Striving Under Surveillance - 3


A report on the human rights situation in Tibet

A NAME="B1">ABBREVIATIONS

CCP: Chinese Communist Party

BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation

DIIR: Department of Information and International Relations, Dharamsala, India

MFN: Most Favored Nation status

PRC: People's Republic of China

TAR: Tibet Autonomous Region

TIN: Tibet Information Network. An independent news service based in London.

UN: United Nations

UNDHR: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

UNHCR: United Nations High Commission for Refugees




END NOTES


1 For a more detailed legal analysis of the law relating to population transfer refer to , Tibet support group(U.K), "New majority: Chinese population transfer into Tibet" 1995 London, chapter 1; Mr Awn Shawat Al-Khasawaneh, Special Rapporteur, "The realisation of economic, social and cultural rights- the human rights dimensions of population transfer, including implantation..." 30 June 1994. E/CN.4/sub.2/1994/18.
2 China accepted at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, 1993 that the human rights enshrined in the International bill of human rights were fundamental and universal and that all countries are bound by them. These conventions can now be defined as customary International law therefore are binding on all states.
3 Mr Awn Shawat Al-Khasawaneh, Special Rapporteur, "The realisation of economic, social and cultural rights- the human righted dimensions of population transfer, including.." 30 June 1994 E/CN.4/sub.2/1994/18.
4 At a conference of international lawyers on the right of Tibetans to self-determination in London in Jan. 1993, it was concluded unanimously in the "London statement" that:
"Following the PRC's military action of 1949-50 significant settlements of non-Tibetans from China have occurred in the traditional territory of Tibet without the free consent of the Tibetan people. These settlements have been actively encouraged by the policies of the PRC. According to the evidence, this has had and is having, serious consequences for Tibetan culture, religion, institutions and national identity. It poses a serious threat to the survival of the Tibetan people. There are other serious consequences of the environment. To the extent at least that such population transfers have occurred for the purpose or with the effect, of diminishing the exercise by the Tibetan people of their right to self-determination and of other basic rights belonging to them by international law, such population transfers do not conform to international law. They should cease at once. Peaceful and lawful steps should be taken to reverse them with due regard to the wishes and needs of all the people concerned". (Tibet: the position in International law", report on the conference of International lawyers on issues relating to self-determination and independence for Tibet", Edition Hansjorg Mayer, London. 1994. p.148)
5 TIN News Review No.23, March 1995 p.19
6 TIN News Review, No.22. Nov 1994. p.32.
7 Lhasa Radio Report, 28 November 1994 reported in TIN News Review, No.23 March 1995 p.19.
8 Ibid.
9 TYC Report, "Strangers in their Own Country". Dharamsala, India, 1994. p.23
10 The arrest of monks and nuns for peaceful protest has also been recognised as a restriction on the freedom of religion Note that there is a list of religious prisoners in TIN Background Briefing Paper, No. 25, March 1995 p.36-40, titled "Typical major cases of Tibetan Prisoners detained apparently for religious reasons".
These arrests and demonstrations have been covered under the right to freedom of expression and association, although the rights overlap each other. More specifically related to the above is the following incident. In December last year, a group of 14 monks, from Takste, were arrested after protesting against political interference in their Sang-ngag Khar (traditionally called Dechen) monastery. CCP officials had previously threatened the monks that is they sided with the "splittist" movement then the monastery would be closed down. Also the monks were protesting against an award given to them by the Chinese claiming that they were "the most outstanding monastery" in the anti-Dalai lama campaign( TIN news Update, 10 February 1995).
11 Article 18; Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his [or her] religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
12 Chinese Embassy (India), "Achievements of the Chinese government in promoting and safeguarding Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Chinese People", February 8, 1995. p.7: "Other laws such as the Law of Regional National Autonomy, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Electoral Law, Military service Law, Compulsory Education Law and Organic law of the Villages Committees also contain specific provisions for the protection of the freedom of religious belief and the equal rights of religious believers." Regulations on the Administration of sites for religious Activities promulgated by the Chinese Government in Jan. 1994 contain clear stipulations for protecting normal religious activities by aliens in China. The enactment of these two regulations places China's religious policies on a more systematic and sounder legal basis and is a milestone in the legal codification of China's religious affairs."
