Update on Tibet Demonstrations, 15 July 2008
Tuesday, 15 July 2008, 4:13 p.m.
Dharamshala: Update on Tibet Demonstrations, 15 July 2008
Last updated 4 p.m. (IST)
No Specific Date
Palbar (Ch: Bianba) County, Chamdo Prefecture, Kham (incorporated into “TAR”) – 4 arrested: 2 for raising voice against unequal opportunities, 2 for sharing information
Palden Choedak and Nyidor, both men from Nyinmo township in Palbar
county, were arrested by the concerned Public Security Bureau (PSB)
from the locality at the beginning of July. It is reported that their
arrest is likely linked with raising of their voice against the Han
domination in the government officials and the PSB. They have also
demanded equal employment opportunities to the Tibetans. Detailed
information is not available.
Lobsang Choejor, a resident of the same township and a monk of
Bhenkar monastery in Driru county, and his elder brother Dorjee Tashi,
a lay person, were arrested by the county PSB for their alleged
involvement in sharing information about the Tibet protests to the
outside world. Their whereabouts and other detailed information are not
available.
Driru (Ch: Biru) County, Nagchu Prefecture, “TAR” – 11 given sentences to two and five years
Drakpa Gyaltsen and Naymay, both monks from Gyalsho Bhenkar
monastery in Bhenkar township, Driru county, were sentenced to two
years in prison this March.
Similarly, three monks (Bhuchung Norwa, Bhu Tengay, and
Tsokchok) from the above-mentioned monastery and six lay people (Lhakpa
Tashi, Dorjee, Lhakpa, Kyayou, Zumril, and Woetro) from the same
township were given nine years of sentences this May. All the 11 were
imposed sentences at different times.
A few small monks from Gyalsho Bhenkar monastery were beaten by
some Chinese businessmen last December which was followed by a strong
protest from the Tibetans to the Chinese government against their
ethnic discrimination.
Gradually, the monks have started opposing the “patriotic
re-education”. Therefore, around 270 monks and lay people were arrested
and detained in Driru county prison. Among them, Loten Bhumo and
Sherab, both women, were released later upon paying the fine. They have
suffered more in prison as both of them have given birth to babies
recently.
