World Tibet Network News Saturday, June 27, 1998

Dharamsala, June 26, 1998 (TCHRD) - Several unconfirmed reports from Tibet indicate that seven prisoners have died following incidents in Drapchi Prison in Lhasa on May 1 and May 4, 1998 in which officials opened fire on prisoners. At least 60 prisoners sustained severe injuries and 15 are reported to be in critical condition. Most of the injured prisoners are being kept in the "Tibet Autonomous Region" military hospital near Sera monastery.

The deaths include Karma Dawa, Lobsang Gelek, Tashi Lhamo, an unidentified nun from Phenpo Jhopo, and three other unidentified nuns.

On both occasions, Chinese prison officials and People's Armed Police clamped down severely on prisoners involved in a peaceful demonstration calling for Tibet's independence and expressing their support for the then on-going "Unto Death Hunger Strike" of exiled Tibetans in India.

Karma Dawa, a non-political prisoner serving a sentence of 13 years, reportedly led the demonstration along with Karma Sonam. The two prisoners began throwing pamphlets reading "Free Tibet" amongst the crowd of prisoners gathered during a Chinese flag raising ceremony on May 1. Earlier reports expressed serious concerns amongst Drapchi prisoners that Karma Dawa and Karma Sonam might be executed. The latest report from Tibet indicate that Kadar (Karma Dawa) has died in prison. The cause of his death is not known but it was reported that doctors found "Free Tibet" inscribed on Karma Dawa's body when performing post-mortem. After taking pictures, his body was taken back to Drapchi prison.

Lobsang Gelek, a monk from Damshung County in Lhasa Prefecture, was shot dead in the May 1 Drapchi demonstration. His body was cremated near Chusang Hermitage. His 74-year-old father was called to the cremation where he was told that his son had committed suicide and he was offered 700 yuan as a gesture of consolation. Another source reported that 24-year-old Tenzin

Choephel from Damshung County was shot dead on May 1. It is presumed that these two names refer to the one person. Tenzin Choephel could be the lay name of Lobsang Gelek.

A nun named Choekey Wangmo, 21 from Phenpo Sharbum and an unidentified nun from Phenpo Jhopo were reportedly subjected to severe torture for taking part in the May 1 demonstration and the nun from Phenpo Jhopo is said to have died from her injuries.

A nun named Tashi Lhamo and three unidentified nuns were shot during the May 4 demonstration that occurred during the celebration of "Youth Day" in Drapchi prison. Tashi Lhamo died at "TAR" Military Hospital on June 7 at around 1:50 pm and her dead body was handed over to her relatives. Tashi Lhamo was serving a sentence of 6 years and it is reported that her prison term was about to expire. The three nuns are also reported to have died. The names and the details of their deaths are unknown but those who saw the dead bodies described them as swollen.

Gyaltsen Choephel, a 27 year-old political prisoner, refused to believe the Chinese officials who said that the four nuns had committed suicide by consuming poison. As a result he was beaten severely and one source reports that he is currently in "TAR" Military Hospital. Gyaltsen was a Drepung monk from Lhasa Garu Shar. He was serving a sentence of 15 years for his involvement in the demonstration on March 5, 1988.

The demonstration of May 4 was led by 27-year-old Dawa whose current condition is not known. Gyaltsen Dolkar, born in Meldro Gongkhar, is a nun from Garu nunnery. Her lay name is Gyaltsen Dolkar. She was arrested and sentenced to four years for taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Norbulingka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama, on August 22, 1990. In 1992 her sentence was further extended by eight years for recording "patriotic songs" while in Drapchi prison. She is currently serving 12 years prison term.

Following the two demonstrations, all regular activities in Drapchi prison were stalled and severe restrictions were imposed on outsiders attempting to enter the prison complex or to meet with prisoners. There are currently 520 political prisoners, including 250 female political prisoners, in Drapchi prison and it was reported that every prisoner was subjected to interrogation. Prison officials threatened prisoners that those who spoke of the incidents to outsiders would be executed and prison staff were threatened with criminal indictment.

Four prisoners were reportedly released after the expiry of their prison terms several days after the incidents in Drapchi Prison. However, upon reaching the main gate of the prison, their papers confirming their release were confiscated and they were taken to Gutsa Detention Centre for fear that they might speak of the incidents.

Ngawang Sungrab a 27 year-old Drepung monk from Phenpo was shot by prison officials during the May 4 demonstration. He is reported to be in critical condition in "TAR" Military Hospital. Ngawang Sungrab was serving a prison sentence of 10 years for his participation in 1989 demonstration.

It is reported that Ngawang Sangdrol, a nun who is the longest serving female political prisoner in Tibet, along with the nuns Ngawang Choezom (23) from Taktse and Ngawang Tenzin (24) from Jorenang are being kept in solitary confinement in Drapchi Prison and subjected to severe interrogation. Ngawang Choezom was from Chubsang Nunnery and was serving 11 years while Ngawang Tenzin was serving 5 years. Both were serving their term in Drapchi Prison.

Contact persons: Lobsang Tsering

Elizabeth Cossor

Ph: 0091 1892 23363/22510