HUMAN RIGHTS update is a monthly newsletter of the Reg. no: HP/DMA/105/2008-2010 Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. www.tchrd.org

MARCH 2008 TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY VOLUME I ISSUE 7

CONTENT UPRISING IN TIBET

-- 10 March 2008 (pg 1) CHRONOLOGY OF PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN TIBET - - 10 & 11 March (pg 1) SINCE 10 MARCH 2008 -Lutsang Monastery, Mangra County, Tsolho “TAP”- 10 March (pg 1) -Jyekundo, “TAP” Qinghai - 9 & 10 March (pg 2) Since 10 March 2008, spate after spate of by the PSB officials. Moreover, the shops and -Ditsa Monastery, - 10 March (pg 2) peaceful protests broke out in Chinese vendors around Barkhor Street were ordered -Labrang Tashikyil Monastery, Sangchu County, “TAP” - 10 March (pg 2) occupied Tibet. The Chinese security forces to close and pack up. The detained monks -Kandze - 10 March (pg 2) have rolled in tanks and deployed troops in were confirmed to be visiting student monks -Raid in former political prisoners’ homes - 10 March (pg 2) large numbers in various parts of Tibet in of Sera Monastery, mainly from the -Recall of government employees, Arrest and order to forcibly quell the peaceful and Amdo regions of Tibet. Additional restriction in Tibet University (pg 2) -Chutsang Nunnery- 12 & 13 March (pg 2) demonstrations. The protests mark decades contingents of armed forces were deployed -Gaden Monastery- 12 March (pg 2) of deep resentment by the to the area to issue an explicit warning to - - 14 March (pg 2) against the Chinese rule in Tibet. people against undertaking further protests -Amdo Labrang - 14 March (pg 2) -Amdo Labrang – 15 March (pg 2) Following is a list of protests in as well as to control and monitor the activities -Chinese Authorities issue “surrender” order – chronological order. The Tibetan Centre for of the people. 15 March (pg 3) -Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery – 15 March Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) On 11 March, about 2000 strong Chinese (pg 3) acknowledges that despite being fully alert troop fired tear gas in order to disperse -Bumying and Onpo Monastery sealed - 16 March (pg 3) some of the peaceful protest might not have hundreds of monks from Sera Monastery who -Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery – 16 March (pg been reported to the Centre. were calling for the release of their fellow 3) monks and shouting pro-Tibet slogans. The -At least seven shot dead in demonstration in Ngaba County - 16 March (pg 3) Drepung Monastery- 10 March 2008 People’s Armed Police forces sealed off the -Eight dead bodies have been brought into On the evening of 10 March 2008, about monasteries thereby completely curbing the Ngaba Kirti Monastery: 16 March (pg 3) -Fresh protest broke out in Rong Gonchen three hundred monks from Drepung people’s movement in and out of the area, Monastery, Rebkong County- 16 March (pg 3) Monastery, located on the outskirts of the including protesting laypeople from visiting -Students staged a protest in eastern Tibet: 16 March 2008 (pg 4) capital, attempted to start a planned peaceful these monasteries. -Nyulru Protest: 16 March (pg 4) protest march towards Barkhor Street, Lhasa. -Mass abductions in midnight raids by Chinese However, they were obstructed from Lutsang Monastery, Mangra County, security forces in Lhasa: 15 & 16 March (pg 4) -Around 40 middle school students arrested in proceeding with their peaceful march by a Tsolho “TAP”- 10 March Marthang (pg 4) large number of Chinese armed police In yet another incident, a protest has also -Sporadic protests reported from Meldrogungkar and Phenpo Lhundup : 17 March 2008 (pg 5) before reaching Lhasa. Monks suspected of been reported from the traditional Tibetan -Fresh Pictures: University students join the being the ringleaders of the planned protest area of Amdo in Mangra County, Tsolho (Ch: protest demonstration in Lanzhuo, Gansu were arrested by the Public Security Bureau Hainan) ‘Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’ Province, eastern Tibet: 17 March 2008 (pg 5) -Tibetan students demonstrate in Tsoe City: (PSB) officials. Drepung Monastery has been (“TAP”) Qinghai Province on 10 March. 17 March 2008 (pg 5) sealed since then. About 150 monks from Lutsang Monastery -Fresh Pictures of Tibetan protesters’ dead bodies and crackdown by the Chinese security in Mangra County, Tsolho “TAP” and around forces: 17 March 2008 (pg 6) Sera Monastery - 10 & 11 March 200 laypersons from the area were barred by -Hundreds of Tibetan devotees protest in Amdo Golog: 17 March 2008 (pg 6) On 10 March 2008, a group of fifteen the Mangra County People’s Armed Police -Thirty Tibetan protestors arrested in Toelung monks, later joined by two laypersons led a (PAP) forces when they converged outside Dechen County: 18 March 2008 peaceful pro-Tibet march from Tsuklakhang the County Assembly Hall where a -500 Hundred monks protest in Kanlho, Gansu Province: 18 March 2008 (pg 6) Temple, proclaiming pro-independence government sponsored show was going on. -New cases of arrests and detentions reported slogans, distributing pamphlets and raising Sensing a protest by the Tibetans, the show from Lithang: 18 March 2008 (pg 6) -Thousands of Tibetans Protested in Sertha the banned Tibetan national flags at Barkhor was forced to discontinue. Later monks and County, Kardze: 18 March 2008 (pg 7) Street in Lhasa. They were arrested laypeople started shouting slogans “Long live - Hundreds protest in Amdo Bora : 18 March 2008 (pg 7) immediately by the stationed Public Security Dalai ” and “The should Bureau (PSB) officials following a brief return to Tibet”. protest march. The arrested Tibetans were reportedly beaten severely and manhandled TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

