Political prisoners |
For the past 20 years, Free Tibet has been bringing to light the imprisonment and torture of monks, nuns and lay people whose only “crime” is wanting to freely practise their religion and to live in an unoccupied country. Although Chinese authorities would never admit to being influenced by international public opinion, we know that we have helped to free political prisoners.
At the beginning of March 2008 there were approximately 150 Tibetan political prisoners, the majority of whom were monks and nuns, and many more who were never charged. In the aftermath of the brutal crackdown of recent peaceful protests in Tibet, now no one knows how many have been imprisoned. Eye witness information received by Free Tibet Campaign suggests many thousands of people may have been arrested.
Until more information is available, we will not be able to update the list of current political prisoners. For general information about our campaign for the release and humane treatment of political prisoners.
Click here for a list of known current political prisoners
Click here for the stories of released prisoners
Aftermath of the March protests
At the beginning of March 2008 there were approximately 150 known Tibetan political prisoners, the majority of whom were monks and nuns. Now no one knows how many Tibetans have been imprisoned. In the aftermath of the brutal crackdown of recent peaceful protests in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan-populated areas, the Chinese government have hidden events in the region from the world.
Eye witness information received by Free Tibet Campaign suggests many hundreds – possibly thousands – of monks, nuns and lay people have been arrested. We know torture of political prisoners is common in Tibet and throughout China. Independent observers must be allowed to return to all Tibetan areas.
Dr Manfred Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, concluded, following his 2005 visit that "torture remains widespread in China".
Dr Nowak managed an on-site inspection of Drapchi Prison and the recently opened Chushur (Chinese: Qushui) Prison near Lhasa, and noted his particular concern with sanctions placed on Tibetan monks, including prohibition on prayers and religious worship. He expressed concern that some prisoners are only "allowed outside of their cells for 20 minutes per day" and noted complaints about "the food, the extreme temperatures experienced in the cells during the summer and winter months and a general feeling of weakness due to lack of exercise".
Political prisoners are subjected to further abuse on their release.
The authorities deprive them of political rights, restrict their movements, and prohibit the return of monks and nuns to their monastery or nunnery. Unemployed and in poor physical and mental condition, they are condemned to a life of extreme poverty.
To give just one example, nun Phuntsog Nyidrol, the second longest serving (15 years) female political prisoner in Tibet and the last of the imprisoned 'Drapchi 14', was released in February 2004. For two years she was under close surveillance at her parents' home in Lhasa, suffering from constant harassment and restrictions of her movements by the Chinese authorities. When she was released from prison she was stripped of her political rights for five years, which meant she could neither rejoin her nunnery nor receive adequate medical treatment. She was allowed to leave Tibet for the United States to receive medical treatment in March 2006. Click here for more information.
One of the most famous Tibetan political prisoners is Gendun Choekyi Nyima, six years old when he was recognised by the Dalai Lama in 1995 as the 11th Panchen Lama. He and his family disappeared three days later and have not been seen or heard from since.
To take action on our latest political prisoner campaigns, please click here.
For more detailed information about the plight of political prisoners in Tibet, read the 2006 Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy’s report Prisoners of Tibet
To find out about political prisoners released as a result of urgent actions, please go to Campaign successes.
Political prisoner update: special appeal
Following the uprising in Tibet earlier this year, an estimated 4000 Tibetans are missing. Whilst Tibet has been sealed off from the outside world, arrests and protests have continued. Please help us find out what has happened to the thousands of people detained or missing as a result of the freedom protests. The last few months have been a difficult and critical time for Tibet. The protests that spread throughout Tibet had a common voice. Tibetans want the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and they want an end to the Chinese occupation. The Chinese response was swift. Military forces poured into the area, all foreign observers and journalists were expelled, phone lines and internet connections were cut and Tibet was left to suffer in isolation hidden from the world.
As the Tibetan community here in the UK prepared to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the uprising which led to the flight into exile of the Dalai Lama, Tibet itself was thrown into turmoil as peaceful protest turned to riots and violent suppression.
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