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Human Rights Update and Archives
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| Chinese security forces |
According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a Chinese court on 13 August 2009 in Golog “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”) sentenced eight Tibetans to varying prison sentences. The People’s Court of Machen County, Golog “TAP”, Qinghai Province sentenced six monks and two lay Tibetans to varying prison terms for taking part in a peaceful protest on 21 March 2009.
Machen County People’s Court found them guilty of inciting protests and demonstrations against the Chinese government following the suicide of Tashi Sangpo, who took his own life by drowning into Yellow River [Tib: Machu River] on 21 March 2009. The suicide of monk Tashi Sangpo was blamed for the prolong detention coupled with harsh beatings, inhumane torture and long interrogation he suffered at the local detention centre since his arrest on 10 March 2009. Subsequently, by late afternoon of 21 March 2009, few moments after the news of Tashi Sangpo’s suicide, Ragya monks stormed the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) office to demand answer for Tashi Sangpo’s death. In response the Chinese authorities arrested many monks of Ragya Monastery and other ordinary Tibetans, of which eighth of them were tried by the People’s Court of Machen County, Golog “TAP”, Qingahi Province and sentenced to varying prison terms on 13 August 2009.The eight indicted Tibetans were identified as:
1. Monk Palden Gyatso, a disciplinarian at Ragya Monastery, sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment.
2. Monk Tsultrim, a former disciplinarian of Ragya Monastery was given four years of rigorous imprisonment. He was also a former Chant master, well trained in performing ritual prayers and a scholar on vinaya teachings (monastic code of conduct).
3. Monk Sangpo was given three-year prison sentence. He was a former treasurer of Ragya Monastery.
4. Monk Jamyang Khedrub was sentenced to two-year prison term. He was the secretary of the Board of Directors of Ragya Monastery.
5. Monk Gendun was given one-year prison sentence.
6. Monk Sherab Sangpo, 27, was sentenced to two-year prison term.
7. Hu-lo from Gya-sa Village (lay person) was given one-year prison sentence.
8. Yang-kyab from Gya-sa Village (lay person) was given six-months prison sentence.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses its serious concern over Chinese authorities’ manhandling of the case and awarding lengthy prison sentences to what was a mere and ordinary exercise of the freedom of expression and opinion guaranteed by the Chinese Constitutions and other International Conventions to which China is a state party. In the light of this, the Centre urges the Chinese government to reverse the verdict imposed by Machen County People’s Court and ensures fair and free trial to the eight Tibetans. The Centre appeals to the international community to intervene in the unfair sentencing of six Ragya monks and two Tibetans.
[ top]China arrests brothers on run
China arrested two Tibetan brothers from Kardze who were involved in last year’s 18 March protest against Chinese rule in Kardze County (Ch: Ganzi/Garze). They were on the run for more than a year until got arrested from Jyekundo at the beginning of this month, according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Tenpa, a 30-year-old and his younger brother, Jamdo, 25, are farmers from Rapa Village, Zakhog Township, Kardze County, Kardze “TAP”, Sichuan Province. Brothers were actively involved in last year’s 18 March protest in Kardze County which was joined by hundreds of Tibetans and left at least three people dead.
They managed to avoid arrest following massive protest marred by large number of arbitrary detentions of protesters in Kardze region. Tenpa and Jamdo had been hiding in the nearby hills and moving from one place to another over the year to avoid being arrested. However, after more than a year on the run, both were known to have been arrested by the Security forces at the beginning of May 2009 in Jyekundo (Ch: Yushu/Jiegu), Jyekundo “TAP”, Qinghai Province, according to information received by the Centre. There is no information on where the duos were currently held and their current condition. TCHRD condemns in strongest term over the arbitrary arrest of Tenpa and Jamdo and calls for their immediate release. In the past week, few former Tibetan protesters involved in the last year’s protests in Tibet, have escaped and arrived in India, including two Tibetans from Kardze who were present along with Tenpa and Jamdo during 18 March protest in Kardze.
According to the official report given in the Garze Daily dated 19 May 2009, Kardze People’s Procutorate announced that 73 Tibetans have been arrested under the crimes of endangering state security, inciting to split the country and espionage. Of which 34 Tibetans have appealed for a trial in the court. Similarly, on 15 May 2009, the same official daily quoted the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court as saying that 28 Tibetans have been sentenced and another 19 Tibetans have been interrogated in accordance with law so far in Kardze on cases involving endangering state security. However, according to information gathered by the Centre, around 98 Tibetans were known to have been sentenced to varying prison terms for their participation in protests since March 2008.
