Torture testimonies |
'Widespread' and 'routine'
In December 2008, the United Nations proclaimed torture to be 'widespread' and 'routine' in Chinese-occupied Tibet.
The statement underlines the fact that the brutal torture of Tibetan political prisoners is not merely carried out by a select few rogue elements within the prison system, but that the Chinese Government actively promotes the threat of torture as a weapon to deter the Tibetan people from standing up to Chinese rule.
Tibet's principle newspaper recently carried a local government order declaring that "a monk or nun charged with quite serious crimes will remain in custody until s/he cooperates by telling the truth, confessing their guilt and submitting a shuyig [self-critising letter]."
The aids to 'co-operation' devised by Chinese officials for use on Tibetan suspects have included, according to the UN's Rapporteur:
- Beatings with sticks and batons
- Exposure to conditions of extreme heat or cold
- Use of electric shock batons
- Submersion in pits of water or sewage
- Deprivation of sleep, food or water
- Suspension from overhead fixtures with handcuffs
Since the protests of Spring 2008, prisoners have been at an even graver risk of physical abuse and torture.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, listed the methods of torture used on Tibetans following his visit to China and Tibet in 2006:
"Beatings with sticks and batons; use of electric shock batons; cigarette burns; hooding/blindfolding; guard-instructed or permitted beatings by fellow prisoners; use of handcuffs or ankle fetters for extended periods (including in solitary confinement or secure holding areas); submersion in pits of water or sewage; exposure to conditions of extreme heat or cold; being forced to maintain uncomfortable positions, such as sitting, squatting, lying down, or standing for long periods of time, sometimes with objects held under arms; deprivation of sleep, food or water; prolonged solitary confinement; denial of medical treatment and medication; hard labour; and suspension from overhead fixtures with handcuffs."
On this page, you will find testimonies of some Tibetan prisoners who suffered torture.
NOTE: Some of the names in this section have been changed to protect former prisoners and their families.
These testimonies were taken by Tibet Watch during interviews with Tibetans coming over the border to India.
Sonam, a monk
"I was beaten up very badly… During the beating sessions the main thing they do was to tie me up at the waist and then prod their electric prods on me. At one time I was made to strip all my clothes. Even my underwear was taken off… They beat me with an electric rod... Sometimes when my head got hit with it I felt the smell of blood through my nose and in my mouth. It was really very nasty. "
Yeshe, a nun
"I had a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on my neck which they confiscated. And when I did not give it, I was beaten. When I did not handover the photo, armies rushed over and beat me... I was beaten with both hands and feet and blood was spouting from my mouth. Then I was tied to a pillar and kicked me on the chest many times and red colour flashed before my eyes and a gun was pointed saying if the photo was not given I would be killed. I was scared and handed over the photo. I was kept tied to the pillar for a long time and in the evening when I was released, nerves got stiff and I fell. At that time they trampled on me under feet."
Tenzin, a monk
"I was sentenced to one year and eight months… They came to me to interrogate every day. They said that I had to tell them about the friends of mine… When I didn’t tell them the names, they beat me up and put me into solitary confinement cell especially during winter they put me in arrogated iron room and then it became so hot during the summer and so cold during the winter. They would take off my clothes and then put me into this room. When they kicked my face, I was bleeding from my nose and mouth.”
Yangchen, a farmer
" Sometimes i was taken out of our cells and made to sit on the iron [electric] chair. This is the worst of all punishments and when they said that `you needed to be put into shape’ they took me to it. When the electric current is passed through the chair, my head spinned, my mouth dried and I became unable to talk and saliva and mucus ran out of my mouth and nose. "
Loden, a monk
"They hang me up on a door frame of their office and then they said that they would torture my Lama if I didn’t tell them the truth. They brought our Lama when we were beaten and chained. While they were beating us, they let our Lama watch."
Tsering, a 33-year-old man
"I was arrested right away and took to Kandze. I was put in local Police Station. My hands and legs were chained and hung me up and below was a fire burning of papers... Then I was beaten endlessly that I wished I died that very moment. I was harshly beaten up with electric wire and my whole back got bruised. My whole body vibrated and I constantly fainted amid in their laughter."
Lobsang, a 52-year-old man
Videos featuring testimonies of Tibetan political prisoners:
More on Palden Gyatso's story at www.fireunderthesnow.com
 Following the protests which spread across Tibet in Spring 2008 and the subsequent brutal crackdowns, there are over 1,000 Tibetans missing, thought to be imprisoned. |  Learn about China's legal and international obligations to prevent torture and how it has failed in them. By holding China publicly responsible, we can help expose torture in Tibet. |
 Last October, Free Tibet submitted evidence of torture to the UN, who agreed with our conclusions, stating that torture is 'widespread' and 'routine'. |  Find out how you can help prevent torture in Tibet. By writing to your local politicians, you can keep the pressure China to end torture in Tibet. |
