Political prisoners and prisoners of conscience


Today over 1042 known Tibetan political prisoners and prisoners of conscience are suffering in various Chinese prisons in Tibet, including 278 women and 51 persons below the age of 18. The seven year-old Panchen Lama is still being held by the Chinese authorities along with his parents. Political prisoners like Lobsang Tenzin and Jigme Gyatso are serving life sentences and 70 year-old Tanak Jigme Sangpo is serving a 28 year sentence. Nuns like Phuntsok Nyidron and Ngawang Sangdrol are serving prison sentences of more than 17 years for expressing their political views.

Tibetans inside Tibet have continued to speak out against Chinese exploitation of Tibet as a land and the Tibetan people as a race. These protests are carried out in the form of peaceful demonstrations, most frequently conducted around the Jokhang (the main cathedral) in Lhasa, which unfailingly result in the arrest and indefinite detention of the demonstrators. In 1995 alone more than 230 known arrests of Tibetan demonstrators were recorded andin 1996 there were 204 Tibetans known to have been arrested for the peaceful expression of their political views.

3.1. International Law

Rule No. 31 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners21 states:

Corporal punishment, punishment by placing in a dark cell, and all cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments shall be completely prohibited as punishments for disciplinary offences.

Evidence collected over the years suggest that Tibetan prisoners of conscience are treated in the most inhumane manner possible. Tibetan prisoners are subjected to inconceivably cruel methods of torture ranging from whipping to inflicting electric shocks and sexual abuse in case of female political prisoners. They are subjected to torture as a means of obtaining confessions during interrogation sessions. Prisoners are frequently held incommunicado and are detained in sub-standard prison conditions. Between 1995 and 1996, eight known cases of deaths in custody were reported from Tibet, the youngest being Sherab Ngawang who died in May 1995 at the young age of fifteen.

3.2. Cases of long serving political prisoners still in detention

Tanak Jigme Sangpo, a former primary school teacher and now 70 years old, is serving one of the longest sentences imposed on a prisoner of conscience in Tibet. By the time he is released, in 2011, at the age of 85, Jigme Sangpo will have spent 28 unbroken years in prison. In 1983, aged 57, he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for "counter-revolutionary propaganda and incitement". In 1988 he received an additional five years prison sentence for shouting pro-independence slogans in jail. In December 1991, he was reported to have been beaten for shouting slogans during a visit to Drapchi prison by Swiss government officials to China and to have been subsequently held in solitary confinement for at least six weeks. His sentence was again increased, this time by a further eight years. He remains in Drapchi Prison. Jigme Sangpo had spent at least 13 years in prison for similar offenses before 1980. He shall have spent 41 years in prison by the year 2011 when he is due for release.

Ngawang Phulchung, a 36 or 37 year-old monk of Drepung Monastery, was sentenced at a public rally on November 30, 1989 to 19 years imprisonment. He was accused of forming a "counter-revolutionary group" which had clandestinely produced political leaflets from their monastery. Ngawang Phulchung was arrested in April 1989 along with three other monks of Drepung Monastery. Among the "reactionary literature" published by the group was a complete Tibetan translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 30 March 30 1991, He was severely beaten and placed in solitary confinement for trying to hand over, a petition protesting prison conditions to an American delegation visiting Drapchi Prison.

Sholpa Dawa, a Tibetan tailor in Lhasa, was sentenced to 9 years in October/November 1996, after almost 14 months of detention without charge. He had been arrested for the third time in Lhasa sometime in the early part of August 1995 for engaging in "political activities". Sholpa Dawa was first arrested on September 29, 1981. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment for allegedly distributing pamphlets on the independence of Tibet. He was deprived of his political rights22 for one year. He spent six months in Gutsa and one and a half years in Sangyip Prison. On 8 November 1985, he was arrested for the second time for distributing pamphlets denouncing the deteriorating living conditions of 6 million Tibetans and the anti-secular foreign (Chinese) invasion of Tibet. Sholpa Dawa was indicted along with eight other young Tibetans. This time he was sentenced to four years in Sangyip Prison and was deprived of his political rights for the duration of one year. Sholpa Dawa will have spent 16 years in prison for expressing his views, by the time he is released.

