From DIIR

Published by: World Tibet Network News,Tuesday - December 18, 1995

Chinese enforce strict controls as dissent increases in Tibet in 1995.

1995 has been a year of growing dissent over Chinese occupation in Tibet following a major crackdown by the Chinese authorities against so-called "splittist activities" in Tibet. This political crackdown has resulted in the violations of many fundamental human rights in Tibet such as the right to freedom of religion, expression, assembly and the right to leave and return to ones own country.

TIN (Tibet Information Network- an independent news service in London) recorded the arrests of 98 Tibetans in 1994. So far this year there have been over 218 known political arrests in Tibet. These include people who were briefly detained and later released. The cause of the increase in arrests is related to the arrest of monks over the Panchen Lama selection process and the Chinese crackdown on the monasteries and nunneries in Tibet. 1995 also saw the deaths of four political prisoners of conscience dying as a result of ill treatment and torture in Chinese police custody. This figure does not represent the true number of deaths caused by maltreatment in police custody as many deaths occur after release from prison which are not reported.

In a major crackdown this year against the independence movement many monasteries and nunneries were raided, resulting in the expulsion of more than 88 monks and nuns in a series of three raids in the early half of the year.

This year diplomatic sources in Nepal admitted that by 19th June at least 200 Tibetans were known to have been deported by the Nepalese police and handed over to Chinese border police. TIN predicted at the end of July this year that the real figures for forced deportations this year was likely to be as high as 400. These forced deportations are continuing despite protests by the U.S, Australia and the UNHCR in Nepal.

There have also been many reports received this year about the harassment and increased surveillance of foreigners in Tibet.

Recently we have seen the selection by the Chinese of a new Panchen Lama, despite the fact that His Holiness declared Gendun Choekyi Nyima, a six year old boy from Nagchu, Tibet, to be the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama on May 14th 1995. Chadrel Rinpoche, the former head of the search committee who was arrested shortly after His Holiness's announcement and accused of "colluding" with His Holiness, is still being detained by the Chinese authorities.

More details of the human rights situation in Tibet for 1995 are provided in the following pages.

China Politicises the Panchen Lama Selection Process

The search and recognition of Panchen Lama's reincarnation is a religious matter. H.H. the Dalai Lama

* His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the reincarnation of the late Panchen Lama (the second highest spiritual authority in Tibet who passed away in 1989), on May 14th this year.

* 6-year old Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was proclaimed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be the new Panchen Lama reincarnation.

* The Chinese authorities in Lhasa recently announced a rival Panchen Lama, a six year old boy from Nagchu near Lhasa, claiming that His Holiness had no right to announce the Panchen Lama reincarnation.

* We are concerned for the safety of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, his parents and brother who have been declared " missing" for the past five months. The Chinese authorities have failed to reveal his whereabouts

* Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr. Guofang said on November 30, answering questions as to the whereabouts of Gendun Choekyi Nyima that, "he should be amongst China's 1.2 billion people".

* We are also concerned for the safety of Chadrel Rinpoche, the abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and former head of the Chinese appointed Search Committee for the reincarnation. Chadrel Rinpoche has been reported missing since May 1995.

Monasteries and Nunneries in Tibet Stormed and Nuns and Monks Expelled

* Monasteries and nunneries in Tibet were raided and many monks and nuns were expelled for their involvement in the independence movement inside Tibet.

* Nalanda monastery in Phenpo Lhundup county was raided twice in the last week of February 1995 resulting in the arrest of 40 monks. Following the raid, a political reeducation "work team" expelled 64 monks.

* Chinese authorities expelled 24 novices and the abbot and a teacher of Yamure hermitage near Lhasa for engaging in "splittist" activities after Chinese police stormed the hermitage.

* Then again, on the night of July 12/13th, a single police raid on the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery resulted in a reported arrest of thirty two monks of the monastery.

Tibetan Refugees Handed Back to Chinese Authorities by Nepalese Border Police

* This year many Tibetans who have tried to escape through Nepal for fear of political persecution or for a better education in exile were handed over to the Chinese authorities by Nepalese police at Dram, the border area of Nepal and Tibet.

* Since April 23rd 1995, the Nepalese border police have deported over more than two hundred Tibetan refugees in fourteen groups including a five-year old child. The situation is getting very serious with more deportations taking place every month.

* Those Tibetan refugees who are being deported face, the threat of torture, imprisonment and the denial of economic and political rights.

* These deportations were carried out despite strong protests from the U.S, Australia, and the U.N's High Commission for refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal.

Tibetan Independence Demonstrations and Arbitrary Arrests On the Rise

* The most number of arrests and demonstrations were recorded this year, since the 1989 demonstrations in Tibet.

* At least twenty three demonstrations are known to have taken place this year, sixteen in February and March alone.

Human Rights Desk

Department of Information and International Relations

Central Tibetan Administration

Gangchen Kyishong

Dharamsala 176 215

INDIA