Press Statement of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies on recent crackdown at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa:

23rd December 2005: The Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, democratically elected by the Tibetans in exile, accepted by the Tibetans in and outside Tibet to be highest legislative body of the Tibetans is committed to the Middle Way Policy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in finding a mutually (People’s Republic of China and Tibet) acceptable solution for the future of Tibet. We commend the People’s Republic of China for the contact established between Beijing and Dharamsala since September 2002. The exile government is engaged in creating a conducive atmosphere for future negotiation even at times disappointing many Tibetans and Tibet supporters.

However, the recent unfortunate incident in Tibet particularly the death of Ngawang Jangchub, 28 in the first week of October under mysterious circumstances and the arrest of senior monk Nawang Phelgyal and four other monks on 23rd November, mass protest by the monks of the Drepung monastery on the 25th November demanding the whereabouts and the release of the arrested monks warrants this expression from us.

The crime of these arrested monks was, the fact that they refused to sign statement, denouncing His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a separator and recognizing Tibet to be an integral part of China. Since, the arrest and the protest that followed, according to reliable reports the monastery is under situation of curfew surrounded and guarded by the People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB). Free movement is not allowed therefore, it is difficult to ascertain the correct current situation in the monastery. We have also received report of military presence in Sera monastery, incidents at the Gharik Nunnery and in other places of worship.

The silent peaceful procession by the monks and nuns on the 23rd December in New Delhi is to express solidarity with those who are denied religious freedom in Tibet and to draw world attention to the human rights situations inside Tibet.

We have written to the Secretary General of the United Nations for protection of religious freedom and restoration of human rights in Tibet and to the Chinese President, Mr. Hu Jintao to help create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect the religious freedom of the people of Tibet.

Copies of the memorandums are circulated for your information.

Mrs. Gyari Dolma