tune with the international standards which China claims she adheres to.
The series of protests that erupted across Tibetan areas since last spring, saw hundreds of Tibetans being detained arbitrarily, died, disappeared and imprisoned many with harsh prison sentences. According to TCHRD, there are at least 235 known cases of Tibetans having been sentenced so far for varying prison terms. Of which 5 Tibetans were sentenced to death (three with two-year reprieve), 10 Tibetans with life imprisonment and around 130 Tibetans were slapped with 10 years or more of jail terms. The Chinese official statements over the past have revealed only 74 Tibetans sentenced to various prison terms in the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) for their involvement in the ‘March 14 Lhasa riot.’ Ngaba, Sangchu, Kardze region in the eastern part of Tibet in particular witnessed one of the most sustained protests and the highest number of arrest, however, the official Chinese newspaper, Garze Daily, dated 15 May 2009 acknowledged only 28 Tibetans having been sentenced so far in Kardze by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court. The Centre has recorded at least 60 Tibetans from Kardze receiving court sentences so far for their participation in last spring protests.
This week China was re-elected for another three-year term to the 47-members UN Human Rights Council with promise of promoting and protecting human rights. In addition, the Information Office of the China’s State Council on 13 April 2009 published “the First Working Action Plan on Human Rights Protection 2009-2010”, promising citizens more legal protection, better livelihoods and greater civil and political rights that include rights of detainees and the right to a fair trial. Though it was encouraging that the government of the PRC had made the effort to put the document out but China has routinely failed to implement protection enshrined in its own laws. Therefore, it is high time China make sincere effort to respect, follow and implement all the pledges made in the Action Plan which includes death penalty and improvement in judicial procedures for review.
[ top]TCHRD commemorates 12th UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
International law states that torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment can never be justified under any circumstances
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) commemorates the twelfth anniversary of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture to recognize the pain and suffering that victims and survivors of torture throughout the world has gone through. The day reminds us that torture is a crime and provides us with an opportunity to stand united and voice our opinion against torture, a cruel violation of human rights. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1984, the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) entered into force on 26 June 1987. It was an important step in the much-needed process of globalising human rights and acknowledging that torture, and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, are absolutely and universally illegal and should not be condoned. There can be zero tolerance for torture. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated 26 June each year as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Convention obliges States to make torture a crime and to prosecute and punish those guilty of it. It notes explicitly that neither higher orders nor exceptional circumstances can justify torture. In Chinese occupied Tibet, it has a long history of gross human rights violations abetted by a political culture of impunity towards past human rights violations. The torture and ill treatment are endemic and regular feature in the Chinese administered wide network of prisons and detention centers across the Tibetan plateau. The Centre is highly concerned about the well-being and safety of the prisoners of conscience and detainees involved in recent spate of protests.
Torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment appears to have become a central element of state agents’ treatment of Tibetans perceived as being in opposition to the Communist regime and those attempting to exercise their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression. Tibetans who voiced their support for the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama or have divergent views to those of the Communist regime have been primary targets of torture, ill-treatment or other forms of human rights violations. Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People’s Armed Police (PAP) are repeatedly using torture as a means of intimidating, investigating and extracting information or confessions from real or perceived offenders and detainees. Since last March protest, TCHRD has recorded numerous cases of Tibetans having died directly as a result of torture and there were many Tibetans have died shortly after being released from Chinese custody, in which they were subjected to inhumane torture. In recent time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the U.N. panel’s report on the widespread use of torture by Chinese police, calling the report as “untrue and slanderous” in November 2008 and accusing the committee members as “prejudiced” against China.
