Current prisoners |
The Lutsang monks
109 monks from Lutsang monastery were reportedly arrested during the Losar (Tibetan new year) period in spring 2009. The monks had been joining other Tibetans around the country in forgoing the usual celebrations in memory of those who had lost their lives during the Tibtean uprising a year earlier.
On March 20 2009, most of the monks were released, leaving six; Jamyang Ngodup, Jamyang Khenrab, Jamyang Sherab, Thabkhey Gyatso, Jusang and Lungtok, imprisoned. These were released one month later, but Kalsang Gyatso, Soepa Gyatso, Lungtok Gystso and another monk by the name of Soepa Gyatso were sentenced to two years imprisonment.
The 109 monks had originally been arrested for taking part in a peaceful protest march from Lamo Yongzin Phodrang to Mangra County, as part of the Losar movement to remember the dead from the 2008 Spring protests. Voice of Tibet reported that most were released on March 10.
It was reported that the six who remained in custody were not released as they were more senior monks who were suspected of having organised the protest march. The report also said that the 109 monks had been taken to another location in order to receive 'patriotic re-education', designed to break down their spirit and pressure them into rejecting support of the Dalai Lama. 'Patriotic re-education' is a common practice used against monks who speak out for religious freedom, and is sometimes considered a method of torture by international bodies.
In April 2009, it was reported that sentences had been passed by Mangra County court on 21-year-old Kalsang Gyatso, 24-year-old Soepa Gyatso, 22-year-old Lungtok Gyatso, and 19-year-old Soepa Gyatso;19, who received two year sentences.
The six monks imprisoned after the majority were released
