Tibetan Writer detained in Xining
April 26, 2010
The editor of Nationalities Publishing House, Tagyal was taken away by Xining police on 23 April, 2010 around 5.30pm from his office. The police first took him to his house; searched his library, video filmed him, and was then taken away. He was released later in the evening.
Around 10 pm the same day, the police came again to his house and took away two computers and some papers.
On the next day, the police came with an arrest warrant to his house around 3.30 pm and detained Tagyal. The police also asked to bring a blanket along with him.
Tagyal is a leading Tibetan intellectual in Xining, Xining province, TAP. He is famously known by the name of Shogdung, his penname. He is the author of several books and one of the recent books is ‘Nam-Sa- Go-Che’ (the opening of sky and earth). It is about the events of 2008 in Tibet.
The arrests of Tibetan intellectuals clearly show that the Chinese government is trying to deliberately violate the intellectual freedom.
It is unclear about Tengyal’swhereabouts.
Intensifying of China’s policy
From the birth of the communist party of China, millions of human lives were blood bathed. Twenty-Five percent of the Tibetan populations were destroyed. On the June 4, 1989, hundreds and thousands of Chinese students gathered at the Tiananmen Square to demand human rights, democracy and freedom. However, the communist government heavy-handedly clamped down on the protesters and killed thousands. At that time, the concrete information couldn’t reach to the international community. Many information was described in the party’s favor. Now after two decades of that event, the communist government is still heavy-handedly clamping down on the pro-democratic and human rights activists with brute force. Recently, the prominent writer and a pro-democratic activist Mr Lui Xiabo was given 11 years of jail in prison in China. At the same time, China is intensifying its oppressive policy in Tibet. We have received information from a reliable source that the heavy-handedly crushing down on Tibetans in 2008 peaceful uprising in Tibet was more intensifying than the Nazi’s brute force in the World War II.
Tibetan Political prisoners were murdered noticeably and on the pretext of a stable society, the Chinese police are arresting Tibetans 24X7. Tibetans are beaten, sentenced and many disappeared involuntarily Can the international community controls the dire situation inside Tibet? China’s policy is worsening every second and it is now feared by many researchers that the policy will jeopardize the human society.
Filmaker Dhondup Wanghcen sentenced to 6 years in prison
January 6, 2010
On December 28, 2009, People’s Intermediate Court in Xiling secretly sentenced the filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen to 6 years of imprisonment, according to the website of Tibet Times.
According to the source, his family was not informed about his trial and didn’t receive any medical attention about his disease. He is a Hepatitis B patient.
Dhondup Wangchen’s relative Jamyang Tsultrim who is living in Switzerland said, “the Chinese government sentenced an ordinary man to 6 years of imprisonment for merely exercising his freedom of expression and opinion. It is now very clear that there is no freedom to the Tibetan people inside Tibet.” He further said that no legal papers were provided to his family about his arrest and trial. The Chinese government didn’t recognize the lawyer hired by his family members. The secret trial that meted out to him is completely unfair.
Dhondup Wangchen, aged 35 is from Amdo region in Eastern Tibet. His wife and 4 children are living in Dharamsla, the seat of exile government.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet is gravely concerned about the well being of Dhondup Wangchen and other political prisoners who are languishing inside the Chinese prisons. We appeal to the international communities to exert pressure on the Chinese government to release him and all the political prisoners unconditionally.
His film “Leaving Fear Behind” was screened in many parts of the world and has gained immense attention. The film expressed the feelings of ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet towards the Chinese government. It also portrayed the deep and unwavering respect towards the Dalai Lama.
Dharamsala, December 7, 2009
A Tibetan nun succumbs to injury in a hospital in Chengdu
Yangkyi Dolma, aged 33 from Lamdak nunnery in Kardze County, Eastern Tibet was arrested on March 24, 2009 for voluntarily protesting against the Chinese government. She was unsatisfied with the China’s policy and continuous crackdown on Tibetan people with brute force. She protested around 3 pm in the Kardze Township and called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and demanded more human rights in Tibet. She was immediately surrounded by more than 50 Chinese police and severely beaten her. Her room was raided by the Chinese officials around 7 pm on the same evening and seized the picture of the Dalai Lama.
It is unclear about her being sentenced or not. She died in a Cheka-gyar hospital in Chengdu in China on December 5, 2009 around 2 am. It is feared that she died as a result of immense torture inside the Chinese prison. There are many unattended cases of Tibetan political prisoners who died under the unimaginable torture inside the Chinese prison in Tibet.
We are organizing a candle light vigil procession from Mcleod square to pay tribute to her and show solidarity with the fellow Tibetan patriots who sacrificed their precious lives for the true cause of Tibetan freedom.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet
National Democratic Party for Tibet
Tibetan Women’s Association
Students for a Free Tibet
For immediate release 7/11/2009
China arrested Tibetans protesting a Chinese corporate company in Tianijin
In 2007, a Chinese corporate company called TIENS Company cheated thousands of Tibetans through a pyramid scheme. The head of the company Mr Lin Jian Yang collected 2800 yuan from each Tibetan and several Tibetans were taken to Shan Xi Xian Yang. He even showed his pictures with Hu Jintao and other prominent Chinese leaders, uploaded on some Chinese websites. Since 2007, more than 2000 Tibetans had invested their money in his company.
