Summary of incidents of protest in Tibet 2009
The following summary of peaceful protests from present day back to 1 January 2009 shows that the Chinese authorities have failed to stamp out protest in Tibet.
Date: 7 June 2009
Incident: Tibetans Held After Gathering
Location: Lhasa
Summary: Over a hundred Tibetans gathered to pray and make offerings at the main temple in Lhasa, Jokhang and other prominent religious sites in Lhasa. Later that day around 4 p.m. at the Trumse Khang market area, Tibetans were stopped and six of them were detained. The day was the 15th day of the fourth month in Tibetan calender, the most sacred day for Tibetan Buddhist. In Paris on that day, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe conferred a certificate of honorary citizenship on His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Detail Report: Tibetans Held After Gathering (RFA)
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Date: 25 May 2009
Incident: Protest Against Dam Construction
Location: Tawu County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province,
Summary: Local Tibetans in Tawu County protested against a construction of a major hydroelectric dam that resulted in a displacement of tens and thousands of local Tibetans, TCHRD reported. Chinese security personnel have dispersed the agitated crowed using force, injuring six Tibetans, including a 70 years old woman. Security forces have been stationed at the dam construction site as well as in Wara town.
Detailed report: China displaces tens and thousands of Tibetans in Tawu County (TCHRD)
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Date: 24 April 2009
Incident: protest by Tibetan school students
Location: Labrang (Ch: Xiahe) County, Gannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province
Summary: At around 8am a group of students from Xiahe Tibetan Middle School marched from their school towards the county market area raising slogans, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Reportedly the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) stopped the students in the outskirts of the main market area. According to sources on the ground, the students were driven back to the school and both PSB and People's Armed Police have surrounded the school barring anyone to go in or come out. The parents of the students have been summoned at the school. The students were reportedly demonstrated against the authorities' practice of granting places for higher education to Chinese students, which should have been reserved for Tibetan students.
Detailed report: TCHRD (which includes information about the arrest of a monk from Labrang, Kelsang Gyatso, who had taken part in a protest in front of foreign journalists in April 2008.) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090424a.html
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Date: 5 April 2009
Incident: A lone protester arrested
Location: Kardze, Kham (Ch: Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Jampa Sonam, aged 21, shouted slogans calling for “Dalai Lama’s long life” and “Tibetan independence” outside the government administrative building near the Kardze monastery in Kumbum village, Kardze. Chinese police immediately arrived at the protest site, beat him and took him away to an unknown place, according to a Tibetan who spoke to Phayul.
Report: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24410&article=A+lone+protester+arrested%2c+3+minors+beaten+up%2c+Tibetans+urged+to+begin+farming&t=1&c=1
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Date: 2 April 2009
Incident: Tibetan monks stage sit-in protest in front of Chinese court (TCHRD)
Location: Xining City, Qinghai Province
Summary: Six Tibetan monks staged a peaceful sit-in protest on 2 April 2009 in front of the Xining City High People's Court, Qinghai, holding a large banner appealing to the court "to conduct fair judicial proceedings in accordance with the law". The monks were reportedly led away by the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers and their current whereabouts are unknown.
(Photos of the Banner are available with the report below.)
Detailed Report:
TCHRD - (3 April) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090403.html
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Date: 25 March, 2009
Incident: A monk dies of beating by Chinese Police
Location: Drango County, Kardze TAP, Sichuan
Summary: Phuntsok, a Tibetan monk was beaten to death after he pasted seven pages of leaflets on the walls of a branch office of Drango County Public Security Bureau (PSB) headquarters, on a bridge, and along roadsides. Exactly a year ago, on 25 March 2008 monks from Drango Monastery had protested, but the protest was harshly put down. Phuntsok's leaflets urged local Tibetan farmers to refrain from cultivating and harvesting their crops, as a gesture of defiance and solidarity to those in prison. PSB personnel chased Phuntsok till he couldn't run from exhaustion and he was reportedly beaten on the spot; so severely that he died shortly afterwards. His body was left at base of a hill, in an apparent effort to make it appear that he had committed suicide.