13 TIN Background Briefing Paper, No.25 March 1994. p.3
14 Therefore those religious activities that are defined as "normal" by the Chinese authorities under article 36 of the Chinese Constitution come under the "freedom to believe policy", but those defined as "abnormal" such as the religious activities defined as "splittist" do not come under the Right to freedom of thought, Conscience and religion as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In fact Article 18 UNDHR, states that a religion can manifest itself in public and private through practice etc. The manifestation of Buddhism in Tibet, as practiced in daily life permeates both the public and private sphere on an economic, political and social level.
15 TIN Background Briefing Paper, No.25, March 1994.p.2
16 The justification behind this restriction lies in the ideology of the Communist Party which is fundamentally atheist. The human rights desk reported last year that on 10 November 1994, a meeting was held in Lhasa and its members were informed that: "The concept of freedom of religion which the west propagates is totally different from that of the People's republic of China. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but the code of the Communist party is above the Constitution. If [the party] should put the common interest of all the laboring people as its first priority, and should not allow the religious problem to affect the solidarity of the laboring people".
17 Human Rights Update, Department of Information & International Relations, India. 10 Nov 1994
18 TIN Background Briefing Paper, No. 25 March 1995 p.12.
19 Ibid p.6.
20 Human Rights Update, Department of Information & International Relations, India. 3 Feb 1995.
21 Ibid . p.12: "The management committees apparently act at the demand of the local "work team", a political education unit sent periodically to the nunnery by the county party committee".
22 Ibid. p.13-14. This has actually been happening since 1990 - "Note another issue connected to the above is the "double jeopardy" ("non bis in idem") that nuns come under when they are released from prison after they complete sentences from political protest. They are no longer able to rejoin their nunnery. Also on the issue of expulsion of monks and nuns with political sympathies" (p.14)
23 Ibid P.4. Note that before 1959 Sera held 9000 monks and Sera monastery in India holds around 2000 monks at present.
24 Ibid
25 Ibid
26 The Chinese authorities have published directives which lay down rules and limitations for the selection of a successor, which is currently the most important question in Tibetan politics. The rules created by the Chinese authorities include restrictions over where the successor can be found and give the authorities the right to control the selection process. Ostensibly, the selection process is on the hands of Chadrel Rinpoche, the abbot of Tashilunpho monastery in Shigatse, seat of the Panchen Lama's. There are unofficial reports that he has refused to do so, or has delayed the decision: TIN Background Briefing Paper, No. 25 March 1995 p.18
27 Ibid. P.11
28 The 17th Karamapa was discovered by his followers in 1991. Chinese authorities demanded the right to recognise the child and announced that no lama could be recognised without the approval of the Chinese authorities. The followers of the new Karmapa whose main followers are based in India or Sikkim, wished to take the child to visit India. The authorities have refused or delayed permission for the child to travel to India.
29 TIN Background Briefing Paper, No.25 March 1995 .p.19
30 Article 20 states that: " (1).Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (2).No one may be compelled to belong to an association". & Article 19 states that;
" Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression ; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
31 Prisoners of conscience are people imprisoned, detained or otherwise physically restricted by reason of their ethnic origin, sex, color or language provided that they have not used or advocated violence.
32 Amnesty International Report, "People's Republic of China: Persistent Human Rights Violations in Tibet", May 1995 p.9
33 Maybe this was due to the incentives and extra bonuses that the authorities of PSB were starting to give in 1994 to personnel if they arrested a demonstrator for "separatist activities".(reported in Human Rights Update, Department of Information & International Relations, India. Jan. 5, 1995).