On October 21, 2009, several Tibetan representatives in the hope to compensate the losses went to Beijing to petition the government. However, their petition was turned down and asked them to go to Tianijin, the headquarter of the company. Even the local government of Tianijin shied away from supporting the Tibetans. Despite the financial and climatic problem, the 150 Tibetan representatives staged sit-in protests in Tianijin and Beijing. At that time, Tibetans were beaten up by several unknown assailants and some Tibetans were seriously injured that they were hospitalized. They even staged hunger strike protest to inform the international communities about the dire situation and decided to do indefinite hunger strike until they get the support from the government for their true cause.
The protest that started on October 21 has so far yielded no positive result. Despite protecting the rights of the minorities, the Chinese government defended the owner of the company. On the morning of November 6, thousands of armed police were deployed at the TIENS corporate headquarter in Tianijin. The police beat the protestors and handcuffed them. They were forced to board police vehicles and taken away.
Corruption and discrimination against the minorities are inevitably existed in the Communist regime. Today, we the two NGOs (GuChuSum and NDPT) appeal to the international communities to help to compensate the losses and protect the basic rights of the Tibetan people.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet
National Democratic Party for Tibet
China executed four Tibetans in Lhasa
We apologize for the mistake of the name of one of the TibetanS executed on Tuesday. It was not Lobsang Tenzin. Its Lobsang Gyaltsen from Lhubuk, Lhasa.
In a confirmed information, Lobsang Gyaltsen from Lhubuk, Loyak, Penkyi and an unnamed political prisoner were executed on October 20, 2009 at 11 am (Chinese Standard Time) in Toelung, near Lhasa.
Lobsang Gyalsten's dead body was handed over to his family and was later immersed in Kyichu river by his wife around 1.00 pm, accordiing to the source. His family was very poor and couldn't effort to do religious prayers for the deceased.
The concrete information is yet unclear. Loyak was given death sentence for his role in the burning of a motorcycle shop that killed the owner, his wife, son, and two employees. Loyak was arrested on March 15, 2008. He was from Dechen Shang, Taktse County. He was 22 years old.
Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak were sentenced on April 3, 2009 by Lhasa People's Court. Lobsang Gyaltsen was sentenced to death for setting fire to two garment shops in downtown Lhasa onmarch 14 that killed a shop owner.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet strongly condemns the brutal act of the Chinese government in cracking down on Tibetans. We beseech the PRC to release all the political prisoners unconditionally. In the evening at 6, the 5 prominent NGOs of Dharamsala is organizing a candlelight vigil procession from Mcleod square to the temple to show solidarity to the four Tibetan martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for the true cause of the Tibetan freedom movement.
3 Political Prisoners put to death in Lhasa
October 21, 2009
Yesterday,around 11 am (Chinese Standard Time), three Tibetan political prisoners were shot dead by the Chinese soldiers in Lhasa, according to a reliable source. Among the dead was a girl from Nyenmo County, near Lhasa. One political prisoner was identified as Lobsang Tenzin from Lhasa, TAR. The other one was Amdo Ngaba.
All the three had participated in the 2008 uprising in Tibet.
Tension is rising in Lhasa as more Tibetans are arresting recently by the Chinese police. It is an act to crack-down on Tibetans who had participated in 2008 mass uprising against the Chinese government.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet is gravely concerned about the well being of all political prisoners languishing in Chinese prisons in Tibet. We appeal the international community to exert pressure on the Chinese government to release all the political prisoners unconditionally.
China sentenced two Tibetan Social Activists to 14 and 15 years of imprisonment
13 October 2009.
Dharamshala: People's Intermediate court in Lhasa last year had handed down rigorous prison sentence of 14 to 15 years on two Tibetan social activists, according to the website of exile Tibetan government.
The website says that, Migmar Dhondup, aged 36, and Tenchoe alias Tenzin Choedak, aged 23, were arrested by the Public Security Bureau at separate locations in connection with the peaceful protests in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in March last year.
Migmar Dhondup was sentenced to 14 years in jail on charges of espionage on 27 October.
While, in September or October, Tenchoe was imprisoned to 15 years in jail and slapped with a fine of 10, 000 renminbi. Tenchoe is currently serving hard labour in Chushul prison, located near Lhasa. Tenchoe was forcibly detained by Lhasa city's Public Security Bureau days after the peaceful protest on 10 March last year, as police said they have pictures of Tenchoe taking part in the protest. During his detention till mid-April, Tenchoe was interrogated using his father's background as a pretext. His father identified as Mr Khedup took active participation in political activities in Tibet for many years until he was compelled to leave Tibet for exile in Dharamsala in 1993. The police grilled Tenchoe to get evidence of instigation from his father.
