Published by: World Tibet Network News, Friday, May 17, 1996

From: Human Rights Desk Department of Information and

International Relations Central Tibetan Administration,

Dharamsala, H.P.

May 15, 1996

Two Monks of Ganden Monastery Shot Dead For Protesting Ban on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Photos

In succession to the January 24, 1996 order by the "Tibet Autonomous Region's" Department of Culture to both the Norbulingka and Potala Palace to take down all photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Lhasa and other places, a ban has now been imposed on photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. According to our sources, this ban extends to ordinary households too.

In a related incident, on May 7, 1996, the Work Inspection Team ordered the Ganden Monastery, one of the three great monasteries of Lhasa to take down all photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This order was met with strong protests from the monks who refused to follow the order. The protest resulted in a fight between the Work Inspection Team and the monks. In the scuffle, two Chinese police officials and two monks were injured.

As the situation worsened, the monks ran up the hills surrounding the monastery and in self defence hurled down rocks at the Chinese officials. According to our sources, two of the monks were shot dead and forty monks were arrested in the ensuing police firing.

Reliable sources reported that on May 9, 1996 an urgent meeting of the "TAR" authorities was called to discuss strategies to crackdown on all `splittist activities'. A detailed report of the proceedings of the meeting was also broadcasted by Radio Lhasa.

According to fresh reports, the Director and the Party Secretary of the Lhasa City Nationalities and Religious Affairs Committee visited Ganden Monastery, the site of the May 7, 1996 protests against banning of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's photos.

Bombs Explode in Shigatse and Panam Dzong in Two Separate Incidents

According to reliable sources, in mid April 1996, bomb explosions occurred in Shigatse and Panam Dzong in two separate incidents.

At Panam Dzong, a bomb exploded outside the residence of a Chinese tax official. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the bombing was in protest of the increase in taxation in recent times.

Following the two bombing incidents, Chinese authorities in Shigatse are reported to have tightened security and are said to be keeping a close watch on all officials as they suspect an inside hand in the incident. It has also been reported that the Shigatse Public Security Bureau officials have been replaced by new and trusted Chinese officials.

So far, we have not received any reports on the extent of damages caused by the bombings nor related arrests.

The following is a detailed account of the situation at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery given by two Tashi lhunpo monks who escaped to India in April 1996.

"Our names are Dawa Samdup (ordained name Lobsang Samdup) and Tashi Phuntsok (ordained name Lobsang Phuntsok)".

Background:

"We have been monks of Tashi lhunpo Monastery for more than ten years. We did not wish to leave our monastery but were forced to leave due to excessive pressure and tension. We left the monastery on March 13, 1996. On April 2, 1996 we arrived at the Reception Centre for new arrivals in Dharamsala. "

"We had to leave the monastery because we accept only Gendun Choekyi Nyima has the true reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. In the monastery, we cannot even speak his name. We want to speak and tell the rest of the world what really happened following His Holiness the Dalai Lama's proclamation of the reincarnation".

Arrest of Twenty Six Monks:

"At mid-night on July 12, 1995, twenty six monks were arrested from our monastery. We saw the monks being beaten by the Chinese officials. The monks were handcuffed and taken to Nyari Prison".

Cham-si-khang Meeting-Releases and Sentences

"Then on October 6, 1996, a meeting was called at the `Cham-si-khang' (ritual dance hall). All the monks were ordered to attend this meeting. During the course of the meeting, it was announced that out of the twenty six monks arrested on July 12, 1995, twenty one monks would be released. At the same time, they announced the sentence of the remaining five monks. Thupten Kelsang was sentenced to one year; Tendor sentenced to two and a half years; Chime Dorji sentenced to two years; Chungdak sentenced to six months and Gendun Gyatso sentenced to one year".

"Three other monks were also arrested and sentenced at this October 6, 1995 meeting by the head of the Shigatse Public Security Bureau. Sonam Choephel of Shepa Khangtsen, Thoesamling College; Lobsang Gyatso of Dhangchen Khangtsen, Kyikhang College and Lobsang Tsultrim of Yangpa Khangtsen, Thoesamling College were accused of engaging in "splittist activities". They were handcuffed and arrested during the meeting by six army officials. Sonam Choephel was sentenced to two years; Lobsang Gyatso was sentenced to one year and Lobsang Tsultrim to six months. The three monks are presently in Nyari Prison in Shigatse."

