Gyaltsen Kelsang was the tenth political prisoner after 1987 to have died shortly after being released on medical parole. Gyaltsen reportedly suffered severe beatings in Gutsa Detention Centre and then in Drapchi prison where she was transferred soon after her two year prison term was passed. She was consequently bed-ridden for more than 20 days in prison but received little…
Reports are continuously received of Tibetan nuns being particularly targeted for degrading treatment and inhumane torture methods in Chinese prisons in Tibet. Many of these women, pushed beyond their limits, suffer permanent mental or physical damage or even die. Kunchok Tsomo, a 25 year old nun from the town Meldro Gyama, under Lhasa city, was detained in Drapchi Prison for…
Gonpo Sonam, aged 61, passed away on the morning of December 23, 1987, soon after his release from Drapchi Prison. He was best known for his strong-willed determination to preserve and promote Tibetan culture. His conviction was impenetrable even while in detention which won him admiration from the Tibetan people and antagonism from Chinese authorities. However, undeterred, Gonpo continued with…
Phuntsok Nyidon is 28 year old nun from Michungri Nunnery. She was sentenced to nine years and later eight years imprisonment, first for a peaceful demonstration and then for singing independence songs. Her dedication to the cause of human rights in Tibet earned the Reebok Human Rights Award in 1995. Phuntsok Nyidon (father: Tashi Wangpo, mother: Palkyi) was born in…
Thupten Tsering is a 70 year old monk, formerly of Sera monastery. He arrived in Dharamshala on December 18, 1996 and spoke with TCHRD the next day. Thupten Tsering entered Sera monastery at the age of seven. From 1956 to 1959 he served as the treasurer or store-keeper at the monastery. During the 1959 uprising, Thupten tsering and others were…
According to new arrivals from Tibet, on 19 April 1996 female political prisoners in Drapchi Priaon went on a hunger strike as a protest against a prison order forbidding the families of the prisoners from bringing them food. The prisoners also protested against the poor prison diet. 81 of the 145 female political prisoners in Drapchi participated in this hunger…