On contrary, in one of the most shocking video footages ever to smuggled out of Tibet in recent time was that of Chinese security officials savagely beating and manhandling handcuffedand tied Tibetan detainees in Lhasa in the aftermath of the March 14 protest in Lhasa, a wanton violation of international standard minimum rules for the treatment of captives. In the second footage, a young Tibetan, Tendar, a staff in the China Mobile company who was brutally beaten and later subjected to inhuman treatment at the hands of Chinese authorities. The crime of Tendar, he witnessed an elderly monk being beaten by Chinese security personnel during Lhasa protest and reportedly told the security forces to have mercy on elderly monk. He did so at a time that armed police were opening fire on the protesters. Tendar was shot and fell to the ground. Still conscious, he was taken away by police to the Lhasa General Hospital that is run by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). While he was at the hospital, he was fired at, burned with cigarettes butts, pierced with a nail in his right foot and beaten with iron rods. He was tortured repeatedly and his condition deteriorated rapidly. The wounds and the bruise marks visible on his body is a testimony of the brutality he was subjected to by the Chinese authorities. The rotten wounds and bruise marks on his body when he was shifted to the “TAR” People’s Hospital proves that he was even denied basic medical care at the hospital. He died on 19 June 2009 due to his injuries. A nail was found in his right foot while his corpse was offered to the vultures during the traditional sky burial.
As partly illustrated by abovementioned case, the use of electric prod, pricking cigarettes on the body, beating, hand or thumb cuffs, feet manacles, aerial suspension, exposure to extreme temperature, long period of solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, violent beating, forced labour and forced exercise drills are few of the commonly used techniques employed by the Chinese authorities from the time of arrest to the detention centre. As terrible as the physical wounds are, the psychological and emotional scars are usually the most devastating and the most difficult to repair. A subtle form of mental torture is being used on prisoners in Tibet. In the past, a more cases of suicides due to excessive mental humiliation and psychological trauma had surfaced.
In view of the current human rights situation in Tibet, TCHRD urges the government of the PRC to implement the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to eradicate torture and “to ensure torture survivors’ right to full reparation with special attention to medical and psychological needs”.
The PRC should eradicate the widespread culture of impunity and perpetrators of gross human rights abuses should be brought to justice. On this specific day dedicated to the victims of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, TCHRD recall that the victims concerned must be ensured the right to an effective remedy for the human rights violations suffered as well as the right to full redress, including compensation and rehabilitation. In the present repressive situation, however, which is characterized by a climate of persisting impunity, victims of such practices fail to obtain justice. Yet justice is instrumental for the victims’ dignity to be restored.
For purposes of remedying this situation of injustice, the Centre calls on the Government of the PRC to take the necessary steps to sign without delay, and thereafter effectively implement, the Optional Protocol ot the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Centre expresses its support for the universal prohibition against torture and ill-treatment and respect for the human rights.
[ top]Biography of former political prisoners Ngawang and Topjor
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| Ngawang |
A former political prisoner, Ngawang was born on 17 June 1979 in Pelnam Village, Khartse Township, Lhandup County, Lhasa, Tibetan Autonomous Region “TAR”.
When he was 6 year old he studied at the primary school in his village. After six years in school he was ordained in the Na Li Da Monastery under the guidance of his parents.
During his stay at the Monastery in 1993, he distributed in the Khartse Township and Lhandup County both Tibetan and Chinese language versions of block print pamphlets which mainly contained the words of Independent Tibet.
With the help of his friends Namgyal and Losel Norbu removed the name of Mao-Tsedung from a pillar stone which was erected in his village after 1959 in remembrance for the people of Tibet by the Chinese local government. They carved “Independent Tibet” on the pillar stone instead. On 2 March 1995, twenty nine monks were arbitrarily arrested during the evening raid in the monastery by five hundred military forces and one hundred fifty public security bureau officer after failed scuffles between monks and military forces during the prior raid in the monastery on 29 February 1995.
5 March 1995, Ngawang was arbitrarily arrested with a monks and a nun and put in the Shegatse prison. He was beaten and tortured without inquires any reasons by the Chinese security armed polices.
“Chinese security armed police shifted us Gutsa prison where we were beaten and tortured with beaten and torturing after spending three days in Shetse detention Centre, they then carried me alone in the same military truck to another secret prison in Lhasa”, Ngawan reported. On 9 October 1995, he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Lhasa intermediate people’s court on charges of being a Tibet independence activism and counter revolutionary against state.