On 27 March 2009 the People's Armed Police arrested 11 Tibetan farmers who had refused to till their land. Their whereabouts and well being are not known.
Detailed Report:
TCHRD - (30 March) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090330.html
Phayul.com - (30 March) http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24325&article=Monk+dies+of+beating+by+Chinese+Police%3a+rights+group
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Date: 24 March 2009
Incident: Two nuns in Kardze protested and arrested
Location: Kardze County, Sichuan Province
Summary: On 24 March 2009, two nuns of Dragkar nunnery staged a peaceful protest in the Kardze County's main market square shouting slogans calling for"swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet,""human rights for Tibetans in Tibet," and"religious freedom in Tibet." Chinese security forces in Kardze County (Ch: Ganzi), Sichuan Province, reportedly severely beat and arrested them.
(Photo of one nun available with the report)
Detailed Report:
TCHRD - (3 April) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090403b.html
TGIE - (3 April) http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=793&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews
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Date: 23 March 2009
Incident: Three teenagers paste handwritten posters,
Location: Kardze, Kham (Ch: Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Phayul reported that Dhondup Rinchen (12-years-old) from Dokham village and two friends pasted handwritten posters calling for ‘Free Tibet’ and ‘Long Life for Dalai Lama’. The three boys were reportedly beaten and expelled from school for 10 days. The families of the boys were given a monetary penalty by the authorities.
Report: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24410&article=A+lone+protester+arrested%2c+3+minors+beaten+up%2c+Tibetans+urged+to+begin+farming&t=1&c=1
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Date: March 2009
Incident: Farming Boycott campaign and Arrest
Location: Kardze County, Kardze TAP, Sichuan
Summary: Tibetan farmers in Kardze have started a farming boycott 'in defiance of the prevalent repressive policies in Tibet.' Chinese officials made an announcement warning 'anyone who defies farming will face arrest and their land will be officially confiscated'. A 27 year old monk named Jampa Dhondup was arrested on 19 March 2009 for his alleged involvement in the farming boycott.
On 21 March three other Tibetans from Kardze county were arrested in connection to the farming boycott; two men named Dhunka Dorjee (age 40) and Tsering Wangrak (age 40) and one woman, Pachen (age 30).
Detailed Report:
TCHRD - (21 March) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090321.html
TCHRD - (23 March) http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090323.html
TGIE - (22 March) http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=762&articletype=flash
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Date: 17 March 2009
Incident: A Tibetan wirter-photographer arrested
Location: Labrang Monastery, Sangchu County, Gannan TAP, Gansu
Summary: Kunga Tsayang, a monk from Labrang Monastery who is a writer and photographer was taken into custody during a midnight raid in Labrang Monastery. He was arrested on an alleged charge of writing political essays on Tibet on a website.
Detailed Report -
Source: TCHRD: http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090325.html
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Dates: 9 March, and 21 March
Incidents: Flag-raising at monastery followed by arrests and major demonstration by more than 1,000 Tibetans
Location: Ragya Monastery and Gyulgho Township, Machen county, Golog TAP, Amdo (Ch: Maqin County, Qinghai Province)
Summary: A major protest had its roots in a flag-raising and the possible death of a young monk who had been detained as a result. Sources say on 9 March, monks at Ragya Monastery raised the Tibetan flag and scattered leaflets which expressed “solidarity and mourning for Tibetan martyrs” around the courtyard. Reports suggest that police removed the flag and arrested seven monks, including Tashi Sangpo (late 20s); date of arrest not clear. On 21 March, Tashi Sangpo was seen running from the police station, having escaped after apparently requesting to use the (outside) toilet. He jumped into the Machu (Yellow) River and was swept away. It is not known if he has survived or whether his intention was to escape or commit suicide. A very large crowd quickly gathered at the police station, which grew to more than a thousand protestors; a mixture of monks and laypeople. Rocks were thrown at the police station according to the sources and one local security official is reported to have been badly injured. The sources stated that the crowd dispersed only after one of the senior lamas at Raja monastery requested people to leave the scene. Chinese official state media have confirmed the incident, saying that around 100 Tibetans protested, following which 6 were arrested and 89 surrendered.
