March 2010 - Human Rights Update

Human Rights Update and Archives

March 2009

Chinese court sentences Serthar monk to lengthy prison term [ read ]

China arrests three monks, closes school in Qinghai [ read ]

China launches “Strike Hard” Campaign ahead of sensitive anniversary [ read ]

China detains hundreds of Tibetans in Lhasa under “Strike Hard Campaign” [ read ]

Tibetan Students Stage Protest in Machu [ read ]

High school students arrested following protest in Gansu [ read ]

Teachers sacked from school for allegedly inciting students protest [ read ]

China arrests protesting teenage monks in Sertha [ read ]

TCHRD Activities Bulletin:

South Asia Regional Consultation Meeting with the UN Expert on Food [ read ]

TCHRD begins talk series on upcoming elections of exile leaders [ read ]

Chinese court sentences Serthar monk to lengthy prison term

A Chinese Intermediate People’s court in Sichuan Province has sentenced a Tibetan monk, who remained incommunicado since his arrest in July 2008, to seven years in prison and deprivation of political rights for a year, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

The Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Sichuan Province had sentenced Ngagchung (only one name), 39-year-old monk of Larung Gar Buddhist Institute of Serthar, Sertha County, Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) to seven years in prison and deprivation of political rights for a year in January this year. There is no information on the exact date of court trial, under what charges he was convicted whether he was given any legal rights guarantee under the Chinese constitution and international laws.

The Centre questions the legality of such court sentence and urged the international communities to intervene in the unfair and arbitrary sentencing of Ngagchung, the trial which was held without the knowledge of his family members and failed to meet the minimal international judicial standards, required for a fair trial.

He was arrested by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on 8 July 2008 along with two other monks; Taphun and Gudrak of Larung Gar Buddhist Institute of Serthar on suspicion of leaking information about Tibet’s situation to the ‘separatist forces’ outside during the height of the Tibet protests in 2008. They were arrested by the security forces at Chengdu, during one of their trip in relation to the monastery’s duties at the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. Although Taphun and Gudrak-both brothers- were released after interrogation, Ngagchung continue to remain in detention at Chengdu PSB Detention Centre since his arrest. Every request made by the family to visit him were turned down. At present he is known to be incarcerated in a prison at a place called Ya’An, on the periphery of Chengdu city.

Ngagchung is a nephew of the late Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, a highly –respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher who founded the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County (Ch: Seda), Kardze ‘TAP’. Ngagchung studied Buddhist philosophy at the Institute for more than 20 years. He has always been active in and respected by the member of the institute.

Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County witnessed numerous Chinese crackdowns in 1999 and April 2000 with Chinese authorities sending ‘work team’ officials to conduct the ‘Patriotic re-education’ campaign in the institute. Later, on 18 April 2001, the Chinese authorities imposed a quota on the number of students who could attend the institution. Some 7,000 students were forced to leave. Then in June 2001 fifty trucks and jeeps arrived at the Institute and, under the protection of thousands of security officials who camped on the outskirts of the Institute tore down the monastic homes. The founder of the institute, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, passed away under mysterious circumstance at a hospital in Chengdu on 7 January 2004 at the age of 70.

The Centre considers the right to a fair trial as a basic human right and every Tibetan should be guaranteed as enshrined in the Chinese constitution and major international covenants to which China is party to. Right to fair trial is one of the universally applicable principles recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948 and still the cornerstone of the international human rights system. The right to fair trial has been reaffirmed and elaborated since 1948 in legally binding treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and in numerous other international and regional treaties and non-treaty standards, adopted by the UN and by regional intergovernmental bodies.

[ top]

China arrests three monks, closes school in Qinghai

Three monks of Ditsa Monastery including a reincarnated lama was arbitrarily arrested and detained by the Chinese security forces under suspicion of their involvement in pasting political pamphlets in the monastery and a school run by the monastery was forcibly closed for unknown reason, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

According to source, on 14 March 2010, numerous pamphlets calling for the “swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet” and “end to the repression in Tibet” were pasted around Ditsa Monastery. The monastery is located in Ditsa Township, Bayan (Ch: Hualong) County in Haidong Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Following the incident, Hualong local government staff along with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials and People’s Armed Police (PAP) arrived at the Monastery and cordoned off the entire monastery.