Jyekundo, “TAP” Qinghai - 9 & 10 electronic goods particularly computers, and shops also surfaced from Tibet but March phones and Internet connections. incident of death, injury and arrest could On 9 March, hundreds of banned not be ascertained. portraits of the Dalai Lama were confiscated Recall of government employees, Arrest and Following protests by Tibetans in Lhasa, from a number of homes in Jyekundo, (Ch: restriction in Tibet University a meeting was convened among the Yushu/Jiegu) “TAP”, Qinghai Province On 11 March, the authorities of Lhasa City concerned Department heads of during a midnight raid conducted by local have recalled all the employees of various surrounding districts adjoining Lhasa City, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials. Two government departments who were on leave to restrict and control people’s entry into families were reportedly fined 500 Yuan to return to work immediately and issued a the city. It is highly possible that security each for possessing the banned portraits. restraint order banning taking leave. Around and movement of people may be tightened The next day, pamphlets calling for Tibet’s five students of Tibet University were also in an attempt to block the flow of independence were known to have been confirmed to be arrested by the PSB officials information about protests to the outside pasted on the walls around the area. on 13 March. Restrictions were also imposed world, and to prevent others from joining on the movement of students, including Tibet similar protests in the capital. Ditsa Monastery, - 10 March University students in Lhasa, with authorities In one incident, around 20 local Chinese increasing the vigilance personnel and keeping Amdo Labrang - 14 March officials convened a meeting of monks at a record of student movements at the main Thousands of Tibetan monks and Ditsa Monastery, Bayan County, Tsoshar entrance gate of the University. laypeople converged and staged “TAP” (Ch: Haidong), Qinghai Province. demonstration in the streets of Sangchu However, around 70 monks walked out of Chutsang Nunnery- 12 & 13 March County (Ch: Xiahe xian), Kanlho “Tibetan the meeting carrying the portrait of the On the morning of 12 March, coinciding Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Gansu Dalai Lama and shouted pro-independence with the Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day, Province. The demonstration which took slogans. Later the monks proceeded towards around a hundred Tibetan nuns from place around 2pm (Beijing Time) today is a small hill behind the monastery to offer Chutsang Nunnery in the west side of Lhasa currently ongoing. Mobile phone pictures Sangsol Prayer, and were later joined by marched towards Barkhor Street for a peaceful depicting the intensity of the demonstration onlookers. Open calls for solidarity with “the demonstration. However, they were blocked are obtained by the TCHRD. peace marcher from Dharamsala to Lhasa,” by Chinese People’s Armed Police from moving Around 50 monks from the Labrang initiated by leading exiled Tibetan NGOs, forward and sent back to their monastery. Tashikyil Monastery staged a demonstration were even reportedly raised by the monks. There are no reports of arrest or detention after carrying the banned Tibetan national flag A total of around four hundred people the march. However, on the morning of 13 and called for “Tibetan Independence” gathered for the prayer that day. March, the same group of nuns carried out around 2 p.m. (Beijing Time) on 14 March. their protest march towards Lhasa and have Around 500 monks from the same Labrang Tashikyil Monastery, Sangchu not yet returned to their monastery. On monastery later joined the demonstration. County, “TAP” - 10 March contacting the monastery, only a few senior The demonstration eventually grew into Incidents of police removing pamphlets nuns remain there. thousands when laypeople also joined in. calling for Tibet’s independence were The police started to fire live ammunitions reported from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery Gaden Monastery- 12 March in the air and started to beat when the in Sangchu County (Ch: Xiahe xian), Similarly, Gaden Monastery (about 50 Kms demonstrators neared the Sangchu County Kanlho “TAP” Gansu Province. east of Lhasa City) in Takse County, remains Public Security Bureau headquarters. sealed off and surrounded by People’s Armed Kandze - 10 March Police since yesterday afternoon, following the Amdo Labrang – 15 March There are also reports of people having protest by monks on 12 March. Contact with On 15 March a fresh demonstration pasted pamphlets calling for Tibet’s the outside world is known to have been erupted in the morning around 10 AM independence from Kandze County, terminated at the moment. (Beijing Time) in Labrang, Sangchu Kandze “TAP” Province on 10 County(Ch: Xiahe xian), Kanlho “TAP” March. So far there is no information on Ramoche Temple - 14 March Gansu Province in the eastern part of the case of arrest or detention from the area. Information coming out of Lhasa has Tibetan area as a follow-up to the previous confirmed that Ramoche Temple in the north day’s demonstration staged by monks of Raid in former political prisoners’ side of Lhasa has been surrounded by People’s Labrang Tashikyil Monastery which was later homes - 10 March Armed Police (PAP) following a peaceful joined by thousands of Tibetans in the area. According to sources, on the evening of protest led by monks of the temple in Lhasa Thousands of people including monks 10 March, sudden raids were being this morning. Ramoche Temple and all roads from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery staged a conducted in the homes of former political leading toward the temple were cordoned off peaceful demonstration at the county prisoners by the authorities looking by a large number of PAP forces, restricting government’s headquarters. The particularly for any incriminating CDs such monks from moving outside. A scuffle broke demonstration was started by monks of as the US Congressional Gold Medal to out between PAP forces and the protesting Labrang Tashikyil Monastery and was later the Dalai Lama ceremony which have monks and common people. The report of joined by common citizens at a place known covertly been in circulation recently, or agitating protestors setting fire on a vehicle as Choeten Karpo (White Stupa) where

