UCS 11/05/06: Five Tibetans detained after slaughterhouse fire

Fear of Torture: Five Tibetans detained following slaughterhouse fire

Recent information received by Human Rights Watch indicates that at least five Tibetans are currently being detained without charge following the burning down of a slaughterhouse in Sichuan Province last August. There is a fear that all five have been subjected to torture.

Five Tibetans, Yonten (in his 60s), Sonam Gyelpo (50), Dawa (30) and two other unnamed men remain in custody, with very little known as to their whereabouts or condition. A sixth detainee was released after having become blind whilst in custody due to his alleged torture and failure to receive medical treatment.

The slaughterhouse was burnt down on 5 August 2005, in Manigango, near Kandze, Sichuan Province. Hundreds of Tibetans were reportedly involved in the incident, which is said to be a direct retaliation to corruption where local herdsmen were subjected to bribes and loss of income following the construction of the slaughterhouse in 2004. Dozens of Tibetans were detained following identification from video recordings taken by staff of the slaughterhouse. Although most were released later that day, many were detained and, according to eyewitnesses, were subjected to grave torture. Some were so badly tortured that they were transferred to a hospital in Kandze. The five that are detained are thought to be the ringleaders of the incident, and though they were last known to be held in the Public Security Detention Centre in Derge County, currently there is very little known about them, with neither family members nor lawyers being allowed to visit them in custody.

(Sources: Human Rights Watch, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, International Campaign for Tibet.)


TAKE ACTION

Please write to the officials below with the following demands:

  • The immediate release of the prisoners, or a fair and public trial as per Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

  • Investigate the alleged use of torture and unfair detainment of the detainees and bring the perpetrators to justice.

  • Allow independent medical practitioners and human rights monitors to examine the health conditions of the five detainees.

  • Provide the detainees with access to medical care and legal assistance where necessary.


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
Email: adslscsf@mail.sc.sinifo.net 
Fax: +86 28 84356784 or 6789 (c/o Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Government)
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
Email: adslscsf@mail.sc.sinifo.net
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

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

(Please feel free to use the text of this letter, however letters in your own words are even more effective!)

 

    Dear Director,

    I am deeply disturbed to learn of five Tibetans who are being held without charge at the Public Security Detention Centre in Derge County since August 2005. The five are being held in conjunction with an arson attack on a slaughterhouse in Manigango, near Kardze on 5 August 2005. The are being held without having had a fair trial or any access to lawyers, medical practitioners or visits from relatives.

    I therefore call for the immediate release of the prisoners Yonten, Sonam Gyelpo, Dawa and two other unnamed men, or to bring them to a fair and public trial to commence as per Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which entitles "Everyone in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him".

    I call for any use of torture to be stopped immediately and also urge an investigation into the systematic use of torture on these detainees and a sixth detainee, who became blind due to severe beatings and ill treatment inflicted upon him whilst held in custody. I urge you to bring any perpetrators of torture to justice.

    Independent medical professionals and human rights monitors must also be permitted to visit the detention centre and examine the health conditions under which the detainees are held.

    Yours Sincerely,

     

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