Following which three monks: Tulku Woeser, Yeshi, 20, and Jamyang, 19, were arbitrarily detained under the suspicion of their involvement in the incident and took them to Hualong PSB office for questioning. According to source, Tulku Woeser was released after two days of detention and questioning while Yeshi and Jamyang still continue to remain in PSB detention.

Yeshi and Jamyang were born at Lobha Gyatsa Village, Tsigorthang County (Ch: Xinghai), Tsolho (Ch: Hainan) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (‘TAP’), Qinghai Province.

As of now, a number of PSB and PAP forces are stationed inside the monastery, calling off the daily religious practices of monks inside the monastery and placed restriction on gathering of monks. Similarly, Sherig Rinchen Norling School established and run since 1992 by Ditsa Monastery was forcibly ordered to close down on 8 March 2010 for unknown reason. The monastic school which caters to the basic education needs of young novices are taught Buddhist philosophy, Chinese and English language. At the time of its closure there were around 70 students. There is no information on the fates of those young monks studying at Sherig Rinchen Norling School.

TCHRD expresses serious concern over the wellbeing and safety of Yeshi and Jamyang and calls on the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to immediately and unconditionally release both of them since their detention is arbitrary. The government should guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of two detained monks as well as of all Tibetans who were arbitrarily detained over the years. Freedom of expression, opinion and assembly are fundamental human rights enshrined in the Chinese constitution and in international human rights instruments ratified by the PRC government.

[ top]

China launches “Strike Hard” Campaign ahead of sensitive anniversary

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy(TCHRD) condemns in strongest term over Chinese authorities’ launching of the “Strike Hard” campaign aimed at carrying out further detentions of Tibetans in Tibet as the March anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising approaches.

According to information given in the official newspaper Lhasa Evening News (Ch: Lasa Wen Bao) on 3 March 2010, “the Lhasa City Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials under the order of Lhasa City government, the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) PSB, “TAR” Party Committee and Lhasa City Party Committee had carried out the “Strike Hard” Campaign from 9:00PM (Beijing standard time) yesterday across the Tibetan Capital, Lhasa….the campaign was also launched across all seven prefectures under the “TAR” in order to strike hard according to law against all kinds of criminal activity and to vigorously uphold the social order and stability.” The length of this campaign was not mentioned and it may last for months. Additional security forces in full combat gear were deployed in and around Lhasa City and at its every entry points to the city. Vehicles plying to and from Lhasa city were thoroughly searched and requiring anyone entering or leaving the city to show identification. New security barricades were set up to look for any possible suspects and round-the-clock security measures were also undertaken. Security forces in combat uniform were seen patrolling the major gathering points, high prone areas, and raids were also carried out in guest houses. There is no information on how this campaign has fared in other prefectures under the “TAR”.

According to the official report, the Lhasa City PSB officials during the campaign last night detained 70 people without official registration card and identity card from rented houses located on the Sera Road. Seven counties under the Lhasa Municipality also carried out the “strike hard” campaign on war footing with major search and raid being carried out.

The new “Strike Hard” campaign is being launched after years of severely tight security and most repressive political conditions in Tibet. Unlike previous “strike hard” campaigns which mostly focused in Lhasa city, this time the campaign has been launched across the “TAR” simultaneously. This new development signals authorities’ hardening policies in Tibet and the authorities’ preemptive move to squash any imminent new protest in the coming days.