34 Note the issue relating to whether these prisoners are political prisoners or religious prisoners. TIN prefers the latter and has compiled a list of "Prominent religious prisoners in Tibet". The special rapporteurs report also discussed this issue and TIN reported that "The UN special rapporteur made by implication the legally significant decision that monks and nuns held in Tibet as a result of political activities are to be considered as religious prisoners".(TIN Background Briefing Paper No.25, March 1995 p.3.
35 Radio Lhasa Broadcast on 9 July 1994 (1746-1748 Beijing time).
36 TIN Background Briefing paper, March 1995 p.21.
37 TIN Background Briefing paper, March 1995. p.25.
38 ICT Press Watch, Vol VI issue III Aug-Sept, P.1
39 also not the connection with this right to the right to a fair and public hearing. The violation of this right was detailed in the, "Background Paper of the Independence of Judges and Lawyers in Chinese Occupied Tibet", submitted by the Human Rights Desk, Department of Information and International relations, Tibetan Government in-exile to Mr. Dato Param Cumaraswamy, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence and Impartiality of the Judiciary, Jurors and assessors and the Independence of Lawyers, May 1995. Details about trials are rarely available but the department of Information recently conducted research into the independence of the judiciary in Tibet. It found that extraction to confessions was common and also that access to a lawyer was virtually non-existent. If a lawyer was present then he/she had little time to prepare the defence and even then he/she would rarely contest guilt. The conviction rate is very high. In fact the Chinese criminal justice system operates on the principle of "guilty until proven innocent". The structure of
the court system was also highlighted whereby judges are instructed on how they must determine the case by a judicial committee comprised of communist party members. The judiciary is therefore subject to communist party guidance. Trials are essentially sentencing hearings.
40 Article 9 states that, "No-one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile".
41 The Constitution of the People's Republic of China (1982): Article 37. Also Article 38:
"The personal dignity of citizens of the People's Republic of China is inviolable. Insult, libel, false charge or frame-up directed against citizens by any means is prohibited " and Article 3: "The home of citizens of the People's Republic of China is inviolable. Unlawful search of, or intrusion into, a citizen's home is prohibited".
42 The law on Criminal Procedure (1979) Articles 38-52 outlines the law on the legal procedures to be followed in the case of arrests and detentions.
43 (Presidential Decree No.35) article 7.
44 Amnesty International Report, "People's Republic of China: Persistent human rights violations in Tibet", May 1995. London. p.12^^
45 ICT Press Watch, Vol VI issue III Aug-Sept, P.1
46 TIN Background Briefing Paper No.25, March 1995 . p.25.
47 Article 5 states that, "No-one shall be subjected to Torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
48 People's Republic of China Law on Prisons, (Presidential Decree No.35) 1994.
49 Human Rights Update, Department of Information & International Relations, India. Feb 23, 1995. This update included a research paper critiquing the regulations insofar as they aimed to protect individual rights.
51 Amnesty International Report, "People;s Republic of China: Persistent Human Rights Violations in Tibet", May 1995 .London p.15.9
52 Amnesty International report, "People's Republic of China: Persistent human rights violations in Tibet" , London. p.18.
53 Ibid. The Torture and ill treatment of Tibetan Juvenile prisoners of conscience was highlighted by Amnesty International in its report.
54 Ibid. p.17.
55 Article 26 states that: "(1).Everyone has the right to Education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.& (2).Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for Human Rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups and shall further the activities of the UN for the maintenance of peace.& (3).Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
56 Especially Article 28(1) which states that: (1). state parties recognise the right of the child to education and with as view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
(a) make primary education compulsory and available free to all:
(b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child and take appropriate measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need;
(c) make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;
(d) make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;
(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
