UCS 20/07/06: Namkha Gyaltsen detained

Fear of Torture: Tibetan monk, Namkha Gyaltsen, detained in relation to pro-independence posters 

Radio Free Asia (RFA) has been informed by trusted sources within the region of the recent arrest of Namkha Gyaltsen, a Tibetan monk from Kham (Sichuan Province). According to the sources, a Chinese official stated that he is facing up to eight years in jail for allegedly painting separatist slogans on government property and circulating pro-independence posters.

Namkha Gyaltsen, from the Gyasoktsang family in Thinley Lado villag in Kardze County (Chinese: Ganzi Xian), is one of four master chanters at the Ganzi Monastery. Allegedly, in March this year, Namkha painted pro-independence slogans on the walls of government buildings and on two iron bridges near the monastery. Another source said Namkha Gyaltsen was arrested for putting up posters advocating Tibetan independence and displaying a Tibetan national flag.

The source said that in fear of arrest "he ran away from Ganzi to escape to India via Lhasa", but police tracked him down. He was arrested at a bridge between Sakya and Shigatse and taken back to Ganzi. Reports suggest that he is being held in Ngaba, although in a telephone conversation with RFA the Chinese authorities at the Ganzi police bureau and detention centre denied that they were holding or charging Namkha Gyaltsen: "We have no one by the name of Namkha detained in Ganzi."

This recent incident follows the intensification since late last year of the 'patriotic education' campaign and the crackdown on any expression of religious and national identity by monks and nuns. Drepung and Sera Monasteries became the target of China's campaign last year when the army stepped in to suppress protest by monks, following arrests and the expulsion of several monks.

Ganzi Monastery houses about 500 monks of the Gelukpa or "yellow hat" Tibetan Buddhist sect, to which the Dalai Lama also belongs.

Political prisoners are routinely subjected to systematic torture and ill-treatment thus there are concerns for Namkha Gyaltsen's well-being.

TAKE ACTION

Please write to the officials below with the following demands:

 

  •  The immediate release of Namkha Gyaltsen who was exercising his fundamental right of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression as guaranteed by Articles 18 and 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, or to bring him to a fair and public trial under international human rights standards.
  •  Allow Namkha Gyaltsen to be visited by his family, as well as by independent medical practitioners and human rights monitors to examine his health conditions.
  •  Investigate the alleged use of torture and unfair detainment of political prisoners and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    1. Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government
    Name: ZHANG Zhongwei Shengzhang
    Address: Sichuansheng Renmin Zhengfu
    30 Duyuanjie, Jinjiangqu
    Chengdushi 610016
    Sichuansheng
    People's Republic of China
    Salutation: Dear Governor

    2. Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice
    Name: ZENG Xianzhang Tingzhang
    Address: Sichuansheng Sifating
    24 Shangxiangjie
    Chengdushi 610015
    Sichuansheng
    People's Republic of China
    Salutation: Dear Director

    3. Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Public Security
    Name: LU Zhuo Tingzhang
    Address: Sichuansheng Gong'anting
    40 Wenmiaohoujie
    Chengdushi 610041
    Sichuansheng
    People's Republic of China
    Salutation: Dear Director

    (Please note that we have not supplied email addresses in this case as previous emails sent to these officials have bounced back. We therefore encourage you to write letters for this case.)

    4. Please send copies of your letters to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK
    Name: Mr Zha Peixin
    Address: Chinese Embassy
    49-51 Portland Place
    London W1B 1JL

    SAMPLE LETTER

    (Date)

    Dear Director,

    I am deeply disturbed to learn, from a Radio Free Asia report on 14 July 2006, of the recent arrest of Namkha Gyaltsen, a Tibetan monk from Sichuan province, one of four master chanters at the Ganzi Monastery.

    Allegedly, in March this year, he painted pro-independence slogans on the walls of government buildings and on two iron bridges near the monastery. Another source said Namkha Gyaltsen was arrested for putting up posters advocating Tibetan independence and displaying a Tibetan national flag. Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression are fundamental human rights and are guaranteed by Articles 18 and 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Thus China must stand to its obligations under international human rights law.

    Namkha Gyaltsen's whereabouts remains unknown since he was arrested at a bridge between Sakya and Shigatse and taken back to Ganzi. He may be held in Ngaba. I call for the immediate release of Namkha Gyaltsen or to bring him to a fair and public trial under international human rights standards and to allow Namkha Gyaltsen to be visited by his family, as well as by independent medical practitioners and human rights monitors to examine his health conditions.

    I also urge you to investigate the alleged use of torture and unfair detainment of political prisoners and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Yours Sincerely,

    (Name)
    (Address)

    (Please send us copies of any replies you receive as this helps us to monitor the situation.)

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    UPDATE to the 3 March 2006 Urgent Campaign: Nyima Choedron released!

    Free Tibet Campaign received news on 29 June that Nyima Choedron was released in February. This news has only just been made available because of the tight control China has on information. Further details will be published in the next Free Tibet magazine. Bangri Rinpoche remains incarcerated - please continue to call for his release.

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