“Strike Hard” campaigns are normally carried out in various parts of the People’s Republic of China prior to major events, including national holidays, anniversaries, as well as before the main annual government and Party conferences, often with the stated intention of “cleansing the social environment.” The “strike hard” campaign launched on 5 March 2010 could be a prelude to a series of arbitrary detention and arrests prior to the 10 March Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCC), China’s top advisory body that convenes today and the annual plenary sessions of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) on Friday. Though the primary objective of the current “strike hard” campaign was mentioned as fighting criminals, upholding social order and stability, however, the TCHRD believes the primary motive behind this infamous campaign as the authorities’ attempt to detain those Tibetans suspected to be involved in political activism, target former political prisoners and Tibetan residents from outside Lhasa city, monks and nuns as sensitive date approaches. Under this campaign, the Chinese law enforcement bodies abuse the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people through arbitrary arrest, detention, interrogation and torture, dismissal from jobs and expulsion from religious institutions. TCHRD condemns the launch of “strike hard” campaign and question the motive behind the campaign.

With unprecedented levels of security presence already throughout Tibet, with the launch of this campaign, TCHRD fears a widespread unlawful detentions of Tibetans will intensify in the coming weeks and months, and that they may be used to silence, intimidate and stifle political dissent in the build up to the 10 March Anniversary when the authorities fear fresh unrest following the wave of protests that swept across the Tibetan plateau in the past couple of years.

[ top]

China detains hundreds of Tibetans in Lhasa under “Strike Hard Campaign”

Security forces checking ID during the Strik-Hard Campaign

With the launch of “Strike Hard” Campaign in the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (‘TAR’) from 2nd March, the Chinese security forces had detained nearly 500 Tibetans alone from Lhasa city alone, according to reports given in the state run web portal.

According to the official report dated 4 March 2010 given in the state run web portal www.chinatibet.com, “during the campaign, the Lhasa City Public Security Bureau Police Brigade (Ch: Lasa Gong An Ju Xing Jing Zhi Dui) raided a total of 4,115 rented accommodations, thoroughly checked 60 high prone areas where crime is concentrated, gathering areas for floating population, places with complex social order and iniquity, carried out comprehensive checks on a total of 7,347 non-permanent residents of the city, raided more than 70 guest houses, internet cafes, entertainment centre and bars; and detained a total of 435 people. Of these 7 were arrested on theft and burglary, 3 persons on stealing motor bikes, 1 person for duping, 3 others suspected burglary accomplices.” There is no detail information or reasons were given on the remaining people who were arbitrarily detained during the “strike hard” campaign launched since 2 March 2010.

The same web news portal dated 5 March carried a report on the “Strike Hard” campaign stating, “the Lhasa City PSB headquarters had mobilized 1,134 of its personnel and more than other 300 security forces raiding in total 2,787 rented accommodations; 21 high prone areas; 71 Karaoke bars, guest houses, internet cafes, bars; confiscated 12 knives and 6 banned publications and detained 49 suspects without “three no” (Ch: San Wu)” The latter refers to Identity card, household registration card (Ch: Hukou) and Temporary stay permit (Ch: Zian Zhu Zheng). The report also said that a nun was detained but no detail was given.

According to our sources, in the past few days the movement of monks from three major monasteries in and around Lhasa city: Drepung, Gaden and Sera were restricted for indefinite period, however, the monasteries’ staffs dealing with food supplies to these monasteries were known to have been issued special permit by the authorities for their daily duties.

To spur up further restriction and crackdown on potential dissent ahead of sensitive anniversary, Lhasa Neighborhood Committee under the Lhasa Metropolitan area had formed a new “security escort staff “ in each and every sub-districts since 1 March. This new body will work in conjunction with the local public security officials. The primary objective of this new body was cited as “to maintain social order, thorough inspection and tracking down of suspects, and detaining those without “three no” viz. Identity card, household registration card (Ch: Hukou) and Temporary stay permit and prompt reporting of such cases to the local police station. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) believe that this new requirement signals authorities’ attempt to target and stranglehold those Tibetans from outside “TAR” who are on visit to the holy city for pilgrimage or engaged in businesses as many of those Tibetans were known to be actively involved in the Spring 2008 protests in Lhasa.