2 HUMAN RIGHTS update • March 2008 TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY people offered Sangsol Prayer (incense photograph of the Dalai Lama but a senior of people who were heading towards Ngaba burning ritual). After the prayer session, monk from the monastery refused to do so. County government headquarters and people raised “pro-independence” and After a short while, troops of People’s Armed Ngaba County PSB Office. “Long live the Dalai Lama’” slogans while Police surrounded the monastery from all heading towards the Sangchu County sides. Eight dead bodies have been brought into Government headquarters. The People’s Onpo monastery, also in Sershul town is Ngaba Kirti Monastery: 16 March Armed Police (PAP) fired tear gas and live currently surrounded by People’s Armed Eight dead bodies have been brought into ammunition into the air to disperse the Police, seemingly without provocation. Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to demonstrators. The demonstrators were However, it appears to be a precautionary confirmed information received by the arrested and beaten by PAP forces and PSB measure on the part of the Chinese authorities Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and officials from the area, although the number as this is the home monastery of several of Democracy. The bodies were brought in from could not be ascertained at the moment. the monks arrested in Lhasa from the Sera the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Monastery protest march earlier this week Province. Sources say at least “30 Tibetans Chinese Authorities issue “surrender” on March 10. felled” after armed troops shot order – 15 March indiscriminately into the peacefully In the morning of 15 March 2008, the Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery – 16 March protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, People’s Higher Court, Regional People’s At around 11.30 AM (Beijing Time) on one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a Procuratorate and the regional Public 16 March 2008, thousands of Tibetan former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining Security Bureau of the so-called “Tibet monks of Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery, in bodies are unidentified at the moment. The Autonomous Region” (“TAR”) issued a Ngaba County (Ch: Aba), Ngaba “Tibetan monks in Kirti Monastery are currently notice demanding protestors to give Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Sichuan offering prayers for the deceased. themselves in for leniency by Monday Province, gathered for a prayer session in the midnight. The notice further stated that morning. Shortly after the end of morning Fresh protest broke out in Rong Gonchen those who surrender and inform “will be prayer session, thousands of monks erupted Monastery, Rebkong County- 16 March exempt from punishment”, it also stated, into spontaneous protest by raising slogans A fresh protest broke out in Rong “those who cover up or shelter the calling for “Tibet independence”, “return of Gonchen Monastery, Rebkong County (Ch: lawbreakers would be punished in the Dalai Lama” and “freedom for Tibet”. In Tongren Xian), Malho Prefecture (Ch: accordance with the law.” moment’s time, the Chinese security police Huangnan) “Tibet Autonomous burst into the Monastery campus and lobbed Prefecture”, Qinghai Province. Around 300 Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery – 15 tear gas on the Tibetan protestors. monks of Rong Gonchen Monastery March conducted Sangsol Prayer (Incense burning Monks of Taktsang Lhamo Kirti At least seven shot dead in demonstration ritual) on the hill just behind the monastery Monastery (a branch of Amdo Ngaba Kirti in Ngaba County - 16 March during the early hours of the day. It was Monastery in Dzoge County (Ch: Zoige) At least seven people were known to have known that the monks performed Long Life Ngaba (Ch: Aba) “TAP”, Sichuan Province been shot dead including monks of Ngaba Prayer Ceremony for the Dalai Lama. staged a peaceful demonstration in the Kirti Monastery by the People’s Armed Police Shortly after the end of the prayer ceremony, afternoon of 15 March 2008. Truckloads (PAP) during the peaceful demonstration by the monks started peace march towards the of troops were sent into the area to disperse thousands of people in Ngaba County (Ch: government headquarters of Rebkong the protesting crowd to put the situation Aba) this afternoon. Hundreds of people are County which is located in the downtown under control. More than ten monks were also known to have been injured in the market area which was later joined by lay reportedly arrested and around five others incident following PAP crackdown on the people of the County. injured following a violent crackdown by protestors. The demonstration is still going However, in minutes’ time they were People’s Armed Police (PAP) on the peaceful on when the Centre received the information confronted and blocked by the security protestors. from the venue of demonstration. personnel from continuing the The demonstration started around 11.30 demonstration. Source