Throughout 2006, ICT has received tens of thousands of signatures of support from people who have spoken out for Tibetan prisoners of conscious. The active support that these signatures represent has helped in securing the release of the Buddhist nun Phuntsog Nyidron and the humanitarian, Nyima Choedron. (18-DEC-06)
This article is based on the International Campaign for Tibet´s most recent newsletter, received at www.humanrightshouse.org today. It has been edited for republication here by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz
However, hundreds of Tibetans remain in Chinese prisons for peacefully expressing their political, religious and social views. Their average sentence is approx. 10 years and 11 months. Political prisoners are held under close surveillance in cramped cells with inadequate food, and are subject to torture. ICT has been monitoring the cases of Tibetan political prisoners and bringing this information to you and governments worldwide. Below is an update on some of the cases profiled this year.
Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, left, (Photo: ICT) a popular community leader, was falsely arrested by the People´s Republic of China of “incitement to separatism” and “crimes of terror” in 2002. Current Status: He is currently serving a life sentence in Chuandong Prison, Sichuan Province, after his initial death sentence was commuted. He has reportedly been tortured and is in poor physical health.
Bangri Chogtrul Rinpoche and Nyima Choedron were wrongfully accused of “attempting to split the country” when an associate attempted to replace the Chinese flag with a Tibetan one in front of the Potala Palace and blow himself up. The Gyatso School, which the couple oversaw, was subsequently closed down, forcing a number of children on to the streets. Current Status: Bangri Chogtrul Rinpoche is serving an 18 year sentence in Chushur Prison, TAR. Nyima Choedron was released in February 2006, after her 10-year prison term was commuted one year.
Phuntsog Nyidron, right (Photo: Reebok), one of the ´Drapchi 14´ nuns who received global attention after secretly recording songs about their hopes for Tibet in prison, was released to the care of ICT in March 2006. After serving 14 years, she had been under 24-hour surveillance since her February 2004 release. Current Status: After receiving medical care in the U.S., Phuntsog Nyidron relocated to Switzerland. In August, she provided testimony to the UN Human Rights Council Sub-Commission, detailing her wrongful imprisonment and the harsh prison treatment she endured.
The Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, left, was kidnapped by Chinese authorities in 1996 at age six after being identified by the Dalai Lama as one of Tibet´s most important religious figures. In 1996, the Chinese government admitted to holding the boy and his family in “protective custody.” However, no international agency or human rights organization has been granted contact with the boy or his family. Current Status: After 11 years, their well-being and whereabouts remain unconfirmed.
Jigme Gyatso, right, was sentenced to 15 years for his involvement with a group of four other Tibetans who carried out various acts of peaceful resistance, including putting up a Tibetan national flag at Ganden Monastery and discussing Tibetan independence. Current Status: Since meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in November 2005, he has been mistreated and held in isolation. He was hospitalized earlier this year and is now unable to walk properly due to a leg injury. Jigme Gyatso told the Special Rapporteur that his 15 year prison sentence has been extended by two years, however other official statements have reported a three year extension, setting his release date for March 30, 2014.
Dolma Kyab, a Tibetan writer in his twenties, was detained on charges of ´endangering state security´ and subsequently sentenced in a closed trial to 10 years imprisonment, after writing an unpublished manuscript on Tibetan independence, democracy and religion. Current Status: He continues to serve his 10 year prison sentence at Chushur Prison, TAR.
Dawa Gyatsen was arrested in 1996 for distributing posters calling for Tibetan independence and a stop to patriotic education at Zhabten Monastery in Nagchu. Current Status: He has been tortured for expressing his support for the Tibetan people and imprisoned for ´counterrevolutionary´ activities. He has since received sentence reductions totaling 25 months, reducing his prison term to 15 years.
Missing Tibetans from Nangpa La: In September 2006, a group of over 70 Tibetans were attempting to cross the Nangpa Pass into Nepal from Tibet when they were fired upon by China´s People´s Armed Police. Eyewitness reports confirm the death of Kelsang Namtso, a 17 year old Tibetan nun who was shot in the back. (Above, Chines border guards are seen preparing to bury the dead body of Kelsang Namtso and other victims of the shooting incident in the snow). At least two other Tibetans are feared dead. Kelsang Namtso, who was killed, had been escaping into exile in order to practice her religion in freedom at a nunnery in India. Current Status: Forty-three Tibetans from the group made it to India through Nepal, the whereabouts of the others remain unknown; including at least 10 children aged six to ten who were taken into custody at the site of the shooting by Chinese police. See other articles on this page about this incident, dated
For further information, please contact
International Campaign for Tibet | 1825 Jefferson Place NW | Washington, DC | 20036 | United States of America
Phone: (202) 785-1515 | Fax: (202) 785-4343 | info@savetibet.org
ICT Europe | Vijzelstraat 77 | 1017HG Amsterdam | The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 3308265 | Fax: +31 (0)20 3308266 | icteurope@savetibet.org
ICT Brussels | 11, rue de la linière | 1060 Brussels | Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 609 44 10 | Fax: +32 (0)2 609 44 32 | ict-eu@savetibet.org
ICT Deutschland e.V. | Marienstr. 30 | 10117 Berlin | Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 27879086 | Fax: +49 (0)30 27879087 | ict- d@savetibet.org
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