Four Tibetan monks sentenced up to ten years in prison

From Phayul[Friday, August 21, 2009 12:34]

Dharamsala, August 21- Four monks of Sera monastery who, along with ten others, carried out a protest at Bharkor street in the Tibetan capital Lhasa last year on March 10 had been sentenced to varying prison terms, according to the Voice of Tibet radio service. Chinese police immediately arrested the fourteen monks who carried the banned Tibetan national flag and shouted slogans calling for Tibet's independence.

Lodoe had been sentenced to ten years in prison and is currently detained at Chushul prison near Lhasa. Lodoe’s family in Sershul, Zachukha, had received an official intimation of the sentencing of Lodoe in April this year and were warned against publicizing the sentencing of Lodoe.

On July 14 this year, Lodoe’s family paid a visit to his prison where they knew that two other companions of Lodoe, 29 year old Lobsang Ngodup and 30 year old Mangay Soepa, had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

A native of Zachukha and presently a monk at Sera monastery in south India, told the radio that there is no news about another monk named Thinlay Namgyal, who was arrested on charges of setting ablaze a house in Lhasa last year during the protests.

The same source said another monk named Sonam Dakpa who had visited India a few times was arrested on his way back to Tibet last year around the time of unrest in Tibet and sentenced to ten years in prison. He is detained at Chushul prison.

Since the majority of the fourteen monks arrested were from Zachukha the Chinese authorities suspected Ari Rinpoche’s (spelled as pronounced) hand behind the fourteen monks and arrested him from Lhasa. Ari Rinpoche is the head of Wonpo (spelled as pronounced) monastery in Zachukha and his whereabouts are unknown. Another monk named Draklha, a scripture master at Sera monastery had also been arrested and whereabouts not known.

Mining projects continue to cause a problem within Tibet

There has been further mention of problems caused by Chinese mining facilities within Tibet. On Tuesday, the news from Dharamsala was that toxic waste was causing animal deaths and additionally a potential danger to humanity. On this occasion, the problem stems from the toxic waste created by the mining operations.

The mine currently in question is situated close to Lhasa, in Meldro Gungkar and has already been responsible for more than a thousand cattle deaths. Residents from nearby township Gyama created a petition requesting that mining operations cease. They fear not only that the water contamination will be harmful to cattle and wild animals, but that local plant species and humans will be affected detrimentally.

Due to the Chinese so far ignoring both the problem and petition, the local community is counting on international assistance to prevent a catastrophe. Tibetan residents who spoke to visiting official in June were rewarded with a temporary withdrawal of miners; however, they have since been warned not to interfere with mining activities and been threatened with punishment for political activity.

As the Chinese authorities continue to disregard the local population and sweep aside protests, Tibetans are counting on the world as a whole to step in and put an end to the mining activities. Hopefully, the threat to wildlife will bring in support from nature conservation enthusiasts along with the danger to the human population from the contaminated water urging human rights and health groups to take a stand. The Tibetans themselves now risk being arrested, beaten, tortured, or killed if they continue with their objection beyond the warnings.

Nepal and China to discuss border security next week

 Chinese and Nepalese security authorities will hold a meeting next week to discuss matters related to security along the border between the two countries, reported Nepalese media.

Additional Inspector General Kishor Lama of the Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal will lead the Nepalese delegation.

Chief District Officers (CDOs) of various hill and mountainous districts including Mustang, Solukhumbu, Sindhuli, Taplejung, Dolakha and Sankhuwasabha and security experts will be included in the Nepali team. The delegation will also include officials from Nepal Police, APF and the National Investigation Department.

Tibetan authorities had closed the Korala Nechung border point in Mustang district time and again as they failed to come together for such meetings.

People living in upper Mustang trade with the border towns of Tibet. The closure of the border along that area had affected residents of Chhoser, Chhunag, Chhonupu, Lomanthang, Ghami, Charang VDCs.

According to local businessmen, Chinese authorities have restricted the movement of Nepalis traders and visitors in the Tibetan market for fear of anti-China activities.

Sundar Raj Adhikari, CDO of Mustang, said his office has started issuing identity cards to traders importing and exporting goods between Tibet and Nepal.

A report recently published by the US based International Campaign for Tibet The ICT documents the insecurity and danger for Tibetans who enter India through Nepal which, it says, has beefed up security at the border with Tibet by deploying Armed Police Force under China’s instruction. “Somewhere between 2,500 and 3,500 Tibetans are registered each year by the UNHCR as "persons of concern" and provided assistance at the Tibetan Refugee Reception Center in Kathmandu.” However, since March 2008 only 652 Tibetans arrived safely at the Kathmandu reception center last year and just over 300 Tibetans have arrived this year.

It also says that the Nepalese government has adopted a hard line against expressions of the Tibetan identity in Nepal, despite strong cultural and religious ties among the Himalayan peoples that have existed for centuries.

Source: Phayul

Chinese consulates in Germany face Free Tibet protests

 Frankfurt, July 31:

Some 20 Free Tibet activists on Friday gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt to call for the release of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen.

Chinese authorities arrested Wangchen and his monk assistant Jigme Gyatso in March 2008, amidst growing anti-China unrest in Tibet, for their role in making the documentary “Jigdrel” or “Leaving Fear Behind.”

The 25-minute film was intended to shed light on lives of Tibetans under the Chinese rule in run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The peaceful protest before the Chinese consulate today came amidst fear that Wangchen could face trial in Chinese court anytime soon after spending more than 18 months under detention. If convicted, Tibetans and activists fear that Wangchen will face imprisonment sentence of up to 15 years.

The small group of protester displayed a huge Tibetan national flag and portraits of Dhondup Wangchen across the street facing the Chinese Consulate here as German police kept a friendly but close watch on them throughout the peaceful demonstration.

The protesters repeatedly shouted “Free Tibet”, “Release Dhondup Wangchen” and “Leaving Fear Behind- Nothing but the Truth!” slogans on loud speakers. Other slogans included “Shame on Chinese Government” and “Release the Political Prisoners”.

The protest demonstration, which lasted for more than an hour, was led by a 22-year old David Demes, a staunch German Tibet supporter and National Director of the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) Germany.

“We are holding this protest to demand a fair trial and subsequent release of the Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen,” Demes told Phayul.


Source: Phayul
Article by:  Phurbu Thinley
(Photo: Phayul.com)