says that the monks Bumying and Onpo Monastery sealed - AM (Beijing Time), when thousands of are currently stranded at the monastery 16 March Tibetan monks of Amdo Ngaba Kirti courtyard surrounded by a heavy presence Hundreds of People’s Armed Police have Monastery, in Ngaba County (Ch: Aba), of paramilitary troops. In a course of time, surrounded Bumying and Onpo Ngaba “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” more and more ordinary people flock in to Monasteries in Tibet, Shiqu County, Ganze (“TAP”) Sichuan Province, gathered for a join the monks protesting inside the Prefecture, Sichuan Province), to avoid prayer session this morning. Shortly after the monastery courtyard. The situation is said further spread of the protests in Lhasa and end of morning prayer session, thousands of to be extremely tense. The source also says other areas. Bumying Monastery remained monks erupted into spontaneous protest by that the security personnel have already sealed off following incident of Tibetan raising slogans calling for “Tibet started firing tear gas on the crowds to independence pamphlets having scattered independence”, “return of the Dalai Lama” disperse them. At the moment, the arrests, in the area on the evening of 15 March. and “freedom for Tibet”. The demonstration and deaths of the protestors could not be Further problems were provoked when was later joined by common citizens of ascertained. police demanded the removal of a Ngaba County total numbering thousands

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Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Prefecture”(“TAP”), Gansu Province staged March). However, the actual arrest has Kirti Monastery: 16 March 2008 a peaceful demonstration in the main city already begun in house-by-house raid since Eight dead bodies have been brought into of the County. Protestors raised slogans yesterday while the world expects it to take Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to calling for the “Independence for Tibet”, place from tomorrow. Although Martial Law confirmed information received by the “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and other is not officially imposed in Lhasa, it has all Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and demands. The sources also confirmed that the elements of the Martial Law imposed in Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the agitated protestors had burnt down one 1989 by the then “TAR” Party Secretary Hu the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan police vehicle during the demonstration. Jintao, currently the President of People’s Province. Sources say at least “30 Tibetans Additional large-scale contingents of PAP Republic of . felled” after armed troops shot and PSB were brought in to crackdown TCHRD fears more arbitrary arrest and indiscriminately into the peacefully upon the protestors. enforced disappearances to take place in the protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, coming few days. The Centre also expresses one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a Nyulru Protest: 16 March its deepest fear of torture on the Tibetan former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining Around 250 Tibetans of Nyulra arrestees which is a regular feature in the bodies are unidentified at the moment. The Township, Machu County (Ch: Maqu Chinese administered detention centres and monks in Kirti Monastery are currently xian), Kanlho “Tibetan Autonomous prisons in Chinese occupied Tibet. TCHRD offering prayers for the deceased. Prefecture”(“TAP”), Gansu Province appeals to the international community to destroyed the doors of County government urgently show their solidarity and act for the Students staged a protest in eastern Tibet: offices during the protest. The protestors arrested peaceful Tibetan protesters and 16 March 2008 also took off the Chinese national flag and innocent arrestees. Tibetan students in the eastern Gansu hoisted the banned Tibetan flag in place. province staged a peaceful protest in the The protestors later shouted pro- Around 40 middle school students afternoon of 16 March. Around 500 Tibetan independence slogans. The situation is arrested in Marthang students of the Tibetan Studies Department known to be extremely tense at the moment Around 40 Tibetan middle school of the North Western Nationality University, with the large-scale mobilization of students were known to have been severely Lanzhou City, Gansu Provincial Capital, truckloads of paramilitary troops had already beaten before being arrested at around 8:30 Lanzhou staged a peaceful demonstration began in the area. No further information AM (Beijing Time) following students’ call inside the University campus this afternoon on the situation could not be ascertained for the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet, according (Beijing Time). to confirmed information received by the Confirmed information says that students Mass abductions in midnight raids by Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and had circulated leaflets containing information Chinese security forces in Lhasa: 15 & Democracy (TCHRD) multiple sources about the recent Lhasa demonstrations inside 16 March within Tibet. the University campus. The sources Hundreds of Tibetans are arbitrarily Around one hundred Tibetan students of confirmed that there are about one thousand arrested in the ongoing house-by-house raid Marthang Nationality Middle School in Tibetan students studying in the university. by Chinese security forces in Lhasa Marthang County (Ch: Hongyuan Xian), Information confirmed that there are 300 beginning from 15 March 2008. All former Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture, “Tibetan Tibetan students holed up in the