Both were engaged in social works in Tibet after completing their school education from the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala, India.
Migmar Dhondup was born in Dingri district in Shigatse Prefecture in 1973. He left Tibet in 1982 and received admission at the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala, India, and completed his senior secondary school from TCV Bylakuppe in 1995. He chose business studies at a college in south India, following which he returned to Tibet to dedicate his service for the welfare of Tibetans living inside Tibet. He worked in Lhoka and Lhasa to help local Tibetan farmers and nomads in improving health condition and made plans for social development. He sought to get support from people living in western countries who are interested in the projects.
Tenchoe alias Tenzin Choedak, aged around 23, was born in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. He came to India around 1990 and completed his formal education up to class 11 from the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala. In 2005, he returned to Tibet and associated with an European NGO working for Red Cross. He dedicated his efforts in environmental protection projects in many areas, particularly in Lhasa and Shigatse.
The Central Tibetan Administration puts the list of, about 223 Tibetans died and over 1,294 were seriously injured since the Chinese authorities brutally clamped down the peaceful demonstrations in Tibet since 10 March 2008. Over 4,657 were arrested, 371 sentenced and more than 990 have simply disappeared, , as of 31 August 2009
China passed 15 years jail term to a Tibetan woman, Whereabouts of 13 Others Remain Unknown
6 October 2009,
Physician Yeshi Choedon sentenced
for 15 years imprisonment.
A 54-year-old retired Tibetan doctor named Yeshi Choedon was given 15-year imprisonment by the Intermediate People's Court in Lhasa on charges of leaking out secrets to the outside world during the peaceful protests in March last year, according to the website of the exile Tibetan government.
The court had announced in the verdict passed on 7 November last year that Yeshi Choedon's political rights would be also withheld for five years.
She is currently undergoing labour in a prison near Lhasa.
She had worked at a clinic near Norbulingka before taking retirement few years back, following which she took her residence at Ramoche.
She was arrested without valid charges during the peaceful protests by Tibetans in Lhasa in March 2008.
Yeshi Choedon has been denied any right to meet her family members since then.
According to other reliable information, a group of unknown number of Tibetans were arrested during a Sangsol ceremony, an incense burning ceremony, in the capital Lhasa on the auspicious occasion of Saka-dawa (Saka-dawa is the month of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death which is considered as an auspicious month) on 7 June.
Soetop arrested on 7 June 2009
Many of those arrested were released, except a man named Soetop, aged 50. Seotop, who is a native of Khargang township in Jomda County in Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The family members are concerned about the well-being of Soetop as he has not been allowed to meet anyone. The family members have no information about the detention centre in which Soetop is being held and nature of charges that are levelled against him.
Soetop used to own a shop in Lhasa before he was arrested.
Meanwhile, eleven monks of Pangsa monastery in Tibet are still missing following the peaceful protest in Tibet last year. The public security bureau police had arrested them during the March protests.
The monks have been identified as Khenpo Thubten Lungrig (abbot), Nyima Tenzin, Lobsang Tendhar, Pema, Lhakpa Tsering, Tenpa Thinlay, Lhakpa, Kangtsuk, Thupten Nyima, Gyatso and Kelsang.
Khenpo Thupten Lungrig, aged 58, participated in the protest in Meldo Gungkar, for which he was arrested by the Public Security Bureau. His whereabouts remain unknown since last one-and-half year.
Source- Tibet.net
For Immediate Release
Commemorating September 27
Today on this day in 1987 in Lhasa, monks of Drepung monastery spearheaded pro-independence demonstration which later turned into a mass peaceful protest against the Chinese government. It opened a new chapter in our freedom struggle. On this day in exile, GuChuSum Movement of Tibet, ex-political prisoners’ association was established in 1991. Today, we commemorate the 18th year of the founding day of our organization.
Since from the mass peaceful demonstrations in 1987, 1988 and 1989, thousands of Tibetans who took part in the peaceful protest were arbitrarily arrested, savagely beaten and sentenced to hard labor. Several demonstrators were killed and many seriously injured. It is now estimated that there are still around 150 political prisoners of post 1987, still languishing in various Chinese prison in Tibet. However, the numbers of political prisoners have increased drastically since March 2008 uprising in Tibet. It is feared that more than 6000 Tibetans were either detained or arrested and 250 political prisoners were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
50 years have passed since China annexed Tibet in 1959. China has brought destruction in the name of liberation. According to the Chinese State-run Xinhua news agency, 49,631 Tibetans from nomadic families haven been settled over the past four years-under a policy that Tibetan activists decry as devastating Chinese blow to the Buddhist region’s ancient culture. Chinese government claims to have “settled nearly 50,000 Tibetan nomads into sedentary communities in a drive to protect the remote alpine region’s fragile ecology from their herds.” Under the facade of environmental protection, this act will have a disastrous impact on the ‘Tibetan herders’ ability to maintain their traditional lifestyles and will threaten a distinctive form of Tibetan cultural identity. Tibet’s fragile environment has been greatly affected. The Himalayan region is facing a growing threat of drought and floods. It is the result of excessive mining and deforestation.