Detailed reports:
Phayul (quoting Voice of Tibet) http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24251&article=Monk+kills+self+in+Ragya%2c+residents+protest&t=1&c=1
TGIE: http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=761&articletype=flash&rm and
http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=761&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews
TCHRD: http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090323b.html and http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090323a.html
Video of the protest: TCHRD: http://www.tchrd.org/uprising_videos/ragya_protest/
China Daily: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-03/22/content_7603753.htm
Update: On 26 March, it was reported that the Chinese government paid two hundred thousand Chinese yuan to the family of Tashi Sangpo who killed by jumping in Machu river. China initially denied that Tashi had died.
Source:
Phayul - (26 March) http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24291&article=Family+of+monk+who+commited+suicide+offered+monetary+compensation&t=1&c=1
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Date: 11, 12 & 14 March
Incidents: Protests by small groups of Tibetans, reported by Voice of Tibet & Radio Free Asia
Location: Kardze Township, Kham (Ch: Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Citing a source from Belgium, the Voice of Tibet radio station reported that three Tibetan youths, Dawa Tsering, 25, Dhondhup, 24 and Lobsang Nyandak, 25, were severely beaten and detained after they chanted slogans in Tibetan “long live the Dalai Lama”, “release all political prisoners of Tibet”, “Dalai Lama be allowed to return to Tibet” and “independence for Tibet”. A un-named lone Tibetan protested on 12 March and was arrested immediately. On 11 March, three Tibetan women from Kardze Lhopa township protested briefly before being detained. The three were identified by the source as Choetso, 17, Tsetan Lhamo, 17 and Tsering Lhamo, 17.
Detailed Reports:
Radio Free Asia: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/protest-03152009131528.html
Voice of Tibet (listen only) http://www.vot.org/archive.html
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Date: 12 March
Incident: Protesters distribute leaflets, shout slogans, reported by Tibetan Government in exile.
Location: Nyarong County, Kardze, Kham (Ch: Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: The Tibetan Government in exile has reported that a group of Tibetans staged a protest by shouting slogans and spreading papers of protest. Three men were reported to have been arrested: one of the three protestor's legs was broken, according to TGiE's source. TGiE also reported that on the same day protest letters were pasted in front of the government office, and the Tibetan national flag was hoisted secretly in a school.
Other sources say there were incidents in February; it's yet to be confirmed whether these were additional protests or the same as those described above.
Detailed Reports:
Tibetan Government in exile: http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=753&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews
Radio Free Asia: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/protest-03152009131528.html
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Date: 10 March
Incident: Single protest: monk throws leaflets and shouts slogans. Multiple sources
Location: Lithang, Kardze, Kham (Ch: Litang, Ganzi TAP, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Lobsang Wangchuk, a Tibetan monk from Nego Monastery, threw leaflets into the air in Lithang county town and shouted “Free Tibet” and “Long Live His Holiness”, according to reports by Radio Free Asia and Free Tibet. About two minutes later, Lobsang was detained by armed police. There was a report of a similar incident at the same location earlier in the day, but this has not been confirmed.
Detailed Reports:
Radio Free Asia: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/protest-03152009131528.html
Free Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org
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Date: 9 March
Incident: Large protest by dozens of monks, reported by South China Morning Post.
Location: Sera Monastery, outskirts of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Summary: [Note - this protest has not yet been reported by any information-gathering NGOs.] A journalist from the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, who was in Lhasa during the 50th anniversary said he was told about a protest by dozens of monks around Sera Monastery. The journalist was told that the monastery is now surrounded by troops. The same report said that every home in Lhasa had been searched for foreigners prior to the 10 March anniversary, and the major monasteries had been sealed.
