Updates on Tibet, 22 April 2008
19 April 2008
Lhasa - Monks arrested after they express discontent over "patriotic re-education" class
During a "patriotic re-education" class being held at Nechung Nangten Lobling Monastery, Lhasa, a monk stood up and said that [they] do not need "patriotic re-education" classes and [they] have no desire to participate in the classes. Other monks and laypeople joined in to express their discontent over the classes.
Six to seven monks were arrested.
18 April 2008
Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) County, Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province-Former abbot of Chokri monastery released due poor health
Former abbot Khe-tsun from Chokri monastery, Chokri Town, Drakgo County, was released on April 18 due to his deteriorating health condition. He was arrested by the police earlier on March 25.
17 and 18 April 2008
Damshung (Ch: Dangxiong) County, Lhasa Municipality-Group of monks from Tenkhang Monastery arrested after protest
A group of monks from Tenkhang Monastery, Damshung County (branch of Takloong monastery) held a protest on either March 17 or 18. All of the monks who participated in the protest were arrested. No further details are available.
17 April 2008
Lhundrup (Ch: Lingzhi) County, Lhasa Municipality-Eight young monks from Nalanda monastery arrested
Eight young monks from Nalanda monastery in Lhundrup County were arrested in a very aggressive manner by the Armed Forces.
Nyima Tenzin from Chukha Jang village, Lhundrup County, was severely beaten by the Armed Forces. He sustained a broken spinal cord from the beating and has no been given proper medical attention. In addition, he was fined a sum of 5,000 Yuan.
Rebgong (Ch: Tongren) County, Tsoshar Prefecture, Qinghai province-Rongpo monastery and surrounding area under tight restrictions
On April 17, numerous monks from Rongpo monastery were arrested. However, a group of monks including Tenzin Chophel, a spiritual teacher at Rongpo monastery were released.
Border Security Forces from Henan continue to impose tight restrictions in the locality.
16 April 2008
Ngaba (Ch:Aba) County, Ngaba "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province-Repression leads monk to commit suicide
Thoesam, a monk from Ngaba monastery, Ngaba County, committed suicide on 16 April. He was born in Mehu-ru-mah village, Ngaba County, and was 29 years of age.
The massive protests by monks and laypeople of Ngaba County in the month of March saw a tough response from the Chinese authorities. Countless arrests were made and a "patriotic re-education campaign" was launched. Many of the monasteries continue to be raided and monks and nuns are being harassed. As a result of such repressive measures taken by the Chinese authorities, earlier a senior monk committed suicide.
It is ironic that Thoesam who had very poor vision, told a close relative before committing suicide that he could not bear seeing such repression being imposed on Tibetan people.
15 and 16 April 2008
Luchu (Ch: Luqu) County, Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province- Numerous monks from Shi-tsang Gatsel monastery arrested
On the evening of April 15, Armed Forces arrived at Shi-tsang Gatsel monastery and arrested 28 monks.
At 2 AM mid-night on 16 April, Shi-tsang Gatsel monastery was raided by Armed Forces. Four additional monks were arrested and taken into custody. Some members of the Armed Forces stomped on the portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Around 70 Tibetans from Luchu County were arrested in the beginning of April and were also fined 3,000 Yuan.
14 April 2008
Chone (Ch: Zhuoni) County, Kanlho , "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province-Armed forces conduct raid at Choephel Tashi Chokor-ling and numerous arrested
On the morning of 14 April, Armed forces raided Choephel Tashi Chokor-ling monastery, Dokhor Town, Chone County. Some members of the Armed Forces stomped on the portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In March alone, over 200 monks from Choephel Tashi Chokor-ling monastery were arrested. They were also fined 5,000 Yuan.
April beginning (no specific date)
Kyegudo (Ch: Yushul/Jiegu) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Qinghai province- China continues to restrict information
The armed forces raided each household in Kyegudo "TAP". Households that had access to satellite TV had the components taken away.
A circular has been issued stating that Tibetans are not allowed to watch foreign news channels and instead can only watch state run news channels. Such acts clearly reveal China’s attempt to restrict information from the outside world.
4 April 2008
Dzoge (Ch: Ruo’ergai) County, Ngapa "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province-Dring Sumdo monastery raided by Armed Forces
Armed forces raided Dring Sumdo monastery, Dzoge County, on 4 April. Seeing the members of the Armed Forces and their convoy, lay people of Dreloong village (nearby Dring Sumdo monastery), thought that the monks were being arrested so they responded by forming a human barricade on the main road.
Upon finding out that monks had not been arrested, there were no incidents that day.
Many of the monks and laypeople who have been arrested from Ngaba County were taken to a prison near Chengdu on 13 April.
No Specific Date
Ngaba (Ch:Aba) County, Ngapa " Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province-China ready to pay people who protest against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration
The concerned office of the Chinese Government has set a 30,000 Yuan bounty for Lobsang Jinpa, who allegedly participated in a protest in Ngaba County in March.
An additional bounty of 15,000 Yuan has been set on a man who was injured in one of the protests in March but was able to flee the scene.
Moreover, the concerned office has stated that those who protest against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration will be given monthly salaries.
Since 21 April, all officials of Ngaba County have been instructed to lead activities against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration. Such activities are to be filmed.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]