It is feared that the massive population transfer of Han Chinese into Tibet pose a threat to the extinction of Tibetan people and its unique culture. The unchecked influx of Han Chinese into the country and the Chinese migrants are taking away the job opportunities from the Tibetans. Tibetans are considered as secondary citizen in their own homeland.
Gross and incessant human rights violations are still prevalent in Tibet. Tibetan people inside Tibet are denied the basic fundamental rights. The March 2008 uprising is the outburst of the long pent-up feelings of deep resentment against China’s policy of Tibet. Tibetan government in exile has been very flexible in its policy of holding dialogues with PRC to solve the Tibetan issue, however, no result oriented solution has achieved so far. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile have been making efforts to reach an agreement with the Chinese government through peaceful and non-violent means. China is least interested in solving the Tibetan issue.
China has viciously attacked His Holiness the Dalai Lama with stream of invective and its propaganda department is very active in portraying false story to the world. We are very thankful to unwavering support of international community
Finally, we pray and hope that all the aspirations and wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama may be realized without obstacles. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live a thousand years and may his aspiration of returning to the land of snow be fulfilled soon.
3 former political prisoners sentenced to varying prison terms
Dharamsala, September 11 – Three Tibetan men were sentenced to varying prison terms by a court in Lhasa in October last year, the exile Tibetan government’s website said yesterday. The three were charged with passing on information to ‘foreign forces’ during the peaceful protests in Tibet's capital Lhasa last year.
Wangdue, Phuntsok Dorjee and Tsewang Dorjee – all former political prisoners - were sentenced by the Lhasa Intermediate People's Court.
Wangdue; aged 39, a resident of Taktse County under Lhasa Municipality, received life imprisonment with deprivation of political rights all his life. As a monk of Tsuglagkhang, he had already spent three years in Lhasa's Sangyib prison for participating in a protest on 8 March 1989. According to the exile Tibetan government, he had participated along with other inmates in a ‘peaceful’ campaign in 1991 to mark the fall of Chamdo to PLA troops for which his jail term was extended by four years. He was released from Drapchi prison in 1999. Since then he worked with an NGO promoting public awareness on HIV/AIDS in Lhasa.
Phuntsok Dorjee; 40, received nine years in jail and deprivation of political rights for five years. A former staff of Gangjong guest house in Lhasa, Phuntsok had earlier been sentenced in 1989 to ten years in jail for involvement in anti China activities. However, his jail term was commuted later to eight years for his service as a cook at the prison.
Tsewang Dorjee, in his forties, was sentenced to eight years in prison and deprivation of political rights for five years. Born in Pasho County in Chamdo Prefecture, Tsewang who is a thangka painter (Tibetan scroll art painter) lived at Tsemon-Ling area in Lhasa. In March 1989, he was jailed for three years in Sangyib prison for his participation in the “peaceful protests” in Lhasa.
As of August 31, 2009, the exile Tibetan government puts the total deaths of Tibetans since last year's protests at 223, injured at 1294, arrests and detention at 4657, missing persons at 990 and sentenced at 371.
Source: Phayul
Man sentenced to 5 years in prison, death threats against five
Dharamsala, August 10- A Chinese court in Kardze has sentenced a Tibetan man to 5 years imprisonment and deprivation of political rights, the Tehor Welfare Society told the Voice of Tibet radio service.
Sangay Tashi, 38, was charged with crimes of “inciting separatism” and sentenced around August 3, 2009.
Sangay carried out a protest expressing his opposition to China’s rule on June 21 last year when the Beijing Olympic torch was being paraded in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. He wore a bandana on which he wrote “Free Tibet”. He painted the Tibetan national flag on his face and marched into the street in Kardze town handing out pamphlets that contained slogans such as “Long live Dalai Lama” and “Free Tibet”.
He was among the 15 captured Tibetans who were paraded on April 5 this year in Kardze town by the Chinese authorities to intimidate the Tibetans. The Tibetan prisoners had their heads shaven, their hands and legs chained. The authorities announced through a loudspeaker that anybody who protested the Chinese government would face similar consequences.
In another incident, authorities in Sertha had issued threats to kill five Tibetans who are reportedly on the run after their participation in anti China protests last year. A member of the Tibetan parliament, Sertha Tsuiltrim Woser, told Voice of Tibet radio that about 400 soldiers were called in from Dhartsedo to hunt for the 5 Tibetans since last week of July. The five, Sukyab, 43, Ghangdor, 28, Shidi, Nyeldor and an unidentified man, have been accused of ‘involvement in separatism’ and asked to surrender themselves before the authorities failing which they could face death. However, none surrendered so far.