& Article 28(3): "States parties shall promote and encourage international co-operation in matters relating to education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy throughout the world and facilitating access to scientific and technical knowledge and modern teaching methods. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries."
China signed this convention on 29 August 1990 and ratified it on 29 December 1991 and it formally took effect in China on 1 April 1992.
57 (1982), article 46.Article 19 also states that:
" The state develops socialist educational undertakings and works to raise" the scientific and cultural level of the whole nation. The state runs schools of various types, makes primary education compulsory and universal, develops secondary, vocational and higher education and promotes pre-school education. The state develops educational facilities of various types in order to wipe out illiteracy and provide political, cultural, scientific, technical and professional education for workers, peasants, state functionaries and other working people. It encourages people to become educated through independent study. The state encourages the collective economic organisations, state enterprises and undertakings and other social forces to set up educational institutions of various types in accordance with the law. The state promotes the nationwide use of Putonghua (Common speech based on Beijing pronunciation)".
58 SWB (BBC), Beijing December 21, 1993,
59 A report titled, "State of Education in Tibet Today" Published by the Department of Information and International relations, Dharamsala, India, Nov 11, 1994.
60 Many parents send their children because of the poor state of education in India and discrimination against Tibetans in the syllabus. Many Tibetans inside Tibet have complained about the poor quality of education provided for their children and the limited access to primary and higher education. Amnesty International in its May 1995 report on Human rights violations in Tibet recorded that "only 60% of school age children attend school in the TAR, according to Chinese press reports".(p.2).
61 TIN News Review, No.23 March 1995. p.41
62 Report on the "State of Education in Tibet Today" published by the Department of Information and International Relations, India 11 November 1994. p.5.
63 TIN News Update, 19 April, 1994.
64 Ibid
65 TIN News Review, March 1995. p.45
66 Zhang Xiaoming and Liu Ziyan, Xizang Ribao, Lhasa in Chinese 11 Nov 1994 BBC SWB 28 Nov 1994
67 TIN News Review,, March 1995 .p.45. Quoting from a Lhasa TV report.
68 Article 16(1)(e) states that: "(1) .states parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on a basic of equality of men and women: (e) the same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights."
69 Constitution of the People's Republic of China (1982) Article 48 states that: "Women in the People's Republic of China enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, political, economic, cultural and social, including family life. The state protects the rights and interests of women, applies the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women alike and trains and selects cadres from among women".
70 For further information on China's birth control policy in Tibet refer to, "Tears of silence: a report on Women and Population control", Tibetan Women's Association, India, May 1995.
71 TIN Background Briefing Paper 30 March 1994, "Survey of Birth Control Policies in Tibet", p.2-3.
72 Ibid.
73 Tibetan Women's Association (India), "Tears of Silence", India .1995 p.39
74 This information was taken from Amnesty International Report, "People's Republic of China: Persistent human rights violations in Tibet" May 1995. p.25-34.
75 Article 37(a) state states that, "No child shall be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offenses committed by persons below eighteen years of age".
76 Article 37(b) states that, "No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time".
77 Amnesty International, "People's Republic of China: Persistent human rights violations in Tibet" May 1995 report. p.18
78 Ibid. p.19.
79 Ibid. p.18.
80 Tibetan Bulletin, March-April 1994. p.8
81 Tibetan Bulletin. May-June 1994. p.21
82 Tibetan Bulletin, July - August 1994. p.14
83 Australia Tibet Council "News" June/July 1994 .p13
84 Australia Tibet Council, April/May 1994. p.12
85 ICT Press Watch, Apri|/May 1994. p.12
86 ICT Press release may 16, Washington.
87 ICT Press Watch, Vol VI. Issue II, May 1994.p.1
88 Tibetan Bulletin, July-Aug 1994 .p.14.
89 Tibetan Bulletin, July - Aug 1994. p.14.
90 Voice of America: June 10, 1994
91 Tibetan Bulletin, Nov-Dec 1994.p.8
92 Tibetan Bulletin, Nov-Dec, 1994 p.17.
93 ICT Press Watch. VOl VI issue IV.p.9
94 ICT Press Watch, Vol VI Issue IV Oct-Novp.2
95 ICT Press Watch, Vol VI Issue IV Oct-Nov 1994. p.2
96 15 countries raise Tibet at the UN Gen Assembly (Thupten Samphel, Dec 14, 1994 New York -E-mail)