campus by political prisoners have already been Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Sichuan the security forces. The students were known rounded off and thrown into prisons by Province, erupted into a spontaneous to be carrying a large banner with a slogan the security forces according to confirmed demonstration inside the school compound “DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN LIVES information received by the Tibetan Centre calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to ARE PRECIOUS”. The Tibetan students also for Human Rights and Democracy Tibet during the morning school hours. The raised slogans calling for the immediate end (TCHRD). age of the students are known to be between to the brutal crackdown on the Tibetan people With streets filled with patrolling 14-20.According to witnesses, the People’s referring to the ongoing reports of arrests in Chinese armed troops and tanks in Lhasa Armed Police (PAP) and Marthang County the Lhasa city. city, the security agencies comb each and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials Following the circulation of leaflets, the city every house in Lhasa and pick up all blocked and immediately crushed the People’s Armed Police (PAP) forces and Public suspected Tibetans, especially youth, from students while they came out of the school Security Bureau (PSB) personnel stormed the their houses accompanied by severe beatings premises shouting slogan calling for the Dalai university and cordon off the entire campus by the armed forces. In testimonies received Lama’s return to Tibet. Students were area. According to sources, the movements of by TCHRD, mothers and elderlies in the severely beaten and manhandled before students were known to have been strictly families helplessly plea at security forces being dragged into the waiting police curtailed under a heavy presence of PAP and upon seeing their sons and loved ones being vehicles. PSB at the University campus gate. beaten and dragged away. According to the latest information Protest in Amdo Machu: 16 March Law enforcement authorities in the so- coming out of Tibet, it indicates that around Meanwhile in another incident, at around called “Tibet Autonomous Region” had on 700 students of the Marthang Nationality 6 PM (Beijing Time), about 1500 local Saturday (15 March) issued an ultimatum Middle School in a solemn gesture of Tibetans from Machu County (Ch: Maqu to the protesting Tibetans to voluntarily solidarity with the arrested students are xian), Kanlho “Tibetan Autonomous surrender before Monday midnight (17 staging protest outside Marthang County

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PSB office. The conditions and identities of A similar protest was also reported from Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu those middle school students could not be Meldrogungkar, Meldrogungkar County Province on 16 March 2008, 6 PM (Beijing ascertained at the moment; however, the (Ch: Mozhu Gongka Xain), “TAR”. This Time). They also undertook twenty four Centre will continue to monitor the situation morning monks and nuns from various hour hunger strike as a protest against and will update as and when more clusters of monasteries and nunneries Chinese Government violent crackdown on information surfaces from the area. situated in Meldrogungkar County gathered peaceful Tibetan demonstraters in all parts The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and for a peaceful demonstration in County of Tibet. Democracy (TCHRD) condemns in strongest headquarter. Like any other peaceful protest terms the Chinese security forces use of brute in Tibet, they were barred from proceeding Tibetan students demonstrate in Tsoe force upon the peaceful Tibetan protesters. with their demonstration by the county PAP City: 17 March 2008 TCHRD expresses its serious concern on the and PSB officials. Reinforcements were 9 AM (Beijing Time) well being of the protestors and urge the called in to the area from nearby Lhasa city According to the confirmed information Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in to contain the demonstration and prevent received by the Tibetan Centre for Human responding to continuing protests in the light them from gaining momentum into a scale Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), the of numbers of confirmed death surfacing and intensity as has happened in other parts Tibetan students of the Tibetan Medical from the area who are peacefully expressing of Tibet in the past few days. We have no College, Teacher Training Higher Institute their views and exercising their freedom of information of arrests or detentions. and other colleges in Tsoe City, Kanlho (Ch: expression, association and assembly. Gannan) Prefecture, Gansu Province, TCHRD calls for the immediate and Fresh demonstration broke out in Amdo “TAP” had carried out protest unconditional release of all Tibetans arrested Mangra: 17 March 2008 demonstrations in their respective university and detained in the past days. As Lhasa city remains tightly under premises in an apparent opposition to the Chinese control for the fourth consecutive Chinese rule in Tibet. The protests in the Sporadic protests reported from day, a series of new protests are occurring in campuses took place around the same time Meldrogungkar and Phenpo Lhundup : 17 the eastern part of Tibet. At around 4:00 in the morning of 17 March 2008, March 2008 pm (Beijing standard time), a peaceful spontaneously. More reports of sporadic protests in other demonstration spearheaded by more than Just moments after the outbreak of the parts of Tibet are emerging, indicating protests seventy monks of Kagya Monastery turned protests, the People’s Armed Police (PAP) have trickled into the neighboring counties into a major demonstration with common came to the scene and blocked them from as Lhasa city remains tightly under Chinese citizens joining in large numbers. continuing the demonstration. The security control for the fourth consecutive day. The According to confirmed information forces had cordoned off the campus premise ibetan Centre for Human Rights and received by the Tibetan Centre for Human and holed up the protesting students. Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), this When the information last came in, the scene information from multiple sources inside afternoon at around seventy monks of was said to be very tense. Similar protest Tibet that a fresh demonstration was Kagya Monastery, Mangra County (Ch: also took place in the North Western spearheaded by the monks of Gaden Guinan Xian), Tsolho (Ch: Hainan) “Tibet Nationality University in Lanzhou, the Choekhor Monastery, Phenpo Lhundup Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”) staged a provincial capital of Gansu Province in County (Ch: Linzhou Xian), Lhasa peaceful demonstration carrying the banned northeastern Tibet. Municipality, “Tibet Autonomous Region” Tibetan national flags and shouting In a similar case, on 16 March 2008, (“TAR”) which was later joined by common “Independence for Tibet”. The monks were around one hundred Tibetan students of citizens at the County government later joined by common citizens of Mangra Marthang Nationality Middle School in headquarters. County numbering around 500 and Marthang County (Ch: Hongyuan xian), Monks, nuns and common citizens of headed towards the County government Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture, “Tibetan Phenpo Lhundup County, east of Lhasa, headquarters. The situation in the area is Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Sichuan staged a peaceful protest yesterday on 16 known to be very tense with a heavy Province, erupted into a spontaneous March at the County government presence of PAP and PSB officials. demonstration inside the school compound headquarters in a continuation of a previous As of yet, there have been no reports of calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to protest on 15 March. Sources revealed that a arrests on detentions at this particular protest. Tibet during the morning school hours. similar protest is currently going at Phenpo TCHRD is awaiting more updates from the The protest movement inside Tibet is Lhundup People’s Armed Police (PAP) and area. At the time of reception of this gradually changing its trend with Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in the information, there were no reports of arrest intellectual community such as students of area have severely restricted the movement of and detention at the place of demonstration. universities and even the middle schools. civilians. As of yet, there have been no reports The trend is significant as their being of arrests on detentions at this particular Fresh Pictures: University students join ‘literate’ and ‘educated’ part of the protest. TCHRD is awaiting more updates the protest demonstration in Lanzhuo, community. It shows the educated section from the area. At the time of reception of this Gansu Province, eastern Tibet: 17 March of the Tibetan community too is raising their information, there were no reports of arrest 2008 voices and resentment against the Chinese and detention at the place of demonstration. Fresh Pictures depict students protest in government. North Western Nationality University in

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There has been no reports of arrests or Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”), Qinghai is said to be tense and the area was under a detention so far. Province this afternoon were disrupted heavy deployment of paramilitary troops suddenly with the Chinese security when information last came in. At the Fresh Pictures of Tibetan protesters’ dead personnel demanding immediate stoppage moment the identities of the arrestees could bodies and crackdown by the Chinese of the religious sermon leading local Tibetans not be identified. security forces: 17 March 2008 to protest. In a short duration, the Chinese On 16 March 2008, around 11.30 AM security personnel surrounded and blocked 500 Hundred monks protest in Kanlho, (Beijing Time), thousands of Tibetan monks the Tibetan protestors. The situation on the Gansu Province: 18 March 2008 of Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery, in Ngaba ground was tense when the information last This morning, 18 March 2008 (11 AM County (Ch: Aba), Ngaba “Tibetan came in. Beijing Time) around 500 monks of Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”) Sichuan Meanwhile in a similar incident, around Choephel Shing Monastery erupted into Province, erupted into spontaneous protest the evening of 17 March 2008, the monks protest according to confirmed information by raising slogans calling for “Tibet and lay people of Minthang Monastery were received by the Tibetan Centre for Human independence”, “return of the Dalai Lama”, also on a protest demonstration in Chigdril Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). “freedom for Tibet” with carrying the banned County (Ch: Juizhi Xian), Golog, Qinghai According to the multiple sources and Tibetan national flag. Province. According to the source, about eyewitnesses, around 500 monks of Choephel They also shouted slogans calling for “Bod hundreds of Tibetan protestors proceeded Shing Monastery, located in Dogo Township, Gyalo” (Victory to Tibet), “Long Live the to a nearby local police station located two Chone County (Ch:Zhouni Xian), Kanlho Dalai Lama”. In moment’s time, the Chinese kilometers from Minthang Monastery. The “TAP” were conducting a prayer ritual security police