Detailed reports:
Tibetan Review (quoting SCMP, which is subscription only) http://www.tibetanreview.net/news.php?&id=2676
Daily Telegraph (quoting SCMP) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/4984659/Chinese-police-search-houses-in-Lhasa-for-non-Tibetans.html
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Date: 3 & 5 March
Incident: Arrests of 3 monks on suspicion of distributing leaflets, multiple sources
Location: Kirti Monastery, Ngaba, Amdo (Ch: Aba, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Jamyang Phuntsok, Mewa Gyatso and an unidentified monk have been arrested from Kirti Monastery on suspicion of distributing flyers in Ngaba town. According to sources the flyers had announced that four Tibetans were intending to set themselves alight in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet on 10 March. Free Tibet reported that officials from both the prefectural and county level in Ngaba recently issued orders in person to members of Kirti monastery’s Democratic Management Committee to sign written pledges that none of the monks at the monastery would be allowed to protest in the run up to March 10. The officials stated that even a minor protest would result in the closing of the monastery, according to the source that spoke to Free Tibet.
Detailed Reports:
Free Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/100309
Phayul: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24113&article=3+arrested+in+Ngaba&t=1&c=1
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Date: 5 March 2009
Incident: Separate protests by two Tibetan women; both detained.
Location: Public Security Bureau, Kardze, Kham (Chinese: Ganzi in Sichuan Province)
Summary: Two women, named as Jampa Lhamo, aged 36, and a nun, Pema Yangzom, 22, staged separate protests in front of Kardze's Public Security Bureau (PSB) before being detained. They are reported to have handed out leaflets (including some in Chinese) calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet, respect for Tibetans’ human rights, religious freedom, and the release of the Panchen Lama and Tibetan prisoners. Radio Free Asia reported that performance groups had been ordered to present cultural programs to mark Tibetan Losar festivities, escorted by People’s Armed Police officers and official reporters but, in keeping with the "No Losar" movement, posters were apparently pasted in the region urging people not to attend the shows. Some performances in smaller towns and villages were cancelled as a result of local people’s response. (Note: other sources say five men, including 2 monks, were also involved in protests in 5 March.)
Detailed Reports:
Radio Free Asia: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/new-year-03052009135920.html
International Campaign for Tibet (ICT): http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/detentions-after-peaceful-protest-kham-tibetans-resist-government-pressure-celebrate-losar
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Date: 2 March 2009
Incident: Small demonstration that grew in size
Location: Gomang Monastery, Ngaba, Amdo (Ch: Aba County, Sichuan Province). Note: Gomang is about 13km from Kirti and 14km from Sey Monasteries, see below 1 March and 27 February.
Summary: Early on Monday 2 March about 20 monks from Gomang monastery began a protest march. By the time the monks had walked 1km from the monastery, the group had grown to over 200 protesters including monks and lay Tibetans, shouting slogans including, "Long Live the Dalai lama," "We want human rights," and "Rise up, all tsampa-eating Tibetans." One witness said local people tried to persuade the monks to return to their monastery but the monks refused, some lying on the ground and continuing to chant slogans. The witness described emotional scenes with many onlookers shedding tears out of concern for the monks' safety since armed Chinese troops were reportedly waiting nearby. Eventually, local Tibetan officials and the monastery's administrators intervened, and after three hours the monks returned to their monastery. On the same night, a monk from Gomang monastery named Thangzin, reported to be in his 20s, was taken away by the police. The witness said other monks had left the monastery and were in hiding.