Cham-si-khang Meeting- Expulsions

"Three monks of Tashi lhunpo Monastery were expelled during the course of this same meeting. Two of the monks Gelek and Sonam Phuntsok were handed over to Namling Dzong, their place of origin. The monks were escorted to Namling Dzong by Lhase, Party Secretary of Shigatse Religious Bureau and Pasang Standing Committee Director of the Democratic Management Committee of Tashi lhunpo Monastery. Lhakpa Tsering, the third monk was handed over to the Shigatse Sub-District officials".

Expulsion Procedure:

"After completing six months, Chungdak, (mentioned above) was released from Nyari Prison but was expelled from the monastery in mid January 1996 during a general meeting. Chungdak was also ordered to pay up 1000 yuan as fees for his accommodation and food for the period of his stay at the monastery but we all knew that he was actually being fined for his involvement in the protest of July 12, 1995 against the Chinese authorities".

More Arrests:

"On November 19, 1995, three more monks were arrested from Tashi lhunpo Monastery. Gyatrul Rinpoche was re-arrested and is presently in Nyari Prison. On the same day, Phuntsok of Lekling Khangtsen, Thoesamling College, and Jampa of Tehor Khangtsen, Thoesamling College were arrested. As of March 13, 1996, the day we left Tashi lhunpo, the three monks were still in Nyari Prison".

More Expulsions:

"Two Tashi lhunpo Monastery monks were expelled from the monastery for listening to the Tibetan language broadcast of the Voice of America (VOA). The monks, 25-year old Sherab and 28-year old Tenzin Choephel both of Gyatse Khangtsen, Shartse College, were expelled from the monastery in October 1995".

Deaths and Farewells:

"Soon after His Holiness the Dalai Lama's proclamation of the Panchen Lama's reincarnation on May 14, 1995, the Chinese implemented tight control inside Tibet and specially in Shigatse. Unable to stand the pressure and the constant denouncement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, by the Chinese appointed "Work Team", sixteen monks of Tashi lhunpo Monastery suffering from "rlung" or high blood pressure died between June 1995 and March 1996. This high death rate is directly related to the tremendous pressure and suppression that the monks were subjected to. Also during this time twenty three monks between the age groups of 13-40 left the monastery".

Lady Doctors Expelled From Job For `Instigating Monks':

"In October 1995, two Tibetan lady doctors from the Shigatse Tibetan Medical Institute were expelled from their jobs. The two doctors, Tsamchoe and Dolkar were accused of "instigating young monks of Tashi lhunpo Monastery to protest against the Chinese authorities". On July 20, 1995 the two doctors were interrogated by Chinese officials and then in October 1995, the two were expelled from the Shigatse Tibetan Medical Institute.

"After their expulsion, Dr. Tsamchoe and Dr. Dolkar planned to open a private clinic in Shigatse but they were refused permission. Finally they got employed by a Tibetan medical school sponsored by the Red Cross Society in Penshung District. This medical school had been built under the patronage of the Xth Panchen Lama. However, five days later, the two doctors were expelled from the school after the Chinese authorities found out about them. An employee of the school who was responsible for recruiting the doctors was warned by the Chinese. At present both Dr. Tsamchoe and Dr. Dolkar are jobless and dependent on their families".

Four Monks of Gyangtse Palgon Chorten Arrested

"More recently in December 1995, four monks of Gyangtse Dzong Palgon Chorten were arrested by the Chinese. On December 18, 1995, two monks, Lobsang Dhamchoe a monk of Shingje College, Palgon Chorten and Kalsang a monk of Sera College, Palgon Chorten were arrested for distributing long life prayers for Gendun Choekyi Nyima, reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The two monks are accused of distributing these prayers among the monks of Palgon Chorten in the monastery's main prayer hall. On raiding Lobsang Dhamchoe's room, a Tibetan flag and a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama were discovered. The two monks were taken to Nyari Prison in Shigatse".

"Two other monks, Wangdu of Sera College, Gyangtse Palgon Chorten and his friend another monk, son of Pedon Tsonsar family in Shigatse Khangmar Dzong Tsang Nyirume were arrested in December 1995. Wangdu and his friend were taken to Gyangtse Dzong Chokte Prison".

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