burst into the Monastery protestors were shouting pro-independence (burning Juniper Incense) at a hillock behind campus and lobbed tear gas on the Tibetan slogans when the information last came in. the monastery. Shortly after the end of the protestors. The Chinese security police were In a separate incident this evening, prayer ritual, the monks erupted into a protest currently blocking the protestors from hundreds of monks and ordinary people of demonstration. marching out of the Monastery premises. Lungkar Monastery Chigdril County, Golog The monks marched out carrying the Following a similar protest by the monks “TAP” were observing candlelight vigil, banned Tibetan national flag, shouting of Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery (a expressing their solidarity with the Tibetan slogans calling for the “Independence for branch of Amdo Ngaba Kirti Monastery), protestors in various parts of the Tibet. The Tibet” and “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. The Dzoge County (Ch: Zoige) Ngaba “TAP” Chinese security personnel were keeping a protest has been gaining momentum and Sichuan Province yesterday afternoon, close eye on all of the demonstrations and growing in size when this report is being filed. truckloads of troops were sent into the area situation was tense at the moment. Reliable sources say that huge contingent to disperse the protesting crowd to put the of People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public situation under the control. In yesterday’s Thirty Tibetan protestors arrested in Security Bureau (PSB) has been brought into protest at Ngaba, more than ten monks were Toelung Dechen County: 18 March 2008 the area to quell the Tibetan demonstrators. reportedly arrested and around five others According to confirmed information The situation on the ground is extremely injured following a violent crackdown by received by the Tibetan Centre for Human tense. People’s Armed Police (PAP) on the peaceful Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), protestors. Atleast fifteen dead bodies were yesterday evening, on 17 March 2008, New cases of arrests and detentions brought to the Kirti Monastery when the protest demonstration broke out in Dechen reported from Lithang: 18 March 2008 report last came in. Township, Toelung Dechen County, Lhasa Following a solo protest that was later City of the “Tibetan Autonomous Region joined by bystanders in Lithang County on Hundreds of Tibetan devotees protest in (“TAR”). 15 March 2008, the situation in Lithang is Amdo Golog: 17 March 2008 According to numerous sources and known to be very tense with authorities’ 17 March 2008: (6 PM Beijing Time) eyewitnesses, the protest demonstration was imposing severe restriction on the movement Around hundreds of Tibetan devotees initially started by a dozen of monks of Dinka of the people in the area, according to gathered for a religious teaching by their Monastery, in Dinka Township, which was confirmed information received by the revered religious teacher when suddenly the later joined by ordinary Tibetan people. Soon Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and security police forced the religious teaching the protest demonstration ran out of the Democracy (TCHRD). to discontinue much against the wishes of control of local security forces stationed in When the protest spread to other parts of the Tibetan devotees in Amdo Golog, the area. In minutes, a large contingent of Tibet in the recent few days, the Chinese according to the confirmed information People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public authorities in a precautionary measure, sent received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Security Bureau (PSB) security officers were reinforcement into Lithang County as the Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). dispatched to the area to disperse the Tibetan place witnessed mass protests last August Multiple sources within Tibet confirmed protestors. spearheaded by Ronggye A’drak. On 15 that, around 200 Tibetan devotees consist As a result of the deployment of (PAP) March 2008, Barchog Lopoe, a 37 years-old of lay and clergy were receiving a religious and (PSB), the Chinese security forces teacher cum manager of Lithang sermon from a local religious teacher, Trulku arrested around 30 Tibetan protestors Monastery (one of the 113 branches of Tenzin Pai Wangchuk in Chigdril County consisting of monks and ordinary people. Lithang Gonchen Monastery) in Lithang (Ch: Juizhi Xian), Golog “Tibetan The situation in Toelung Dechen Township County, Kardze “TAP” stopped a convoy of

6 HUMAN RIGHTS update • March 2008 TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY military trucks from marching forward by Autonomous Prefecture” (TAP) staged a area. At the time of reception of this standing in the middle of the road. Barchog major protest demonstration in Sertha information, there were no reports of arrest Lopoe shouted slogans calling for free Tibet County, Kardze in a large number shouting and detention. and Dalai Lama’s long life, which was later pro-independence slogans according to Atleast three Tibetans shot dead in Kardze joined by bystanders. Barchog Lopoe was confirmed information received by the arrested soon after his act by the Public Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Protest : 18 March 2008 Security Bureau (PSB)officials and took away Democracy (TCHRD). The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and to the County PSB Detention Centre. The Shortly after the outbreak of the protest Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed bystanders and local public followed him demonstration by the Tibetans, the People’s information from multiple sources, that at least towards the detention