UCS 08/04/03: 8 Tibetans held


In April 2002 Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, a respected Buddhist leader, and Lobsang Dhondup were arrested for allegedly "causing explosions" and "engaging in splittist activities" in Sichuan Province. They were held incommunicado for nine months without access to lawyers, family or medical personnel. On 26 January 2003, the situation deteriorated further when Lobsang Dhondup was executed in the first politically motivated execution of a Tibetan in more than a decade. On that same day, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche had his two year suspended death sentence confirmed and was removed to a secret location. Both men's relatives only found out about the executions from a public leaflet five days after the execution.

 


Lobsang Dhondup
Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche

 

Tserang Dhondrup
Tashi Phuntsok

 

Asher Dargye
Tsultrim Dargye

 

Tamdrin Tsering
Following the release of four Tibetans (see Latest News) there are still six men (including Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche) imprisoned, detained without charge or missing in connection with this case (see list below). All have been denied their basic rights and those trials that have occurred have not been held in accordance with international fair trial standards. It is feared that all the men have suffered from or are currently being subjected to torture.

 

Free Tibet Campaign believes that these men have been the victims of China's 'war against terror' which seeks to equate separatism with terrorism. It is highly likely that all have been arrested because of their links to, or support of, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, either through trying to raise money for legal representation or in the immediate aftermath of his arrest.


Under Sentence of Death: Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche (Chinese name: A'an Zhaxi)

Sentenced to five years imprisonment:Tserang Dhondrup (also known as Jortse or Jotse)

Detained without charge since April/May 2002: Tashi Phuntsok

Arrested in February 2003: Tabo

Missing: Choetsom, Pasang

Released: Tsultrim Dargye, Tamdrin Tsering, Ashar Dhargye (who were detained without charge along with Tashi Phuntsok) and Di-Di (who was arrested in February 2003).

 

Please write on behalf of the six Tibetan men currently held by the Chinese authorities in Sichuan Province (contact details below).

Please make the following points in relation to all these cases:

 

  • There are profound concerns that all may subjected to torture and have been denied due process.

     

  • Press that all should be allowed access to independent lawyers, medical personnel, family and friends.

     

  • Urge the authorities to put to an end the crackdown on religious freedom in Sichuan Province, particularly around the town of Lithang.

    Specifically:

     

  • Call for the immediate and unconditional release of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche (Chinese name: A'an Zhaxi). Express concern that the original trials were not held in accordance with international fair trial standards and that a second hearing in January 2003 was held in secret. In addition, that Rinpoche was denied the right to be represented by the lawyers who had been hired on his behalf by his brother. Furthermore, press for Rinpoche to be allowed access to independent lawyers, medical personnel and family and friends (which is crucial given that he was moved to a secret location following the hearing in January).

     

  • Register your disapproval of the execution of Lobsang Dhondup on 26 January 2003 without due process.

     

  • Press for the immediate and unconditional release of Tserang Dhondrup, a 65-70 year old village leader who is currently imprisoned for five years as a probable result of his support of the Rinpoche. Ask the authorities to also clarify why he is being held and where.

     

  • Press for the authorities to release Tabo who was detained on 14 February for allegedly passing information to foreign journalists. Ask them to clarify where he is being held and to release him immediately if he is not being charged with a recognisable criminal offence and to make public any charges made against him. Also press for Tabo to be allowed access to independent lawyers, medical personnel, family and friends.


    Contact Details

    1. Minister of Justice
    2. Acting Governor of Sichuan Province
    3. Chinese Ambassador in the UK
    4. Director of Sichuan Provincial Department of Public Security

    (Please note that emails to China may bounce back and fax numbers may be unobtainable, but please keep trying.)

    1. Minister of Justice
    Email: minister@legalinfo.gov.cn
    Name: Zhang Fusen Buzhang
    Address: Sifabu
    10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
    Chaoyangqu
    Xiaguangli
    Beijingshi 100020
    People's Republic of China
    Fax: +86 10 65 292 345 (c/o Ministry of Communications)
    Telegram: Justice Minister, Beijing, China
    Telexes: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN
    (Salutation: Dear Minister)

    2. Acting Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government
    Email: sichuan@mail.sc.gov.cn
    Name: Zhang Zhongwei Daishengzhang
    Address: Sichuansheng Renmin Zhengfu
    Duyuanjie
    Chengdushi
    Sichuansheng
    People's Republic of China
    Fax: +86 28 8435 6784 or +86 28 8435 6789 (c/o Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Provincial People's Government)
    (Salutation: Dear Governor)

    3. The Chinese Ambassador to the UK
    Email: press@chinese-embassy.org.uk
    Name: His Excellency Zha Peixin
    Address: 49-51 Portland Place
    London W1N 3AH
    Fax: 020 7636 2981 or 020 7636 5578
    (Salutation: Your Excellency)

    4. Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice
    Name: Zeng Xianzhang Tingzhang
    Address: Sifating
    24 Shangxianglu
    Chengdushi 610015
    Sichuansheng
    People's Republic of China
    Fax: +86 28 8435 6784 or +86 28 8435 6789 (c/o Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Government)
    Telegram: Director, Sichuan Justice Department, Chengdu, China
    (Salutation: Dear Director)

    (Please send copies of any responses to Free Tibet Campaign; this helps us to monitor the situation.)

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