DHARAMSALA, January 09, 1996 (DIIR) -- The Human Rights Desk has received news that Lobsang Gyatso who was arrested in February 1995 still awaits his sentence in prison. The Chinese have detained him for over nine months without passing any sentence on him while his parents and relatives are denied their right to visit him in prison.

Personal Details:

Lobsang Gyatso who as of 1995 is 17 years old, was a monk of Chamdo Monastery in Chamdo. Lobsang Gyatso was born in Kyiyon Village of Zokhang County in Chamdo. Before entering Chamdo Monastery as a monk, he lived with his parents, Tsewang Damdul a businessman and Phurbu Choedon a housewife.

Arrest and Imprisonment:

On February 26, 1995 a poster appeared on a wall near Chamdo Monastery. On the poster was written slogans like: "Tibet is independent" and "Chinese quit Tibet". The Chinese arrested Lobsang Gyatso because the poster was signed by him and also bore his address.

Lobsang Gyatso is presently being detained in Silthang Prison as he awaits his sentence.