human rights – Page 4

17/02/2009 News

Shops closed down, more detained in Lithang after protests

Lobsang Lhundup, a 39-year old monk from Nekhor Monastery in Lithang was detained on Saturday, February 15, 2009, after staging a lone protest in the main market of Lithang town in support of the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence

Chinese police in Lithang County, Sichuan province, on Monday detained at least five more Tibetans after they joined the “peaceful protest demonstration” staged by 15 Tibetans in Lithang main market, according to information received by Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

The shops and restaurants in Lithang town remained closed following the protest demonstration.

The vehicular traffic movement between Lithang and Bathang, which is around 6-7 hours journey distant, was brought to a grinding halt after the protest and subsequent deployment of massive troops into the areas to check further Tibetan protest, sources told TCHRD.

07/08/2008 News

Olympics and Tibet under a cloud of repression

On the eve of China’s first Olympics, as the world prepares to gaze more intently than ever on the grand spectacle of the 29th Olympics, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) deplores and expresses its deepest dismay on China’s failure to uphold the Olympic principles particularly with regard to continual of repression in Tibet. The communist regime continues to cling on to its old authoritarian ways and still ruthlessly suppresses peaceful dissent. Over the recent past the Chinese authorities under the pretext of security measures has intensified clampdown on the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people.

Spontaneous pan-Tibet protests since 10 March 2008 are sincere manifestation of brutality and oppression suffered by the Tibetans at the hands of the Communist party for more than half a century. This goes in contrast to the authorities’ projection of the image of “harmonious society” and failure of Beijing long held Tibet Policies.

19/05/2008 News

China arrests a popular religious figure in Kardze County

The Chinese authorities had arrested a revered religious figure in Kardze, Tibet according to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

On 18 May 2008, around 4.30 AM (Beijing Standard Time), the Chinese security forces had arrested Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche from his residence without stating any reason. He was a highly revered religious figure in Kardze County, “TAP”, Sichuan Province.

The arrest of the prominent religious figure has brought much grief and disbelief to the local Tibetans. Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche was much loved and revered for his religious vocation and looking after the welfare of the local Tibetans in Kardze County.There has been no information about his current whereabouts, detention and well being.

Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche was a highly regarded reincarnated Tulku (Living Buddha) of Tehor Kardze Monastery. He was the chief spiritual preceptor and the head of Pang-ri and Ya-tseg Nunneries in Kardze. A charismatic figure who was a source of inspiration and hope had constructed an old age orphanage and opened two chemist shops for the local Tibetans.

15/04/2008 News

A popular Tibetan religious figure, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, passes away in Kardze

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed information that, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, a former political prisoner who spent five years in prison for his religious activities and for conducting a long life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama in October 1999, passed away on 5 April 2008 in Kardze after a prolong battle with multiple illnesses following a lengthy imprisonment and maltreatment in the prison.

As per the earlier information received by the TCHRD, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, popularly known as Kardze Geshe, was in poor health for the long period of time since his release from Chuandong no. 3 Prison in Tazhu County in October 2004. Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, 57 year-old, was a hugely popular religious figure particularly in Kardze. Since his release from prison in October 2004, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok was put under virtual house arrest as movements outside his residence were severely restricted that Geshe has to seek official permission even for any medical treatment. His activities particularly in religious spheres were under constant surveillance from the authorities.

16/04/2005 TCHRD Statements

China’s White Paper on Human Rights: Progress or Regress?

On 13 April 2005, State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has released a White Paper entitled China’s Progress in Human Rights in 2004. The White Paper highlights China’s human rights improvement in six main areas: People’s rights to Subsistence and Development, Civil and Political Rights, Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities and the rights and interests of the disabled.

However, the findings and research of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) on China’s human rights record in Tibet stand in stark contrast to China’s claim of human rights progress in the White Paper. TCHRD record numerous human rights violations committed by the Chinese authorities in Tibet in 2004 and over the past many years. TCHRD, through its independent research and refugee testimonies, has gathered numerous information that reflects systematic and continued human rights violation of Tibetans right to political and civil liberties and socio-economic rights.

01/04/2005 News

Tibetan Culture website closed, editor-in-chief disappears

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) deplores the Chinese authorities closing down of Tibetan culture website-www.tibetcul.com

According to China Information Center on 30 March 2005, “Tibetan Culture, a website run by the Xueyu Zangren Cultural Exchange Co Ltd in China’s northwest Gansu Province, was closed on March 25, by the Internet Administration Department of the Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) of Lanzhou.” It is speculated that “sensitive topics” and articles posted by surfers have led to the close down. Tsewang Norbu, a Tibetan who is the writer and editor-in-chief of the website, is reported to be disappeared.

