tibet – Page 13

02/09/2007 TCHRD Statements

TCHRD deplores China’s new religious measures on reincarnation

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) deplores the government of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) new religious regulatory measures on the selection of reincarnates that come into force from today.

The China’s State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) official issuance of 14-article measures on reincarnation which came into effect from today, clearly demonstrates the Chinese Communist Party’s (CPC) adamant attempt to undermine and tarnish the centuries-old Tibetan tradition of religious practice. It also attempts to weaken the authority of legitimate Tibetan religious leaders including the Dalai Lama. The new measure bars any Buddhist monk living outside China from seeking reincarnation for himself or recognizing a “living Buddha” thus effectively ending the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist practice.

28/08/2007 News

Chinese authorities transfer Adruk Lopoe to unknown location, arrest another Tibetan nomad

The current fate and whereabouts of Adruk Lopoe, a 45-year old monk who was arrested by the Lithang County Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on the evening of 21 August 2007, still remain unknown. According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), the Lithang County PSB officials released Adruk Gyatso and Adruk Nyima- two brothers of Adruk Lopoe six hours after their detention but they are still known to be under close surveillance.

Following a brief detention at Lithang County PSB Detention Centre, Adruk Lopoe was known to have been transferred to other an unknown location by the authorities.

25/07/2007 News

China intensifies restriction in Trulku Tenzin Delek’s Monastery

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed information from reliable sources that on 18 July 2007 the Chinese authorities in Lithang County has detained an elderly Tibetan supporter of Trulku Tenzin Delek and prohibited the monks of Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery from carrying a reception ceremony of Trulku Tenzin Delek’s portrait during the inauguration of newly built assembly prayer hall.

It all began on 18 July 2007 coinciding the Buddhist ceremony of Choekor Duechen (the day on which Buddha Shakyamuni preach the first Sermon), when a large gathering of Tibetans in nomadic area of Othok Village in Lithang County, Kardze Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture “TAP” organized a traditional annual horse race. The horse race was held near Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery with large gathering of Tibetan devotees and spectators alike for the occasion. The monastery was built by Trulku Tenzin Delek and named Kham Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery by the late Panchen Lama.

09/07/2007 News

China releases Tibetan political prisoner upon completion of 15 years’ term

The Chinese authorities in Tibet have released a long-serving political prisoner, Thupten Yeshi, upon completion of his 15-year imprisonment term on 5 July 2007, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Thupten Yeshi was arrested on 6 July 1992 on alleged charges of being the main plotter of demonstration by a group of four farmers during a meeting at Gyama Township, Meldrogungkar County, “Tibet Autonomous Region” ‘TA” earlier on 30 June 1992.

26/06/2007 TCHRD Statements

Use of Torture still endemic in Chinese occupied Tibet

TCHRD commemorates the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

AS 26 JUNE 2007 marks the tenth anniversary of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) commemorates the day in support of victims of torture throughout the world.

Torture is one of the severest forms of human rights abuses, taking a terrible toll on millions of individuals and their families across the globe. In Chinese occupied Tibet, torture is endemic in the network of prisons and detention centres across the plateau. According to TCHRD documentation, the Chinese authorities’ systematic use of torture has resulted in the death of 89 known Tibetan political prisoners since 1987.

10/01/2007 News

Unfavourable education policies compel Tibetan girls into prostitution

Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, which was once a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destination is rapidly turning into a haven for prostitution due to China’s ongoing drive to develop and modernize the Tibetan region. The flesh trade is getting piled up in a sophisticated way eluding the curious eyes of the outside world. The so-called hair salons and bars during day time turns into brothels at night. The age of women working in the flesh trades are mostly between 16 to 40 years, though some are even younger. Due to lack of education opportunities and professional skills, they opt for flesh trade hoping that the money would secure a better life in future. The prostitutes consist of both Chinese and Tibetan women in the brothels, but Chinese were paid more than Tibetan prostitute.

The reason for the rise of this trade can be attributed to China’s modernization drive, presence of a large military contingent in Lhasa living without families and development projects like railway between Golmud and Lhasa which has brought in large number of Chinese settlers to Tibet.

10/11/2006 News

Tibetan monk disappears, whereabouts unknown

A 19-year old Tibetan monk, Thubten Samten, disappeared from his room in Sera Monastery in Tibet. Sources believe that the Chinese police lifted him for alleged political activities.

According to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), Thubten disappeared on the morning of 23 May 2006, and his whereabouts remain unknown till date.

25/06/2006 TCHRD Statements

TCHRD Commemorates International Day Against Torture (2006)

Tomorrow-25 June 2006- is UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) commemorates the day in support of victims of torture throughout the world. TCHRD hopes that a day will dawn when the practice of torture will be completely eradicated and the abusers brought to justice.

In Chinese occupied Tibet, torture is endemic in the network of prisons on the plateau. The systematic practice of torture is aimed to breakdown the spirit of nationalism of the Tibetan people. Towards this end, rampant use of torture has resulted in the death of 88 known Tibetan political prisoners since 1987. According to TCHRD’s documentation there are currently 132 known Tibetan political prisoners languishing in various prisons in Tibet. Torture being a regular feature in the Chinese administered prisons, the Centre is highly concerned about the well being of the political prisoners upon whom the worst of torture is afflicted. Electric shocks, pricking cigarettes on the face, hand or thumb cuffs, feet manacles, suspension from ceiling, exposure to extreme temperature, long period of solitary confinement, deprivation of food, water and sleep, forced labour and forced exercise drills are few of the torture techniques employed by the authorities to defeat the nationalist spirit of the Tibetans.

10/12/2005 TCHRD Statements

TCHRD Press Statement on International Human Rights Day

Today marks the 57th year since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was proclaimed. Although many countries in the world today observe the principles set forth in the UDHR, regrettably China as a member of the UN Security Council and the international community, has failed to respect the principles set therein.

In March 2004, China made a historic amendment to its Constitution by adding the clause “The State respects and safeguards human rights”. However, the amendment fell short of details, leaving the interpretation of the term “human rights” open and ambiguous. After almost two years of the amendment, there are no explicit signs of respect for human rights and any improvement in the human rights situation in China and Tibet.

29/11/2005 News

Tibetan Monks Arrested, Monastery Closed Amid Protests

The People’s Republic of China recommenced implementation of the ‘patriotic education’ campaign in monastic institutions in Tibet, according to testimonies received from Tibetan monks who fled into exile. There has been a noted rise in the intensity of the campaign, which is being carried out vigorously in the monastic institutions in and around Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Monks…

09/11/2005 News

A young monk dies under mysterious circumstances following the “patriotic education” campaign in Drepung monastery

Ngawang Jangchub, 28 years old, died in the first week of October 2005 under mysterious circumstances in his quarter in Drepung Monastery, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). He was found dead a day after he had a heated argument with “work team” officials conducting the “patriotic education” campaign in the monastery.

The “work team” officials have arrived in the monastery in the beginning of October 2005 to conduct the campaign. As stipulated by the guidelines of the campaign, the monks in the monastery were required to condemn the Dalai Lama as a “splittist” and to pledge their loyalty to the Chinese government. Some of the monks refused to be “educated” and an argument erupted between them and the officials. It is reported that during the argument, Ngawang flatly refused to condemn the Dalai Lama calling him “the saviour for the present and the next life”. He told the officials that he had no regrets, even if he was to be expelled from the monastery.