Source: Phayul
EXILE TIBETANS DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF DHONDUP WANGCHEN
[Dharamshala] – Tibetans and supporters joined a day long campaign organized by five major Tibetan NGOs for the release of Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan filmmaker charged with “inciting separatism,” and whose trial could take place any day now in Xining, the capitol of Qinghai province, China. Dhondup Wangchen was detained in March 2008 by Chinese authorities for making the film 'Leaving Fear Behind' which documents Tibetans’ views about the Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama, and Chinese government’s policies in Tibet. His lawyer has been barred from representing him and he is in very poor health after being beaten and tortured in prison.
“My husband is not a criminal. He was arrested for making a film, interviewing Tibetans about the 2008 Olympics, the Dalai Lama and their lives under Chinese rule. Non of our family has been allowed to speak to him since his arrest” said Lhamo Tso, Dhondup Wangchen's wife, who resides in Dharamshala. “My husband is an innocent man but the Chinese government is trying to silence him for exercising his right to freedom of Expression. I urge the international community to take action for my husband's release.”
Tables were set up in the main Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala – the heart of Tibetan freedom movement in exile – for signature campaign to urge Shri Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India to pressurize Beijing for immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen. Candle light vigil was held in the evening at the Main Temple, where Dhondup Wangchen's wife, Lhamo Tso appealed the international community to take action in releasing Dhondup Wangchen. The short film, 'Leaving Fear Behind' made by Dhondup Wangchen was screened to the crowd present.
“Dhondup Wangchen is a prisoner of conscience, unjustly framed of 'inciting seperatism' for
exercising his right to Freedom of Expression.” said Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress. “We denounce Beijing's attempt to unfairly persecute Dhondup Wangchen with no independent legal represetation of him and his family's choice. We demand for an immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen and all prisoners of conscience in Tibet.”
Tibetans and supporters worldwide are escalating their campaign for the release of Dhondup Wangchen, who is being persecuted by Chinese authorities solely for exercising his basic right to freedom of expression. Tibetans are systematically denied their basic legal rights and sentenced to lengthily prison sentences for peacefully expressing their views.
Organized by:
Tibetan Youth Congress
Tibetan Women's Association
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Students for a free Tibet - India
Detaiined in 2007, sentenced in 2009
Jamyang Tenzin was born in 1973 in Lithang, Eastern Tibet. His Father’s name is Mr Thinley Tsering and mother’s name is Mrs Sonam Dolma. He became a monk at the age of 13 in Lithang Gonchen monastery. In 1995, Jamyang Tenzin escaped into exile. He studied Buddhist Philosophy in Gaden monastery till 2004. In 2004, he returned to Tibet to visit his family members. He was arrested at the border and was detained in various prisons in Tibet for 3 months and 6 days. He was then released.
On October 1, 2007, Chinese government’s sub-committee for Patriotic Re-education Campaign arrived in Lithang Gonchen monastery. Monks were forced to sign a document which was stated that 1. No one is allowed to become monk until the age of 18.
2. All Tibetans should be thankful to PRC for the development
3. No one is allowed to keep the photograph of Dalai Lama
4. All the monks should protest against the Dalai Lama and his cliques
5. Taiwan is a part of China
6. Tibet is an inalienable part of China
Jamyang Tenzin openly refuted the Chinese authorities and denied to sign the document. He argued that the Dalai Lama is revered by all Tibetans and must allow to keep the picture of His Holiness. He was not arrested at that day.
On October 3, 2007, Jamyang Tenzin was arrested and was detained at Lithang prison. Monks from his monastery appealed for his release on October 4, but the authorities denied to release him on the reason that he had illegally crossed the border. His whereabouts were unknown then.
In early July 2009, Jamyang Tenzin was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment. He is in Dartsedo prison in Eastern Tibet. His family members are not informed about his well being.
It is feared that Jamyang Tenzin is in poor health.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
June 26, 2009
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on June 26 as on that day in 1987, the United Nation’s Convention against Torture came into effect. It is on this day that we pay deep respect and tribute to all those around the world who have suffered and endured the worst torture.
Fifty long years have passed since China invaded Tibet. 1.2 million Tibetans were brutally killed. Tibetan people were and are still being subjected to different forms of torture. Tibetan women, children and older people who should be protected by the law are being discriminated against and tortured. For instance during the1980s’ in Lhasa, there was a group called Taktuk (cub of tiger) organization whose members were aged between 13 to 17 years old. Most of the young members were mercilessly killed by the Chinese army. Many were imprisoned and were subjected to such unimaginable sufferings that many chose death and committed suicide inside the Chinese prisons.
Electric shocks, kicking and beatings, striping naked, throwing boiling water on the face, standing bare foot on ice are commonly used by Chinese authorities on Tibetan political prisoners in a futile attempt to destroy the spirit and break their resolve.
Torture is the most profound abuse of human rights. GuChuSum Movement of Tibet is actively initiating political campaigns to put a stop to the wanton torture perpetrated on Tibetan political prisoners.
On this day, we offer our fervent prayers and express solidarity with the Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom struggle, and to those who are still languishing in Chinese prisons.
We are organizing photo exhibitions, essay writing, talks and a play depicting ‘the plight of political prisoners’ in Tibetan Communities and schools.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet appeals to all governments and international communities to take action to defeat tortures and torturers everywhere.