After 10 months harsh treatment in Dutsa prison, He was transferred to the 5th unit of Drapchi prison which is the No 1 and the most dreaded prison centre in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
During his stay in Drapchi prison he organized with other political prisoners to reject the Chinese official announcement that all prisoners must assemble on prison grounds for the hoisting of the Chinese national flag. The Chinese let those who were political prisoners return to their respective units after they shouted slogan “Free Tibet, Long Live the Dalai Lama”. Those in charge of that event refused to inform the news of the prisoners defiance to the authorities.
According to Ngawang, after the flag hoisting event the Chinese official in the prison gave a terse that prisoners were not allowed to go outside. That day he had been seated all day in the prison yard, Kelsang Choephel a monk from Khammar Monastery, Dhamshung, Tibetan Autonomous Region “TAR” said good bye to him as he was passed by after returning from the bathroom. After a moment, some of the prisoners screamed and shouted that kelsang Choephel had committed suicide by hanging himself in the narrow street between prison buildings. “I saw a note paper on his chest saying that he die for sake of six million Tibetans who are suffering under the Chinese regime”, Ngwang said. All the prisoners assembled on the ground and organized prayer offerings and mourned for his death, but later prison guards dispersed the crowd and put the prisoners in their respective prison cell with big locks on the door.
After facing challenges of being torture, beaten and subjected to cruel, intimidation, inhuman or degrading treatment, in the prison for six long years he was released with deprivation of three years political rights on 4 March 2001.
Although he was released after completing six years in prison, he was denied the right to go to Lhasa, to attend any meeting and gathering, and from moving to one place to another by Chinese local authorities. He had no rights to move one place to another without obtaining permission from various authorities such as the Village leader, Township Head, County Head and Public Security Bureau.
In March 2008, he was also involved in the massive demonstrations and protest that spreads throughout the whole region of Tibet, This was the biggest uprising against the Chinese regime after the failed uprising against Chinese occupation in 1959, and there was no way for him to live in Tibet after that.
On 9 January 2009, he began treacherous journey from Tibet to India with the help of a guard who charged them 1, 3000 Yuan to reach in Nepal. On 2 February 2009, he was able to safely reached Dharamsala, home of the exile government and the resident of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. He is currently studying in Tibetan Transit School after an audience with Dalai Lama.
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| Former political prisoner Topjor |
When he was eight years-old, he studied in a Public school in his Village and then helped his parents. At the age of 16, he enrolled in the Gaden monastery to study Buddhism and he work in the reconstruction of monastery buildings.
On 12 March 1993, Topjor participated in the demonstration with six other monks of Ghaden monastery, in Bhakor Street, (Tsuglakhang Temple).They shouted slogans such as “Free Tibet”, “China quit Tibet”, “Tibet belongs to Tibetans,” and “Long Live the Dalai Lama”
Topjor and the other monks were beaten and physically tortured by the Chinese police in front of TsugLakhang Temple after they had circumambulated around it during the demonstration. In 1993, he was sentenced to five years in prison with deprivation of political rights for three years by the Lhasa intermediate people’s court after a short period of time in the Detention Centre.
On 19 March 1998, he was freed after serving five years in prison including three years deprivation of political rights. He was not allowed to rejoin the monastery so he lived with family and did errands with his parents.
In 2002, he was living in Lhasa with his sister who worked in an alcohol factory. He worked as a street hawker by selling cloth on a push cart in and around the Tsuglakhang temple. On 14 March 2008, he joined in the massive demonstration against the Chinese regime in Lhasa which was led by a group of monks from Tsepa Lhakang (Temple) located in front of the Ramoche Temple. The demonstrators marched around the Barkhor Street with Tibetan national flags and shouted slogans such as “Dalai Lama return to Tibet, No Human Rights in Tibet and Chinese quit Tibet”.
Immediately after the protest, a group of around 20 Public Security Bureau officers came to the spot and blocked the marchers by beating some of the protesters. Shortly thereafter ugly confrontation or (scuffles) occurred between public security bureau officers and protesters. Hundreds of armed police were visible on the street of Ramoche Temple these security forces engaged in the crackdown on the demonstration. One unknown tall monk fell down slowly after Chinese armed police fired gun shot indiscriminate into the large crowd of demonstrators. He escaped from the demonstration site after People’s Armed Forces used tear gas and fired gun shots into the crowd. He stayed in Meldrugungkar County after treacherous night journey from Lhasa.