[ top]Tsering Gyurmey and Tsering Dhargyal
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Tsering Gyurmey Tsering Gyurmey was born in Palyul, a remote village in south western Tibet, in Lhopa Township, Kardze County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. After his elementary education at the village school, he was admitted to Tsi Tsang Monastery at the age of sixteen. Subsequently after ten years of monastic education, he became relatively well versed in Buddhist scriptures and performing rites and rituals.
Life at Tsi Tsang Monastery was one of quiet contemplation; however, on 18 March 2008 most parts of Tibetan inhabited areas were gripped by unprecedented protests and demonstrations against the unpopular rule of the Chinese government. Hundreds and thousands of Tibetans actively took part in protest demonstrations which was clamped down with heavy handed security crackdown and repression.
A twenty six-years-old frail and weak Tsering Gyurmey was one of the protesters in Kardze County. During the demonstration, he and other protesters came across Chinese security personnel armed with automatic guns. Within few moments, he and other protesters were surrounded and trapped. Except for few protesters, all of them were arrested by Chinese security personnel.
When interviewed by TCHRD, Tsering Gyurmey testified, “For long I thought about the treatments of Chinese government towards our Tibetan brothers and sisters in Tibet. We were denied of fundamental human rights, and of Tibetans reeled under repression. We were not given freedom to worship and study religious teachings in religious institutions as they were subjected to intense regulation and control. In monasteries, monks and nuns were subjected to difficult sessions of ideological campaigns called “patriotic education”. Under this campaign, monks and nuns were repeatedly demanded to show allegiance to communist party and to denounce the Dalai Lama in many ways. Those who defied government orders either disappeared or were imprisoned. Those of us who follow teachings of the Dalai Lama were branded “separatist” under the sway of hostile international forces. In all those years, the pressure was building within us and it exploded on 18 March 2008 when entire Tibet was boiling.
On 18 March 2008, around 2 pm (Beijing standard time) we started our protest in Kardze County and at that time there were only one hundred Tibetans. As we marched on the road, we shouted slogans such as “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, “Dalai Lama return to Tibet”, “Free Tibet”, “No human rights in Tibet”, “No freedom of expression, religion and the government must release the XI Panchen Lama and all other political prisoners”. Pamphlets listing demands were distributed during the demonstration and as we went on with the march more and more people joined us. When we were marching on “Liberation Highway” (named after the route through China’s first People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet), there were about 1000 marchers and protesters.
We continued and went past the head office of Kardze Public Security Bureau (PSB) and it was where the first encounter with the Chinese security personnel began. Within minutes, Chinese security forces fired indiscriminately at protesters. There was chaos, tear gas smokes and protesters fleeing in all directions. It has been now one year and two months since the first demonstration erupted but small protests still erupt in Kardze County. Few months ago Tibetans in Tehor forego cultivating their farms as a gesture of mourning for those many Tibetans killed and died in the last year’s crackdown.
My young brother Tenzin Youden participated in a demonstration on 20 May 2008, two months after the first major protest where he was arrested and later sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment. His own uncle Sonam Nyima was later branded as a ring leader. He is still being kept under custodial detention.”
Autobiography of Tsering Dhargyal
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| tsering dhargye |
“My name is Tsering Dhargye. I was born to Thupten (father) and Sandhup (mother) in Rotsa Township, Kardze County, Kardze “TAP” Sichuan Province. We have six members in our family. Due to financial problem I was forced to drop out of the school at age of 18, I was ordained as monk in Kardze Monastery. After that I campaign for the cause of Tibet at Kardze, campaign includes human rights for the Tibetan people, freedom for Tibet, Swift return of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, release of Panchen Rinpoche, unfurled the Tibetan National flag and distributed leaflets.
“In year 2002, the people of Kardze headed by the monks of Kardze Monastery and Jomo Monastery to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ringleaders of the Long life Prayer Offering (Tib: Tenshug) were arrested gradually by the Chinese authority from the spring of that year. On 26 October 2002 (Tibetan Lunar Calendar) three Public Security Bureau PAB official of Kardze (PSB) arrested me. The PSB official called on the DMC member (Democratic Management Committee) of the monastery to inspect my room. The DMC member informed the PSB official that I was under medical treatment because of my ill health. The PSB official told that since I was involved in separatist activities; I have to be imprisoned despite very poor health problem”
In prison, I was subjected to harsh treatment for three months; despite very poor health that coupled with deteriorating health condition that I was fainted on few occasions. On one occasion after I fainted, I woke up to realize that I was admitted in a hospital with PSB official and medical staff around me. Later PSB official and the medical staff of the hospital conspired and informed my family members about my admission in hospital. The PSB officials even threatened me drive conceive if I ever disclose anything about torture, reason for my poor heath and fine of Chinese RMB 7000 to any of my family members.
