Ngawang Tsering, born in Mepa town, Markham County, Chamdo Prefecture, TAR, was admitted to hospital in Lhasa on 13 March; doctors said he was in need of a blood transfusion.
However, [in response to events on 14 March], the Chinese government “issued strict orders that the army needed blood and no one should donate blood to Tibetans” [quotation of CTA]. Despite repeated appeals, “no one came forward to give blood to Ngawang Tenzin”.
He subsequently died in hospital (not confirmed whether the TAR People’s hospital or Lhasa Municipality People’s hospital).
[Note: CTA does not provide a date of when Ngawang Tsering died.]
(reported by CTA, 22 December 2008)

Date unspecified: Departments in Lhasa have started monitoring private Tibetan schools; the authorities are also planning to shut down many of the schools.
(reported by CTA, 12 December 2008)

The Chinese government imposed heavy restrictions [in Lhasa] by posting a large number of armed personnel around the Tibetan capital of Lhasa to prevent unrest during the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on 10 December; an “additional supply of arms and ammunition [were provided] to some of the Chinese forces to reinforce clampdown on the Tibetan people”. Lhasa city appeared as ‘war zone’; armed personnel [had] built up six barricades on the street in front of the Potala palace; movement of Tibetans restricted around Bharkor Square; heavily armed Chinese militarily issued warnings to local residents to remain inside their homes.
At an intersection “near Lhasa”, armed personnel frisked people coming from the western region of Chushul [Chushur] and Toelung [Toelung Dechen].
The security measures disturbed normal life in Lhasa.
The Chinese police are provided with five different kinds of dress, including monks’ robes and street cleaners’ uniform.
(reported by CTA, 12 December 2008)

The Chinese authorities are keeping close vigil on private schools and small health centres in Karze [Kardze] to hinder dedicated Tibetans who are carrying out welfare projects, due to suspicions of political motives behind such activities. On 1 December, sources in Tibet “reported about a decree to shut down the most prestigious and recognised educational and health institutions in Karze” [Kardze], including “the hospital and school owned by Khangsar Kyabgyon Tulku and Lamdag Tulku hospital and Karze Intermediary Tibetan language school”. Expressing concern and disappointment, parents and other Tibetan residents have voluntarily approached the authorities and submitted petitions appealing to them not to close schools and hospitals.
(reported by CTA, 12 December 2008)

Since the beginning of November, some Tibetans were arbitrarily arrested from their homes in Lhasa by “a joint team of Chinese secret agents and [PSB officials]”. The reason for these arrests is not clear; those arrested remain in “protective custody” [sic].
[Note: CTA reported this on 12/12/08, but the news item followed details of a protest which occurred on 22 November. It is unclear if the arbitrary arrests described here were conducted ‘since’ the beginning of November until 22 November, until the end of November, or until the date of the report, 12/12/08. Therefore, this information has been entered under 30 November as an approximate date, to encompass the month of November.]
(reported by CTA, 12 December 2008)

B officials arrested Khenpo Jampa Gyaltsen, the abbot of Woeser monastery.
(reported by CTA, 22 December 2008)

Jampa Lhamo, aged 45, born in Khyungpo Tengcheng [Dengchen (Chin: Dingqing)] county, Chamdo Prefecture, TAR, and a permanent resident of Ramoche, Lhasa, “was severely tortured since her detention on 29 March”. At the time of her release [CTA does not provide a date], she was in a debilitating condition due to torture; her health failed to improve despite undergoing medical treatment. She died on 28 November 2008.
(reported by CTA, 22 December 2008)

Paramilitary police with riot shields, batons, abruptly took up posts on [Labrang’s] main street on 24 November, disrupting the bustle of Buddhist pilgrims. Residents said they did not know what was happening. The government is “adjusting tactics”. Police checkpoints and guard posts in place for months are “suddenly dismantled, only to reappear without warning days later”. The show of force in Xiahe [Tib: Labrang] came after several weeks in which riot squads had rarely been seen on the streets; intended to deter unrest while a local court sentenced an unspecified number of Tibetans for taking part in large anti-government protests in Xiahe [Labrang] during March. Helmeted police with truncheons and six-foot-long poles stood outside the courthouse and government buildings. Verdicts were not publicly announced. The trial seemed timed to [coincide with the conclusion of exiled leaders’ meetings in India], called to discuss the policy of rapprochement with China after 50 years in exile.
At a checkpoint, uniformed officers studied identification papers, stopped all but a few dozen vehicles from entering the town. Cars were cleared from the streets and people hurried past armed guards.
Foreign visitors have been barred from the region for much of the past seven months; this restriction lifted in Xiahe a month ago, although many other Tibetan areas remain closed.
(reported by AP, 24 November 2008)

Xicang [Tib: Shitsang] monastery, site of a violent demonstration in March, was open again for visitors, but tense. Senior clerics finished leading midday teachings in the main hall and “immediately shuffled to another meeting – a rollout of a new government-ordered study session”.
About 90 monks sat in the courtyard beside a red banner with white Tibetan and Chinese writing: “Work Meeting for the Second Phase of Xicang Monastery’s Rule of Law Propaganda Education Campaign”. Such mandatory campaigns – which stress that religion must never veer into political action – have been used repeatedly to keep the clergy in line.
(reported by AP, 24 November 2008)

Morning: four Tibetan nuns and an unknown number of Tibetan youths raised Tibetan independence slogans around the Bharkor Square in Lhasa. As soon as the protest began, the protesters were severely beaten up and taken into custody by the Chinese police.
(reported by CTA, 12 December 2008)

At around 5pm, a Tibetan youth aged around 20 years shouted Tibetan independence slogans in Lhasa; he was brutally beaten and arrested by PSB officials.
(reported by CTA, 22 December 2008)

Week beginning 17 November: A series of trials of Tibetans who took part in the “March rebellion”. In Luqu [Tib: Luchu], a town of 7,000 where monks from Xicang [Shitsang monastery] “tossed stones at local government offices”, the court sentenced four people; a court officer refused to disclose the verdicts.
(reported by AP, 24 November 2008)

Jigme Gyatso (lay name Jigme Guri), a senior monk at Labrang monastery, was re-arrested after he described how he had been tortured by the police during his detention in March. He is now in custody in Lanzhou, Gansu province.
(reported by HRW, 05 December 2008)

The Courier-Mail [Australia] was among the first foreign news outlets allowed into Tibet since the March uprising.
China has intensified its military presence in Lhasa amid fears that ‘separatist’ supporters of the Dalai Lama plan a repeat of the March riots; the authorities fear a militant uprising by Tibetan youth seeking independence. Military personnel with machine guns are conducting routine patrols around the Barkhor district; snipers are positioned on rooftops and stairwells. During a four-day visit, Australian journalists also witnessed monks being bundled into a police van close to the Jokhang temple. On 4 November, Bai Ma Cai Wang [Tib: Pema Tsewang], Vice-Governor of the TAR government told the Australian visitors that the military and police presence had been “moderately adjusted” in recent days because of “separatist activities”.
Up to 200 were killed and more than 1,300 Tibetans were arrested during the unrest in March.
Bai Ma confirmed that 55 Tibetans had been sentenced to jail terms ranging from three years to life after the March riots, which flared after monks staged peaceful protests. Tibet’s economy had been seriously damaged; tourism dropped from about 4.5 million visitors in 2007 to just 400,000 this year.
Bai Ma said: “The Tibetan people enjoy full rights in terms of management of their own affairs”.
Several monks said China had ‘bugged’ some of the city’s key tourist sites, such as the Potala Palace, to eavesdrop on potential troublemakers.
Every Chinese or Tibetan official The Courier-Mail spoke to, in Lhasa and Beijing, spoke derisively of the Dalai Lama. Mr Bai Ma said: “The image of the Dalai Lama as spiritual leader in the Tibet people’s minds has already gone away”.
(reported by Courier Mail, 06 November 2008)

XInhua reported that Baema Cewang, vice chairman of the Tibet regional government, told a visiting Australian parliamentarian that 55 people had so far been sentenced for the 14 March Lhasa riots; “Following the violence, police detained 1,317 people, of whom 1,115 were subsequently released. The rest stood trial”. Xinhua’s report did not detail the crimes or sentences of those convicted; nor did it say what had happened to the some 147 people apparently tried but not sentenced.
[Note: Reuters did not state the date of the meeting; 4 November was stated in a Courier Mail report by a visiting Australian journalist.]
(reported by Reuters, 05 November 2008)

Jigme Guri (a.k.a. Jigme), a Labrang monastery monk was arbitrarily arrested “for unknown reason” [However, TCHRD refers to interviews that Jigme gave to foreign media, and stated that he had subsequently gone into hiding].
Around fifty Sangchu county PAP and PSB officials travelling in several military trucks arrived in Labrang at around 1pm; barged into a Tibetan home and arrested Jigme; taken away in a military vehicle; whereabouts unknown.
Jigme had previously been arrested on 22 March for his suspected role in 14 March Labrang protests; detained for two months; intensively interrogated, subjected to torture to extract a confession; left unconscious twice; released on medical grounds.
In September, VOA’s Tibetan service’s Wednesday programme, Kunleng, broadcast a video in which Jigme expressed Tibetans’ aspirations; gave accounts of torture and inhumane treatment inflicted on Labrang monks arrested for protesting in March.
In a telephone interview with AP on 12 September, Jigme gave a detailed account of the ongoing Chinese crackdown on Tibetans.
Jigme later went into hiding.
[Note: TCHRD’s home page dated the press release as 03/11/08; the press release page itself is dated 04/11/08. The date of Jigme Guri’s arrest – and the date of publication – is believed to be the former.]
(reported by TCHRD, 03 November 2008)

Jigme Gyatso, a 42-year-old Tibetan monk who produced a video providing personal details of the Chinese crackdown in Tibetan monasteries this year, was arrested during the afternoon at Labrang monastery by more than 70 members of the PAP and PSB.
Jigme Gyatso had previously been arrested on 22 March; was severely beaten and held for a month; “on the verge of death” he was hospitalised, then allowed to return to Labrang monastery because police found no evidence to support their belief he was one of the organisers of protests [the article refers to protests in Lhasa, but Jigme Gyatso had reportedly been arrested in connection with protests in Labrang, not Lhasa, on 14 March]. Jigme Gyatso had not been involved in protests this year because he had already been detained by the police several times, including once for 40 days after returning from a Buddhist ceremony in India in 2006.
Discharged from hospital and released and custody, Jigme Gyatso’s civil liberties were withdrawn for one year, including his freedom of speech. He secretly made his way to Beijing, where the video was produced; he did not try to hide his identity, despite knowing the risk involved.
The video was first broadcast on the VOA news website and YouTube on 3 September. Two days later the police launched a nationwide search for Jigme Gyatso, who had gone into hiding. His monastery room and his family home were monitored by police. Police lured him back to the monastery by saying they would not arrest him if he returned [note: TCHRD reported that Jigme Gyatse was arrested from a Tibetan home in Labrang].
(reported by The National, 04 November 2008)