TCHRD condemns this campaign in strongest terms and calls upon the government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately end this infamous campaign which under the guise of fighting crimes and upholding stability violates and abuses many fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people through arbitrary arrest, detention, interrogation, restriction on the free movement of people. TCHRD believes that the Chinese authorities are using this campaign as double-edged sword to fight crimes and uphold stability as stated objective but at the same time it is using this campaign to silence, intimidate and stifle political dissent ahead of sensitive anniversary.

[ top]

Tibetan Students Stage Protest in Machu

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed information that a group of Tibetan middle school students staged a demonstration against the imposition of immeasurable restriction in the area during the second anniversary of nation-wide uprising in Tibet.

According to sources, on 14 March 2010, around 30 students from the Tibetan Middle School in Machu [Ch: Maqu] protested in streets close to the county center and later protesters were joined by 500 to 600 other Tibetans and chanting slogans “Lack of freedom and Tibetan Independence”

At least 40 people were known to have been detained and other protesters were surrounded by security forces during the protest. Following their detention, the local Tibetan residents of around 400-500 were demanded the release of those detained in front of government office. “

[ top]

High school students arrested following protest in Gansu

Chinese security forces detained Tibetan high school students after later protested in the streets of at least two towns in western China in March during the 51 Anniversary of Uprising against Chinese occupation, according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Immediately after the protest, at least 20 teenagers were taken into custody by police in the remote western town of Hezuo, told TCHRD.

According to another sources, on March 14, a group of teenagers staged protest against the Chinese government in the streets of Marchu County (ch: Maqu) in Gansu Province and chanted pro-Tibetans slogans.

After series of protests took place in town, the Chinese government imposed strict restriction on the movement of people and deployed military forces in the area causing difficulties for people to go for their daily works. Many new security check posts were set up in main road and corners of the town. “

[ top]

Teachers sacked from school for allegedly inciting students protest

Two teachers have been sacked from Machu Tibetan Middle School following Tibetans students’ demonstration against Chinese rule according to the information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

The Tibetan headmaster Kyabchen Dedrol of a middle school in China’s Gansu province has been sacked with his assistant, following students protest at school and students were restricted to move outside the school campus and surrounded by heavy armed security forces. The situation was describesd as volatile.

But local authorities didn’t not expel the head of the Machu Education Department who has direct responsibility for the middle school and rather allow his job.

“Local Tibetans suspected that he was saved because of his identity as Han ethnicity”, source said.

Another Tibetan, an academic instructor at the Machu Tibetan Middle School will be suspended for a month said unnamed person living now in Dharamsala, India. “

[ top]

China arrests protesting teenage monks in Sertha

Over the past one week, a series of peaceful protests were carried out by Tibetans particularly teenage monks in Sertha County in the traditional Kham region of Tibet resulting in arrests and detention, according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Beginning 30 March, two teenage students of the famed Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha were taken into police custody by security forces in civilian dress for staging a protest at Sertha County. The two monks with the banned Tibetan national flag shouted slogans calling for the ‘swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet,’ ‘independence for Tibet’ and ‘human rights for Tibet’ at the Sertha County market square. Two teenage monks: Tenzin Gyamtso, 16, is a monk of Nedo Monastery in Dzatoe County and Gawa Wangchen Topgyal, 15, a monk of Jeytrung Monastery in Dzatoe County, Jyekundo (Ch: Yushu/Jiegu) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) under Qinghai Province. Both were studying at Sertha Larung Gar Buddhist Institute at the time of their protest. There is no information on the current whereabouts of detained teenaged monks.

Similar protest was also staged by another two monks of the same Buddhist institute in Sertha County on 31 March and both were immediately detained by the Chinese security forces and taken into police custody, according to sources. There is no information on the identity of the detainees and their current location of detention.

On 2 April 2010, a 20 year old Tibetan youth, Ugyen Namgyal from Choktsang village of Sertha County staged a solo protest at the county market square. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials suddenly appeared at the site of the protest beating him severely before arresting him.