In People’s hospital, the treatment doesn’t yield any result after several days of medication and have to shift to another hospital on my own expense, and gradually my health started to improve. After that with the help of my teacher and relatives; my treatment was continued at Dartsedo and Threntue city in Dartsedo County, Kardze “TAP” Sichuan Province and I am still on medicine.
In March 2008, the people from three region of Tibet stood up against the Chinese government; and the general public of Kardze County protested with same vigor as that of rest of Tibetan people and other Tibetan Region or Area. The slogans were same as that of other protestors namely “swift return of Dalai Lama”, “human rights for Tibetan people”, “freedom for Tibet”, “religious freedom” and “release of Penchen Rinpoche”
Like any other Tibetans in Tibet, I have a strong desire to have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. With that dream and great desire, I search for a guide who could take me to the other side of border. I left my Fatherland on 14 May 2009 and head towards Nepal Capital and safely reached the Tibetan Reception Centre based in Kathamdu Nepal. From then I reached to Dharamsala.
[ top]Local authorities confirm 3 Tibetans who were killed during the 2008 uprising in Tibet
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| Shayshay |
The three Tibetans identified as Gyaltsen, 25 from Yakde village, Phuntsok Tsering, 20 from Yakde Lude and Mingyur, 20 from Yakde Khangsar. They were known to be doing small income jobs in Lhasa for their livelihood.
On 14 March 2008, many Tibetans were killed when the Chinese armed forces indiscriminately fired in to the protesting crowd and many of those arrested continue to receive arbitrary and harsh prison sentence.
According to the information received by the Centre, more than 120 Tibetans were killed, over 5,600 were arrested and more than 1000 simply disappeared during the 2008 uprising in Tibet.
[ top]A Tibetan sentenced 5 years prison-term for 2008 uprising in Tibet
On 5 April 2009, a Tibetan who identified as Sangyal Tashi was sentenced for five years in prison term for involving in last year peaceful demonstration against the Chinese government’s repression and suppression in Kardze County, Kardze Tibet Autonomous prefecture, Sichuan Province, by the Chinese Intermediate People’s Court in Kardze County according to the confirmed information received by Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On 21 June 2008, Sangyal Tashi, 38 walked in the Street of Kardze County with emblazoned a Tibetan national flag on his face and displaying independence slogans on his head.
Sangyal Tashi distributed leaflets reiteration that “Tibet belongs to the Tibetans” and “demanded the Chinese government to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet” and “to stop the Olympic torch relay through Tibet” during the Chinese government imposed heavy security in and around the Streets of Lhasa Capital of Tibet to crackdown the protestors before Olympic torch relay reach in the Capital at time the whole County was under heavy surveillance of military pour in the area.
[ top]Mining project in Meldro Gungkar put Tibetan Livelihood and environment in jeopardy
According to the information received by Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Chinese government mining project in the Meldro Gungkar County Lhasa Municipality “TAR” endangered human lives and environment due to the toxic waste dump from the mining work. Local residents from Gyama Township have filed a petition calling the Chinese authorities to take immediate step for stopping the mining project because of the drying up of spring water, water poisoning and extermination of flora and fauna of the region. In Recent time more than 1000 domestic animals had died due to toxic water.
But the local government has not yet responded to the petition and deliberately overlooked the genuine concerns of the local residents. The whole region is under heavy military surveillance, with imposition of severe restrictions on communication to outside world and people visiting the region.
On 20 June 2009, Three Tibetans were seriously injured in a clash between the local Tibetans and Chinese miners after the miners tried to divert irrigation water to a working site on 20 June 2009.
The residents later approached a group of visiting officials of “Tibet Autonomous Region” and demanded the complete withdraw of mining activities. After withdrawing the miners from mining site on the following day, the authorities sent work teams to warn the local Tibetans not to oppose the mining project and threatened them to be charged with engaging in political activities.
The local people have now little hope on international environmental and health organizations to pressurize the Chinese government to bring an immediate end to the mining activities in their locality.
[ top]Two Monks disappeared after raid in Labrang Monastery
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| Tsondi Gyatso |
The Chinese security forces arrested two monks from Labrang Monastery on 14 May 2009 during a raid in their residences. The whereabouts of the arrestees remain unknown to their family members till date. This is the fourth time they were arrested by the Chinese authorities since last year’s protests in Labrang which saw one of the biggest and most sustained protests, according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
The two monks of Labrang Monastery; Tsundue Gyatso, 35 years old, hailed from Gyengya Village, Labrang County (Ch: Sangchu/Xiahe xian), whereas Sonam Gyatso, 38, was from Sangkok Village, Labrang County, Kanlho “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’), Gansu Province.