After joining in the protest against the Chinese local authorities which led was by a group of monks in Meldrugungkar County on 18 March 2008, he ran in the midst of demonstration towards the nomad’s area of Nyiyul and hide for several months.
On 7 January 2009, he fled to India with his friend by paying 13,000 Yuan to the guide who helped them reach border between Nepal and Tibet. He was able to fulfill his aim having audience with the Dalai Lama and at present he is studying at the Tibetan Transit School.
[ top]A guide sentenced to three years in prison
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| A well Known expedition guide Gonpo Tsering |
A previously unknown case of a Tibetan guide sentenced to three years of imprisonment on the charges of sending information outside Tibet during the March 14 protests in Lhasa has come to light with Dui Hua foundation obtaining the documents of the indictment and verdict and producing it in English. The Tibetan identified as Gonpo Tsering, 32, a well respected expedition guide who has trekked with foreign celebrities and participated in high profile mountain rescue efforts under has been convicted for allegedly “inciting
splittism” by sending a series of emails and text messages over three days to acquaintances outside China following the protests in Lhasa. The verdict read that the “defendant Gonpo Tsering used the internet to deliberately fabricate rumors, distort the true situation and incite separatism” and such acts are deserving of severe punishment. However the content of the messages were not specified and it is also questionable whether the individuals who are not located in China are even capable of carrying out acts that would “split the nation or undermine unity”, said Dui Hua foundation which doubted that the charges of ‘inciting splittism” could be hence properly applied.
It also appears that Gonpo Tsering was not represented by a lawyer at his appeal hearing which could be the result of the reluctance of most lawyers to take on criminal defense work in political cases in addition to threats of serious consequences to lawyers who volunteer to defend Tibetans, it said. Dui Hua said his case “illustrates both the extent to which Chinese police were engaged in monitoring communications between Tibetans and outsiders” during the widespread unrest in Tibetan areas of China last spring.
Many such trial courts are held in secrecy not allowing media report to the public and the judges normally take minutes to approve state prosecution. This severe monitoring and the potential severe consequences explain the caution of many Tibetans who are discouraged from reporting to the outside world what they have witnessed and experienced thereby allowing official Chinese narrative of events to become dominant, it added. Dua Hua which is a non profit organisation dedicated to improving universal human rights reports that it compels observers to wonder what punishments might be handed down to Tibetans who have been detained for reporting events to outside world or doing even more.
[ top]Chinese court sentences six monks in Chamdo
27 May 2009: According to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), Chinese authority in Chamdo sentenced six Tibetan monks to varying prison terms on 22 May 2009.
Earlier on 5 January 2009, a bomb blast took place in Choekor Township, Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”). The bomb blast incident was followed by few sporadic protests in the area. Few days later, six monks of Dhen Choekor Monastery were arrested on 9 and 10 January 2009 in Jomda County for staging protest demonstration.
Sources told TCHRD that the prime reason for monks’ arrest was their suspicious role in the bomb blast. The court trial commenced in Jomda County People’s Court on 22 May 2009, the court convicted monks with various offenses of the bomb blast, taking part in protests, committing political crimes and the refusal to sign document denouncing the Dalai Lama as a “separatist and anti-China force”.
On 22 May 2009, Jomda County People’s Court sentenced the six monks with varying prison terms. Six monks were identified as abbot Tenzin Gyaltsen, 37, Nyi-chig, 50, ex-treasurer Ngawang Tashi, 51, Tashi Dorjee, 30, all received 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. Chant Master Jamyang Sherab, 42 was sentenced to 13 years and Tsering Palden, 36, was sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Little is known about the court proceedings, as whether the accused received free and fair trials as well as getting adequate legal representation and defense. The TCHRD expresses serious concern about the sentencing of the monks and urges the Chinese government to undertake a fresh look at the harsh sentences handed over to the monks.
[ top]China sentences a monk to life imprisonment term
The Kanlho Intermediate People’s Court today sentenced a Tibetan monk to life imprisonment term, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Numerous sources informed TCHRD that Gannan (Tib: Kanlho) Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Tsultrim Gyatso, a monk of Labrang Monastery for life imprisonment term under the crime of “endangering the state security”. Tsultrim Gyatso, 37, hails from a village called Yig-jang, in Labrang (Ch: Sangchu) County, Gannan “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Gansu Province.
