The stop the Torture campaign Background: The 'Stop the Torture in Tibet' campaign was launched in March 2005 as a campaign aiming to abolish the systematic use of torture in Tibet's detention centres, prisons and reform-through-labour camps. While torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and detainees remains widespread under China's occupation, political prisoners are more vulnerable as they are specifically classified, isolated and targeted by the prisons' authorities. Free Tibet Campaign's Stop the Torture in Tibet initiative will highlight persistent torture and maltreatment in Tibet's prisons, detention centres and labour camps.   By highlighting individual political prisoners who have experienced torture, we aim to both contribute to their early release from prison and to bring to an end the practice of torture in Tibet.

Campaign Objectives: 1. To abolish the widespread use of torture in Tibet's detention facilities. 2. To press China to implement laws concerning human rights as specified under its international obligations. 3. To press China for the release of political prisoners in Tibet.

UN Special Rapporteur on torture in Tibet At the end of 2005, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr Manfred Nowak, visited China, Tibet and Xinjiang. Dr Nowak stated that "he was struck by the strictness of prison discipline and a palpable level of fear and self-censorship when talking to detainees". He also confirmed that a variety of torture methods are still widely and systematically used; including beatings, use of electric shock batons, submersion in pits of sewage, exposure to conditions of extreme heat or cold, deprivation of sleep, food or water, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical treatment and hard labour. Dr Nowak has pointed out the incentives for the police and security officials to obtain confessions through torture. He also noted the lack of independent, fair and accessible courts and prosecutors, as well as the ambiguity of the domestic law regarding political crimes, policies of re-education and sanctions of freedom of religion, expression and association. The situation in Tibet is aggravated by discriminatory treatment of Tibetans and the targeting of political prisoners." During his mission to Lhasa, Dr Nowak held on-site inspections of detention facilities in Drapchi Prison and the recently opened Chushur (Chinese: Qushui) Prison. In spite of time constraints and limited cooperation by the authorities, such as limited access to prison registers, staff and inmates, the Rapporteur was able to assess the level of repression and maltreatment using information from alternative sources such as ex-prisoners' testimonies. The Rapporteur was particularly concerned with sanctions placed on Tibetan monks, including prohibition on prayers and religious worship. He expressed concern that some prisoners are only "allowed outside of their cells for 20 minutes per day" and noted complaints about "the food, the extreme temperatures experienced in the cells during the summer and winter months and a general feeling of weakness due to lack of exercise". Despite meeting a number of local officials, including the Vice-Chairman of the TAR Nima Tsering, no-one informed Dr Nowak of the existence of the newly established Chushur Prison, near Lhasa; a prison to which many Tibetan political prisoners had been transferred months before. His attempts to meet ten Tibetan political prisoners were therefore unsuccessful and he was finally able to meet only three: Lama Jigme Tenzin (Bangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche), monk Lobsang Tsuitrim and Jigme Gyatsu. The three political prisoners testified to being subjected to severe torture during their interrogation, including beatings, electric shocks and deprivation of food and medical treatment. The report noted that they are still subject to mental and physical torture. Specifically, the report mentions that Bangri Rinpoche suffers from heart disease and gall stones, which are not being treated. The Rapporteur concluded in all three cases that "since (they have) been convicted of a political crime, possibly on the basis of information extracted by torture, the Special Rapporteur appeals to the Government that (they) be released".

Dawa Gyaltsen & Nyima (Tenzin Dorje) Ages: 46 / unknown Arrested: 1995 Sentence: 18 / 13 yrs Two brothers, Dawa Gyaltsen & Nyima (layname Tenzin Dorje) are currently in prison for producing leaflets calling for Tibetan freedom.. Read more Dolma Gyab Age: 30 Arrested: March 2005 Sentence: 10 yrs Dolma Gyab, a Tibetan history school teacher was sentenced to ten years imprisonment on charges that appear to be espionage.. Read more   Nyima Choedron RELEASED! We received news on 29 June that Nyima Choedron, Bangri Rinpoche's wife was released in February 2006, a year before her ten year sentence for 'splittism' would have expired. She is now reunited with her seven year old daughter who was born just before her arrest Read more

Prior to Mr. Nowak's visit, Free Tibet Campaign, together with International Campaign for Tibet and Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, provided him with a report outlining their main concerns and a list of current prisoners, released political prisoners and death-in-detention cases to be considered during his investigations. It was co-signed by 18 other Tibet support groups.