Norzin Wangmo (Chin: Longzhen Wangmu), an employee of the Judicial Bureau of Hongyuan county, was sentenced on 3 November to five years of imprisonment after he told relatives abroad of the situation in Tibet.
(reported by HRW, 05 December 2008)

The first visit to Tibet by any Australian journalists since the March 2008 unrest: Cameron Stewart of The Australian (online newspaper), News Limited journalist Steve Lewis, and federal Liberal MP Michael Johnson (vice-chairman of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship group), made a four-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese government.
Cameron Stewart described the ‘zero tolerance’ military presence in Lhasa: “As night falls, hundreds of Chinese troops fan out … armed with riot shields and assault rifles. They set up sentry posts on street corners and dispatch patrols in groups of six soldiers, three with shields and three with guns. These patrols spend the night walking down the lanes of Lhasa’s Tibetan quarter, looking for any sign of dissent. When the sun rises, the soldiers … are replaced by a new rotation of troops”.
During daytime, “snipers are installed on rooftops” around the Jokhang temple, watching over Tibetan pilgrims praying in Barkhor Square below. CCTV cameras have been installed on buildings [presumably in addition to those already in operation prior to 14 March]; plainclothes police are deployed as well large numbers of uniformed police and soldiers.
On Monday 3 November, the Australian visitors witnessed “a group of monks being placed in a police van and taken away but attempts to get an explanation were unsuccessful”.
The vice-governor of the TAR, Bai Ma Cai Wang [Tib: Pema Tsewang], told the Australian visitors: “In order for Tibet’s stability and for people’s safety and for people’s desire for security and order, the government has moderately adjusted the presence of the police force on the street”(China’s first public acknowledgment that it has beefed up its security forces in Tibet). The government fears a repeat of the March riots, according to Bai Ma: “After the 14 March riots, the Dalai Lama and his followers have speeded up their separatist activities”. But he also claimed: “The image of the Dalai Lama in Tibetan people’s minds has already gone away”.
Wang De Wen, of the Tibet People’s Congress, stated that 1,317 people were arrested following the 14 March riots. With regard to those arrested, the deputy secretary-general of the Tibet People’s Congress, Tonga, claimed: “After our re-education program most of them will regret what they have done – a relevant government official briefed them on what was right and what was wrong”.
The head of religious affairs of the TAR, Kalsang, denied reports in the West of monks being “required” to denounce the Dalai Lama as part of ‘patriotic education’ programs in monasteries.
Wang Jinjun conceded that monks in Tibet were being given “legal information programs” in which they were told not to mix religion with politics.
The itinerary did not include meetings with senior Buddhists and “no one whose views strayed from the official line”. A request to visit Drapchi prison was refused. But at night the journalists secretly met some Tibetans and heard alternative views, despite their fears of being overheard by the authorities. According to a monk, “sometimes (Barkhor) square is full of detectives listening in” and there have been “more and more soldiers” in Lhasa in recent weeks. Listening devices reportedly installed in the main tourist sites where Westerners might interact with Tibetans.
(reported by The Australian, 08 November 2008)

Paljor Norbu (Chin: Panjue Nuobu), an 81-year-old Tibetan traditional printer, was taken by the police from his home on suspicion that he had printed ‘prohibited material’ including the Tibetan flag.
Norbu was not granted even the minimal rights that are supposed to be provided under Chinese criminal procedures. Judicial authorities refused to inform his relatives that he was being detained, or to reveal the charges against him. He was tried in secret in November, without allowing him defence representation of his choice in court, and sentenced to seven years in prison. A letter was then hand-delivered to his family, informing them of the sentence, but not of where he will serve the prison term. His current whereabouts are unknown. The authorities have not made public the details of the verdict. The nature of the initial accusations and length of the sentence suggest that he was tried on charges of ‘inciting separatism’ (article 103 of the Criminal Law).
Paljor Norbu’s workshop employed several dozen workers and printed Buddhist texts for monasteries, prayer flags, folk reproductions, books, leaflets, and traditional literature. After Norbu’s arrest, the police closed his shop, affixed notices of official closure on the door, prohibited employees from returning, and confiscated books and woodblocks from the shop’s collection.
(reported by HRW, 05 December 2008)

Sherab Sangpo, a 26-year old monk of Dongthog monastery in Kardze county, was taken to Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Dartsedo at around 8.30am. The judges’ verdict was declared around noon: Sherab Sangpo was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on charges of “endangering state security”. He had raised a hand-drawn Tibetan national flag during a protest in Kardze on 26 March.
Loga, a Tibetan from Kardze, was given a three-year jail term for his participation in “the March protest in Kardze” [it is assumed the 26 March protest].
It is not known whether or not Sherab Sangpo and Loga were allowed personal attorneys to defend them.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 November 2008)

Two Tibetans, named Ngoega and Norbu Tsering, who had participated in a political demonstration on 18 March at Kardze county headquarters were taken to Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Dartsedo at around 9am on 30 October.
Severe restrictions outside the court; a heavy presence of security guards throughout the proceedings. A Tibetan translator was present; around 20 people, mostly Chinese, gathered for the verdict, given at around noon:

1. Ngoega, 53-year-old from Serchu village, Kardze county; sentenced to eight years on charges of “endangering state security”.
2. Norbu Tsering, 49-year-old from Drukhang village, Kardze county; sentenced to nine years on charges of “endangering state security”.

Norbu Tsering had been held incommunicado since 18 March; no information on his whereabouts until the trial.
TCHRD reported: “no opportunity was given to [the defendants] to question the court verdict”. Ngoega retorted the judges’ verdict: “We did not commit any crimes of destroying or burning public properties rather we were involved only in distributing pamphlets on Tibetan cause. For that act I suffered torture, inhuman and degrading treatment at the hands of security personnel that I regain my body sensation only days after my transferred to the prison”.
In accordance with Chinese criminal law, the court granted the defendants the right to appeal within ten days. Such appeals are invariably unsuccessful, especially in cases where defendants are charged with political crimes. Ngoega’s family had been denied the opportunity to put forward their case on his behalf during his detention and felt it would be futile to attempt to appeal.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 November 2008)

A Tibetan from Sertha county, Kardze TAP, whose identity could not be ascertained was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment by Kardze Intermediate People’s Court in Dartsedo.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 November 2008)

CTA summarised a Tibetan Solidarity Committee press release: Lhundrub, a seventeen-year-old Tibetan male from Yulung town, a student at the intermediate school in Chentsa district, committed suicide at around 4pm by jumping off the roof of the three-storey school building. He was reportedly very well-mannered, and one of the school’s best students. He left a suicide note addressed to his parents, teachers and fellow students, saying that he was killing himself not for personal reasons but to prove that Tibetans are deprived of freedom and basic human rights in their homeland; and expressed his hope that Tibetans would consistently struggle for the freedom of the Tibetan people. To his teachers and schoolmates, Lhundrub said they should work hard for the preservation of Tibetan identity and language. The Chinese authorities “have imposed strict surveillance on the school”.
(reported by CTA, 30 October 2008)

Kirti monastery is surrounded by Chinese armed police; nine checkpoints, each surrounded by a fence, positioned around the perimeter of the monastery; between ten and fifteen police at each checkpoint. A separate line has been drawn around the perimeter of the monastery beyond the checkpoints; monks are forbidden to move beyond the perimeter without permission.
Further to FTC’s press release of 25/09/08, the monk who was reportedly beaten by Chinese police upon returning to Kirti monastery on 24 September has been named as Jimpa Ladja. He had left the monastery buildings to go to the toilet but “had not gone beyond the outer perimeter of the monastery”; he was stopped by armed police at one of the checkpoints while walking back to the monastery; accused of walking beyond the perimeter; badly beaten by police, despite his persistent denials that he had crossed the outer perimeter.
Jimpa Ladja then walked to a restaurant owned by Kirti monastery, where approximately 50 monks were eating. Jimpa Ladja was bleeding; told the other monks that he had been beaten; two of the monks immediately went to the police station situated to the north of Kirti to demand to know why Jimpa Ladja had been beaten. At the police station, “Chinese armed personnel” threatened the monks, “firing live rounds into the sky and into the ground in front of the monks”; the monks “ran back to the restaurant, chased by Chinese armed police who demanded that Ladja leave the restaurant immediately”. Two “separate monks” at the restaurant protested to the armed police that it was unreasonable to punish monks for leaving the monastery to go to the toilet; asked the police to “call their superiors to settle the problem”. Soon after a police officer made a telephone call, two truckloads of police arrived at the monastery, armed with with “rifles, spades and meat choppers”. The monks “lay on the ground, and even removed their garments to show the police that they were not armed”; however, the police “beat the monks severely, using the butts of their rifles, spades and even the meat choppers”. Five “of the 50 monks” were hospitalised at the civil hospital in Ngaba town:

1. Lama Sotse.
2. Rabgye (suffered particularly severe injuries).
3. Tsang Chopel (suffered particularly severe injuries).
4. Labchoek.
5. Lophel.