07/02/2005 Annual Reports / News

Human Rights Situation in Tibet: Annual Report 2004

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) released its Annual Report: Human Rights Situation in Tibet, 2004. The Annual report details the current Human Rights situation in Tibet compiled from independent research along with the testimonies of newly arrived refugees in the exile community. This year’s report focuses on the continued violation of Tibetans Right to Development; Right to Education; Civil and Political Rights; the Right to Information, and Religious Freedom.

The year 2004, saw the release of some prominent political prisoners from Chinese prisons. However, TCHRD also recorded 21 known cases of arrests on charges of suspicion of activities that the Chinese government deemed “endangering state security”- activities that have called for the freedom of Tibet or simply for the expression of allegiance to the Dalai Lama. At the end of 2004, TCHRD recorded 146 known political prisoners still serving prison terms in various Chinese prison networks across Tibet. Of which 55 Tibetans are serving sentences of 10 years or more, with monks constituting 63 percent of the total known political prisoners. TCHRD believes that there are many more cases of unconfirmed arrests.

16/04/2004 News

China blocks US Resolution on Human Rights at 60th UNHCHR

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses its dismay over the rejection of a draft resolution on human rights situation in China at the 60^thsession of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Geneva.

A draft resolution (E/CN.4/2004/L.37) proposed by the United States of America was dismissed at the 60^th UNHCHR when China called for “No-Action Motion”. The motion warranted voting by all the 53 member states of UN on the resolution. The voting on China’s No-Action Motion which took place at 18.00 hours on 15 April resulted in 28 votes in favour, 16 against and three abstentions.

06/04/2004 TCHRD Statements

China’s White Paper on Human Rights: A Whitewash

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) considers 2003 as the year of grave human rights violations in Tibet committed by authorities of People’s Republic of China (PRC). The information gathered by TCHRD gives clear picture of systematic and continued violation of Tibetan people’s right to civil liberties, religious freedom, and socio-economic rights.

On 30 March 2004, the Chinese State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “Progress in China’s Human Rights Cause in 2003”. The White Paper contained eight chapters: The people’s right to subsistence and development, civil and political rights, judicial guarantee for human rights, economic, social and cultural rights, the rights and interests of women and children, equal rights and special protection for ethnic minorities, the rights and interest of the disabled and international exchanges and co-operation in human rights.

11/03/2004 News

TCHRD releases report on Trulku Tenzin Delek

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has released a new report titled “Unjust Sentence: A Special Report on Trulku Tenzin Delek” to coincide with the 45th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day on 10 March 2004. TCHRD has already released a similar report in Tibetan language on 2 December 2003.

This 66-page report gives an overview of background of Trulku Tenzin Delek, events leading to his arrest and thereafter, unfair legal proceedings and representations, execution and reaffirmation of death penalty, and provisions and violations with regard to trial and death penalty within Chinese constitution as well as international laws. The report is based primarily on information provided by students, followers and residents of Turlku’s hometown, highlighted in international and Tibetan media, and mentioned in reports of various governments and thematic bodies of the United Nations.

09/12/2003 TCHRD Statements

TCHRD Commemorates 55th Human Rights Day (2003)

As we commemorate the 55th Human Rights Day on 10 December, it is a day to reflect upon the situation of the world in the year gone by and resolve further to work towards a more peaceful and free world. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) expresses grave concern and fear over China’s continued gross violation of human rights in Tibet.

On this day last year, TCHRD strongly condemned and expressed concern on China’s sentencing of a well-known Tibetan Buddhist teacher Trulku Tenzin Delek to death with two years suspension and his co-accused Lobsang Dhondup to immediate death on the ground of alleged involvement in “bomb explosions”. However, in complete disregard to international appeals, the Sichuan Higher People’s Court in Chengdu upheld the earlier verdict and executed Lobsang Dhondup on 26 January 2003. The event has left little doubt over the concern we shared last year of China’s attempts to use the global campaign against ‘terrorism’ to suppress the Tibetans’ peaceful political and religious expressions. It has also exposed China’s true intention despite the show of bonhomie with western governments when dealing with the issues of human rights.