Tsultrim Gyatso was involved in a peaceful protest that took place on 15 March 2008 in Sangchu County. He immediately left Sangchu County after the demonstration to avoid arrest but was eventually tracked down and arrested by Drugchu County Public Security Bureau (PSB) personnel on 22 May 2008. Tibet witnessed massive and unprecedented demonstrations and pro-Tibet agitations in various parts of Tibet which were clamped down by violent crackdowns and suppression. Consequently hundreds and thousands of Tibetans were detained and imprisoned for peaceful exercise of their fundamental human rights and self-determination.
TCHRD expresses its serious concern over the secretive and closed nature of trial under which Tsultrim Gyatso was tried. TCHRD urges the Chinese government to honour the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people.
[ top]TCHRD fears for the fates of two Tibetans sentenced to death
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses its serious concern for the fates of two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, who were sentenced to death by the Lhasa Municipal Intermediate People’s Court on 8 April 2009.
There is no information on whether the duos have appeal to the higher people’s court for review after the death sentence verdict by the Lhasa Intermediate people’s court. If no appeal is presented, then the sentence is automatically review by the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) Higher People’s Court and submitted to the Supreme People’s Court for approval. As the intermediate period of review draws near, TCHRD is seriously concern about the prospects of their imminent execution as it was earlier reported that the two “have to be executed in order to assuage the people’s anger” as quoted saying by the court spokesman in the state media.
The Centre remains unconditionally opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases, as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It should also be noted that the death penalty has never shown to have a special deterrent effect nor should state use it to justify the wrong done by the defendant.
Since the court trial took place in complete secret, almost nothing has been known of the circumstances under which the defendants, detained for more than a year, were tried. It is highly doubtful whether the defendants received anything remotely like international standard for fair trial such as whether defendants were adequately represented by defense lawyers of their choice or to challenge the evidence brought against them in the court. The absence of due legal process is matter of great concern for the Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to face detention and are waiting farce trial. TCHRD, therefore, appeals to the authorities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to rescind the death sentence of Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, and commute their death sentences. The Centre also calls for the authorities to provide them with an opportunity to be re-tried in a judicial process that is more in tune with the international standards which China claims she adheres to.
The series of protests that erupted across Tibetan areas since last spring, saw hundreds of Tibetans being detained arbitrarily, died, disappeared and imprisoned many with harsh prison sentences. According to TCHRD, there are at least 235 known cases of Tibetans having been sentenced so far for varying prison terms. Of which 5 Tibetans were sentenced to death (three with two-year reprieve), 10 Tibetans with life imprisonment and around 130 Tibetans were slapped with 10 years or more of jail terms. The Chinese official statements over the past have revealed only 74 Tibetans sentenced to various prison terms in the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) for their involvement in the ‘March 14 Lhasa riot.’ Ngaba, Sangchu, Kardze region in the eastern part of Tibet in particular witnessed one of the most sustained protests and the highest number of arrest, however, the official Chinese newspaper, Garze Daily, dated 15 May 2009 acknowledged only 28 Tibetans having been sentenced so far in Kardze by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court. The Centre has recorded at least 60 Tibetans from Kardze receiving court sentences so far for their participation in last spring protests.
This week China was re-elected for another three-year term to the 47-members UN Human Rights Council with promise of promoting and protecting human rights. In addition, the Information Office of the China’s State Council on 13 April 2009 published “the First Working Action Plan on Human Rights Protection 2009-2010”, promising citizens more legal protection, better livelihoods and greater civil and political rights that include rights of detainees and the right to a fair trial. Though it was encouraging that the government of the PRC had made the effort to put the document out but China has routinely failed to implement protection enshrined in its own laws. Therefore, it is high time China make sincere effort to respect, follow and implement all the pledges made in the Action Plan which includes death penalty and improvement in judicial procedures for review.
