Recent information received by Tibet Watch updates previous reports on the arrests of monks and nuns in Gansu Province. The new information confirms that three nuns from Gendun Tengye Ling Nunnery and two monks from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Labrang County were sentenced to various prison terms.

ARRESTS AND IMPRISONMENT
Two of the nuns, Tadrin Tsomo and Choekyi Drolma, and one of the monks, Dargye Gyatso (pictured above), were all sentenced to three years imprisonment. The third nun, Yonten Drolma (pictured below) (earlier reported as Yonten Tsomo, lay name: Dukarkyi), and the second monk, Jamyang Samdrub, were both sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment. Details reveal that Yonten Drolma and Choekyi Drolma were arrested on their way from the nunnery to Labrang town, Tamdrin Tsomo's arrest took place at her home and Dargye Gyatso was arrested in his room in the monastery. Circumstances surrounding Jamyang Samdrub's arrest are still unclear. While the monks were detained in Labrang Public Security Bureau (PBS) detention centre, it is suggested that the nuns were detained in the Hezuo, Gannan prefecture's headquarters.

The arrests took place on 22 May 2005, for involvement in the distribution and pasting of a protest letter in Labrang Monastery, the market of Labrang County and allegedly also in Hezuo and in areas in neighbouring Qinhai Province, a few previously. The letter called for the independence of Tibet, for the Chinese authorities to enter into negotiations, and reportedly said that China should not host the 2008 Olympics until the Tibet question is peacefully resolved. One of the letters was seen on the gate of the PSB [in Labrang] and one on an electricity pole in the monastery.

THE MONKS AND NUNS
Dargye Gyatso, in his late 20s, was born in Dzormo village, Nyintha Shang in Sogpo Mongol County of Malho Prefecture in Qinghai. Originally he joined Tsang Monastery in Sogpo Mongol County and later moved to Labrang Monastery. He spent a few years in India before returning to Labrang Monastery in 2004. However, he was not allowed to be fully re-admitted to the monastery, meaning that he was barred from attending prayer meetings and courtyard debates. The second monk, Jamyang Samdrub, from Dragmar Township in Sogpo Mongol County.

Choekyi Drolma, in her early 20s, was born in Kawasumdo County of Tsolho Prefecture. Tadrin Tsomo, also in her early 20s, is from Dosum Township, Sogpo Mongol County. Yonten Drolma, 23, is from Khisin Township in Sogpo Mongol County. All three nuns were part of Gendun Tengye Ling, a monastic institution currently housing around 170 nuns. While the day-to-day management of this nunnery is in the hands of the female practitioner and former nun Gungri Khandrolma, the patron of the nunnery is Konchen Jamyang Shepa, the highest lama of Labrang Tashikyil Monastery.

Testimonies gathered by Tibet Watch from Tibetans who were detained in the Labrang PSB detention centre indicate systematic beating, the threat and use of electric prods during interrogations and depravation of adequate food.

Take Action

1. Please continue writing to the list of officials below requesting the immediate release of the three nuns and the two monks who were unfairly detained:

Name: Lu Hao Shangzhang
Address: Gansusheng Renmin Zhengfu
Chengguanqu
Lanzhoushi 730030
Gansusheng
People's Republic of China
Email: qzlx@gansu.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Party Secretary

You may wish to use the sample letter provided below or write your own letter referring to the following points:

(Date)

Dear Governor,

I am writing to express concern regarding the arrest of four monks and nuns: Thargyal, Jamyang Samdup, Sherab and Chokyi Dolma from Labrang Tashikyel Monastery. They were detained for peacefully expressing their opinion and calling on the Chinese Government to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. I am also concerned about two other nuns who were arrested in April for putting up a similar poster.

The arrest of the four is a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which guarantee the freedom of opinion and expression.

I call for the immediate and unconditional release of the four monks and nuns arrested in December, and the two nuns arrested in April if they are still detained.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature) ____________________

(Name) ____________________

(Address) ____________________
 

Name: Song Rong Shuji
Address: Zhonggong Gansusheng Weiyuanhui Lanzhoushi
Gansusheng
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Secretary

3. Copy to the Director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Public Security, Wei Zhenzhong Tinzhang:

Name: Wei Zhenzhong Tinzhang
Address: Gansusheng Gonganting
38 Qingyanglu
Chengguanqu
Lanzhoushi 730030
Gansusheng
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Director

4. Copy to the Director of the Gansu Provincial Bureau of Religious Affairs, Ma Dexiang Juzhang:

Name: Ma Dexiang Juzhang
Address: Gansusheng Minzu Shiwu Weiyuanhui
55 Nongminxiang
Chengguanqu
Lanzhoushi 730000
Gansusheng
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Director

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