torture – TCHRD

24/08/2023 abitrary-detention / Degrading treatment or punishment / Freedom of Opinion and Expression / News / political-prisoner / torture

China must stop persecuting Tibetan language rights advocate Tashi Wangchuk

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) strongly condemns the continued persecution of the well-known Tibetan language rights advocate Tashi Wangchuk, who had been released from prison in 2021 after serving five years’ prison term on the trumped-up charges of “inciting separatism”.

Since his release from unjust imprisonment, Tashi Wangchuk has faced persistent restrictions and limitations on his movement and activities even as he continued to advocate for the promotion and protection of the Tibetan language.

The latest persecution faced by the Tibetan language rights advocate demonstrates that Chinese authorities will go to any lengths including engaging in mobster-style tactics to silence human rights defenders and activists.

On the evening of 19 August, while travelling from Sershul (Ch: Shiqu) County in Kardze (Ch: Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, to Darlag (Ch: Dari) County in Golog (Ch: Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, he was followed by a vehicle. Subsequently, local police issued an order preventing local hotels from accommodating him.

10/08/2023 Arbitrary Detention / Degrading treatment or punishment / extrajudicial summary or arbitary executions / Freedom of Opinion and Expression / News / political-prisoner / torture

Concerns over well-being of writer Dhi Lhaden despite release from prison

The release of writer Dhi Lhaden after four years of imprisonment raises concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being, exacerbated by the limited accessibility of information about his current situation. Having endured two years of incommunicado detention since 2019, he was charged with “disrupting social order,” a common accusation against human rights activists, and secretly sentenced to four years in 2021. Despite his expected release this year, it was delayed by two months, perceived as a result of cautious measures by Chinese authorities to control information flow. Lhaden’s unjust trial, preceded by isolation, potential coercion, and torture, further adds complexity. As a former monk and writer, his works illuminated the Tibetan perspective, encompassing hopes, wishes, and the overall plight.

26/06/2023 News / TCHRD Statements / torture

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Every year on 26 June, the United Nations observes the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, explicitly focusing on torture’s lasting generational impact and consequences. Recognising torture as the deliberate infliction of severe physical and mental suffering without justification, the United Nations General Assembly designated this day as an urgent call to eliminate this abhorrent practice, serving as a platform to promote the eradication of torture and to urge governments worldwide, including China, to fulfil their obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture. Recent cases, such as the severe torture endured by a Tibetan monk and the testimonies of Dorje Tashi, shed light on the systematic use of torture by Chinese authorities to suppress freedom of expression and assembly. These distressing incidents underscore the pressing need for the international community to take a firm stand and demand an immediate end to all acts of torture against Tibetans in Tibet.

06/01/2023 Degrading treatment or punishment / News / political-prisoner / torture

“Dorje Tashi is innocent”: Sister of Tibetan entrepreneur serving life imprisonment stage protest outside Chinese court

Information obtained by at least two sources in Lhasa confirmed that on the morning of 19 December, around 10:30 am local time, Gonpo Kyi stood outside the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court holding a placard with a slogan in Chinese: “Dorji Tashi is innocent.” In less than 5 minutes, security personnel swooped down on her even as she continued shouting slogans for her brother’s innocence. She was eventually taken behind the court building following which her condition and whereabouts remain unknown.

19/12/2022 abitrary-detention / Involuntary Disappearance / News / torture / zero-Covid policy

China’s zero-Covid policy claims the life of persecuted Tibetan businessman and philanthropist Nangchen Tashi’s grandson

TCHRD calls on the Chinese authorities to put an immediate end to the zero-Covid policy in all its forms and hold government officials responsible for the avoidable death of Nangchen Tashi’s grandson. A thorough and impartial investigation must be launched into this tragedy so that similar violations and unnecessary loss of life can be prevented in the future.

10/08/2022 abitrary-detention / News / torture

Monk disciplinarian detained in connection with 2013 self-immolation tortured in undisclosed location

A Tibetan monk named Tseta, 25, was detained for about seven months shortly after Tenzin Sherab, a 33-yr old Tibetan nomad, died of self-immolation protest in May 2013 in Chumarleb (Ch: Qumalai) County, Kyegu (Ch: Yushu) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the Tibetan province of Kham.

30/08/2021 abitrary-detention / Campaign / News / political-prisoner / special-procedure / torture

TCHRD stands in solidarity with all victims of enforced disappearances

On the 38th International day of the victims of enforced disappearances, TCHRD remembers all victims of enforced disappearance inside Tibet and calls on China to ratify the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances (Convention).