TAKNA JIGME SANGPO ARRIVES IN THE US FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
DHARAMSALA, 15 July: Dharamsala welcomes the positive gesture by the Chinese authorities
Takna Jigme Sangpo, the longest serving political prisoner in Tibet, after having been released from Lhasa’s Drapchi prison on medical parole on March 31, 2002, arrived from Beijing to the United States. Jigme Sangpo, 76, is expected to seek medical treatment in Washington, D.C.
“We welcome the fact that Takna Jigme Sangpo is permitted to visit the United States for medical treatment”, said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (Chairman of the highest executive body of Tibetan Administration).
“This is an appreciable and positive gesture and we consider this a step in the right direction,” said Rinpoche.
Takna Jigme, born in 1926, was first reportedly arrested in 1960 while teaching at the Lhasa Primary School. At the time, he was charged with “corrupting the minds of children with reactionary ideas.”
In 1964 he received a second sentence, where he served three years in Sangyip Prison for making comments regarding Chinese repression of Tibetans.
Takna Jigme served more than three decades in prison.
Takna Jigme was highly respected by other political prisoners for his determination and is considered to be a great Tibetan patriot. There had been serious concerns for his health in prison for several years.
Jigme Sangpo was met at the Chicago airport by members of Tibetan community. Soon after he spoke by telephone to Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, who is attending a conference of Tibetan-Americans in Minneapolis. Rinpoche expressed his personal greetings to Takna Jigme and urged him to “take rest”.
“We urge the People’s Republic of China to release other Tibetan political prisoners languishing in various prisons and that the Chinese leadership will find the courage, wisdom and vision”, added Samdhong Rinpoche.
Contacts:
Thubten Samphel
Sonam N. Dagpo
Tel: (1892) 22510/22457