World Tibet Network News Saturday, May 16, 1998

Dharamsala - 15 May: In a horrific display of power, 150 political prisoners in Drapchi Prison were recently fired at following a peaceful demonstration. On May 1, 1998, in a shocking incident, 150 Tibetan political prisoners were shot at following a peaceful demonstration describes a confidential letter sent from Tibet and passed to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rightsand Democracy on May 15, 1998. The prisoners are all currently detained in Drapchi, the "Tibet Autonomous Region's" No. 1 Prison. The shooting occurred when the 150 political prisoners flew the Tibetan national flag and demonstrated within the prison compound. Shortly afterwards, the officials of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People's Armed Police (PAP) force stormed into the prison and arrested all of the 150 demonstrators in a swift and forceful reaction to the demonstration. The report further elaborates that armed police used every forcible means to clamp down on the demonstrators, leading to firing by the PSB and PAP armed forces on

the unarmed political prisoners. It is not known how many prisoners were either killed or injured. Many are believed to have later been put in solitary confinement and to under go brutal atrocities in those cells.

Issued by - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - Dharamsala