Published by World Tibet Network News - Monday - November 27, 1995

TWO PRISONERS RELEASED

In our October 24 issue of the Human Rights Update we published the arrests of two Tibetans. Their names were Phuntsok (no.3) and Tachen (no.6). We reported that Phuntsok was arrested in July this year and Tachen arrested in September. We recently received news from inside Tibet that these two prisoners of conscience have been released from detention.

Reports Of Three Tibetans Arrested In Tibet For "Counter Revolutionary" Activities.

The Human Rights Desk recently received reliable reports of the arrests of three more Tibetans. The following are their details:

1.NAME: DHONDUP DORJE

Age: 55-years old

Occupation: In 1969, Dhondup Dorje worked as a road construction laborer. At the time of his arrest, in August, Dhondup Dorje was working at the "Xiemao Chang" hat and shoe factory in Lhasa.

Arrest & Imprisonment:

In 1969, while working as a road construction laborer, Dhondup was accused of distributing pamphlets that called for the independence of Tibet. As a result, he was arrested and imprisoned for three years.

On September 27, 1987, he participated in a demonstration that took place in the Barkhor. For this, he was imprisoned in Gutsa for nine months. While in prison, he was regularly tortured by the prison authorities.

On August 16, 1989, Dhondup Dorje was arrested for the third time. This time, he received a 5-year sentence. Again he was interrogated and tortured. Once for not speaking up, the prison officials poured boiling hot water into his mouth and this caused permanent damage to his ears.

On August 10, 1995, Dhondup Dorje participated in the "Gaden Serthang" festival. During the ceremony, a giant Thanka painting was displayed at the Gaden Monastery. The people offered incense and prayers to the Thanka and prayed for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dhondup Dorje too prayed with them. Later, he was accused of having participated in the celebrations and therefore he was arrested for the fourth time.

2.NAME: PHUNTSOK

Age: 55-years old

Residence: Lhasa Tsomoeling, East Beijing Road, Street-3

Occupation: former monk of the Jhang Taklung Monastery. Later however, he worked as a motor mechanic at a motor factory in Lhasa and is presently a retired person.

Family details: Phuntsok's family includes his 45-year old wife, Ghanglha and their 18-year old daughter, Chungdak.

Arrest & Imprisonment:

Phuntsok was arrested on suspicions of his being involved in political activities. He was arrested just before the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the so-called "Tibet Autonomous Region".

3. NAME: TSETEN DOLKAR

Residence: Lhasa

Occupation: Lhasa businesswoman

Family details: Her husband's name is Kalsang Tsering.

Arrest & Imprisonment:

Tseten Dolkar was reported to have been arrested in August 1995. Her whereabouts are not known.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN TIBET DESPITE REPRESSIVE CONTROLS.

The Human Rights Desk has recently received news of three demonstrations occurring in and near Lhasa over the past three months. Two of the demonstrations concerned the Panchen Lama reincarnation issue whereby monks and lay people protested against and condemned Chinese interference in the religious affairs of Tibet. The demonstrators expressed strong support for 6-year old Gendun Choekyi Nyima, who was recognized as the reincarnation of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in May 1995. The demonstrators also refused to accept any Chinese appointed reincarnation as Panchen Lama. The other protest which occurred on October 19 called for an end to Chinese occupation of Tibet.

TIBETAN DEMONSTRATOR HOSPITALISED

According to a reliable source from Tibet, on September 9, 1995, five people from the region of Dhamshung under Nagchu district led a demonstration in the Barkhor area of Lhasa. The five demonstrators condemned China's interference in the Panchen Lama re-incarnation issue. One of the demonstrators was badly beaten by the police authorities. Later he was taken to the "Men zhen Bu" Dhongkher Hospital. At present, he is reported to be in critical condition.

SHUGSHEB NUNS PROTEST AGAINST CHINESE OCCUPATION OF TIBET.

On October 19, 1995, at around 6.00 pm, six nuns of the Shugseb Nunnery carried out a peaceful protest in front of the Jokhang temple in the Barkhor area of Lhasa. The nuns raised slogans of "Free Tibet". As it was late in the evening, the nuns were able to continue their protest for a longer period. However, they were arrested after a while. Their whereabouts are not known.

Tashilhunpo Monks Protest Against China's Interference In The Panchen Lama

Issue

On November 4, 1995, six monks of the Tashilhunpo Monastery protested in front of the Shigatse fortress. The monks expressed their support for Gendun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the re-incarnation of the Panchen Lama. They refused to accept any reincarnation chosen by the Chinese. All six monks were reported to have been arrested. Their whereabouts are not known.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION CAUSED FLOODING IN DHARTSEDO.

The flooding of Dhartsedo (the border town between Tibet and China), twice in the month of August, was the worst that occurred in the past 250 years. The flood swept away many private homes and as a result many Chinese government offices situated in Dhartsedo have plans to shift to a higher and safer ground.

The main cause of flooding in this region is due to the wanton felling of timber trees which are being trucked down to China by the loads. So far, the Chinese authorities have taken no actions to resolve this problem.

HUMAN RIGHTS DESK

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

CTA, DHARAMSALA