[ top]Students Expelled From School in Kanlho
Two students of Kanlho Tibetan Middle School were expelled from their school on 19 June 2009 for their involvement in peaceful protest on 24 April 2009 According to confirm information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). The expelled students were identified as Dolma Tashi a.k.a. Dolta, 21 years old and Dolma Bum a.k.a. Dolbum, 22 years old, both hailed from Sangkhok Township, Sangchu County, Kanlho “TAP” Gansu Province.
On 24 April 2009, the students of Kanlho Tibetan Middle School took to streets of Sangchu County, the peaceful and non-violent demonstration engulfed because of malpractice in allocating reserved seats of Tibetan students to Chinese students in higher education by the school authorities, according to reliable sources.
According to the latest information obtained by the Centre, other factor for the students taking to street was accrued to the article published under the pseudonym of Yidor entitled “Deception and Meanness of Dalai Lama” and “No Escape for the Dalai” published in bilingual Kanlho Daily, the latter article was not only published in newspaper but it had also been put up on the school notice board.
According to the source, unable to tolerate the smear campaign carried out against their beloved leader, the students started off the demonstration from their school, Kanlho Tibetan Middle School, and headed towards the county main market area raising slogans. Reportedly the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) stopped the students in the outskirts of the main market area. According to sources on the ground, the students were driven back to the school and a strong contingent of Public Security Bureau Personnels and People’s Armed Police (PAP) have surrounded the school barring anyone from entering or leaving. The parents of the students have been summoned at the school and they were asked to ensure that no such demonstration will take place in future.
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
TCHRD conducts its XXIst workshop in South India
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| The local people pay close attention to the speaker during the public talk |
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) conducted its XXIst workshop on Human Rights and Democracy at the Lugsam Tibetan Settlement Hall, Bylakupee, Karnataka, South India from 23-26 June 2009.
A total of 75 participants attended the 4-day workshop on “Human Rights and Democracy” from five different Tibetan Settlement in South India, including, Bylakupee Lugsam, Bylakupee Dekyi Lharsoe, Mundgod Tibetan Settlement, Kollegal, and Hunsur. The 4-day workshop was attended by 75 participants who represented the local groups such as Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (RTWA), Local Assembly, Tibetan Freedom Movement, Administrators from Monasteries and Nunneries, Co-operative Society and Camp Leaders.
TCHRD received tremendous response from the audience during the feed back session after the workshop.
Resource persons and related topics
Mr. Urgen Tenzin Centre’s the Executive Director gave a talk on the history of the Tibetan democratization process in Exile Mr. Jampa Monlam covered a detailed account of Current Human Rights Situation in Tibet. Mr. Pema Jugney gave a comprehensive a talk on role of parliamentary systems and administration functions. He also delivered a talk on local assembly and its important role.
Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, the chief election commissioner gave a detailed account of the participatory democracy in exile by discussing statistical data, facts and figures of past elections. Moreover, he urged and stressed how important it was for the Tibetan people to pay special attention to electoral politics, which has been considered as the backbone of any democracy. Ven. Geshe Kelsang Damdul, the assistant Director of Institute for Buddhist Dialectics delivered a gripping talk on relationship between “Tibetan Buddhism and Human Rights.
Mr. Thupten Lungrig, the minister of the Department of Education delivered two seminal talks on the topics of “Non Violence Activism and Middle Way Approach” as well as the function of the Executive Body (Kashag)”.
[ top]TCHRD organizes public talk
On 27 June 2009, the TCHRD) organized a public talk at Dekyi Lharsoe Hall, Bylakupee. More than 600 local Tibetans were attended the talk and the Centre’s Executive Director, Mr. Urgen Tenzin gave a brief introduction into the Centre’s main process of functioning and works on Human Rights Situation in Tibet. Mr. Thupten Lungrig, Minister of Education and Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, election commissioner delivered comprehensive talks on how the importance of the Tibetan people to pay special attention to electoral politics, which has been considered as backbone of any democracy. They also emphasized about the need to know about the candidate’s background, proceeding, their rights, duties and most importantly the people’s involvement in electing their representatives to the Tibetan Parliament in Exile.
In keeping with upcoming election of the Kalon Tripa, they both urged and called upon the participants to start to elect the right candidate for the next Kalon Tripa. The Centre provided special time for a question and answer session for the public before conclusion.
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