On 3 April 2010, an identified Tibetan layman from Choktsang village of Sertha County staged a brief protest at the county market square before being detained by the security forces.

Similar protest was also carried by a 19-year-old reincarnated lama, Tulku Namgyal of Taglung Monastery in Choktsang Village on 4 April 2010. Numerous handwritten pamphlets calling for “independence for Tibet,” “swift return of the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama to Tibet,” and “human rights for Tibet,” were thrown into the air at the site of the protest in Sertha County. According to sources, he was immediately detained by the security forces and taken into police custody. Tulku Namgyal was a teacher at the Taglung Monastery.

Again on 5 April 2010, a 20-year-old Thakchoe, layman from Choktsang village was detained by the security forces after he staged a solo protest at Sertha County by raising the banned Tibetan national flag and shouting slogans.

According to sources, similar incident of peaceful protest having occurred yesterday (7 April) at Sertha county but no detail is available at the moment. New restriction on the free movement of the monks and nuns were imposed. Many new security barricades were erected on the 22 Kms road stretching between Larung Gar Buddhist Institute and the Sertha County and many security forces in civilian dress were deployed in the area to contain further protest by Tibetan.

TCHRD calls upon the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained Tibetans including the teenage monks who were arrested for exercising their fundamental human rights peacefully.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right which is a prerequisite to the enjoyment of all human rights. TCHRD seeks the support of human rights groups and the international community in securing their release. The Centre deems these cases as outright clampdown on the freedom of opinion and expression. TCHRD will continue to monitor the situation and will update on the issue as and when further information surfaces. “

[ top]

TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN

South Asia Regional Consultation Meeting with the UN Expert on Food

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Mr. Olivier De Schutter, held a South Asia Regional Consultation meeting in Chennai, South India, on 28 and 29 March 2010. The expert had dialogue with non governmental organizations from South Asia on the issue of land rights and the enjoyment of the right to food.

Mr. Tenzin Norgay, UN Affairs Personnel, at the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) was invited to present the Tibetan case. Mr. Norgay raised grave concerns over the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Tibetan nomads and farmers over state development projects.

He particularly raised the incident of six Tibetan women getting shot upon by state law enforcement officers during a protest by the Tibetans of Tawu County over the planned construction of Lianghekhou Dam at the confluence of three rivers. This dam would submerge several towns and around ten thousand Tibetans will be impacted by the construction. Similar to other cases of tremendous hardships being faced by Tibetans because of displacements over state development projects, thousands of Tibetans in Tawu County and surrounding areas will affected strongly. Till date there has been no information about the status of the six women who were shot by the security officials.

TCHRD begins talk series on upcoming elections of exile leaders

Mr. Urgen Tenzin delivers a speech during the talk series

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) over the years since its inception had embarked on various initiatives to educate and empower the general Tibetan populace on the concept of democracy and its significance by holding various talk series, interactive dialogues, bringing out bi-lingual educational booklets on democracy, posters and seminar etc.

In the light of historic and the significant upcoming elections of Kalon Tripa in 2011 and members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, the Centre deemed it extremely important to begin a direct outreach and education program in all the major Tibetan settlements in India before the preliminary election. On 28 March 2010, the Centre convened a talk series at the Hall of TCV Day School in Mcleod Ganj.

The talk was attended by people from various backgrounds followed by questions and answers session. In conjunction with the talk series, the Centre also released three different educational posters on themes related to the election and voting. To educate the general public on the importance of election, voting in the democratic system and to ensure maximum voter turn out during preliminary and final elections of our leaders in 2011, educational posters with cartoon were prepared that deal on various fundamental themes such as important considerations on the part of voters before voting, on the Election Day etc.

The Centre will distribute these educational posters to all the Tibetan settlements, educational institutes, monasteries, nunneries and Tibetan clusters in India, Nepal, Bhutan and overseas.

[ top]