Ngawang Pekar, a 34 year-old monk of Drepung Monastery, was halfway through an eight year sentence when his prison term was extended by six years on 31 March 1996. In August 1995, Ngawang Pekar was caught trying to smuggle out a list of political prisoners and a document describing human rights violations while in Drapchi Prison. Following his sentence, Ngawang Pekar is now serving a total of 14 years in prison. Ngawang Pekar was first arrested on 12 July 1989 for putting up independence posters and participating in a demonstration.

Lobsang Tenzin, a 27 year-old former student of Tibet University, was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 1991. Arrested on 19 March 1988, Lobsang Tenzin was implicated as the "principal culprit" in the death of a People's Armed Police officer during the independence demonstrations in Lhasa on 5 March 1988. Lobsang Tenzin was also one of the political prisoners involved in trying to hand over a petition to James Lilley, then U.S. Ambassador to China. According to recent reports, Lobsang Tenzin's sentence has been reduced to 18 years. He is presently serving his sentence in Powo Tramo's Labour Camp. According to some former political prisoners who reached India recently say that his sentence has been reduced to 18 years.

Jigme Gyatso, in his thirty's, was a businessman and also a former monk of Tashi Khyil Monastery in Labrang, Amdo (Chinese: Qinghai). Arrested in 1987 for political reasons, Jigme Gyatso was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1988. His trial was attended by relatives who reported that he received a life sentence. In November 1991, he reportedly became severely ill and was "trembling and unable to stand up". During his illness, he was refused medical treatment although his relatives were allowed to take him to a clinic for a one-time visit. Jigme Gyatso was reportedly beaten in prison even after his illness. He is presently serving life imprisonment in Drapchi Prison.

Jampel Changchub, a 35 year old Drepung Monastery monk, was sentenced to 19 years with five years deprivation of political rights in 1989. He was arrested on 16 April 1989. He was tried at a mass public meeting in Lhasa on 30 November 1989 and charged with "counter-revolutionary" advocacy of Tibetan independence. Jampel Changchub is presently serving his 19 years sentence in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Gyaltsen (lay name: Ngoegyan) is a 38 year-old Drepung Monastery monk originally from Toelung Dechen County. Arrested on 16 April 1989 and sentenced to 17 years with five years subsequent deprivation of political rights. As an "accessory offender", he was charged with "actively participating in criminal activities, engaging in espionage, and illegally crossing the national border". Ngawang Gyaltsen was arrested while trying to flee the country with another monk. He was also implicated for sending information about the violence in Lhasa out of the country. Ngawang Gyaltsen is presently serving his sentence in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Oezer (lay name: Jamyang), aged 24 years from Lhokha Dranang, was arrested on 16 April 1989 and sentenced to 17 years with five years deprivation of political rights. He was accused of being a "main culprit" in organising a "counter-revolutionary clique" and spreading propaganda.

Tenpa Wangdrak (lay name: Sonam), a 51 year-old former monk of Ganden Monastery, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in 1991 for attempting to hand over a petition protesting prison conditions to James Lilley, then U.S. Ambassador to China in Drapchi Prison. Tenpa Wangdrak had been arrested on March 7, 1988 for participating in a demonstration. On 28 April 1991, he was moved to the labour camp in Powo Tramo county in Kongpo (Chinese: Nyingchi) and was held in Dhamchu, a unit within the prison complex.

3.3. Serwa Monks in Powo Tramo Labour Camp

Five monks of Serwa Monastery; Jampa Tashi, Lobsang Palden, Jigme Dorje, Lobsang Tsegye and Pema Tsering were sentenced in 1994 to terms ranging between 12 to 15 years for "counter-revolutionary sabotage". The monks were arrested on 29 March 1994. They had allegedly broken the name-plate on a government building and pasted up independence slogans in Pakshoe Ritri, about 226 km south of Chamdo.

The monks were sentenced on July 6, 1994 at a public trial by a court of Pakshoe county, Chamdo Prefecture. Jampa Tashi (28) and Lobsang Palden were sentenced to 12 years each, while Jigme Dorje, Lobsang Tsegye and Pema Tsering were all sentenced to 15 years each. The monks are presently being held in Powo Tramo's Labour Camp23.