Detailed Reports:
Phayul (one source) http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Monks+of+Ngaba+Gomang+monastery+protest%2C+1+held&id=24037
Students for a Free Tibet (two sources): report forthcoming
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Date: 1 March 2009:
Incident: Large protest
Location: Sey Monastery, Ngaba, Amdo (Ch: Aba, SIchuan Province)
Summary: At least 50 and as many as several hundred monks marched from Sey monastery after they were told by officials that they could not hold prayers for Monlam Chenmo festival. In defiance of these orders, up to 600 monks began to pray but were halted by officials. The monks walked towards the town shouting that they should be allowed to pray and calling on the authorities to release prisoners from Ngaba. The group walked for around five to ten minutes before being apprehended by officials who urged the monks not to continue. Armed police arrived at the scene and it is reported that the monks began to return to the monastery. The monastery is now surrounded by armed police personnel.
Detailed reports:
ICT http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/inside-tibet-reports/new-protest-today-ngaba-after-officials-ban-prayer-ceremony
Reuters http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-38272820090301
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Date: 27 February 2009:
Incident: Lone protest, self-immolation and shooting
Location: Kirti monastery, Ngaba, Amdo (Ch: Aba, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Tapey, a Tibetan monk in his 20s, walk alone from the monastery holding a self-drawn Tibetan National flag containing an image of the Dalai Lama, shouting slogans. He is said to have walked down the main street, dousing himself in petrol and finally setting light to himself in front of numerous witnesses. It is reported that three shots were fired by personnel stationed nearby and Tapey fell to the ground. It is also reported that the fire was extinguished after Tapey was shot and he was immediately taken away by police. It is not known if he survived. Reports from the area indicate that monks are carrying out prayer rituals for him. Tapey took this action after monks had arrived at their prayer hall to hold prayers for the festival of Monlam. The hall was locked and the monastery's Communist Party-backed management committee and the abbot persuaded the monks to return to their cells. Chinese officials have acknowledged the incident, stating that the protester has burn injuries to his neck and head. UPDATE * TCHRD has reported that Tapey is currently hospitalised in a secret government hospital in Chengdu. Sources told TCHRD that Tapey's mother was permitted to visit him at the hospital but they were not allowed to speak to each other. Chinese officials explained to his mother about the need to amputate limbs (both legs or an arm and a leg), which however, was strenuously resisted by Tapey himself.
Detailed reports:
Students for a Free Tibet: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=1853
Free Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/2729
ICT: http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/inside-tibet-reports/monk-tibet-sets-himself-fire-shot-police-during-protest
Xinhua: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hbOTm5-BdEoHXYV_pZmu9E0nccAg
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Date: 25 February 2009:
Incident: Candlelight vigil and sit-down protest
Location: Lutsang Monastery, Mangra County, Tsolho TAP (Ch: Guinan, Hainan TAP, Qinghai)
Summary: More than 100 Tibetan monks marked Tibetan New Year with a peaceful march protesting Chinese government policies. The monks marched about a mile from the Lhamo Yongdzin shrine to the Mangra county center where they observed a vigil for about 30 minutes. On 27th February, the local Public Security Bureau office posted a notice calling on leaders of the march to surrender to Chinese authorities and threatening to deal “severely” with those who fail to turn themselves in. On 9 March, The Times reported that more than 100 monks from Lutsang Monastery were to be taken away that day for "patriotic re-education". An ICT report confirmed that they had been taken away for 'study' to an unknown location. A number of the remaining monks have undergone interrogation, torture and beatings, according to one source. * UPDATE * On 20 March, Voice of Tibet reported that 103 of the 109 monks taken away had been returned to their monastery, but six remained in detention. http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24240&article=103+Lutsang+monks+arrive+home%2c+6+still+held
Detailed reports: RFA: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tibet-march-02262009163337.html
ICT: http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/inside-tibet-reports/authorities-surround-monastery-issue-48-hour-ultimatum-organizers-surrender-after-late
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Date: 16 February 2009:
Incident: Larger protest following on from 15 February (see below), arrests and beatings
Location: Lithang, Kardze, Kham (Ch: Litang, Ganzi TAP, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Following the previous days protest. a much larger protest took place in Lithang. Sonam Tenpa, 29, a younger brother of Lobsang Lhundup, along with fourteen other Tibetans, staged a peaceful protest march at Lithang main market square. Reports state that Sonam was carrying a picture of the Dalai Lama and the group were shouting slogans: “Free Tibet”; “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”; “Don’t Celebrate Losar” and “Release Lobsang Lhundup”. More Tibetans quickly joined the protest and it is reported that there could have been between 300 and 400 Tibetans taking part. The protest was quickly and violently put down by large numbers of armed police wielding batons and rifle butts.
