Scores of Tibetans arrested following protest

8 August 2007

Dozens of Tibetans were taken into custody in the town of Lithang following the arrest of Runggye Adak, a local nomad who called for the return of the Dalai Lama at an official ceremony on Wednesday, 1 August. The protest which took place in front of officials at the annual horse racing festival was greeted with a roaring approval by hundreds of Tibetans present.

Following Adak’s arrest large numbers of army and police troops were sent to Lithang in Sichuan Province, (Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Tibetan area of Kham) where the protest took place. Photo of Runggye Adak

Sources: Radio Free Asia (RFA), International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

According to the reports, 53 year old Runggye Adak, father of 11 children, from Yonrou village went on stage to offer a Kathak (ceremonial scarf) to the Chief Lama of Lithang Monastery, then seized the microphone and addressed the crowd that people of Lithang should have freedom of religious belief, and called on local Tibetans to stop fighting among themselves. He also shouted slogans such as ‘the Dalai Lama should return to Tibet’, ‘Release the Panchen Lama’ and called for the release of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche.

“If we cannot invite the Dalai Lama home, we will not have freedom of religion and happiness in Tibet.” RFA quotes him. Reports say hundreds responded with a roaring yes when Runggye Adak asked whether the Dalai Lama should return to Tibet.

One of Adak’s relative told ICT: ”When he was speaking, I heard that he stressed that he was not saying anything that is against the law. For instance, under Chinese law, people are meant to have religious belief. Everyone in the crowd was shouting their support, particularly when he asked them whether they agreed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama should return to Tibet. He is a deeply religious man and the views he expressed show the strength of his feelings about the welfare of the people in Lithang.”

Fearing for his safety, scores of people from his village Yonrou, demonstrated at the local country office, with some people even breaking into the office, demanding his release. Tension escalated with the police officer firing into the air to disperse the crowd. According to RFA, Runggye Adak and at least 20 others were detained from his village. According to Adak’s son, Runggye Jamyang, thousands of Tibetans have been gathering at the police station demanding Adak’s release, resulting in a stand-off between protesters and the police.

Free Tibet Campaign is concerned about their welfare, as staging such a protest is punished severely in Tibet and routinely results in lengthy prison sentences and torture.

TAKE ACTION

Please write to those listed below and demand

·       That authorities immediately release Runggye Adak and Adak Lopoe.

·       That Runggye Adak and Adak Lopoe are not subjected to ill treatment and torture.

·       That the Chinese authorities respect the Tibetans’ rights to freedom of opinion and expression as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1.     Chinese Ambassador in London
Madam Fu Ying, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United Kingdom
Chinese Embassy Address: 49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL
Email:press@chinese-embassy.org.uk

2.     Governor of Sichuan Province
Jiang Jufen, Governor of Sichuan Province
Address: c/o Protocol and Press Division of Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province
100 Dongsanduan, Yihuanlu, Chengdu 610021
Phone/Fax: +86 28 8435 6789