3.4. Known Tibetan political prisoners serving sentences of 10 years and above

Ngawang Choephel is a 30 year-old Tibetan music teacher. He was arrested in September 1995 and sentenced in December 1996 to 18 years. 24

Ngawang Sangdrol is a 19 year-old nun of Garu Nunnery who was arrested in 1992 . Her original three year sentence has been extended by six years and later nine years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.25

Phuntsok Nyidron is a 28 year-old nun of Michungri Nunnery. Arrested on 14 October 1989 and sentenced to nine years and then eight years, she is presently in Drapchi Prison.26

Dradul, a 25 year-old ex-soldier from Lhasa Town 2, was arrested on 12 March 1989 and sentenced to 16 years. He is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Lhundrup Dorje, a 25 year-old farmer from Dashar village under Medro Gyama Trikhang District was arrested on 30 June 1992 and sentenced on 20 October 1992 to 15 years with four years deprivation of political rights.

Ngawang Chamtsul (lay name Loyak) the 36 year-old former caretaker-monk at the Potala Palace, was arrested on 10 March 1989. He was sentenced at a mass rally on 6 December 1989 to 15 years with five years deprivation of political rights and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Tenzin Thupten, a 25 year-old nun of Michungri Nunnery, was arrested on August 12, 1990 and sentenced to 14 years. She is presently serving her sentence in Drapchi Prison.

Kunchok Lodroe, a 25 year-old farmer from Dashar village under Medro Gyama Trikhang District, was arrested on 30 June 1992 and sentenced on 20 October 1992 to 13 years with four years deprivation of political rights. He is presently serving term in Drapchi Prison.

Sonam Rinchen is a 25 year-old farmer from Dashar village in Medro Gongkar. He was arrested on 30 June 1992 and sentenced on 20 October 1992 to 13 years with four years subsequent deprivation of political rights and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Tsamdrol, a 22 year-old nun of Nyengoan Nunnery was arrested on 14 May 1992 and sentenced to 13 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Tsering Phuntsog is a 28 year-old monk of Palkhor Choede Monastery. He was arrested in August 1990 and sentenced to 13 years and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Tsering Ngodup, a 61 year-old from Lhokha Lhuntse, was arrested on 7 April 1989, sentenced on 12 September 1989 to 12 years, and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Jigme Yangdon is a 25 year-old nun of Shungseb Nunnery. She was arrested on 28 August 1992 and sentenced to 12 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Gyaltsen Dolkar, a 23 year-old nun of Garu Nunnery, was arrested on 21 August 1990 and sentenced to 12 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Lobsang Gelek is a 24 year-old Sera monk from Toe Lhatse. He was arrested on 17 November 1989, sentenced in 1990 to 12 years and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Rinzin Choekyi is a 23 year-old nun of Shungseb Nunnery. She was arrested on 28 August 1990 and sentenced to 12 years and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Jigme Yangchen, a 24 year-old nun of Shungseb Nunnery, was arrested on 1 October 1990 and sentenced to 12 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Namdrol Lhamo, a 29 year-old nun of Chubsang Nunnery, was arrested on 12 May 1992 and sentenced to 12 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Jigme Dickey is a 20 year-old nun of Shungseb Nunnery. Arrested on 1 October 1990 and sentenced to 11 years, she is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Choezom is a 23 year-old nun of Chubsang Nunnery. She was arrested on 21 March 1992 and sentenced to 11 years and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngodrup (also known as Ngodrup Phuntsog and Ngophun), 37 years old from Lhasa, and a former member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was arrested in March 1989 and sentenced to 11 years with four years subsequent deprivation of political rights.

Lobsang Palden (lay name: Gyalthar or Gyaltsen Tharchin) aged 34 years from Chamdo Pakshoe County, was sentenced to 10 years in 1991 on charges of "reactionary behavior". He is presently serving his term in Powo Tramo Labour Camp.

Ngawang Sungrab is a 22 year-old monk of Drepung Monastery. He was arrested on 27 September 1991 and sentenced to 10 years and is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Tensang, a 26 year-old monk of Drepung Monastery, was arrested on 14 September 1991 and sentenced to 10 years. He is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Lochoe is a 24 year-old nun of Nyengoan Nunnery who was arrested on 4 May 1992 and sentenced to 10 years. She is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Tendar Phuntsog, the 64 year-old caretaker-monk from the Potala Palace, was arrested on 8 March 1989 and sentenced to 10 years. He is presently in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Choephel, a 31 year old Ghemo Monastery monk in Lithang was arrested on August 20, 1993 and sentenced in 1996 to 10 years. He may be detained in the Lithang Dzong Prison under Karze administration.

Jampel Lobsang (also known as Jampel Losel), aged 29 years from Taktse County, was arrested in March 1989 and sentenced to 10 years with three years subsequent deprivation of political rights.

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Last updated: 14-Feb-97