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On 14 October 2011, Geshe Tsultrim Gyatso of Dhitsa monastery in Gonghuo County, Tsolo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), Qinghai Province was arrested by Qinghai National Security police, according to sources.

Geshe Tsulrim Gyatso was invited to speak at the Tongchey National School in Trika County, Qinghai Province. The National Security police of Qinghai arrested Geshe Gyatso while he was giving talk at the school. None of his family members or anyone else was informed of his arrest by the police. 

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Sources to Tibet report that yet another monk self-immolated in Kandze County, Sichuan Province today (25 October 2011). At around 9.30 a.m Tibet local time, the fifth incident of self-immolation this month, monk Dawa Tsering, poured petrol on his body and set himself afire during the annual religious Cham dance ceremony in Kandze.

While on fire, monk Dawa Tsering raised slogans demanding the return of H.H the Dalai Lama, equality, and freedom in Tibet. Other monks who were gathered there for the religious ceremony tried to extinguish the flames and then immediately took the injured monk to Kandze People’s Hospital in the monastery car.

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“Freedom in Tibet.” “We want Human Rights.” “We want Religious Freedom.” “Return of the Dalai Lama in Tibet.” With folded hands in supplicatory gestures, these slogans were raised in recent protests against the Chinese government. A few also demanded independence.

Unfortunately, a series of self-immolation incidents that have occurred in Tibet this year. On 16 March, monk Phuntsog (age 21) of Kirti Monastery set himself on fire in Ngaba. On 15 August, monk Tsewang Norbu (age 29) from Tawu Nyatso Monastery set himself ablaze. On 26 September, monks Lobsang Kelsang (age 18) and Lobsang Kunchok (age 19) self-immolated. On 3 October, Kelsang Wangchuk (age 17) of Kirti Monastery set himself alight. On 7 October, Khaying (age 18) and Choepel (age 19), two former monks of Kirti Monastery, immolated themselves in protest against the Chinese government. On 15 October, Norbu Damdul (estimated age 19), a former monk of Kirti monastery, also set himself on fire. Most recently, on 17 October, nun Tenzin Wangmo (estimated age 20) self-immolated in protest against the Chinese government. Of these, the following five succumbed to their injuries: Phuntsog (on 16 March), Tsewang Norbu (on 15 August), Khaying (on 8 October), Choepel (on 11 October) and Tenzin Wangmo (on 17 October). The others are hospitalized and are in critical condition. On 27 February 2009, Tapey, also belonging to Kirti monastery, became the first Tibetan monk to self-immolate. He was shot in the leg during the protest and Chinese police took him to a hospital. Since then, no one has heard of his whereabouts or medical condition.

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We have confirmed reports from Tibet that at around 11:50 this morning (15 October 2011) one more unfortunate incident of self-immolation occurred in the Ngaba region. This is the eighth incidence of self-immolation in Tibet this year.

Norbu Damdul, who is around 19 years of age, set himself on fire in the Ngaba town market. He was seen shouting slogans such as ‘Freedom in Tibet’ and ‘Return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.’ Chinese police, who routinely patrol in the area, rushed to the scene where they extinguished the fire and took him away in a police car.

Eyewitnesses say that Damdul was severely burned but did not die at the scene. We are awaiting information regarding his current medical condition.

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On 11 September 2011, 20 Tibetan refugees were arrested by Nepal police for illegally entering Nepal. The 20 Tibetan escapees included 15 boys and 5 girls, mostly teenagers. They were arrested for illegally trying to enter Delhi via Bajura-Kathmandu route and were held in Bajura, at the district police office. They had reached there after 17 days walk. Few days later, around 13 September, three more Tibetans were arrested. All of them have been turned over to Nepal’s Department of Immigration (DOI) in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had sent a letter to the Nepalese Administration requesting them to hand the Tibetans over to them which is accordance with the ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ between the UNHCR and Nepal. Even the HURON (Human Rights Organization of Nepal) approached the Immigrant Chief and Home Secretary with concerns for the arrested Tibetans and said that decision will be taken in accordance with the law by Sunday. However, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, in a letter, termed the incident as a case of Human Trafficking and so has asked the Nepal Government to repatriate the Tibetans back to them, promising not to take legal action against the youngsters but instead will educate them. This Chinese interference has delayed transit clearance of the 23 Tibetan refugees who remains in Nepal custody for the last 10-12 days.

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Around 10 September 2011, three Kirti monks were sentenced to 2- 3 years’ of ‘Re-education Through Labour’ by the Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture Public Security Bureau (PSB). The three monks: Lobsang Dhargye, Tsekho and Dorjee were all arrested around 12 April 2011 on suspicion related to the 16 March 2011 self immolation of monk Phuntsog.

According to our sources, Dorjee, 16, from Lhoengtsang Village, Ngaba County, has been sentenced to three years re-education through labor.

Tsekho is 30 years old, born in Tru-tse Township, Ngaba County and 22 years old Lobsang Dhargye is from Myeruma, Ngaba County. Both Tsekho and Lobsang Dhargye have been sentenced to re-education through labor for two years and six months.

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On around 20 August 2011, Samphel Dhondup of Kardze (Ch: Ganzi) County was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Kandze court, according to information received by TCHRD.

On 10 July, Samphel along with Lobsang Phuntsok and Lobsang Lhundup were arrested at around 4 o’clock in the evening (Tibet local time) after they raised slogans and distributed pamphlets saying “Freedom for Tibet”, “Long Live H.H the Dalai Lama”, “Return of the Dalai Lama” and “ May the Dalai Lama and all Tibetans unite soon”. It was reported earlier that all three youths were arrested and beaten severely by the Kandze Public Security Bureau (PSB) who arrived immediately to the spot.  

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On 30 August 2011, around noon time, a court in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture sentenced two Tibetan monks to lengthy prison terms in regard to the immolation case of fellow Kirti monk Phuntsog. The two monks belong to the Kirti Monastery, Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture. Monk Tsering Tamding and Tenzin were sentenced to a 13 years term and a 10…

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A Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture Court today sentenced Tsundue (Ch: Drungdru), a Tibetan monk, to 11 years imprisonment term charging him of ‘intentional homicide’ for hiding Phuntsog and preventing him from getting medical treatment after he set himself on fire, State news agency Xinhua reported on 29 August 2011.

On 28 August the same State news agency (Xinhua) said that three Tibetan monks charged with ‘intentional homicide’ for the immolation of Phuntsog will be tried on 29th and 30th of August. The other two monks are to be sentenced tomorrow.

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On 25 August 2011, China replaced Zhang Qingli, the region’s highest ranking official, the Party Secretary of TAR (Tibetan Autonomous Region). The CPC Central Committee announced the appointment of Chen Quanguo in the seat of Tibet’s hard-line party boss Zhang. Zhang Qingli, Chen Quanguo’s predecessor, will be moved to another position, said the official Xinhua News Agency, neither mentioning the reason for this move nor about the new position given to Zhang.

Zhang Qingli was in the position since May 2006 for a period of over five years. During his tenure Tibet faced aggressive policies and harsh clampdowns. The 2008 rioting that broke out all over Tibet became the most severe and biggest uprising in decades. The 60 years old Zhang is known for his repressive ideologies that often reflected in his management of issues related to Tibet. He also expressed harsh reference to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, calling the exiled Buddhist leader a “wolf in monk’s robe” and his supporters “Dalai clique”, hurting the sentiments of Tibetans on many occasions.

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