Appendix
Examples of the deteriorating situation
in Tibet since the 1998 Annual Report
Tibet has experienced a year of tightened security
and intensified pressure, particularly in its religious institutions.
In addition to the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of
China, this year has seen the 10th anniversary of martial law
in Tibet (8 March) and the 40th anniversary of the Tibetan National
Uprising and the Dalai Lama's subsequent flight to India. Security
in Lhasa has reached new levels. NB many of the following policies
have been introduced in Tibetan areas outside the Tibet Autonomous
Region (TAR), also strongholds of Tibetan Buddhism.
— China has withdrawn all contact with
the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile.
— Prison capacity has been increased
in Tibet, at Drapchi (No 1 prison) Outridu and a new prison has
been built at Sangyip. The authorities have refused to discuss
last May's incident at Drapchi Prison.
— Monks who prepared a letter for Mary
Robinson in September 1998 were arrested.
— A campaign to promote atheism was
launched in January 1999 to add to the campaign against the Dalai
Lama (part of the patriotic re-education campaign started in 1996).
— Two monks arrested for a protest
on 10 March were sentenced to three and four years.
— In April three monks died after being
tortured in detention.
— In August at the National Minority
Games in Lhasa there were several pro-independence protests. Tashi
Tsering, who attempted to raise the Tibetan flag in the Potala
Square, is believed to have died from the injuries he sustained
when he was arrested by police. An orphanage, to whom Tashi Tsering
was linked, has been closed and three people arrested. The whereabouts
of the children is unknown.
— Ngawang Sangdrol, a nun, has had
her sentence increased from 18 to 21 years. The Chinese have failed
to give information about her health which was a cause of major
concern following the Drapchi Prison protests of May 1998 (she
was beaten).
— Ngawang Choephel, a musician serving
18 years on a false charge of spying, was moved to Powo Tramo
prison, suffering from bronchitis and hepatitis. His mother, Sonam
Deckyi, is suicidal, as the Chinese authorities will not permit
her to visit him.
— China detained two development experts
vsiting a remote area of Qinghai, the site of a proposed resettlement
project to be funded by the World Bank. An American, Daja Meston,
suffered a broken back and shattered heels when he jumped from
a third storey window of the hotel where he was being detained.
A Tibetan translator hired by the pair was also arrested but has
since been released. The World Bank has launched an internal review
of the project.
— Rumours have emerged that Gedhun
Choekyi Nyima, the child chosen by the Dalai Lama as the 11th
Panchen Lama died in mid October in a prison in Lanzhou. China
has consistently refused to grant access to him and his family,
who disappeared in 1995.
— A demonstration involving several
hundred people took place in Karze, eastern Tibet on 31 October
to demand the release of three monks who had been arrested for
political reasons. At least 10 demonstrators are reported to have
been arrested.
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