From today, we are observing everyday as the day to stop torture till June 26, 2010 and will relentlessly campaign for the release of all Tibetan political prisoners.
Tibetans in Meldro Gyamar clashed with Chinese Miners, 3 injured
On June 20, Tibetans in Meldro Gyama Tiwnship near Lhasa, and Chinese miners clashed, injuring 3 Tibetans. One of the wounded Tibetans is a government official. They were critically injured and had to be taken to a hospital in Lhasa.
Residents of Meldro Gyama are protesting against a mining company that is carrying out a water-diversion project in the upper Gyama region. The large-scale facility is being built to channelize water to the mining site. The pipes are laid across agricultural lands, which have been forcefully taken away from farmers without compensations. The mining has been going on in the upper hills of Gyama for nearly two decades. Toxic wastes dumped into Gyama Shingchu river resulted in the death of a large number of cattle last year.
There were around 10000 Chinese miners in the region. Thalung, which is situated to the Eastern part of Gyama is rich in lead, gold, bronze and red copper. I t is also reported in Tibet Daily that the region is also very rich in uranium which is used for making nuclear weapons. .
Villagers from 13 villages participated in the protest. TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) officials from Lhasa, County officials and soldiers arrived for a meeting with the residents on June 21. At the meeting, the Tibetans demanded an immediate stop to the water diversion works and the mining activities in the region. Sources say many even cried in despair. After the meeting Chinese miners left the area on the 21 June. Local residents were however seen lying down in protest before the Township administrative office yesterday and stopping all passages to the mining site.
Villagers in the valley depend on Gyama Shingchu for their drinking water supply and irrigation. However, the river has since dried up due to destruction of its source by excessive mining. Many of the natural springs in the area have also dried up deteriorating their drinking water supply, sources say.
Recently, China’s State media, Xinhua reported that a drought in Tibet has intensified into the region's worst in three decades, leaving thousands of hectares parched and killing more than 13,000 head of cattle. The Himalayan region facing a growing threat of drought and floods as global warming melts its glaciers.
Source-Phayul
Whereabouts of Tibetans convicted of arson charges unknown
According to the Chinese Official News Agency, Xinhua, The Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court on April 8, 2008 found five Tibetans guilty of starting fatal fires in Lhasa riot in March last year.
China court in Lhasa announced death sentence to Lobsang Gyaltsen, aged 27; Kangtsug, 22; Loyak, 25, while 27-year-old Tenzin Phuntsok alias Tenzin was given death sentence with a two-year reprieve. A fifth man Dawa Sangpo was given life imprisonment.
It was the first known case of death sentences meted out to Tibetans after the March political unrest in Tibet in 2008.
Their whereabouts remain unknown since the verdict was passed. Family members were not informed and are very concerned about their well being.
It is mandatory in China’s law to refer the death sentences given by Intermediate courts to the Supreme People's Court within 6 weeks of passing the judgment.
So far no information about their whereabouts is released. The trials were completely unfair and didn’t follow the international legal standards.
The same court announced death sentences to two Tibetan women and life imprisonment to another woman on 21 April.
Chinese court had given suspended death penalty to Penkyi of Sakya County for starting fires in two downtown clothing shops on March 14.
Chinese state media reported that Penkyi of Sakya County was sentenced to life imprisonment for burning of a clothing store that killed five of the shop’s six staffs, aged 17 to 23. Property loses were put up at 1.5 million yuan. Chime was given 10 years of imprisonment.
The Chinese court found all the three guilty of arson.
GuChuSum Movement of Tibet is gravely concerned about their well being. The Movement asks the international community to raise concerns about the Tibetans who were given death penalty and many others who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for simply exercising their fundamental rights of expression.
11 things you need to know about the 11th Panchen Lama
April 25, 1989: Gedun Choekyi Nyima, son of Kunchok Phuntsok and Dechen Choedon, was born on (the nineteenth day of the third Tibetan month in the Tibetan Earth-Snake year) at Lhari, Nagchu District, in Tibet. 25th January 1995: was identified by H.H. the Dalai Lama to be the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet.
May 14, 1995: was recognized and officially declared by H.H. the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet.
May 17, 1995; along with His family was abducted by the Chinese government and remained missing ever since.
May 24, 1995; the government of People’s Republic of China issued a statement describing the Dalai Lama’s proclamation as “illegal and invalid.”
May 1996; suspicions that he had been kidnapped were confirmed in May 1996 when the Chinese leadership admitted to holding him and his family in protective custody.
1996; the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern at the disappearance of this child.
2005; U.N’s working group on enforced Disappearance regards Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as a Disappeared Person.
September 20, 2005: during the 36th session of the UN committee on the rights of the Child (CRC), the chairman of CRC called upon the Chinese authorities to allow an independent body to verify the fate of Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the Panchen Lama of Tibet.
November 2008; during the 41st session of the United Nations Convention against Torture, the CAT experts laid strong emphasis on the need to follow up and essentially implement the recommendation of Committee on the Rights of the Child on Panchen Lama made in the year 2005.