On 26 September only Lama Sotse remained in the hospital; the whereabouts of the other four monks is presently unknown.
(reported by FTC, 26 September 2008)

A monk left Kirti monastery “having obtained the relevant permission from the monastery authorities”; upon returning a short time before dark, he was stopped by Chinese armed police and badly beaten; he returned to the monastery despite bleeding from his injuries. Subsequently, fifty monks went to a police station that is “situated in the immediate vicinity of the monastery” [presumably the monastery’s police station] and argued with the police, demanding an explanation. Police told the “protesting monks” that they would call “local authorities” to discuss the matter. Shortly afterwards, two truckloads of armed police arrived at the police station; they immediately “started to beat the monks at the police station, even though the monks had refrained from becoming violent on the arrival of the police”.
Four of the monks were “beaten so badly that they had to be hospitalised”, although FTC “has not been able to confirm where the monks are hospitalised”; however, the “four who were hospitalised are high-ranking monks at Kirti monastery”. One of them “could be the abbot of Kirti, although this could not be confirmed immediately. Communication with monks at the monastery has been impossible today and it has not been possible to confirm the name of the monk who was initially beaten, nor the names of the four monks that were hospitalised later”.
(reported by FTC, 25 September 2008)

Eight monks convicted of staging a bomb attack in Tibet nearly seven months ago have been sentenced to prison. “They were convicted of causing the explosion at the government building of Xiangpi [Tib: Gyanbe/Kyabe] township”, Zhang Weilai, a judge at Chamdo Intermediate Court told AFP by phone. Zhang said one of the monks was sentenced to life in jail, but declined to say what jail terms the other seven received. The monks did not appeal.
China’s state-run press had previously reported that the monks from Thangkya (Chin: Tongxia) monastery had confessed to using home-made explosives to bomb a government building on 23 March; however, the Chinese press has given no details on the extent of the damage to the building, or whether anyone was injured or killed. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang insisted on Tuesday [14 October] the case had been handled according to the law.
[Note: AFP did not state the date of the trial; 23 September was stated as the trial date by FTC, 14/10/08.]
(reported by AFP, 14 October 2008)

Eight monks convicted of bombing a government building in Gyanbe township during an anti-government uprising in March have been sentenced to prison, two of them for life. Gang Weilai, the judge who presided over the case at the People’s Court in Chamdo, said in a telephone interview: “We were first going to charge them with the crime of separating the nation, but eventually the charge was changed to the crime of causing an explosion”.
Gyurmey Dhondup and Kalsang Tsering were sentenced to life in prison while the others received sentences between five and 15 years. The monks did not appeal.
Gang refused to specify the trial date, saying only it happened “a few days ago”. [23 September was stated as the trial date by FTC, 14/10/08.]
(reported by AP, 14 October 2008)

Eight monks convicted of staging a bomb attack in Gyanbe township during March; trial held at the Chamdo Intermediate Court [see Chamdo, AFP 14/10/08].
(reported by AFP, 14 October 2008)

Eight monks were sentenced on 23 March by the Chamdo Prefecture People’s Court for allegedly staging a bomb attack on a government building in the Tibetan township of Gyanbe (official Tibetan spelling is ‘Kyabe’. Widespread media reports have referred to ‘Gyanbe’ (Chin: Xiangpi) township):

1. Gyurmey Dhondup (Chin: Jinmei Dunzhu), aged 28; life imprisonment.
2. Kalsang Tsering, aged 20; life imprisonment.
3. Dorjee Wangyal (Chin: Duoji Wangjie), aged 31; 15 years imprisonment.
4. Rinchen Gyaltsan (Chin: Renqing Jiangcun), aged 27; 10 years imprisonment.
5. Tsewang Yeshi (Chin: Ciwang Yixi); 9 years imprisonment.
6. Kunga Phuntsok (Chin: Genga Pingcuo), aged 19; 10 years imprisonment.
7. Tsering Nyima, aged 21; 10 years imprisonment.
8. Trinley Wanggyal, aged 21; 5 years imprisonment.

Three others had also been arrested in April for allegedly being connected to the bomb attack, but were not sentenced on 23 September:

1. Tsering Wangdue, aged 17, a monk from Thangkya monastery; released.
2. Sichod, aged 18, a monk from Thangkya monastery; “was not sentenced at Chamdo and was not imprisoned with the other eight monks at Gojo [Gonjo] County jail” [clarification: it is understood that Sichod ‘had not been detained’ at Gonjo county jail; the eight monks sentenced on 23 September in Chamdo had been detained in Gonjo ‘prior to’ their trials]. Sichod’s whereabouts/current status remains unknown.
3. Tseten, aged 31, a layman who worked in a shop at Tongxia [Tib: Thangkya] monastery; still held in Gonjo county jail.

FTC’s source contests claims made by the People’s Daily on 14 April that those arrested had all confessed to the alleged crime. The legal proceedings have been “shrouded in complete secrecy”; the monks were denied all access to legal counsel and family from the time of arrest to sentencing. Relatives of the accused would usually be informed of the nature of the alleged charges [it is assumed that in this case the families were aware of the charges following Chinese media reports] and of the sentencing. Relatives had expected the monks to be released after the Beijing Olympic Games; relatives were not informed of the sentences. In a case concerning an alleged bombing, the convicted would usually be sentenced in a public court; the nature of the charges and the eventual sentencing has not been made public by the court.
Xinhua claimed the bomb blast occurred on 23 March, but did not report the incident until 14 April [correction: Xinhua first reported the incident on 13 April. FTC did not provide a URL for any Xinhua reports; instead provided a URL for a 14 April People’s Daily article which itself gave CCTV.com as the source].
According to FTC, the blast occurred in a building in the same compound as the local town government building, close to the monastery, but that the building targeted was widely known to be disused and empty. The blast occurred at night; there were no witnesses to what had happened in the government compound.
Initially, five monks were arrested following the bomb blast although it is unclear which five of the monks named above [note: FTC provided pinyin for five of the ten monks’ names listed above; it is possible that these spellings came from a Chinese media source that FTC has not cited, and that these five monks are those arrested initially].
FTC’s source “speculates” that the bomb blast “had been staged by the authorities to justify arrests of monks at Thangkya who had resisted patriotic re-education”.
The second group of five monks and the layman were reportedly arrested “soon after” following a “large protest at the monastery demanding the release of five arrested monks” [note: one of the ten monks, Tsering Wangdue, was reportedly released; when Chinese media first reported the alleged bombing it claimed that nine monks had been arrested].
(reported by FTC, 14 October 2008)

Eight monks convicted of bombing a government building in Gyanbe township during March have been sentenced to prison; trial held at the People’s Court in Chamdo [see Chamdo, AP, 14/10/08].
(reported by AP, 14 October 2008)

In an article published by the French newspaper Le Monde (21/08/08), the Dalai Lama is reported to have said that 140 people were killed [on 18 August] in eastern Tibet [Kardze]. The Office of HHDL, France, responded: “We would like to clarify that His Holiness did not mention any number of casualties. In response to a question from the journalist about recent news stating that Chinese troops had fired on a demonstration, His Holiness clearly stated that we had no specific information on the number of casualties. In this particular interview His Holiness said: ‘We just heard that, but no possibility to cross-check. So I don’t know.’ Since receiving this news, efforts have been made without success to communicate with the local affected population in Kardze”.
(reported by Office of HHDL, France, 21 August 2008)

Lhasa remains under lockdown, patrolled by police and paramilitary forces. At least four teams of paramilitary police are on guard around the clock on the pilgrim route that circles the Jokhang temple; each team comprises five men carrying automatic rifles who patrol a section of the route. Some of the teams, dressed in camouflage, have recently been replaced by patrols carrying what appear to be teargas launchers in tubes on their backs. Paramilitary officers stand at bus stops; police board buses to check for anyone suspicious. Armed police in camouflage, some helmeted, others carrying riot shields and electric batons, are deployed at road junctions. They stand in groups, facing out to scan the street. At night, lorries filled with paramilitaries drive through the streets of Tibetan areas of the city, at barely more than a walking pace.
(reported by The Times, 26 August 2008)

Woeser, Tibetan writer and blogger, questioned by several police officers for eight hours; acting on a tip-off from a member of the public who had seen her taking photographs of army and police positions in Lhasa from inside a taxi.
Eight police arrived at her mother’s home and presented her with a summons to accompany them for questioning. Her husband, the author Wang Lixiong, said: “They had used the wrong name on the document so I insisted that they correct the name before they could take her away. I reminded them that they had to bring her home within the stipulated 12 hours”. Woeser told the police it is “not illegal to take photographs in a public place” and she “had not visited any secret areas or military installations”.
Police searched her mother’s home; removed several documents and Wang Lixiong’s computer; hacked his password, checked all files on the laptop and required Woeser to erase every photograph that showed a policeman or army officer on the streets of Lhasa or in Tibetan areas they had visited.
The couple organised a reunion party with Woeser’s family and friends but then did not attend; they flew back to Beijing on 23 August, less than 48 hours after her summons and six days into a planned month-long visit to Lhasa.
(reported by The Times, 26 August 2008)

The Dalai Lama told the French newspaper Le Monde that the PLA opened fire during a protest in eastern Tibet: “I gather that 140 Tibetans were killed, although the figure needs to be confirmed”.
Chhime Chhoekyapa, an aide to the Dalai Lama in India, played down his comments: “We know about disturbances in the Kham region. But we do not have any details or figures about injuries or deaths…Nor do we have any exact dates for the disturbances”.
[Note: Reuters published two versions of the “140 Tibetans killed” report on 21/08/08. The first version did not include the comments from Chhime Chhoekyapa. On 22/08/08, Reuters published a third version, omitting “I gather that 140 Tibetans were killed” after Le Monde retracted the quotation.]
(reported by Reuters, 21 August 2008)

In an interview published by Le Monde (21/08/08), the Dalai Lama was reported to have said that 140 people were reportedly killed by Chinese security forces in Kardze (Chin: Ganzi). The Dalai Lama’s office has stated that he “did not mention any number of casualties” on alleged 18 August Tibet shooting. The statement added: “In response to a question from the journalist about recent news stating that Chinese troops had fired on a demonstration, His Holiness clearly stated that we had no specific information on the number of casualties”.
[Note: this explanation does not clarify the matter; Le Monde (21/08/08) published the first article regarding the alleged shooting incident; therefore the journalist could only have asked about ‘140 deaths’ if the Dalai Lama had indeed stated this or if the journalist had heard a rumour about the incident.]
In an interview with AsiaNews, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Prime Minister of Tibet’s Government-in-Exile, also confirmed there was no such massacre by the Chinese army in Tibet in recent days. He attributed the controversy as having stemmed from a “wrong translation” during the Le Monde interview.
(reported by Phayul, 22 August 2008)

The French newspaper Le Monde reported that, in an interview, the Dalai Lama said Chinese soldiers opened fire on Tibetans on 18 August; although the death toll needed to be confirmed, he had heard 140 people were killed.
The Dalai Lama’s office subsequently denied he mentioned any specific death toll from the alleged mass killing; according to a statement, “His Holiness clearly stated we had no specific information on the number of casualties”.
(reported by ABC News, 22 August 2008)