Bibliograhpy




Chinese Embassy Press Release, Achievements of the Chinese Government in Promoting and Safeguarding Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Chinese People, February 8, 1995. India.

Folsom, RH.& Minan JH, Law in the People's Republic of China: Text, Readings and Materials, Professional Seminar Consultants Inc, New York, 1986.

Tibetan Government in-exile, Department of Information and International Relations, Human Rights Updates, January 1994-December 1994, Dharamsala, India.

Tibet Information Network (TIN), News Updates: January 1994-December 1994, London.

Tibet Information Network (TIN), News from Tibet October-March 1994. News Review 26 April, 1994. London.

Tibet Information Network (TIN), Security policy in the TAR, 1992-4: Analysis of a Speech. TIN Background Briefing Paper No.24, March 1995. London.

Tibet Information Network (TIN), Reports From Tibet November 1994-March 1995, TIN New Review No.23, March 1995. London.

Tibet Information Network (TIN), The State of Freedom of Religion in Tibet, TIN Background Briefing Paper, March 1995. London.

Tibetan Youth Congress, Strangers in Their Own Country: Chinese Population Transfer in Tibet and Its Impacts, Dharamsala, India. 1994.

United Nations Commission on Human Rights (48th Session) 1992, Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in any Part of the World, with Particular Reference to Colonial and other Dependant Countries and Territories: Situation in Tibet, Report #GE.92-10383/4202B of the Economic and Social Council, January 5, 1992.

U.S Department of State report, China Human Rights Practices, 1994 (II), 7 February 1995

Tibetan Bulletin, (Official Journal of the CTA), Department of Information and International Relations, Dharamsala, India. January-December 1994.

International Campaign for Tibet, "Tibet Press Watch". Vol VI- issues I-V. 1994. Washington DC, U.S.

Australia Tibet Council "News". January-December 1994. New South Wales, Australia.

Australia Tibet Council, "Tibet Documents", Vol 7:10 ; V.8:2 ; V.8:3 ; V.8:4 ; V.8:5 ; V.8:7 . 1994. New South Wales. Australia.

Annex A

Table of reported 1994 demonstrations in Tibet, compiled by the Human Rights desk, department of Information & International Relations, Tibetan Government in-Exile, Dharamsala, India.


DATE PARTICULARS OF DEMONSTRATION COMMENTS


Late February 1994
Demonstration by eight Tibetan nuns from Kyimshi village, Chideshol valley, 45 km south of Lhasa

All reported to have been arrested


13 March 1994
Seven Tibetan nuns from Bumthang nunnery arrested after political unrest at the nunnery, south of Lhasa.
An unofficial report from Tibet identified the seven women who were arrested as:

  • Lobsang Yangzom from Lhoka Gongkar county;
  • Lobsang Choedrom from Lhoka Namgyegang
  • Lobsang Kalden Lhoka Namgyegang;
  • Ngawang Sangden Lhoka Namgyegang;
  • Tenzin Kunsang Lhoka Namgyegang;
  • Ngawang Pema Lhoka Namgyegang;
  • Choekyi Tsomo Lhoka Namgyegang.


    21 March 1994
    Three Tibetan nuns from Phenpo Lhundrop and members of Garu nunnery, demonstrated in Barkhor square, Lhasa, chanting slogans for a free Tibet.
    Taken away by police and are reported to be detained in Gutsa prison.


    27 March 1994
    Demonstration by two monks from Nyethang Tashi monastery. The two monks reportedly unfurled a Tibetan flag during the demonstration.

    Immediately taken away by police before they had time to shout slogans.


    Late May, 1994
    Three laymen in Serwa village raised slogans calling for Tibetan independence.

    A report received by TIN ( 31 August 1994) claimed that a local official had fired "warning shots" but gave no details. Two of the protestors that were detained were named as:

  • Tsultrim: 20 years old and farmer by occupation;
  • Lobsang Palden: 17 years old and a farmer by occupation. Lobsang is also the son of Joju Xiang, former party secretary.
  • The third was not named.


    24 May, 1994
    Monks from Purchok monastery (north of Lhasa) began a pro-independence protest near the Jokhang temple in the Barkhor area.

    The four monks arrested were named as:

  • Dawa from Phenpo Lhundrop county: 20 years old
  • Nyima from Phenpo Lhundrop county: 18 years old
  • Tharpa from Meldogungkar: 17 years old
  • The name of the fourth is unknown.


    25 May 1994
    Pro-independence demonstration around the Barkhor, by a group of nuns from Garu nunnery.

    Five arrests. Important religious festival marking Buddhas enlightenment. The five arrested were named as:

  • Phuntsog Peyang: 27 years old
  • Phuntsog Wangmo: 21-23 years old
  • Phuntsog Tsomo: 19 years old
  • Ngawang Kunsel: 20 years old
  • Ngawang Lamdrol: 19 years old
  • one nun escaped (whereabouts unknown).


    27 May 1994
    Up to 200 Tibetans joined a crowd in Lhasa protesting against an arbitrary tax increase of 20% on shopkeepers.

