Tibetan schoolchildren detained and beaten for writing graffiti
28 September 2007
Human Rights Watch recently reported that seven Tibetan school children had been detained by Chinese authorities in Amchok Bora village, Labrang County, Gansu Province on suspicion of writing graffiti calling for free Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. Following the discovery of the graffiti on the local police station building, 40 students were detained on 14 September. All but seven were released within two days.
According to information received by Tibet Watch, three boys - Lhamo Tseten (15), Dolma Kyab (14) and Tsering Dondrup (Tseko) (14) have only just been released. To secure their discharge, their parents were compelled to pay fines of up to 2000 Yuan and to pledge that their sons would never leave the country or ever again engage in any form of political activity. Chopa Kyab (15), Dukar Tashi (15), Tamdrin Kyab (15) and Gonphel (15) are still being held in Sangchu (Xiahe) County detention centre.
The detained school children were all beaten. In the case of Lhamo Tseten the injuries were so severe that he was hospitalised and is still receiving medical treatment.
The seven boys who were arrested are all from nomadic families. The boys were not regular students, none of them would normally have been at school. Parents were informed that children were compelled to attend school to demonstrate to a high ranking Chinese official on tour inspecting the area. Parents were informed that they would be fined if their children failed to attend.
Free Tibet Campaign is deeply concerned at this most recent incident of China cracking down heavily on any dissent and is dismayed at the Chinese authorities' total disregard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which China is a State Party.
TAKE ACTION
Please write to the officials below with the following demands:
·The immediate release of the remaining four children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention states that children have the right to freedom of expression and should not be detained unlawfully and arbitrarily, subjected to torture or inhuman treatment or punishment. Children also have the right to contact their families and to have access to legal assistance.
·Investigation into the flagrant violation of the spirit and the content of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
1.United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour OHCHR,