The Dalai Lama told Le Monde: “The Chinese army again fired on a crowd on Monday August 18, in the Kham region in eastern Tibet…One hundred and forty Tibetans are reported to have been killed, but the figure needs to be confirmed”.
The Dalai Lama’s representative in Geneva, Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, said [in response to the Le Monde report] that the incident occurred in Garze [Tib: Kardze]; information had come from a “reliable” source; however, due to the absolute information blackout, the incident could not be confirmed (the Dalai Lama’s office usually releases information only after receiving confirmation from a second source). Tibetan activist groups were unaware of the reported clash; they said information sources had dried up because of the security crackdown.
(reported by AFP, 21 August 2008)

[Note: The following is the third version of a report published by Reuters, based on a Le Monde article. Reuters first two versions, published on 21/08/08, included the a supposed quote of the Dalai Lama saying, “I gather that 140 Tibetans were killed [on Monday], although the figure needs to be confirmed”. On 22/08/08, Reuters published a third version of the report; a note at the beginning stated, “Corrects Aug 21 story after Le Monde retracted quotation, removing erroneous quote from third paragraph”. However, the amended third paragraph did not clarify the matter.]
Reuters’ second paragraph: “The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader told the French newspaper Le Monde that the army opened fire during a protest in the eastern Tibetan region of Kham on Monday”.
Reuters’ third paragraph: “Asked about a figure of 140 deaths mentioned in the incident [sic] reported in eastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama replied that the figure was an estimate that needed to be confirmed”.
Reuters article went on to state that the Dalai Lama’s office issued a statement saying his exact words during the interview were: “We just heard that, but no possibility to cross-check. So I don’t know”.
Chhime Chhoekyapa, an aide to the Dalai Lama in India, played down the comments: “We know about disturbances in the Kham region. But we do not have any details or figures about injuries or deaths…Nor do we have any exact dates for the disturbances”.
(reported by Reuters, 22 August 2008)

Date unspecified: Monks at Drepung monastery have been cut off from contact with the outside world; no phone calls made to the monastery are answered and it is suspected that the monks’ cellphones have been confiscated.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

County PSB personnel arrested Jampel and Lama, an elder and a younger son from Tarring family, and Jigme from Gaenyug family, suspected of having participated in protests during March 2008.
[Note: this came from CTA’s second Update on Tibet Demonstrations dated 7 August 2008, but was actually published on 23 August 2008.]
(reported by CTA, 23 August 2008)

At around 8am, PAP severely beat and then arrested Dolma Yangzom (aged approximately 34), a nun from Tapon family in Lhopa village, Kardze county, for shouting slogans outside the county government office, including “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be invited to Tibet” and “Political prisoners including the Panchen Lama must be released immediately”.
[Note: this came from CTA’s second Update on Tibet Demonstrations dated 7 August 2008, but was actually published on 23 August 2008.]
(reported by CTA, 23 August 2008)

The two women shot in Ngaba on 9 August were both Tibetan:

1. Sonam Wangmo, 22, from Tseni township in Lower Ngaba county; a waitress in a teashop; she was shot in the arm.
2. Zhang Yeying, 28, from Gyarong (Ch: Jiarong) in Kardze TAP; she was shot in the hand.

Four or five gunshots were heard. Tibetans who went to the assistance of the women reported that Chinese soldiers arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired, claiming that the firing had had been “a mistake”. The women were taken to the Ngaba County Civil Hospital; their present medical condition is unknown.
[Note: FTC updated its online press release dated 10/08/08 during the following days; no date was provided for the amendments, thus the amended version incorrectly appears to have been published on 10/08/08. The text here is a summary of the additional information provided regarding the 09/08/08 shooting incident, taken from the version of the press release that was available online on 13/08/08. See separate database entry for FTC 09/08/08 for a summary of the shooting incident, as reported on 10/08/08.]
(reported by FTC, 13 August 2008)

Two women visiting a mobile telephone shop on Ngawa [Ngaba] town’s main road to recharge their phone at 4.30pm were shot at from a building known to be occupied by Chinese soldiers who recently arrived in Ngawa.
One of the women, a Tibetan named Sonam Wangmo, was seen lying in the street with a bullet wound in one leg; the other woman, whose nationality could not be confirmed, was seen lying in the street beside the mobile telephone shop with a bullet wound to her hand. They were taken to a hospital by the authorities; no information is known regarding their wellbeing or current location. The situation was described as very tense. The shooting occurred two-and-a-half hours before a daily 7pm curfew was due to come into force.
[Note: FTC later updated the online press release of 10/08/08 although no date was provided for the amendments. The text here was summarised from the press release as it appeared on 10/08/08.]
(reported by FTC, 10 August 2008)

Chinese authorities prohibited the performance of an annual ritual ‘deer dance’ scheduled for 8 August [the date on which the event was declared prohibited was not stated]. The monastery is surrounded by police; the monks are watched 24-hours a day and warned of serious consequences if they leave the monastery.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

Date unspecified; during the course of the Beijing Olympic Games, which commenced on 8 August: Chinese officials told monks at Longwu monastery that they are not allowed to leave.
Khaso Rinpoche, a senior lama who was injured during clashes with armed police in March, is recovering in a hospital in Xining city; he is able to walk with a crutch but had not returned to the monastery since the unrest.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

Restrictions and security measures aimed at limiting the monks’ movements and communication during the Olympic Games period, to prevent “a repeat of the violence and anti-Chinese protests” that occurred in Tibetan areas in March 2008. According to one monk, they would not be able to go to see the Olympics because the train station [in Xining] will not sell them any train tickets. Apparently the monks “can’t get email until October after the Olympics” [it is not clear whether or not they are able to use internet cafes in the town; on 13/08/08, RFA referred to AFP’s report and stated, in RFA’s own words: “E-mail services to the monastery have been discontinued until after the Olympics”]. The monks are being watched constantly by the authorities and were pressured not to talk to foreigners; they are regularly asked where they have been and who they have talked to. [At least] five monks had been detained during the period of unrest, but they have since returned to the monastery.
(reported by AFP, 11 August 2008)

Date unspecified: “Reports from Beijing indicate that as many as 300 Tibetans in Beijing’s Sunday Market have been told to sell their homes and leave Beijing in the lead up to [the] Olympics, implying that they’re being kicked out for good”.
(reported by SFT, 05 August 2008)

A 7pm curfew has been in effect since 1 August and is maintained by a five-fold increase in the number of Chinese soldiers based in Ngaba town; not known whether they are PLA or PAP.
Date unspecified: Troops were seen performing military drills, “trampling the crops and grass” on “grassland used as pasture for Tibetan nomads from the nearby villages” of Jadhe and Chushu. “Most of the guests from the local Ngaba county government were invited to observe the exercise”.
[Note: FTC updated its online press release dated 10/08/08 during the following days; no date was provided for the amendments, thus the amended version incorrectly appears to have been published on 10/08/08. The text here is a summary of the additional information provided regarding troop deployment in Ngaba in early August, taken from the version of the press release that was available online on 13/08/08. See separate database entry for FTC 09/08/08 for a summary of the troop deployment in Ngaba, as reported on 10/08/08.]
(reported by FTC, 13 August 2008)

Ngawa [Ngaba] town filled with around 10,000 Chinese soldiers since the beginning of August. Checkpoints manned by soldiers set up on each road in the town; Tibetans registered in other towns not permitted to visit Ngawa. The authorities imposed a [daily] 7pm curfew in Ngawa town.
[Note: FTC later updated the online press release of 10/08/08 although no date was provided for the amendments. The text here was summarised from the press release as it appeared on 10/08/08.]
(reported by FTC, 10 August 2008)

China has announced a sweeping security operation in Lhasa to prevent unrest in Lhasa during the Olympic Games; the TAR authorities have ordered the cancellation of all holidays for police and all other security personnel until after 24 August.
(reported by The Times, 30 July 2008)

A planned five-day summer festival in celebration of the Beijing Olympic Games was officially announced around two months ago. County authorities ordered township and village authorities to organise a spectacle or performance for the planned summer festival which, with compulsory participation from each family, was to include a “song and dance, and custom competition among villages at Drokshog township”. A rehearsal was scheduled for 25 July; song lyrics prepared by each village were thoroughly scrutinised by the authorities to ensure that none referred to the Dalai Lama or Karmapa. The people showed “great displeasure over [the] stern enforcement by the Chinese authorities”.
On 26 July, three days before the festival was due to commence, four Tibetans shouted slogans “in the presence of a large number of local government officials and people at the site of the planned summer festival”. They said, “This is not the year to celebrate as Tibetans have suffered untold repression under the Chinese regime; rather, it is time to mourn and offer prayers” for those who have died or been imprisoned during recent unrest; “we want freedom” and “the Dalai Lama should return to Tibet”. They distributed pamphlets and requested Tibetans to return to their villages; those preparing for the festival packed up their tents and left, leaving only the government tents at the festival ground.
The protesters – Asang Bersatsang (aged 21), Ngoesoe Konkyaptsang (aged 35), Jamsang (age unknown) and Gadho (age unknown) – were arrested that evening by Nangchen county PSB officials. Two days later, township residents wrote an appeal letter to the county authorities calling for the immediate release of the four detained Tibetans. The festival did not go ahead.
(reported by TCHRD, 30 July 2008)

One person from each household in Drogshog township, Nangchen county, had previously been forced by the relevant county authorities to “join in practising the Tibetan songs and dances in groups for around two months after which the best performing groups would be selected through competition”. Residents believed that the selected groups would either perform during the summer festival to express happiness about the Beijing Olympics, or that they would be taken to Beijing to perform during the Olympics.
On 24 July, the performers gathered for a selection which occurred on 25 July; county officials found that most of the lyrics were in praise of the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa; the lyrics were “disapproved”; the performers then “strongly expressed their opposition”.
On 26 July, a group of Tibetans from Drogshog township, led by Asang from Bhertsa Tsang family, Ngoe Soe from Konkyab Tsang family, Jamsang, and Gado Nyima, staged a peaceful protest at the county government office “and the public place” while distributing leaflets; shouted slogans: “This year is not for us to celebrate but to offer our condolences and show solidarity at this time of inhumane treatment to the Tibetans. We must be given freedom. His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be invited to Tibet. People must not gather here, but return to your homes”. The four protest leaders were arrested that night by county PSB. On 28 July, Drogshog township residents submitted an “application” calling for their release or else they would “carry out strong protests until no one is left in the township”. No further information available.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