Detailed reports:
Free Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/170209 (also covers 15th, below)
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights & Democracy: http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090216a.html
http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090217.html and http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090220.html
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Date: 15 February 2009:
Incident: Protest, arrest and beatings
Location: Lithang, Kardze, Kham (Ch: Litang, Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: The protest started with a lone protester, Lobsang Lhundup, 37, who began shouting slogans including “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “No Losar” as well as demanding the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. He was quickly joined by more protesters (it has been reported that there were between 100 and 200 protesters). The protest lasted for more than an hour before around 100 PSB official arrived at the scene armed with batons and rifles. Protesters were beaten and it is reported that many of the protesters were bady beaten and bleeding. Lobsang Lhundup was detained and taken to Lithang Country PSB detention centre.
Detailed reports:
Free Tibet: http://www.freetibet.org/newsmedia/170209 (covers 16th also)
TCHRD: http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090216.html
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Date: 20 January 2009:
Incident: Protest, arrest, beating and death
Location: Dzogang, Chamdo (Ch: Qamdo) Tibet Autonomous Region
Summary: Six Tibetan youths were detained after taking parting in a protest in Dzogang. Thinley Gyatso (Thinley Ngodup), Bhu Dhargyal, Norbu Tashi, Pema Tsepak and Gonpo Dadul and Dechoe Dolma marched towards the local police headquarters in Dzogang carrying what some reports say was a banner reading “Independence for Tibet” and others report was a Tibetan National flag. They were stopped while distributing flyers and shouting slogans opposing Chinese rule, detained and severely beaten. Pema Tsepak, 24, was beaten so severely by police that he reportedly died from his injuries.
Detailed reports: CTA http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=680&articletype=flash
RFA: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tibetandeathincustody-01302009131007.html
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Date: 18 January 2009:
Incident: “Strike Hard” campaign begins in Lhasa
Location: Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Summary: The official Lhasa Evening News reported that authorities had launched a 'Strike Hard Unified Checking Campaign' and this included detaining two people for “reactionary opinions” and for downloading “reactionary songs” onto their mobile phones. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) deployed 600 officers to carry out raids on rented accommodation, hotels and internet cafes and, in just three days, 5,766 individuals had been rounded up and questioned in a series of dawn raids.
Detailed reports:
TCHRD: http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20090123.html
ICT:
http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/inside-tibet-reports/authorities-launch-strike-hard-campaign-heightening-lhasa-tension
Kashag appeal: http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=723&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews
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Date: 15 January 2009:
Incident: Arrest
Location: Kirti Monastary, Ngaba, Amdo (Ch: Aba, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Lobsang Kirti, 27, was picked up in a photocopy center and arrested for “distributing suspicious leaflets”. Lobsang had previously written articles for journals and has been a member of the editorial board of “Gangtse Metok”, the official publication of Kirti Monastery.
Detailed report: CTA http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=687&articletype=flash
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Date: 7 January 2009:
Incident: Solitary protest, arrest and beating
Location: Shershul, Kardze, Kham (Ch: Ganzi, Sichuan Province)
Summary: Namhka Sonam, 27, was arrested for chanting slogans of “Free Tibet” and “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. Reportedly he was severely beaten by Public Security Bureau officials. After his arrest, Namkha's father and brother went to plead for his release at the District Office. Their appeal was denied and Namkha is still being held in custody.
Detailed report: CTA http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=687&articletype=flash
by: Spring Digital