Tashi Lhunpo monastery (the traditional seat of Panchen Lama) continues to offer a reward (currently US $33, 290) for information leading to outside contact with Panchen Lama.
China sentenced four nuns following March unrest in 2008
In information received from a reliable source, four nuns from Reting Samtenling nunnery in Phenpo Lhundrup County were severely beaten and arrested in March 2008
The nuns, Thinley Dadon, Khetsun Choedup, Khetsun Tsultrim and fourth nun pasted pro-independence posters on the walls of the nunnery after March 14 uprising in 2008.
The sources said that they were disappeared soon after their arrests and their whereabouts were not known until they were trialed and sentenced.
Thinley Dadon was given 4 years of imprisonment in Drapchi prison. Others were sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment in Gutsa prison. They family members were not allowed to visit in the prison.
We strongly condemn the Chinese authorities for sentences being handed down by Chinese court on 4 nuns over anti-China protests in Tibet last year.
There has been number of arrests following March Uprising in 2008 in Tibet. We are gravely concerned about the well being of the arrested political prisoners and hundreds of other Tibetans who have disappeared after major political unrest in Tibet in 2008.
Three more Tibetans sentenced for arsons in Lhasa riots
According to the Chinese official news agency, Xinhua, Lhasa Municipal Intermediate People's Court had passed sentence on 3 Tibetan women following the March 2008 riot in Lhasa.
Chinese court had given suspended death penalty to Penkyi of Sakya County for starting fires in two downtown clothing shops on March 14 that killed five of the shop's six staff. aged 17 to 23.
Chinese state media reported that Penkyi of Nyenmo County was sentenced to life imprisonment for burning of a clothing store. Chime was given 10 years of imprisonment for helping Penkyi of Nyenmo in setting fire to the clothing store
The Chinese court found all the three guilty of arson.
It is not mentioned when the sentences were delivered nor did the court mention the exact nature of the charges.
On April 8, the court sentenced Lobsang Gyatso and Loyak to death, Tenzin Phuntsok and Kangtsuk to suspended death penalties and Dawa Sangpo to life in prison on charges of arson causing death. The five were convicted of torching five shops in Lhasa, killing seven people, during the March 14 riot.
We believe that the sentences meted out to all the 8 Tibetans didn’t abide to the Chinese Criminal Procedural Law and international legal standards.
We strongly condemn the death sentences passed by the China court and urge the international community to act immediately to withhold the death sentences. The gross human rights violation is still prevalent in Tibet.
Tibetans condemn the death sentences passed by China
15 April, Dharamsala: Tibetan NGOs condemn the recent death sentences passed by China. We are gravely concerned about the fate of Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak who were given death sentences, Tenzin Phuntsok and Kangtsuk who were given suspended death sentences with two-year reprieves, and Dawa Sangpo who was given a life sentence. The Lhasa Municipal Intermediate people’s Court tried and sentenced these five Tibetans in three separate cases related to arson attacks in March 2008 in Lhasa.
A report released by Human Rights Watch in March 2009 concludes that the process of trials and imprisonment in Tibet over the past year has been politically motivated and that the "principle of independence of the judiciary is thoroughly undermined by leadership's demand that court and police tailor their actions to political requirements."
Ven. Ngawang Woeber, the President of Guchusum ex-political prisoners’ movement said, “Political prisoners were never given free and fair trials in Tibet. These sentences are part of widespread and violent campaign by the Chinese authorities to punish and silence any Tibetan who dares to speak out against Chinese rule. Therefore, harshest of punishments were given to Tibetans but despite knowing their fate Tibetans defy this and speak out their demand for Independence.”
We urge the Supreme People’s Court to repeal the death sentences passed on above Tibetans. The authorities should give free and fair trials to all the five Tibetans according to the international judicial standards.
Tenzin Choeying, the National Director of Students for a Free Tibet said, “The Chinese authorities routinely deny Tibetans their basic legal rights and protections within the so-called judicial system in China and there is no reason for us to believe the cases of Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak are any different.”
Chinese government’s second class treatment of Tibetans is appalling. We call on the authorities to respect human rights and give rights to all the detained Tibetans to independently choose their own lawyers, as per their written report two-year human rights action plan issued on on 13th April 2009. Therefore, we urge the Chinese authority to implement this to the Tibetans who were recently sentenced. Chinese lawyers who last year offered to help Tibetans were threatened recently not to help Tibetans or else they might lose their registration to practice law.
We also declare Friday, the 17th of April 2009, the global day of action on the unjust trials of the five Tibetans. We appeal all the Tibetans and their supporters to speak out and give voices to the voiceless Tibetans.
Tibetan NGOs would like to appeal all the freedom loving people of the world to kindly engage the Chinese and express their grave concern to the Chinese government that international judicial standards have not been upheld in the trial process. We also appeal everyone to write to international bodies and governments particularly to the Chinese authorities.
By Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement
Represented by:
Tibetan Women's Association
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Guchusum Ex-political Prisoners' Movement
Students for a Free Tibet - India
A detailed account of protests in Karze County, Eastern Tibet
www.tibetpost.net
Dharamshala: TibetPost-9-April-2009-China occupied the whole of Tibet in 1949, and for 60 years Tibet has since been gripped by violence and terror that has lead His Holiness the Dalai Lama to describe life inside of his homeland as "hell on earth". Since Tibetan Uprising Day last March, the Chinese Government has imprisoned, tortured, and murdered hundreds of Tibetans, treating Tibetan people with inhumane cruelty. On a daily basis, Chinese authorities are increasing their heavy restrictions on Tibetans in all parts of Tibet.
Tibetans in Tibet do not have any chance to communicate with Tibetans in exile, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government in Exile officials. Due to this, Tibetans inside Tibet are showing solidarity in staging different forms of protest. In March 2009, the Tibetans in Karze County ceased to cultivate their land; likewise, other Tibetans in the county are being encouraged not to farm anymore as a form of protest. Tibetans in the area distributed documents from town to town, and made the decision to cease activity on their farms.
Local authorities held a mandatory meeting, forcing Tibetans in Karze to attend, and issued a warning to those distributing ad writing the pamphlets, a new form of protest. Officials also warned that whoever was writing the documents would be imprisoned and their farms seized by the government. Beginning on 19 March, authorities began to arrest many Tibetans in Karze and in surrounding counties. Some villagers were forced to escape to hill stations.
There are eight townships in the Nyinsab area in Karze County: Thingkha, Lhopa, Sungo, Trangben, Rongsha, Serchu, Kadrak, Dhadho. Each of the farmers in these townships have eight farming operations and each farming operation supports 40 families; each larger family has 130 Ha of land, while smaller families are entitled to 30 Ha. Income for the larger families is 15,000 kg of grain, and 1,500 kg for smaller families. The average income of each family is 3,500 kg of grain; the annual income is 8,960,000 kg of grain. One third of the weight of the grain is peas. In one year there are 120-130 trucks carrying peas to sell in China. One third of the grain is barley, and one third is wheat.
Normally the best grain resource of Kham, Eastern Tibet is in Karze County. Therefore, counties such as Sershul, Dege, Nyakrong, Palyul, Jodha, Goojo, Chamdho, and nomad areas depend on Karze for grain. According to the Tibetan calendar, the year begins on 16 February, and it is during that time that crops are planted.
This year in an unprecedented form of protest, Tibetans have resolved to stand up to the severe violence that has rocked Tibet since March of last year. Despite the large numbers of Chinese military forces sent to the area and to enforce sowing of fields, the people of Karze have resisted and the majority of the land remains unplanted, the traditional time for planting having passed. Even if the land were planted now, the grain would not have time to mature and the fields would not yield sustainable amounts of grain. This is only a detailed account of the situation in the Nyingsub areas in Karze, but the neighboring townships and villages such as Dharjye, Dongkhor, Bery, Zakhog, Drakgo, and Choknri are seeing similar forms of peaceful resistance to Chinese brutality.
Chinese authorities have been arresting anyone and everyone not farming in Karze County and showing no mercy - even those as young as fifteen are being arrested, detained, or tortured.
Since March of this year, Tibetans in Karze have stood up against the Chinese government and peacefully protested Chinese rule. 72 individuals including monks, nuns and lay people have been arrested, 71 still in prison and one killed. Their names, ages, and villages have been released in addition to details surrounding their arrests. They are as follows:
Chinese Court gave Death Penalty to 2 Tibetans
According to the Chinese Official News Agency, Xinhua, a Chinese court on Wednesday has sentenced two Tibetans to death after finding them guilty of starting fatal fires in Lhasa riot in March last year. The report also stated that two others were given death sentences each with a two year reprieve on arson charges, and another received a life imprisonment.
Chinese State media reported that Lobsang Gyaltso was sentenced to death for setting fire to two garment shops in downtown Lhasa on March 14 that killed a shop owner.
Loyak was given death sentence for his role in the burning of a motorcycle shop that killed the owner, his wife, his son, and two employees, Xinhua said. Loyak was arrested on March 15, 2008. He was from Taktse Shol Shang, Tashi Gang Village. He is 25 years old.
Tenzin Phuntsok and Kangtsuk were given death sentences with a two year reprieve. Kangtsuk was arrested on March 15, 2008. He was from Dechen Shang, Taktse County. He is 22 years old.
Dawa Sangpo was given life imprisonment. Dawa Sangpo was from DechenShang, Unit 3. He is 20 years old.
It was the first known case of death sentences meted out to Tibetans after the March political unrest in Tibet in 2008.
The Chinese State media however, didn’t clearly mention the exact nature of the charges. The report only stated that the five were tried in three separate arson cases. We believe that the trial was completely unfair and did not follow the international legal standards.
We strongly appeal to the international community to condemn on the latest verdict passed by the Chinese court which is a clear violation of human rights abuse in Tibet.