(Tibetan Woman Held in Lhasa Without Charge for Two Years)

(Please contact Free Tibet Campaign if acting after 31 August 2003)

Further details have emerged about the case of Anu, the female Tibetan amputee, who we reported had been detained since March 2001 on political grounds. Anu is now known to have been sentenced to four years' imprisonment. She is serving this sentence in Drapchi Prison, Lhasa. Another Tibetan, Lobsang Namgyal, who was detained in June 2001, apparently in connection with Anu's case, is also serving a four sentence in Drapchi Prison. Precise details of the charges against Anu and Lobsang Namgyal remain unknown, but are likely to be linked to the possession of 'separatist' leaflets, including speeches by the Dalai Lama, which were distributed in Lhasa. The two Tibetans are therefore probably suspected of links to the Tibetan Government in exile.

Anu had one leg amputated after she was knocked down by a Chinese military truck at the age of 13. Now 47, Anu moves around with the aid of a crutch. Prior to her detention Anu was a tailor, making traditional Tibetan clothes. She was believed to be in poor health prior to her detention and there are concerns about how she is coping in prison, due to her disability.

Lobsang Namgyal (also known as Lonam) is a monk now in his thirties. He was sentenced in November 2001 for "endangering state security". Lobsang's health is also of concern, in particular his eyesight which has deteriorated during two previous detentions. He was held for a year in 1990 after he had helped some nuns who had taken part in a demonstration, and in 1995 was give a three year 're-education through labour' sentence for helping to compile a list of political prisoners. (Sources: Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy and Kate Saunders for Free Tibet Campaign).

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