Updates on Tibet, 23 April 2008
Wednesday, 23 April 2008, 5:15 p.m.
Update for Wednesday, 23 April 2008, last updated 2 PM (IST)
Re: Tibet Demonstrations
22 April 2008
Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) County, Karze, “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province- China attempting various tactics to obtain Tibetan signatures.
At Chokri Town, Drakgo County, concerned Chinese officials have started
to collect signatures on blank pieces of paper. They have not provided
an explanation for their dubious act.
A few years back, people of Drakgo County were ordered by the
Chinese government to grow various plants and trees on most of their
agricultural lands. The people were given monetary compensation for
their participation. Currently, the people have been told that if they
still want such monetary compensation, then they would have to provide
their signatures on blank pieces of paper.
It has also been announced that the poorer families in the
region would be provided with assistance in meeting the fees of their
school-going children from the Chinese Government if they provided
their signatures.
Very few people provided their signatures while others
emphasized that even though they were poor, they have no desire to take
[their] money.
19 April 2008
Dzoge (Ch: Ruoergai) County, Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province –190 young monks flee due to tight restrictions
On 19 April, around 190 young monks from Tak-tsang Lhamo Kirti
monastery had to flee the monastery compounds due to the extremely
tight restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities on the monastery.
On 15 March, the monks of Tak-tsang Lhamo Kirti monastery held
a protest at the market. Around 21 monks in total were arrested during
different times for their alleged participation in the protest.
“Patriotic re-education” classes continue at the monastery and monks
are constantly harassed. It seems very likely that more monks will be
arrested in the future. Such factors have led to the 190 monks fleeing
from the monastery compounds.
Tak-tsang Lhamo Kirti monastery remains under a tense situation.
4 and 5 April
Lithang (Ch: Litang) County, Karze, “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province- Chinas forced tactics proving a big failure
On 4 and 5 April, concerned Chinese officials arrived at Lithang
monastery. Without any explanation, they demanded that the monks
provide their signatures on blank pieces of paper.
The monks made it clear to the Chinese officials they would not
provide their signatures on blank pieces of paper. Chinese officials
tried to pressure the heads of the monastery so they in turn could
convince the other monks. However, the heads of the monastery did not
give into the Chinese pressure.
Again, on 20 April, concerned Chinese officials arrived at
Lithang monastery. At Tse-nyi monastery (part of Lithang Monastery) it
was announced that each monk would have to hold a Chinese flag in one
hand and at the same time provide their signature with their other
hand. A picture would be taken simultaneously. All the monks of Tse-nyi
monastery did not accept the demands.
April beginning
Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) County, Karze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province-Tibetan man arrested days after fleeing
Yeshe, who had fled after a scuffle with a Township head, has
been arrested by Chinese police sometime in the beginning of April.
On 26 March, the officials of Chokri Getse Township, Drakgo
County, gave a public talk to vilify His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A
60-year-old woman stood up during that session and strongly opposed the
vilification campaign.
When the woman was beaten by the Township head, her son Yeshe
tried to intervene resulting in a fight between him and the Township
head. Yeshe was then compelled to escape from the area.
Two released prisoners give testimony over conditions in Chinese prison
Two men from Jomda (Ch: Jiangda) have been released from prison.
They were arrested for their alleged involvement in the protest on 14
March in Lhasa. They wish for their names to remain anonymous. The
following information is based on their testimony.
After being arrested on 14 March, they were taken to Gutsa prison,
Lhasa. From there they were transferred to another prison, in a very
cold location. Various torture methods were being used on the Tibetans
who were arrested during the protests.
Tibetan prisoners were also being deprived of regular food and few
Tibetans had to resort to drinking their own urine. Tibetans are being
literally starved to death. Tibetan prisoners requested the two to
report the conditions of the prisoners to Tibetans outside Tibet and
the Central Tibetan Administration.
Both the two Tibetans that were released are in bad physical condition
from the torture and beatings they suffered during their imprisonment.
