Stop the crackdown in Ngaba

24 May 2011

The situation in Ngaba county in eastern Tibet is extremely tense after a 21-year- old Tibetan monk from the local Kirti Monastery died after setting himself on fire on 16 March.

The tragedy took place on the third anniversary of demonstrations in Ngaba Town in 2008 when armed police shot dead at least 13 protestors including a 16- year-old schoolgirl.

Following the incident, China stepped up security in the region and armed police and the army surrounded Kirti Monastery. A patriotic re-education campaign is ongoing and authorities will not leave until monks “react favourably”. Homes in Ngaba town were searched and identity cards were checked as authorities searched for people staying in Ngaba who were not from the area. Over 30 Tibetans have been detained since Phuntsog’s death including two of his relatives. 355 monks have been removed from the monastery by armed forces.  Today, a month later, their wellbeing and whereabouts remain unknown. A group of mostly elderly women who kept vigil at the monastery were severely beaten and two elderly Tibetans died of unknown causes while trying to stop soldiers from taking monks. Journalists are now banned from the region and communication with Ngaba is heavily restricted.

TAKE ACTION

Fax or send a letter to the Chinese authorities in Sichuan Province.

Copy Chinese text below (English translation underneath). You can also send the letter to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you:

至西川公安部
个人深切关心阿坝县格德寺日益恶化的情势─2011年3月16日僧侣平措自焚而死后，中国当局对西藏人民一连串的武力镇压。
我要求你们立即采取以下行动：
─释放所有被无故任意逮捕的藏人
─停止对阿坝县格德寺僧侣的镇压及恐吓
─停止在格德寺内继续进行政治再教育，那是严重违反妨害宗教自由之基本人权。
─允许独立的国际媒体及政府官员进入该区域，以了解真相。
我已经要求我国驻北京大使馆以及政府代表注意阿坝县情势，并且要求他们向中国政府关切此事。贵单位持续在西藏镇压只会增强国际社会对西藏运动的支持并破坏中国的国际形象。



I am deeply concerned about the situation in Ngaba County (Ch: Aba, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province). Following the death of Phuntsog Jarutsang, a monk from Kirti monastery, on 16 March 2011 there has been a violent and intimidating crackdown against Tibetans by the Chinese authorities. 



I ask that you immediately:
- release all the Tibetans who have been detained

- cease the crackdown and intimidation of Tibetans in Ngaba and the monks at Kirti monastery.

- stop the forced political re-education at Kirti monastery, which violates Tibetans' basic right to religious freedom.

- allow independent international media and government officials to visit the area.

Send to:

1.Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Public Security
ZENG Shengquan Tingzhang
Sichuansheng Gong'anting
9 Jindunlu, Chengdushi 610041
Sichuansheng
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 28 86301177
Salutation: Dear Director

2. Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government
JIANG Jufeng Shengzhang
Sichuansheng Renmin Zhengfu
30 Duyuanjie, Chengdushi 610016
Sichuansheng
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 28 86604036
Salutation: Dear Governor