For immediate release:

The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration is deeply concerned that two Tibetans have been sentenced to death and two others have been given suspended death sentences with two-year reprieve. The Kashag’s concern on this kind of arbitrary sentences meted out to Tibetans is exacerbated by the fact that there is no due process of law and the courts in the People’s Republic of China are political instruments of the authorities.Ever since the massive arrests that took place during the repression that followed to crush the protests which erupted throughout Tibet last year, the Kashag appealed to the PRC authorities to release all political prisoners and to provide them with proper medical treatment. The Kashag once again urges the Chinese authorities to free all Tibetan prisoners of conscience.The Kashag believes that the China’s massive and continued repression of Tibetans is fuelling even deeper resentment. In view of this the Kashag believes that the best way to resolve the issue of Tibet is to address the just concerns of the Tibetan people based on honesty and sincerity.

The Kashag9 April 2009

Contacts: Thubten Samphel

               Sonam N Dagpo

               Secretary

               Department of Information & International Relations