Over 55 nuns in Kardze protested against the Chinese authorities on 14 May 2008 according to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
The protest was carried out by nuns of Pang Na Tashi Gepheling Nunnery situated in Su-ngo Township, Kardze County, (Ch: Ganzi) Kardze “TAP”, Sichuan Province on 14 May 2008. The nunnery is about 2 kilometers away from the Kardze County government headquarter. Pang-ri Nunnery housed 80 nuns on regular days.
Sources say the Pang-ri nuns were deeply hurt and angered by the high-handedness of the Chinese authorities’ killing, torture and arrest peaceful Tibetan protesters in many parts of Tibet. They were particularly resented by the Chinese government allegation that the Dalai Lama has masterminded the protests in Tibet. They also had a deep-seated resentment against the implementation of “Patriotic re-education” campaign forcing Tibetans to sign official documents that criticize, denounce and attack the Dalai Lama.
The Pang-ri nuns voiced their resentment against the ongoing “Patriotic re-education” campaign in nunneries and monasteries. In an anticipatory move, the nuns gathered for a meeting where they vowed never to take part in “Patriotic re-education” campaign at any cost.
The nuns made a proclamation amongst themselves that, “It is better to die than to denounce, criticize and attack the Dalai Lama, to sign official documents denouncing the Dalai Lama, if there is no place for us to worship and live, let us go somewhere else or die, if the Chinese authorities kill us, let us be killed, we have no regrets.”
Shortly after the end of the meeting, on 14 May 2008, around 5 PM (Beijing Standard Time), defying the gun wielding Chinese security forces and intense government restriction, the nuns grouped themselves at the Kardze bridge, and then marched straight to the Kardze County government headquarter chanting slogans “Independence for Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “The Dalai Lama to return to Tibet”.
When the protesting nuns neared the County government headquarter, the personnel of Public Security Bureau (PSP) and People’s Armed Police (PAP) immediately arrested the protesting nuns, bundled up and thrown them into police vehicles and taken into custody within minutes. More than 55 nuns were arrested on the spot and their torn and fallen robes and clothes were reportedly scattered on roads. No one picked up the nuns’ robes for fear of being arrested by the security forces. Eyewitnesses say the nuns shouted slogans and threw pamphlets into air while taken away in police vehicles for detention.
On 14 May 2008, the rest of nuns who had not participated in the protest demonstration had left to other places for conducting religious ceremonies.
In aftermath of Pang-ri nuns protest, the Chinese authorities have imposed strict restriction on daily movements of nuns and monks. In the case of undergoing urgent medical treatment, the Tibetan nuns and monks must procure special permission from the higher Chinese authorities. Along with that they must have a guarantor, who must be a government staff and who will also have to escort them all along wherever they go. If they fail to follow the instruction, they risk being arrested by the Chinese security forces. Since 15 May 2008 onwards shops and groceries remained shut down and freedom of movements restricted in Kardze County.
There has been no exact information about the current whereabouts of the detained nuns and their health condition. Since the nuns were beaten and tortured during the arrest, the Centre expresses its serious concern about their well being and calls upon the Chinese authorities to show restrain and give a fair treatment to the nuns. The constitution of China guarantees freedom of religion, speech and opinion and therefore in no case should the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan Buddhist nuns be violated by the law enforcing agencies.