Published by: World Tibet Network News, Friday, June 28, 1996

Amnesty International China Campaign Information

People's Republic of China Focus: Tibetan Nuns prisoners of conscience

In May 1992, 25-year old Ngawang Choekyi was among 14 nuns from Toelung Nyen Nunnery who were arrested in Lhasa because they had joined a pro-independence demonstration. She was sentenced to five years' impris-onment and sent to Drapchi prison in Lhasa. In 1993, her sentence was increased by eight years after she and 13 other nuns were convicted of having composed and recorded pro-independence songs in prison.

The songs were recorded on a tape recorder that had been smuggled into the prison. The tape was secretly circulated in Tibet. On the tape, each of the 14 nuns announce their names and then dedicate a song or poem to their friends and supporters. One nun sings: 'All of you outside who have done all that you can for us in prison, we are deeply grateful to you and we will never forget you". In most of the songs, the nuns reaffirm their commitment to Tibetan inde-pendence and make assurances that they are in good spirits. It is believed that the Chinese authorities deemed that the public distribution of these songs amounted to "spreading counter-revolutionary propaganda".

Amnesty International is very concerned that the 14 nuns received the additional punishment of eight years simply for the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of conscience and expression. Amnesty International is also concerned that the nuns have not received fair trials either when they were first sentenced or during the second trial in October 1993. The organization considers that the trial procedures provided in Chinese law do not meet the minimum standards for fair trial set out in international human rights standards.

Women make up about 1/3 of the political prisoners known to be held in Tibet. All but two are nuns. The number of women political prisoners has reportedly tripled in the past three years. In 1994, there were apparently 68 women prisoners in Drapchi alone, compared with 23 in 1991.

Amnesty International considers Ngawang Choekyi, along with the 13 other nuns, to be prisoners of conscience, who have not used or advocated vio-lence. Take action to free Ngawang Choekyi and to end human rights viola-tions in Tibet. Write to the address listed below seeking her immediate and unconditional release.

Gyaltsen Norbu Zhuxi

President of the Xizang Autonomous Regional People's Government Xizang

Zizhuiqu Renmin Zhengfu

1 Kang'angdonglu

Lasashi 850000

Xizang Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Salutation: Dear President

Send a copy of your letter to:

His Excellency Li Daoyu

Embassy of the People's

Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

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