2003 Was a Human Rights Fiasco, Says TCHRD Report
Dharamsala, 5 February: The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) officially unveiled its Annual Report 2003: Human Rights Situation in Tibet during the World Social Forum in Mumbai. The report focuses on five spheres of rights violation of Tibetans in Tibet: Civil Liberties, Religion, Development, Subsistence and Education. The 104- page report was released here yesterday.
In a press statement issued at the release of the report, the only Tibetan organisation monitoring human rights situation inside Tibet appealed to the international community to maintain pressure on the PRC to improve its human rights record and demanded concrete results from China to implement its human rights treaties and obligations to the United Nations.
“With a new generation of Chinese leaders taking over the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) leadership, the year 2003 opened on note of great promise for Tibet. However, this was not to be,” said the statement.
TCHRD accused China of serious restrictions and repressions of the rights to freedom of expression, association and religion.
It told reporters here that arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, unfair trails, torture and execution continued to remain prominent during the year.
“The year 2003 opened with the summary execution of Lobsang Dhondup and upholding of suspended death sentence on Trulku Tenzin Delek on alleged charges of involvement in a string of bomb explosions. This judicial decision led to increased fear over China blurring the distinction between the global campaign against terrorism and peaceful Tibetan freedom struggle. The Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (“TAP”) of eastern Tibet in present-day Sichuan Province remained the plateau’s most volatile region in terms of peaceful political protests and cases of arrest and detention,” said Ms. Norzin Dolma, the senior programme officer at the centre.
Referring to the anti-Dalai Lama campaign in Kardze and Lithang areas of Tibet, the centre said that restrictive measures were imposed on observance of traditional religious practices and belief.
“Indoctrination of monks and nuns continue to take place under the aegis of “patriotic education” campaign. Four monks from Khangmar Monastery were sentenced to lengthy imprisonment terms ranging from eight to twelve years for conducting prayer ceremonies for the Dalai Lama. The residents of Kardze and Lithang counties were threatened with land confiscation if they fail to hand over portraits of the Dalai Lama to the local authorities within a month. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the XIth Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama in May 1995, continues to be detained by the Chinese authorities for the eighth consecutive year”, Ms. Norzin added.
For copies contact TCHRD
Phone no: +91 1892 223363/225874/229225
E-mail: [email protected]