A “huge number of Chinese forces” have [been present] at Dzokchen monastery since March [CTA does not state whether PLA, PAP or PSB].
On Friday 18 July, while “dressed in Tibetan attires” [some of the Chinese personnel] hunted animals in Ri-Dham-Loong, a place considered holy by local Tibetans. When a Tibetan lama on retreat told them that hunting is not allowed, the Chinese forces beat him. Upon hearing of this incident at around 3pm, Dzokchen monastery’s monks went to complain at the township. Their complaint was rejected, resulting in a fight between the monks and the “Chinese forces”. It is reported that some monks were shot during the fight. Some senior lamas mediated and the situation was temporarily calmed down.
(reported by CTA, 26 July 2008)

Yonten Tso, a 19-year-old nun from Dhargye Yetsag Nang village in Kardze county, staged a peaceful protest at the county government office. She was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

Lhagyal, from Gochok village, was arrested on 15 July for involvement in protests during March.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

Kunsang Tsering, a 22-year-old monk from Dhargye Langna monastery in Kardze county undertook a peaceful protest in front of the county PSB office. He was shot during his arrest by the PAP. It has not been confirmed whether he is alive or dead.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

Dhungkar from Choegyam Tsang family in Tseshul village was arrested by county authorities, suspected of having participated in protests during March 2008.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

Date unspecified: “In July, around 10 monks from an unidentified monastery located in Karze [Kardze] county were transferred [CTA doesn’t state from where] to Sangyib Prison” in Lhasa. Directly contradicting itself, CTA added: “According to some sources, they are likely from Kathok monastery in Palyul (Ch: Baiyu) county” [both Kardze and Palyul counties are located in Kardze TAP]. Information regarding the monks’ arrest is not available; names of three of the monks are:

1. Tenzin Soepa.
2. Nyima Tashi.
3. Gelek.
   (reported by CTA, 16 July 2008)

Lobsang, a monk from Dzongkar monastery in Rebgong [Rebkong] county, Malho TAP, Qinghai Province, was arrested in Lhasa in March; he was studying at Drepung monastery at the time of his arrest. Currently, he is being held in a prison in Gormo [Golmud, a.k.a. Nagormo; Chin: Ge’ermu; in Qinghai Province], where he was severely beaten.
(reported by CTA, 14 July 2008)

Under a regulation drawn up by the regional Party and government disciplinary inspection commissions, all current and retired Party members and government employees working in the TAR were given an ultimatum to call back their children from overseas schools and monasteries run by the “Dalai clique” within two months; those who fail to do so will be expelled from the Party and removed from their posts.
(reported by China Daily, 24 July 2008)

More than 1,000 Buddhist monks are still locked up under armed guard in monasteries around Lhasa. On every street corner in the city centre, a soldier stands watch. Most temples and monasteries are under 24-hour surveillance.
(reported by The Sunday Times, 13 July 2008)

PLA troops have sealed off Drepung monastery with a camp of tents and two rings of roadblocks; nobody may go in or out, photography is banned and passers-by are shooed away. Local people say the monks pay the army for food to be sent to them. Drepung’s monks were singled out for ‘re-education’ because Chinese security forces identified many of its monks on video recordings of protests.
(reported by The Sunday Times, 13 July 2008)

Nechung monastery has been sealed off by PLA troops.
(reported by The Sunday Times, 13 July 2008)

Monks at Gonchen monastery attempted to mark a festival that pays homage to the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), on the tenth day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar. Officials who had been assigned to the monastery to “keep an eye on the monks” since a “deadly riot in Lhasa on March 12” [sic], refused to allow the monks to hold their traditional dances. Three Tibetan sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Times that officers from the PAP were deployed to halt any violence, but monks clashed with the paramilitary police and shots were fired and two monks were killed [The Times wrote that all three sources stated that two monks had been shot dead]. One of the sources told The Times: “Two monks were killed. These were my relatives.”
Repeated calls by The Times to Dege [Derge] “resulted in professions of ignorance of any incident on that date”. A worker at a local hotel said: “The incident on July 12 was just an accident. Everything is safe here.” Another said: “The monasteries are open to visitors.” A government official put down the telephone when asked about the incident. Chinese officials installed in the monastery have refused to answer questions.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by The Times, 18 July 2008)

A wooden temple used to store cultural relics at Gonchen monastery collapsed following an explosion at 12:30pm. Six monks were eating in the building at the time of the explosion; two were killed and four were injured. The deceased were buried on 16 July.
Xinhua paraphrased Zhao Ying, vice director of the provincial information office, and Wang Jian, the prefecture public security bureau vice director, who were speaking at a news conference in Chengdu on 22 July. Xinhua reported that investigations had been carried out. A “short circuit in a worn-out electrical wire produced sparks, which ignited black powder that was stored there”. The temple had broken safety rules in storing 716 kg of “black powder” used “periodically in Buddhist rituals”. The “temple administration committee agreed with the probe’s conclusion”; “the temple transferred its remaining black powder and 29 guns used for Buddhist rituals to the county explosive warehouse and public security authorities”.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 22 July 2008)

The Times published a letter written by Liu Weimin, Press Counsellor of the Embassy of China to the UK, in response to The Times’ 18/07/08 article Chinese impose blackout over new Tibetan monk deaths. The letter stated that the allegations made by The Times had “no basis in fact” according to subsequent investigations:
“No incident involving a clash between monks and the armed police occurred in any of the temples and monasteries in Dege [Derge] on July 12. However, two monks in Gonchen Monastery were killed on that day, though not as a result of clashes with the armed police, but due to collapsing buildings. At noon on July 12, six monks were having lunch in a room used for storing cultural relics and sacrificial articles in the north of the monastery. When the room collapsed, three rushed out and the other three were buried inside. The local government immediately sent rescue teams to the site. However, two monks died from their wounds. Investigations show that the collapse was caused by the explosion of 50 kilograms of black powder illegally stored in the monastery, which in turn was triggered by short circuit”.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
  (reported by The Times, 04 August 2008)

At least two monks of Gonchen monastery reportedly killed when Chinese police opened fired on a crowd of monks during a scuffle over an annual ritual Cham dance festival, which the authorities forcibly stopped.
An unconfirmed report also “suggested” that a blast in the monastery left an unknown numbers of monks dead and some injured; “Sources have further informed that the blast was a powerful one”.
It could not be confirmed whether the two incidents “occurred simultaneously or by which incidents the two monks were killed”.
They are:

1. Delok, aged approximately forty years.
2. Gyaltsen, in his twenties.

A monk named Passang and three others are said to be in a critical condition.
Chinese authorities have imposed severe restrictions, prohibiting “the assembly of more than two persons”.

• The Times, 18/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by TSC, 21 July 2008)

Xinhua wrote that a report carried by London-based The Times on 18 July saying two monks in a temple in Garze [Kardze TAP] were shot dead by armed police was fabricated, according to “an anonymous Chinese official”. The comment was made by “an unnamed authority with the information office of the Sichuan Provincial Government”. Xinhua reported that “Investigations showed there has been no clash between monks and the armed police on July 12”. Paraphrasing the unnamed official, Xinhua wrote, “Two monks at Gonchen monastery … did die that day in a house blast in the monastery, but [were not] killed by armed police after they were in dispute with the officials, as the British newspaper reported”.
The unnamed official reportedly stated that a house in the northern part of Gonchen monastery exploded at midday when six monks were having lunch on the first floor. Three monks escaped, but the others were buried; two later died of severe injuries. The identities of the dead are “not immediately known”, but the two monks were allegedly buried on 16 July.
Xinhua wrote: “The collapse was caused by an explosion of black powder kept in the house. [An] explosion was caused as a short circuit in a worn-out electrical wire produced sparks, which ignited black powder stored there. It was also disclosed that the temple had broken safety rules in storing 716 kg of black powder. This was used periodically in Buddhist rituals … Following the blast, the temple transferred its remaining black powder and 29 guns used for Buddhist rituals to the county explosive warehouse and the public security authorities”.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23 July 2008)

According to China’s state media (Xinhua), a Tibetan Buddhist temple collapsed killing two monks when a powder used in religious rituals exploded. The accident allegedly occurred when an electrical short circuit ignited a black powder stored there. Four other monks were hurt in the explosion and collapse of Gonchen monastery.
AFP noted that Xinhua’s report, which quoted Wang Jian, vice director of the prefecture’s police force, did not identify the powder and did not say why the incident was not reported sooner [Note: the incident appears to have been reported in response to an article by The Times which stated that two monks had been shot dead by PAP at Gonchen monastery].
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by AFP, 23 July 2008)

Date unspecified: Chinese authorities lately described a blast at Gonchen monastery “on around” 12 July that killed two monks and injured four others.
Following this incident, the local authorities heightened the restrictions including prohibiting the gathering of more than two people around Gonchen monastery; all communication channels kept under strict surveillance, making it very difficult to get clear accounts of the 12 July incident.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• TibetInfoNet, 01/08/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by CTA, 26 July 2008)

According to a TibetInfoNet source, the incident at Gonchen monastery was an accidental explosion, not a shooting. However, the presence of 716 kilograms of “black powder” stored at the monastery for religious rituals is questionable. Explosives, mainly needed for road construction, are frequently stored in private premises in Tibetan regions; however, in this case it remains unclear what the black powder was.
See also, Gonchen monastery, 12 July 2008:

• The Times, 18/07/08
• TSC, 21/07/08
• Xinhua/China Daily, 22/07/08
• Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 23/07/08
• AFP, 23/07/08
• CTA, 26/07/08
• The Times, 04/08/08
  (reported by TibetInfoNet, 01 August 2008)

“An additional People’s Armed Police (PAP) [unit?] arrived at Tokdhen monastery … and intensified the restrictions”. The monastery has been “wired up” in order to install security cameras to monitor the monks’ movements. Those monks who have fled the monastery were ordered to return before 15 July. Whereabouts of Lama Kyab and Trinkho, who were arrested in March, are unknown.
(reported by CTA, 16 July 2008)

A contingent of more than 600 Chinese soldiers is stationed two miles from the monastery of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in Nyakchuka [Nyagchu] county. Residents are banned from travelling to Lithang county, where there has been a significant build-up of military forces; the annual Lithang horseracing festival has been cancelled.
(reported by RFA, 11 July 2008)

Two people from “nearby the Phenpo county” [presumably two people from Gaden Choekhor, Phenpo Lhundrup county town] who had been beaten are in very a critical condition.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

The PSB arrested a businessman named Thupten from his house; he was suspected of carrying out political activities. Born close to Dhargye monastery in Karze [Kardze] county, Thupten is aged around 40 years and is a Lhasa resident. His whereabouts is unknown.
(reported by CTA, 16 July 2008)

It is reported that a person from the lower division of Lopa village who had been beaten is in a very critical condition.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Plain-clothed PSB in Chengdu arrested three monks from Larung Ngarik Nangten Lobling monastic institution in Serthar county, Kardze TAP, Sichuan Province:

1. Taphun, aged 44; had studied at the monastic institution for over twenty years and obtained its abbot’s degree.
2. Ngakchung, aged 37; had served in various positions at the monastic institution.
3. Gudrak; had served in various positions at the monastic institution.

The monks were visiting Chengdu “to purchase the requirements of their monastic institution”. The reason for their arrest is not known.
(reported by CTA, 14 July 2008)

Chinese authorities have “tightened security around Tibet’s main monasteries and banned visits to a sacred site” on the edge of Lhasa [The Times did not state which site] “for fear of a fresh outburst of unrest on the Dalai Lama’s birthday [6 July]”.
Few monks remain in “the province’s three most important monasteries” [the article focuses on Drepung, Sera and Ganden monasteries]; many have disappeared; more than 1,000 in total have been transferred to prisons and detention centres in and around Golmud in Qinghai province; “Their detention is part of a policy to rid the monasteries of any monks not registered as formal residents” of the TAR. Family members have been told that the monks will be incarcerated in Golmud until the end of the Beijing Olympic Games; a relative of one of the incarcerated monks stated: “After that they have been told that they will be allowed to leave, because they are not guilty of a crime […] But they will be ordered to return to their home villages and will not be permitted to go back to the monasteries in Lhasa”.
[Note: The Times reports incidents that have been occurring since March 2008, but does not provide additional information regarding supposed tightened security at the time of the Dalai Lama’s birthday.]
(reported by The Times, 07 July 2008)

Soelo (or Solo), from Kangtsa village, was arrested on 5 or 6 July [perhaps during the night of 5/6 July?] for involvement in protests during March.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

Tendhar, from Kyil-ru village, was arrested on 5 July for involvement in protests during March.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

Authorities began a build-up of military forces in the Lithang region, including around the town and its monasteries, and cancelled the annual horseracing festival (which was marked by protests in 2007).
The military presence is intimidating local Tibetans by conducting firing drills and other military exercises; the sound of explosions and firing of weapons frightened away birds, making it impossible to conduct traditional ‘sky burials’.
Many Chinese soldiers are “disguising the number of troops by putting on Tibetan dress”; they are deployed in different areas in Lithang [county]; residents have been warned that no-one is allowed to “move around or go to Lithang town and its monasteries” for three days; residents of neighbouring counties are also banned from Lithang; the local authorities warned that the Chinese security forces are authorised to shoot anyone who ignores the ban.
(reported by RFA, 11 July 2008)

Evening: the Chinese authorities deployed “several additional forces” in Lithang county – the day before the Dalai Lama’s birthday. Many of these forces have “dressed themselves in Tibetan costumes in order to cover up their presence in a large number”. Lithang county residents were ordered to remain in their homes for three days commencing 8pm on 5 July and were “threatened with their lives if they were found in the market or travelling to other areas”.
The people of surrounding counties – Nyagchu (Chin: Yajiang), Bathang (Chin: Batang), and Nyarong (Chin: Xinlong) – were restricted from travelling towards Lithang county for a few days.
Orders were also issued for the annual Lithang horse race summer festival [which is usually held in August] to be cancelled.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

A deadline for absent monks to return: The continual harassment of monks at Kirti monastery has led many of them to return to their respective homes, leaving only senior monks who “suffer from severe emotional setbacks with the misconduct of the local Chinese authorities”. The authorities had ordered all absent monks to return by 5 July or face arrest.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Over 50 nuns from Pangri Na nunnery in Kardze county were arrested on 14 May [see Kardze, 14 May 2008; CTA 15/05/08]. Four have since been released. The rest of them are being detained in Dartsedo (Chin: Kangding) county, Karze [Kardze] TAP [as of 4th July 2008].
(reported by CTA, 04 July 2008)

Kyara Palden Drakpa, aged almost sixty years, died suddenly at his home during the evening. His two daughters, Tsering Tso and Ugyen Lhamo, both nuns from Watak (Samtenling) nunnery in Drakgo [Draggo] county, were arrested on 8 June for involvement in political activities. Subsequently, Kyara Palden Drakpa was often called by the PSB and “severely harassed” for “not providing proper advice to his daughters”.
(reported by CTA, 14 July 2008)

Lobsang Tsultrim, a monk aged around sixteen years from Kirti Dhongri monastery committed suicide.
He had returned home and told his elder brother, “The Chinese official work teams have again arrived at the monastery. They have ordered the monks to assemble for the ‘education’. Again, they will not let us stay in peace”. Lobsang Tsultrim then walked out from his room. Around fifteen minutes later, his brother went to look for him; he had hanged himself using a rope in a nearby storeroom where firewood is kept.
Lobsang Tsultrim’s father’s name is Palkho.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

When over 70 monks were conducting one of Khangmar (Gaeden Samdupling) monastery’s religious ceremonies which is held annually on 1 July, PSB and PAP officials arrived to raid the quarters of those five monks who were arrested between 14 and 22 June. The Chinese forces were met with strong opposition by the monks who refused to be bullied; the raid was temporarily postponed.
(reported by CTA, 04 July 2008)

Date unspecified: in July, the Chinese authorities have “permanently” deployed forces in Tongkhor village; they check the identifications of Tibetan travellers and confiscate belongings; Tibetans are being threatened with detention, even if they are innocent, for refusing to part with their belongings.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Date unspecified: two men from Nyinmo township were arrested by the PSB “from the locality at the beginning of July”:

1. Palden Choedak.
2. Nyidor.
   They had reportedly spoken out against Chinese domination in government jobs and the PSB; they demanded equal employment opportunities for Tibetans.
   Two others were arrested by the county PSB for their alleged involvement in sharing information about the Tibet protests to the outside world:
3. Lobsang Choejor, "a resident of the same township [in Palbar county, Chamdo Prefecture] and a monk of Bhenkar monastery in Driru county [Nagchu Prefecture].
4. Dorjee Tashi, a layperson (elder brother of Lobsang Choejor).
   known.
   (reported by CTA, 15 July 2008)

Date unspecified: A monk from Drepung monastery, Lhasa, was “recently” released after being arrested by Lhasa city PSB in March and severely beaten during interrogation [note: CTA did not provide the monk’s name].
The monk had already been imprisoned in Drapchi for over 13 years (1991 to 2004) for involvement in political activities, and sustained severe injuries when the prisoners staged a peaceful protest in 1998.
Following the March protests in Lhasa, most former political prisoners were arrested [note: other reports stated that former political prisoners were being arrested as early as 13 March 2008, on the eve of the riots in Lhasa]. Some of them were subsequently released but others remain in detention, their whereabouts unknown.
(reported by CTA, 02 July 2008)

Date unspecified: Passang (a.k.a. Tenzin Namgyal), a monk from Phagmo monastery in Taktse [Tagtse county], was released “in a deteriorated health condition recently”. He had been arrested in March by Lhasa city PSB and severely tortured in prison. Upon his release, he and his relatives were warned against “disclosing any information or photo on torture” or face harsh punishment.
Passang had been “imprisoned in August 1993 and tortured for six years in Drapchi Prison” for involvement in political activities.
(reported by CTA, 02 July 2008)

“On around 30 June”, two monks from Labrang monastery were “shifted to a prison in Lanzhou”; the Chinese forces had searched for them following their escape to “the mountain” during the recent protests. They were “arrested under gunfire” [it is assumed that they were arrested on 30 June and immediately taken to Lanzhou]. The two monks are:

1. Tsultrim Gyatso, aged 37.
2. Chone Khedup, aged around 40.
   (reported by CTA, 16 July 2008)

Date unspecified; June 2008: An unidentified man staged a peaceful protest while distributing and pasting leaflets in Kyegudo; arrested by Chinese authorities. The following day, two unidentified monks were arrested for protesting and distributing leaflets.
(reported by CTA, 27 June 2008)

Date unspecified; some time in June: Ngawang Tashi or Ngagha (aged 18) from Jesang Dha village in Kardze county was arrested by the PAP for peacefully protesting at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

Date unspecified; June 2008: Ngag-gha and Dorjee Tashi, from Gyensang village in Karze [Kardze] county, were “arrested later” for “helping the peaceful protestors when they were being arrested by the PAP” at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Date unspecified; June 2008: Due to severe restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities, the people of Nyitoe Phughu township wrote independence slogans on a hillside, visible from a great distance, by digging holes and filling them with white marble stones.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

Date unspecified: In June, a monk named Wanglo was beaten and arrested by the Chinese authorities for taking a photograph of a ‘patriotic re-education’ class in his village (the lower division of Tachok-tsang village in Serthar county).
When his relatives appealed for his release, the authorities demanded a 20,000 yuan fine.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

Date assumed to be 30 June; CTA had given the date as “31 June” (sic): Villagers requested the release of the four Tibetans who had been arrested on 29 June. An additional 32 Tibetans were then arrested; twenty-five were later released. Those who remain in detention are:

1. Tsegyal, from Parwar Tsang family.
2. Jamyang Tsering, from Momo Tsang family.
3. Anyog.
4. Palchen.
5. Tsering.
6. Chokdup.
7. Sonam Dhargyal.
   (reported by CTA, 26 July 2008)

Date unspecified: In June, additional work teams from Lhasa and Chamdo arrived at Woeser monastery to conduct ‘patriotic re-education’ to its monks. Orders had already been issued to the abbot and the senior monks to advise the monks against staging any protest, or else they shall be held responsible. The abbot is being watched closely by the work teams.
(reported by CTA, 14 July 2008)

Date unspecified: At the end of June, Anu, a man aged over 38 years, a resident of Paljor Rabten Khang in Lhasa who was shot during the March protests, succumbed to his injuries despite having undergone “every possible medical treatment at his home”.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Mid June: some of those arrested for participating in protests on 15-16 March in Phenpo Lhundrup (Ch: Lingzhi) county were given arbitrary sentences a court in Lhasa city:

1. Tenzin Lhamo, a girl from Ugyen Mey village in Gaden Choekhor township, [Phenpo] Lhundrup county; arbitrary sentence of ten years of imprisonment for merely participating in a peaceful protest in Lhundrup county on 16 March.
2. Samdup, a man from “the same locality” [presumably also Ugyen Mey village]; sentenced to thirteen years in prison

Three others “including Kalden from Dhey village in Jangkha township, [Phenpo] Lhundrup county, were sentenced to 20, 17 and 12 years in prison”.
(reported by CTA, 31 July 2008)

The nuns of Phende Tse nunnery (a branch of Nalanda monastery) who were arrested earlier were released recently [presumably in June 2008].
(reported by CTA, 01 July 2008)

Date unspecified: Many of the nuns from Shar Bhumba nunnery who were arrested for participating in a two-day protest in Phenpo Lhundrup county in March were released recently [June]; due to “a strong request” from the local people and the nunnery, the local authorities “could not stop” them from re-entering their nunnery. However, they were expelled from the nunnery to their respective homes this month [presumably during June 2008].
(reported by CTA, 01 July 2008)

Suspecting the staging of a protest by the people of Geynang village following their harvest of a medicinal plant called caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps Sinensis), the Chinese authorities arrested four villagers including Tsegyal.
(reported by CTA, 26 July 2008)

According to orders contained in an official document signed by Li Changping, the prefecture head, and posted only in Tibetan language on the Chinese government’s Tibet information website, China is planning a sweeping purge of Tibetan monasteries, including banning all worship at those deemed to be major centres of subversion. The document records decisions made by the local Communist Party cadres’ executive committee. Monks with “attitude problems”, or who refuse to change their thinking in line with official demands, will be dismissed or jailed; abbots and other leaders who fail to carry out government orders to “re-educate” their charges will be replaced by the regime’s appointees.
The most drastic action is promised against monasteries where ten to 30 per cent of monks were involved in protests; all religious activities at the monastery will be halted; movements of monks will be closely monitored. All monks or nuns at these monasteries will be required to “re-register”; those who fail loyalty tests will be dismissed and their accommodation demolished.
(reported by The Telegraph, 27 July 2008)

At around 2:30pm, three monks from Noobsur monastery in Serthar county were arrested for shouting slogans [location of the protest not stated].

1. Trulku Gedun.
2. Sashe.
3. Gyachuk Wangchuk (Yangchuk).
   (reported by CTA, 04 July 2008)

Kalsang Lhamo from Dura village in Karze [Kardze] county died on 27 June; her death was reportedly caused by “intense harassment by the Chinese authorities”, including the arrest of her daughter, Tsewang Khando (aged 38, a nun of Dragkar nunnery), and the Chinese repression of the people of her village.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

On 8 June, the nuns from Samten Ling [Samtenling, a.k.a. Watak] nunnery had gone to support a peaceful protest staged by Tsering Tso (also a Samten Ling nun) but were stopped en route, then confined to the nunnery for around nineteen days; forced to undergo ‘patriotic re-education’. These classes were met with continued opposition from the nuns. Consequently, at around 4pm on 27 June the Chinese authorities expelled all the nuns and handed them over to their respective families, leaving only an attendant at the nunnery.
Tsering Tso and Ugyen Lhamo, both arrested on 8 June, are still being detained. A nun named Guru has been missing since the protest; the authorities have denied that she was arrested.
(reported by CTA, 06 July 2007)

PAP and PSB arrived at Dragkar nunnery and arbitrarily arrested Tsering Wangchuk, one of the head nuns.
(reported by CTA, 04 July 2008)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced that “foreign journalists in China” are “allowed to apply for entering Tibet […] in line with previous procedure”, but they should abide by arrangement of local authorities since uncertainty still exists.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 26 June 2008)

Tibet greeted its first foreign tourists, a Swedish couple who arrived by air, “marking the full opening of Tibet to all overseas and domestic tour groups after a stoppage of more than three months”. The couple, 77-year-old Kurt Persson and 62-year-old Eva Sandstrom, were aware they were the first foreign tourists after the 14 March riot. Sandstrom: “We have no worries about the safety here. It’s no problem. The only worry was to get the permission to come to Tibet. We heard that the Tibetan people are kind and friendly”. The couple were scheduled to leave for Beijing by train on Monday.
The TAR government stopped issuing tourist permits to overseas travellers and the tourism authorities suggested travel agencies postpone organising tour groups in the wake of the riot, citing safety concerns and the reconstruction of tourism facilities. Independent domestic travellers have not been prohibited from entering the region.
A second group of foreign tourists, four Singaporeans, were due to arrive on Sunday.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 25 June 2008)

Tibet is open once again to foreign tourists, who were barred from entering the autonomous region following the 14 March riot in Lhasa; two Swedish tourists will be the first to arrive, on 25 June; four Singaporean tourists will arrive on 29 June. Domestic tour groups have been allowed into Tibet since late April, followed by visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in May; as of 20 June, the region had received more than 160 tour groups.
(reported by CCTV, 25 June 2008)

The Chinese authorities began processing applications for foreign nationals to visit the TAR; although the Tibetan frontiers have re-opened to tourism, tours are expected to be severely restricted; Drepung and Sera monasteries are not open to visitors. The Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Norbulingka are fully open; tour companies such as KE Adventure Travel are confident that visitors can “move throughout the country freely” but there are “no guarantees”; monasteries can “open and close on a day-to-day basis”.
(reported by The Observer, 06 July 2008)

Tibet welcomed its first batch of foreign tourists after a hiatus of more than three months; the first two foreigners to arrive in the regional capital were from Sweden; four tourists from Singapore were expected to arrive on 29 June. Tibet has regained social order with the resumption of schools, businesses and religious activities, as well as the re-opening of Jokhang, Ramoche, Sera and Drepung monasteries.
Tibet re-opened to domestic tour groups on 23 April, followed by visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in May.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 26 June 2008)

A “fire incidence occurred” on the Bheri Bridge over the Mekong River, near Bheri monastery. The Chinese authorities subsequently intensified restrictions at the monastery.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

Ngodup Dorjee, aged 25, from Phuk-Yi-Nang-Tsek-Lek village in Lhopa township, Karze [Karze] county, staged a peaceful protest in the market of the county [Kardze town] at 10:30am. He shouted slogans: “Dalai Lama should be invited to Tibet”, “We want religious freedom”, “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”. PAP personnel beat him with metal batons and then took him away.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

County government ‘work teams’ have visited villages including Me-nyenda, near Bheri monastery, on and around 23 June; villagers “threatened with their lives against staging any protest”.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

The Olympic flame concluded its three-day Qinghai province journey in Xining, “witnessing ethnic diversity and unity”. Nearly half of the 377 torchbearers chosen by Qinghai itself belong to minority ethnic groups, including 66 Tibetans; the number only ranks second after Tibetan torchbearers in neighbouring Tibet Autonomous Region.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 24 June 2008)

Jigme Phuntsok, a monk arrested from Drepung monastery and then transferred to a prison in Gormo [Golmud, a.k.a. Nagormo; Chin: Ge’ermu; in Qinghai Province], is reported to have died from torture on 22 June.
[Note: CTA stated that Jigme Phuntsok was a friend of Lobsang, a monk from Dzongkar monastery in Rebgong [Rebkong] county, Malho TAP, Qinghai Province, who was arrested while studying at Drepung monastery in Lhasa. Therefore it is implied that Jigme Phuntsok was also from Dzongkar monastery and was studying at Drepung at the time of his arrest.]
(reported by CTA, 14 July 2008)

Jigme Phuntsok, a 22-year-old monk from Drepung monastery, Lhasa, died from torture in a prison located in Gormo [Golmud, a.k.a. Nagormo; Chin: Ge’ermu], Amdo [Chin: Qinghai Province].
Jigme Phuntsok was born in Gyalpo Ngulchu village, Rebgong (Chin: Tongren) county in Malho TAP, Qinghai province; his father’s name is Yangpa. Jigme Phuntsok was arrested from Lhasa during the protests in March and taken to Gormo; a large number of monks arrested in Lhasa reportedly taken to Gormo, Lanzhou, and other places.
Instead of handing over his body to the family, it was cremated by the Chinese authorities.
The death toll stands at 210.
(reported by CTA, 27 June 2008)

Messages are being sent by the local Tibetan people saying: “As our area is outnumbered by Hui and Han Chinese, it has been very difficult even to carry out even a minor [political] activity. It’s not because we don’t have courage and loyalty to our cause. We stand in solidarity with all the Tibetans, in and outside Tibet. We hope that all the Tibetans will come to know about our situation”.
(reported by CTA, 26 June 2008)

The monks of Gyalgyud monastery county were not allowed to conduct their annual cham (ritual dance) on 22 June. The monasteries are also restricted from performing other religious activities.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

Circa 22 June (date unclear): The monks of Tak monastery were not allowed to conduct their annual cham (ritual dance). The Chinese authorities “have already given them restriction orders from conducting their annual Cham on 10 August” [?]. The monasteries are also restricted from performing other religious activities.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

At least three protests carried out in Karze [Kardze] county. Palmo, a 17-year-old girl, and Karma Wangchuk, a 29-year-old man, were severely beaten and arrested by the PAP for participating in a peaceful protest “led by over 20 people – some sources said it is by over 10 people – at over 3pm”.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

At around 11am, Tsering Phuntsok and Tashi Sherab, both monks from Khangmar monastery in Karze [Kardze] county, were arrested by PSB and PAP for staging a peaceful protest at the county government office.
At 1pm, Sergha and Yeshi Dhargye, both monks from Khangmar monastery, carried out a peaceful protest; severely beaten and arrested by PAP and PSB.
At around 3pm, over 10 people led by a layperson from Gyensang village, Karze [Kardze] county, staged a peaceful protest at the county government office; immediately arrested by PAP and PSB.
The protestors shouted slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country”, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be welcomed to Tibet” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.
(reported by CTA, 23 June 2008)

Sherab Gyaltsen (aged 36) from Sheling Dha village, Kardze county, and Nyilu (aged 35) from Gyurgha village, Kardze county, were severely beaten and arrested when they carried out a peaceful protest at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

