Despite the recent release of long serving political prisoners, such as Ngawang Sangdrol and Phuntsog Nyidrol, four monks from Drepung Monastery's 'Group of Ten', detained for initiating the Lhasa uprising in 1987, are still being held in Drapchi Prison.

Ngawang Phulchung, aged 50, and serving a 19 year sentence, is due for release in 2008. Ngawang Gyaltsen, (42), is serving 17 years with a release date in 2006. Ngawang Oeser (40) and Jamphel Jangchub (47) were given sentence reductions last year and are now due for release in April 2004 and April 2005 respectively.

The events of 1987, when 21 monks from Drepung Monastery staged the first and most significant pro-independence demonstration in Lhasa, set in motion the modern wave of political protest in Tibet. On their release from a four month prison sentence, following the protest, nine of the original group and one outsider formed the 'Group of Ten' to work for the independence of Tibet and the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people.

The ten monks' non-violent political activities included the use of carved wooden blocks to print copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They also printed a document outlining their vision for the future, based on the 1963 Constitution drafted in exile by the Dalai Lama, proposing a democratic Tibet free from Chinese occupation.

Following their arrests between April and July 1989, a closed trial was held on 30 November 1989 where the ten monks received sentences of between five and 19 years for "seriously undermining national security".

One of the ten originally arrested, Kelsang Thutop, died in 1996 of an undisclosed illness, though he is reported to have been ill-treated and suffering from malnutrition. A further five have been released having completed their sentences. One of those released, Jamphel Monlam, subsequently escaped to India to tell the story of the 'Group of Ten' and work for their release.

Though Ngawang Phulchung and Ngawang Gyaltsen have spent nearly 14 years in Drapchi prison, the Chinese authorities have yet to show any indication that their sentences may be reduced. Despite his sentence reduction, there are concerns for the health of Jamphel Jangchub. He has a critical health condition with kidney and heart problems that require immediate medical attention.

In August 2003 Jamphel Monlam said, "It is our earnest hope that the four monks secure release earlier than their expected dates. The years that they have spent behind bars will never be returned to them. However, an intensive international campaign can definitely step up pressure to lessen their remaining years in prison. It is imperative to secure their early release as an acknowledgement of their heroic deeds for the cause of Tibet".

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