The two monks were earlier arrested and released thrice by the Chinese security forces for their participations in a series of protests that took place in Labrang last year. The latest arrest came when a sudden raid was carried out inside Labrang Monastery’s residence quarter by a large number of Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on 14 May 2009. There is dearth of information on where the duo was taken to.
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| Sonam Gyatso |
Following their arrest, the family members and close associates of Tsundue and Sonam Gyatso approached the local Public Security office to ascertain their status as well as to deliver foods and clothing to the detainees. The concerned security officials reportedly told the family members that a fresh interrogation is needed to clarify on certain things related to last year’s protests in Labrang and that they would be released shortly. However, they continue to face detention without any knowledge of their status to the family members.
There are cases of Tibetans having been re-arrested for their participation in last year’s protest. Among those, the most prominent case being Labrang Jigme a.k.a Jigme Guri, who was first arrested on 22 March 2008, later detained and tortured for two months in the detention centre for his suspected role in 14 March 2008 protest in Labrang. He was later released on medical ground. Jigme was re-arrested on 4 November 2008 for exposing Chinese brutality to the international media. He was finally released on 3 May 2009.
[ top]A Monk of Labrang Monastery abducted in a raid
A Tibetan monk of Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County (Ch:Xiahe Xian ) Kanlho (Ch: Gannan) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) Gansu Province was arbitrarily abducted from his residence during a raid in May this year, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Tsayul Kelsang Gyatso was hailed from Tsayul Village in Sangchu County, Kanlho “TAP” Gansu Province. He was ordained as a monk at Labrang Monastery at an early age. He was a student of the dialectics school of Labrang Monastery at the time of his abduction. Tsayul Kelsang Gyatso was abducted from his residence when a sudden raid was carried out by a large number of Sangchu County Public Security Bureau (PSB) forces in the evening of 22 May 2009.
According to sources, he was taken with his head covered with black cloth by the security forces during the raid. The exact reason for his abduction was not known at the moment, but sources told the Centre that he could have been abducted under the suspicion of his past involvement in political activities. Labrang County in particular witnessed one of the biggest and most sustained protests last year. Tsayul Kelsang Gyatso was known to have been closely watched and followed by security forces before being arbitrarily abducted in a raid in his Labrang Monastery’s residence quarter. There is no information on his current whereabouts and physical well being.
This is not the first known case of the abduction of a Tibetan monk in the Labrang Monastery. On 14 May 2009, two monks of the same monastery were arrested during a raid. The whereabouts of the arrestees still remain unknown to their family members.
TCHRD strongly condemns the arbitrary abduction of Tsayul Kelsang Gyatso from his residence. TCHRD also calls upon the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to immediately release all the Tibetan prisoners of conscience arbitrarily detained over the peaceful exercise of their fundamental human rights. It is matter of great concern that monastic institutions in particular have come under a severe clampdown in the recent past. There are still hundreds of Tibetans whose whereabouts and current status remain unknown to their family members and close associates. The government should guarantee, under all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Tsayul Kelsang Gyatso and ensure that his family members are informed of his whereabouts and wellbeing.
[ top]China displaces tens and thousands of Tibetans in Tawu County
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received reliable information that the Tibetans in Tawu County protested against a construction of a major hydroelectric dam that resulted in a displacement of tens and thousands of local Tibetans.
Currently the Chinese government is undertaking a construction of a major hydroelectric dam between Nyag-chu and Tawu County, which is resulting in a large-scale displacement of local Tibetans in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”), Sichuan Province, much against their wishes.
The local Chinese authorities on 24 May 2009 issued orders to local Tibetans to assemble at Tawu County headquarter for a public announcement. During the meeting, the local Tibetans were told about Chinese government’s plan to re-settle them to some other place so as to clear the way for the construction of hydroelectric dam.
Just moments after the announcement of dam construction, local Tibetans in the gathering immediately broke up into major protest against the government plans. They were reportedly shouting slogans to the local authorities that, “ this place has been our ancestral dwelling place for countless generations and therefore we don’t want to leave our homes. We are not going to move away to any other places come what may.”
Within moments, Chinese security personnel consisting of both Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People’s Armed Police (PAP) lobbed tear gas and carried out violent means to disperse the agitating crowd. During the crackdown, six Tibetans including a 70-year-old woman, Guru Dolma, Rigzin Dolma and others sustained serious injuries at the hands of Chinese security personnel. The seriously injured Tibetans were taken away in a van to a nearby hospital but there was no information about their well-being and health condition.
