Three Buddhist nuns and two monks sentenced following calls for no Beijing Olympic Games until Tibet issue is peacefully resolved

Recent information received by Tibet Watch (1) 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.

Yael Weisz-Rind of Free Tibet Campaign said:

"The new testimonies gathered by Tibet Watch confirms our fears of a growing repression in Gansu Province. The picture portrayed is of a renewed effort by China to crackdown on freedom of religion and freedom of expression, across Tibet, target monks and nuns and intensify its 'patriotic education campaign' in monasteries."

Two of the nuns, Tadrin Tsomo and Choekyi Drolma, and one of the monks, Dargye Gyatso, were all sentenced to three years imprisonment. The third nun, Yonten Drolma (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. (2)

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 Qinghai Province, a few days 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.

Notes to Editor:

(1) Note: Tibet Watch is a new organisation (UK charitable status pending), established to research and promote the human rights of the Tibetan people. Tibet Watch has a field team based in Dharamsala and works closely with Free Tibet Campaign.
(2) For further information on the three nuns and two monks please contact Free Tibet Campaign.