China released Phuntsok Nyidron, the last of the “Drapchi 14 singing nuns” on 26 February 2004. According to John Kamm, President of the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation, she is now with her family in Lhasa.
Phuntsok had already served 15 years’ term out of her 16 years’ imprisonment sentence and was due for release in 2005. Associated Press (AP) reported that John Kamm believed the early release of Phuntsok as linked to recent American pressure, including a resolution (H.Res.157) passed by the House of Representatives calling on the Chinese government to release all Tibetan political prisoners. Phuntsok Nyidron’s case received particular mention in the resolution.