    Chinese police are alleged to have beaten demonstrators and arrested five Tibetans. Police confiscated 3 tourist passports who witnessed the disturbance. At least 7 people were taken to hospital for medical treatment after they were beaten by police. Sources believed the protest was in opposition to a U.S decision to renew China's trading privileges. At least 7 arrests.

    31 May1994
    Eight monks from Nethang Tashigang ( 20km south-west of Lhasa) arrested after staging a pro-independence demonstration in Barkhor.

    All arrested. Names of the monks arrested known are:

  • Phuntsog Tendon: 14 years old from Nyethang Xiang, Chusur county
  • Phuntsog Rigchog: 28 years old from Nyethang Xiang, Chusur county
  • Phuntsog Thrinden: 19 years old from Nyethang Xiang, Chusur county
  • Thupten Geleg: 16 years old from Lhokha Gongkar Torwa
  • Ngawang Tsangpa: 21 years old from Lhokha Gongkar county, Namgyegang
  • Ngawang Ngon-Kyenfrom Nyethang Xiang neighborhood No.1
  • Phuntsog Zoepa: 19 year old from Nyethang Xiang neighborhood No.1
  • ?

    14 June, 1994
    Five nuns from Shar Bumpa nunnery in Phenpo demonstrated, shouting slogans for a free Tibet in the Barkhor area.

    The nuns were "knocked to the ground, kicked and beaten" by police who immediately arrested them. taken to Gutsa prison. Plain clothes PSB officials helped arrest the nuns. Their nunnery, Shar Bumpa, was thereafter surrounded by troops. (This was the eight reported incident for the year and brought the number of monks and nuns arrested to 38)


    20 June 1994
    Four monks from Ganden Choekar monastery travelled immediately to Lhasa and tried to stage a protest in the Bharkor against military interference in the monasteries and nunneries.

    Immediately arrested and beaten. Believed to be taken to Gutsa prison. This protest was an outcome of the raid on Phenpo nunnery and the nearby monastery of Ganden Choekar and the overall crackdown after the 14 June demonstration. The four monks arrested were:

  • Lobsang Choezin: 17 years old
  • Gyaltsen Tengye: 21 years old
  • Champa Tsondrue: 17 years old
  • Tsering Samdrup: 21 years old


    20 June 1994
    Traders in the border town of Dram protested against stabbings by Chinese soldiers. The protests began when three men described as soldiers, started shouting abuse at Tibetan shopkeepers in the areas, as they conducted their search for a "suspect". A group of traders gathered and protested at the local government offices, where there was a brief fight with police.

    The soldiers who said that they were searching for a suspect beat up a Tibetan youth called Kun-jam who was stabbed and according to several accounts, thrown from a roof or balcony by the group, then they chased and stabbed a youth who tried to defend his friend. The protest was successful in replacing the soldiers with a new batch to conduct the searches. (TIN 23 August, 1994)


    3 August 1994
    Four monks shouting pro-independence slogans in the Barkhor area.

    Immediately arrested.


    14 August 1994
    Five monks from Ganden Choekar demonstrated in the

    Immediately arrested.


    23 August 1994
    Tibetan monks from Ganden Choekar, demonstrating in Lhasa, Barkhor. Pulled out flag and shouted pro-independence slogans from Phenpo county.

    Immediately arrested.


    Late November 1994
    Protest in Nyemo county, 80 km west of Lhasa, by nuns from Tagchen nunnery. Put up posters around the village and the nunnery.

    The four nuns were arrested and detained


    2 & 7 December 1994
    14 monks from Sang-Ngag-Kha monastery 25 km east of Lhasa, Lhasa, (in an area traditionally called Dechen but now referred by the Chinese as Taktse) protesting against political interference in the monastery ie Chinese threatened to close kit down if any of the monks showed any signs of being pro-independence supporters.

    14 monks were arrested. The arrests occurred 5 days after a visit to Lhasa by a high level UN mission investigating religious intolerance.


    2 December 1994
    This protest involved eight monks

    The eight monks reported to have been take to a prison in Lhasa.


    7 December 1994
    Two protests on this day occurred in Lhasa and Taktse town, where six monks were also reported to have put up protest posters.

    All monks were arrested.

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