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published in: Annette den Ouden, A Global Touch/ His Land and His People
Ekspress.zo, 1996, pp. 46-47

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Human Rights Violations in Tibet

Gross violations of human rights have taken place in Tibet, and the human rights situation continues to get worse. Amnesty International takes no position on the political status of Tibet; its concerns rest with the authorities' denial of free speech and association in the region, and the persistent pattern of gross violations of other fundamental human rights in connection with the suppression of the nationalist movement.

There is fierce repression of non-violent nationalism, and the freedom of religion is severely restricted. Hundreds of people are detained solely for their beliefs, some of them for long periods without charge or trial, and others were sentenced after grossly unfair trials. Many are tortured, and several people have died in prison due to torture or lack of medical treatment.

Repression of political dissent has increased over the past few years in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas in Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. By the end of 1994, at least 628 political detainees, most of them imprisoned for their non-violent political or religious beliefs, were held in Tibet. In the first three months of 1995, at least 123 people were arrested, and subsequently, many monks, nuns and lay people were detained after allegedly being involved in activities promoting Tibetan independence, sometimes prior to events organized by the authorities to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the TAR on 1 September 1995. Over 50 others were detained in the continuing dispute over the reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama. The seven-year old Gendun Choekyi Nyima, recognized in May 1995 by the Dala Lama as the Panchen Lama's reincarnation, disappeared himself; recently, the Chinese authorities have admitted holding him under surveillance. The former abbot of Tashilhunpo monastery, Chadrel Rinpoche, remains in custody, being accused of communicating with the Dalai Lama over the choice of the reincarnation. In the course of the dispute, monasteries have been raided, and many monks have been expelled or forced to acknowledge the Chinese alternative choice of the reincarnation. Religious repression has tightened, as a ban on the possession of photographs of the Dalai Lama was proclaimed.

The trials of political detainees, most of them monks and nuns having demonstrated for Tibetan independence, are believed to fall short of international standards for fair trial. Sentences usually range from a few to as many as 15 or 18 years' imprisonment, and often detainees have been sentenced to several years of additional imprisonment after shouting pro-independence slogans while in custody. Jigme Sangpo, a former primary school teacher now in his sixties, will have spent 28 unbroken years in prison by the time he is due for release, in 2011. In 1983, he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for "counter-revolutionary propaganda and incitement"; his sentence was later increased with five and eight years while in prison. He had already spent at least 13 years in prison for similar offences before 1980.

Torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Tibet are frequently reported by former prisoners and unofficial sources. Torture during interrogation, including beatings, electric shocks, deprivation of food or drink, exposure to extreme cold or heat, handcuffing or shackling for longer periods, and denial of medical treatment are reported to be common. Although China has ratified the Convention against Torture, the reports are continuing, and the officials responsible for torture and ill-treatment are not brought to justice.

Since 1987, over ten people have died in custody or shortly after being sent to hospital from prison. Phuntsog Yangkyi, a 20-year old Tibetan nun, died after allegedly being beaten by prison guards and being transferred to the Police Hospital in Lhasa on 4 June 1994. The authorities have failed to investigate the circumstances of her death. On 5 July 1996, Kelsang Thutob, a 49-year old Tibetan monk who had been imprisoned since April 1989, died in Drapchi prison in Lhasa, reportedly due to illness for which he had not received medical treatment.

Bert-Jaap Koops, Amnesty International
September 1996