Unclarity is surrounding the status of the report on the visit to China and Tibet by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. The report was to be presented to the UN Human Rights Commission in April, but the creation of the new UN Human Rights Council has put the presentation on hold. Currently all of the former Commission's mechanisms are being reviewed, including the Special Rapporteurs' roles, mandates and functions.

However Free Tibet Campaign will continue to lobby and campaign to ensure the reports' recommendations, both general and on individual cases of victims of torture, are not ignored, as they provide a sound platform to end torture in China and Tibet.

 

Summary of Nyima Choedron's case

We received news on 29 June that Nyima Choedron, Bangri Rinpoche's wife was released in February 2006, a year before her ten year sentence for 'splittism' would have expired. She is now reunited with her seven year old daughter who was born just before her arrest. She was arrested together with her husband, Bangri Rinpoche, who is serving a 18-year prison sentence and is due to get released in 2021. Nyima Choedron, was described by former prisoners who knew her in Drapchi prison as highly educated and fluent in English, Chinese and Tibetan, has had her sentence reduced twice, by 18 months in 2003, and by another year in February 2004. She spent approximately one year in solitary confinement when she first arrived at Drapchi. She was assigned with light manual labour (knitting) but her eyesight is poor and she may have other more serious medical concerns.

Appeal - June 2006: Please take part in our new appeal calling for the release of Bangri Rinpoche and Nyima Choedron. Click here to download the postcard and to donate to help this urgent campaign.??News - April 2006: The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture calls for the release of three Tibetan political prisoners. Plus read the Rapporteur's full report on his visit to China and Tibet (20 Nov - 2 Dec 2005), published in March.??Press Release - 29 March 2006: UN Special Rapporteur on Torture calls on China to act immediately to abolish widespread use of torture??Joint Letter to Dr Nowak: View the letter from International Campaign for Tibet, Free Tibet Campaign and Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy co-signed by 18 other Tibet support groups.

 

 

Stop the Torture cases, 2005   In 2005 we continued to highlight cases of torture in Tibet, taking a selection of prisoners' stories and using them to pressure the UK government and the Chinese Embassy to act.   Information about political prisoners, their locations and even the reason they have been incarcerated are often very difficult to ascertain, so this is also an important aspect of the push to have them released.   Political prisoners often suffer torture whilst serving in some of the most notorious jails in Tibet and China, and have often been imprisoned for no more than calling for freedom for Tibetan people or possessing a picture of the Dalai Lama.   Although sentences vary in length, the psychological scars of imprisonment often last a lifetime, and many political prisoners suffer health problems for many years following their time in jail. Others, if they are able to move away from Tibet, are able to speak up about their experiences after their release and bravely provide priceless testimony on what life is like in these prisons.

Sonam Gyalpo Age: 50 Arrested: 28/08/05 Prison: Unknown Sonam Gyalpo, a former political prisoner, and his wife Tsamchoe are both tailors who sell garments on a small stall in Barkor Street, Lhasa.     Read more (.pdf)   Sonam Age: Early 40s RELEASED Sonam, a monk in his early 40s, from the Potala Palace in Lhasa, was taken from the Palace in what confidential sources describe as a politically motivated detention.     Read more (.pdf)   Jamyang Dhondup & Dhargay Gyatso Age: 25, 23 Arrested: 23/05/05 Prison: Unknown Four Tibetan monks have been arrested by Chinese Public Security Bureau (PBS) officers. Jamyang Dhondup, 25, Dhargay Gyatso, 23, and two other unidentified monks were arrested on suspicion of pasting numerous bills calling for "freedom in Tibet".     Read more (.pdf)

Bangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche Age: 39 Arrested: 1999 Prison: Unknown Bangri Tsamtrul Rinpoche, the founder of the Gyatso children's home and school, and his partner Nyima Choedron were sentenced on charges of 'attempting to split the country' in 1999.     Read more   Phuntsok Wangdu Age: 36 Arrested: 1998 Prison: Drapchi It has been reported that he has tried to commit suicide in order to end the harassment and torture he suffers.       Read more (.pdf)   Lobsang Khedrup & Gylapo Ages: 22, 26 Arrested: 2003 Prison: Dartsedo The two monks attempted to fly the flag from a radio tower and subsequently were arrested.        Read more (.pdf)   Kunchok Tenpa & Tsundue Gyamtso Ages: 24, 23 Arrested: 2004 Prison: Mong County Sentenced to three years imprisonment for putting up posters calling for Tibetan independence and accusing the Chinese Government of corruption.     Read more (.pdf)

 

 Action Materials and Case Sheets

1. Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche - Concern expressed by UN
Rinpoche remains imprisoned for life, after his two-year suspended death sentence was commuted in January. Four UN Special Rapporteurs (on Freedom of Religion or Belief; on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; and on Torture) sent a joint urgent appeal to the Chinese Government on Rinpoche's case. In a report to the UN Commission on Human Rights, published in April by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Chinese authorities were denounced for failing to uphold the international standards of fair trials in Rinpoche's case. The failings included "serious procedural flaws during the closed trial; violation of the right to choose his own lawyer; denial of the right to know and have opportunity to examine the evidence presented against him in court". The report also expressed concern for Rinpoche's mental and physical integrity in light of his incommunicado detention and reports of his torture.

2. Rigzin Wangyal - Report of death
In February 2005, information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) indicated that Rigzin Wangyal died in prison at the end of 2004. However, this has yet to be confirmed by the Chinese authorities. TCHRD's report also stated that Wangyal's body had not been handed over to his family. Wangyal (57) was accused of involvement in an underground political movement and was serving a 20 year sentence. His health condition was known to have gravely deteriorated due to constant torture during his years in prison. 

3. SUCCESS STORY: Anu - Released
Anu was released in March after completing a four year sentence. Now 52, Anu was arrested during a 'Strike Hard' crackdown in Lhasa in March 2001. Although the exact charges against her were unclear, she was believed to have been detained for possession of 'separatist' materials. Anu was allegedly one of only two political prisoners in Drapchi Prison placed in a cell otherwise occupied by 'ordinary' criminal prisoners. Anu is an amputee, having lost a leg in her childhood after being run over by a Chinese military truck. (TIN) 

4. SUCCESS STORY: Jamphel Jangchub - Released
Jangchub, one of the 'Group of Ten' Drepung monks, was released in April 2005. Jangchub had received a three year reduction in 1994 for good behaviour, reducing his sentence to 16 years. Ngawang Phulchung, the last member of the 'Group of Ten' still in detention, is serving 19 years and is due for release in April 2008. The 'Group of Ten' were arrested in 1989 for "seriously undermining national security" by printing copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a leaflet promoting a democratic, free Tibet.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Chogdrub Drolma and Jangchub Drolma, two nuns imprisoned in Drapchi, may have been released early and sent back to their home villages.

However, until these reports are confirmed we urge you to continue writing on their behalf as well as on behalf of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, Ngawang Phulchung, Bangri Rinpoche and Nyima Choedron. All current case sheets are available at www.freetibet.org or can be ordered (see box on following page).

You can also obtain copies of the campaign leaflet and case sheets by post.

Email mail@freetibet.org, phone 020 7324 4605 or write to Free Tibet Campaign, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT.