30 March 2006
HRW calls for access to slaughterhouse prisoners
Human Rights Watch (HRW) have urged the authorities in Sichuan province to allow independent medical professionals and human rights monitors access to five Tibetans who have been held in custody without trial for more than six months. The five, detained after the burning of a slaughterhouse in Manikengo (Chin: Manigange) township, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province in August 2005, have been held without any charges against them made public and reportedly without access to relatives or defence counsel. HRW have expressed concern about the physical condition of the men after a sixth detainee was released and found to have gone blind in custody as a result of alleged beatings and lack of access to medical care. "It’s time for the Chinese government to give a full account of what has happened to these five men, including any charges against them", said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Independent doctors and lawyers should be allowed to meet with them to ascertain their condition". The prisoners’ last known location was reportedly in Public Security detention in Derge County. The five include Sherab Yonten (60 to 70 years old), Sonam Gyelpo (50) and Dawa (30). The names of the other two men are not known. Soepa (40 to 50 years old) was released after going blind.