Since the commencement of the dam construction in last year in Tawu County, the Chinese authorities had been forcing local Tibetans to re-locate and abandon their ancestral homes and those who defy official decree were beaten and tortured. Of late, 5 May 2009, the Chinese security forces as well as construction workers have been stationing in Wara town to push ahead the construction of the dam.
[ top]TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN
A video appeal from a Tibetan inside Tibet to the International Community
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The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), on 28 August 2009 at 3:00PM organized a press conference at Lhakpa Tsering Hall, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) on the fresh videotaped information received from Tibet that appeal to the International communities to act swiftly on behalf of the Tibetan people who are victims of human rights violations in Tibet.
Kalsang Tsultrim also known by pseudonym of Gyitsang Takmig is a monk of Gyitsang Gaden Choekorling Monastery in Sangchu County (Ch:Xiahe), Kanlho “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’), Gansu Province, one of the main focal points of last year’s protests in Tibet. Kalsang Tsultrim took a great personal risk of recording and distributing video testimony giving detail account of Tibetan history since the flight of Dalai Lama into exile, lack of human rights in Tibet, suffering of Tibetan people, struggle, hopes, aspirations of Tibetan people inside Tibet and his appeal to the outside world. The hour long video testimony was recorded on 18 July 2009 and was later edited with the input of related video footages and snaps for the final version in a VCD that was widely distributed in many Tibetan areas in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan Province. Kalsang is well versed in writing essays, composing lyrics etc. He had even authored a book.
According to the source who delivered the video testimony told the Centre that, “ Kalsang Tsultrim wishes to distribute this video as widely as possible inside Tibet notwithstanding a great personal risk involved so as to educate primarily the illiterates and general Tibetan public who were fed with daily dose of government-sponsored propaganda with the true history of Tibetan struggle for freedom, the Dalai Lama’s call for the genuine autonomy through middle way approach, human rights situation in Tibet. He dealt in length with the Tibetan people’s hope and aspiration of the Dalai Lama’s return to rightful place, lack of human rights including religious freedom that led to the flight of many religious leaders including Karmapa, Arja Rinpoche and others who could have easily chosen luxury and privileges under the Chinese government rather than coming into exile.”
Kalsang Tsultrim video testimony also touches many recent events in Tibet and Chinese government policies which led to the displacement of a large number of Tibetan nomads in the name of development, and thereby completely altering their nomadic way of life, extraction of Tibet’s natural resources, destruction of fragile environment, economic marginalization and social exclusion of Tibetans, lack of freedom etc. He further elucidates on recent farming boycott movement in Tibet, self-immolation bid by Lobsang Tashi a.k.a Tapey of Kirti Monastery, suicide by a monk of Ragya Monastery, arbitrary arrest, detention of thousands of Tibetans post 2008 March protests in Tibet. The video message also appeals to the United Nations and International communities that they have moral obligation to speak on behalf of the Tibetan people inside Tibet who are living in constant fear and under severe repression.
Kalsang went on to retort the Chinese law on National Regional Autonomy by saying, “the laws on national regional autonomy stipulated under the Chinese Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of minorities including Tibetans. But in reality it is a completely different scenario where our fundamental rights are not being respected at all. Tibet is governed as just another territory or region in the People’s Republic of China, but nothing is done to build the harmonious society that the government promises.”
“We do not have freedom of religion and politics because most of the religious and political websites are full of propaganda that distorts the situation. We do not hate the Chinese, but we respect truth and justice. We were protesting against Chinese rule because the local authorities are not acting according to China’s Constitution and autonomy laws. The Premier of the People’s Republic of China said that China respects truth and justice. But Tibetans don’t have equal religious, political, and economic rights. So, many Tibetan people sacrificed their lives to protest against Chinese rule [over the past year], including myself here today, because we want equal human rights and freedom. We will never give up our fight for freedom and truth until Chinese policies change regarding the implementation of the Constitution,” Kalsang concluded.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) consider the video message and view conveyed by Kalsang Tsultrim purely as general exercise of the fundamental freedom of expression and right to opinion enshrined in the Chinese constitution and other major international covenants that China is party to. The Centre believes that the message and views conveyed by Kalsang is widely shared by people inside Tibet. Kalsang’s outburst is a sign of China’s continuing repression inside Tibet and a manifestation of widespread human rights violations. His initiative in this expose under such risky circumstances indicates the deep seated helplessness that pushes Tibetan people’s endurance to the very edge of human capacity.
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