centre and demanded Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security three Tibetan protestors were shot dead this his release. Sensing more protest by the Bureau (PSB) came to the area to quell and afternoon during a peaceful demonstration in public, the PSB officials released Barchong disperse the agitating crowds. Kardze County, Sichuan Province in eastern Lopoe the same evening. Currently he is The situation in Sertha County was said to Tibet after Chinese security forces started an under constant vigilance and people of be tense with heavy presence of the Chinese indiscriminate firing on the peaceful Tibetan Lithang county fear that he might get re- security forces. protestors. arrested anytime. The incident took place on 18 March 2008, On 16 March, a 52-year-old monk, Akyi, Hundreds protest in Amdo Bora : 18 today between 2:30 - 3:00 PM (Beijing originally from Youru Village, Lithang March 2008 Standard Time) when around 300 Tibetans County, and of Lithang Gonchen According to confirmed information from all walks of life staged a peaceful protest Monastery, started a sit-in protest on the main received by the Tibetan Centre for Human demonstration in the main market square of road of Lithang which was later joined by Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) reveals Kardze County, Sichuan Province by raising lay people of the county. Akyi was known to that hundreds of Tibetans in Amdo Bora, in slogans calling for “independence for Tibet” and have been arrested while demonstrating and Sangchu County (Ch: Xiahe Xian), Kanlho “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. released soon after a brief detention in the “Tibet Autonomous Prefecture” (“TAP”) Soon after, more and more Tibetans in county PSB detention centre following Gansu Province, staged a peaceful protest the market joined the protest demonstration intervention from village and county heads. against the Chinese rule in Tibet this shouting the pro-independence slogans. The authorities of Lithang County are morning. According to eyewitnesses account from the known to have circulated a notice telling from At around 11:00 AM (Beijing Standard scene of demonstration, the Chinese venturing out of their home in the coming Time), as the day coincides with major paramilitary troops started firing live days as more military trucks were brought ritualistic observation day, monks and ammunition indiscriminately into the into the area. Schools, offices and shops in common citizens of Amdo Bora observed a demonstrators from a rooftop of one building. the area remain closed in the area. prayer ritual (incense burning) ceremony and Protestors started dispersing in all directions In a similar incident on the morning of then suddenly erupted into a peaceful protest for cover. After a short while, three dead bodies 17 March, witnesses confirmed to the calling for more freedom in Tibet by raising were found lying on the road. According to Centre that many military tanks and the banned Tibetan national flags. The sources, two of them were identified as reinforcement of PAP were brought into crowd before heading towards the County Gonpo Nadul, Nyiga and the name of the Lithang County with street looking government headquarter, went to the Bora third victim is still unidentified at the completely deserted except for the military Primary and Middle School in the County. moment. trucks, tanks and troops. Communication Later the protesting crowd barged into the Sources say that 15 Tibetan peaceful lines in the area were known to have been two schools and brought down the Chinese protestors were also injured during the cut off since the evening of 16 March with flag hoisted in the school’s compound and indiscriminate firing by the Chinese security complete restriction imposed on the people’s replaced it with the banned Tibetan national forces. Out of 15 injured Tibetans, identities of movement outside their home. Dagay, 23- flags. Soon after the protestors headed the five, two females and three males were years old, a nomad from Youru Village in towards the county government headquarter known. They are Pema Dechen, Chemi Gonpo, Lithang County while taking her sick shouting pro-independence slogans. Lobsang, Tseten Phuntsok and Shao Mimi. The mother for a vaccination was barred by the According to sources, three truckloads of present conditions of those injured could not military troop from going to a clinic yesterday. People’s Armed Police were brought into the be ascertained, as visitors were not allowed Dagay in fury protested against the security area to control the crowd as reinforcement. inside Kardze People’s Hospital, where the personnel and was known to have been As protestors neared their destination, the taken away to the PSB Detention Centre. security forces fired numbers of tear gas shells injured were admitted. Following villagers call for his release Dagay into the protesting crowd from heading No further information on the exact number was released on the yesterday’s evening. towards the county government of dead, injured or arrest could be ascertained at headquarter. At the time of filing this the moment. TCHRD will issue further updates Thousands of Tibetans Protested in information, the crowd had already as the situation progresses. TCHRD condemns Sertha County, Kardze: 18 March 2008 dispersed. in strongest terms the Chinese security forces’ 18 March 2008: (4 PM: Beijing Time), As of now, there have been no reports of brutal use of force on the peaceful Tibetan today evening, around thousands of arrests or detentions at this particular protest. demonstrators. Tibetans in Sertha County, Kardze, “Tibet TCHRD is awaiting more updates from the

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8 HUMAN RIGHTS update • March 2008