At around 11am, 24-year-old Tsering Phuntsok and 36- year-old Tashi Sherab, both monks at Khangmar monastery in Kardze county, staged a peaceful demonstration in Kardze town.
At 1pm, 37-year-old Sergha and 27-year-old Yeshi Dargye, both monks at Khangmar monastery protested by “distributing pamphlets and calling for a free Tibet, and praying for the long life of the Dalai Lama and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet”.
All four monks were reportedly beaten and arrested by Chinese armed forces.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 July 2008)

Lobsang Chopel, a senior monk at Sera monastery, told foreign reporters on an official visit that in his youth he was given spiritual lessons by the Dalai Lama but with government officials looking on, the 77-year-old monk dismissed the Dalai Lama as a political figure: “In terms of religion, we believe in the Dalai Lama, but I don’t believe or accept what he says or what he does”.
Lhasa is a city where “anxiety and tension, and not Games excitement” dominates people’s lives.
Fewer Chinese tourists are visiting than last year; many taxi drivers are becoming bankrupt; a Chinese taxi driver said “It will be a long time before Lhasa returns to normal – two years, I’d say”. He added, “Tibetans are tough to live with, they’ll fight you at the drop of a hat […] 14 March wasn’t an exception. It was what we have to put up with”.
Lhasa remains divided by a gulf of distrust between Tibetans and ethnic Chinese.
(reported by Reuters, 22 June 2008)

Chinese officials abruptly cancelled a planned government-organised tour by foreign media to the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, without explanation. The foreign reporters were instead taken to Sera monastery, where police could be seen keeping a watchful eye on its monks. A monk was asked by foreign reporters if he wished the exiled Dalai Lama to return; he responded: “I have nothing to say because I am just a small lama. Those decisions are up to the government”.
Following tight security in the city on Saturday 21 June, the city “appeared to be back to normal” on Sunday, with “no obvious security presence”. Later, reporters were taken to the Potala Palace, which was closed to tourists during the reporters’ visit; reporters were not allowed to wander away from the group.
(reported by AFP, 22 June 2008)

Jampa Choephel, a 25-year-old from Me-nyenda village in Karze [Kardze] county, staged a pro-independence protest at around 11am; carried Tibetan flag and pro-independence banner; his head was “covered with a scarf attached with a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”; shouted slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. Jampa Choephel was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Many protests carried out in Karze [Kardze] county when the Olympic torch reached Lhasa on 21 June.
Draghu, a youth from Khashul village in Dhado township, Karze [Kardze] county, staged a pro-independence protest at the county market; a white band across his forehead read “independence for Tibet”; Tibetan flags painted on both cheeks. While protesting, he distributed pamphlets containing “9-point demand” stating that the Dalai Lama “must be welcomed to Tibet”, calling for human rights in Tibet and the release all political prisoners. The PSB arrested him, tied his legs and arms.
Around four youths staged a separate peaceful protest in Karze [Kardze] county.
Additional PAP personnel deployed in the county.
(reported by CTA, 24 June 2008)

Nyima Tashi (aged 18) from Sheling village in Kardze county was arrested for shouting slogans at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

Peaceful protest outside the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

A Tibetan youth named Dragu, of Khashul village, Dado township in Kardze county, was reportedly beaten and detained by seven PAP officers upon his arrival at the market [square in Kardze town]; he was wearing a white band tied around his head carrying the words Free Tibet, and had Tibetan flags painted on both cheeks.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 July 2008)

Date unspecified; circa 21 June 2008: The monks of Kirti Dhongru monastery in Ngaba county are being severely harassed; forced to undergo intensive ‘patriotic re-education’. PAP personnel are camped near down the monastery and have imposed “heavy restrictions” on the monks’ movements.
Five monks from Kirti Dhongru monastery arrested in March have been transferred from Maowun (Chin: Maoxian) county prison to Kakhog [Hungyon] (Chin: Hongyuan) county prison; relatives are not allowed to visit.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

The Tibetan government in exile’s Central Tibetan Administration announced that it is yet to receive independent confirmation of the release of 1,157 Tibetan prisoners charged with minor offences by courts in Lhasa, as reported by China’s Xinhua news agency on 20 June. CTA noted that, according to Xinhua, defendants from minority ethnic groups were provided with interpreters at court sessions, which ensured their rights; however, CTA added that the Chinese government has thwarted some Chinese lawyers who had volunteered to offer legal assistance to Tibetan detainees, and suspended the licenses of two prominent human rights lawyers involved in this campaign.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

The BBC’s headline read “China stages torch relay in Tibet”: the Olympic torch has been carried through Lhasa amid heavy security. The 11 kilometre (seven mile) parade passed off smoothly, with the flame carried past apparently hand-picked spectators; each member of the crowd has a badge, suggesting that spectators were specially chosen or vetted for the ceremony. Torch bearers in tracksuits carried the Olympic flame through Lhasa’s streets, beginning at the Norbulingka. The closing ceremony took place in front of the Potala Palace where officials gave speeches.
The BBC’s correspondent reported a “staggering security presence” in Lhasa and passed through at least six checkpoints as he was driven in an official convoy to the start of the relay. “We saw very clearly several dozen soldiers wearing riot gear – a reminder that Lhasa is not a normal city”.
(reported by BBC, 21 June 2008)

The Olympic torch was paraded through the streets of Tibet’s capital; tight security accompanied the flame over its three-hour journey; hundreds of police and paramilitary troops lined the route; the roughly six mile run began at Norbulingka and ended at the square in front of the Potala Palace. Onlookers, who had been carefully screened beforehand, waved flags and chanted “go China”. About half of the 156 torch runners were ethnic Tibetan. The Lhasa leg saw the reunion of the main torch with a separate one carried earlier to the top of Mount Everest.
Foreign reporters were required to travel in a closely guarded convoy and only allowed to cover the opening and closing legs, isolating them from contact with ordinary residents. Lhasa all but shutdown for the relay, with streets deserted and most shops closed. A security cordon was thrown up around Potala Square, where costumed performers entertained the onlookers.
(reported by AP, 21 June 2008)

The Olympic torch was carried through the streets of Lhasa, cheered by crowds of Chinese residents and protected by police and paramilitary forces. Most shops and businesses in Lhasa were shut and the ethnic Tibetan inhabitants were “conspicuous by their absence” along the route. Zhang Qingli, the head of the Communist party in Tibet, spoke at a rally to greet the torch outside the Potala Palace, and pledged to “totally smash” the “Dalai Lama clique”. It was unclear how Zhang’s rhetoric accorded with China’s insistence that the Olympics should not be politicised. Chinese officials said 156 torchbearers, half of them Tibetans, took turns to carry the flame. Xinhua, said all 2.8m [sic] Tibetans had been looking forward to the event.
(reported by The Times, 22 June 2008)

Thousands of youths holding the People’s Republic of China’s national flags chanted “play up China”, “good luck Beijing” and “good luck Olympic Games” to celebrate the Olympic torch relay; they also denounced “separatism activities” by the “Dalai Lama clique”, who “sabotaged the relay in foreign countries”. Many youths had gathered outside the Potala Palace on Friday evening. On Saturday, the Beijing Olympic torch was carried from the Norbulingka to the Potala Palace by 156 bearers, following a one-minute silence for those killed in the earthquake in Sichuan on 12 May. Security was tight in Lhasa for fears of “sabotage activities by the Dalai clique”. Palma Trily, executive vice chairman of [the TAR] said police have been deployed to ensure security during the relay, but none were from the PLA, whose duty was to “guard the frontier and protect the territory”. [Xinhua’s article then quoted several Tibetans who allegedly oppose Tibetan independence and the Dalai Lama.]
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 21 June 2008)

Protests “seem to have occurred” in Sera monastery; during the night of 18 June (the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar; considered to be the most holy day of the year), PAP personnel arrested 12 monks.
(reported by tibetcustom.com, 21 June 2008)

Peaceful protest outside the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

As of 20 June, the whereabouts of Lobsang Wangchuk, Tashi, and his son Phuntsok Tsewang, are unknown. They are from Drepung monastery, where they were arrested by PAP personnel.
Wangchuk, aged 45, was born in Lhasa; he was among a group of 90 monks arrested in mid April.
Tashi was born in Lhokha and ordained as a Buddhist monk “at an old age” [it is assumed that Tashi and Phuntsok Tsewang were also arrested in mid-April].
(reported by CTA, 20 June 2008)

Reporters representing about 30 international news organisations have been allowed into Lhasa in a closely monitored group to cover the torch relay. According to Chinese officials, a planned three-day torch relay in Tibet [the TAR] had been cut to one day because of schedule adjustments linked to last month’s Sichuan earthquake. On Friday evening, small crowds of people wandered in Potala Square, as performers practised for Saturday’s Olympic torch relay ceremonies. The BBC’s correspondent also saw four military trucks near the area, two of which were filled with soldiers in riot gear.
(reported by BBC, 21 June 2008)

As of 20 June, the whereabouts of three student monks, visitors at Drepung monastery arrested in Lhasa on 10 March, remains unknown:

1. Pema Tsering.
2. Pema.
3. Samten.

They are from Dingkha village, Chusang township, Toelung Dechen (Chin: Duilongdeqing) county, Lhasa Municipality.
Relatives have enquired about them at every prison and detention centre in and around Lhasa.
(reported by CTA, 20 June 2008)

China says it has released more than a thousand people and sentenced 12 others for alleged involvement in anti-government riots in Llasa in March [See Xinhua entry for Lhasa, 20 June]. China made the announcement two days after Amnesty International published a report urging China to reveal what happened to more than a thousand people arrested during the government crackdown on protesters.
(reported by VOA, 20 June 2008)

Tibet is still closed to foreign tourists. Foreign journalists have been allowed to visit only as part of closely monitored government tours [including at this time for the Lhasa leg of the Olympic torch relay]. Palma Trily, the vice-governor of Tibet’s Chinese-appointed administration, told foreign reporters that 12 more people had been sentenced for taking part in the 14 March riot in the city; he gave no details about their offences or the punishments meted out. He said another 1,157 people had been released from detention over minor offences related to the violent anti-government protests. Chinese officials accuse the Dalai Lama of trying to sabotage the Beijing Olympics and preparing “suicide squads” to carry out attacks.
(reported by AP, 21 June 2008)

An increased security presence this week; several hundred police, some of them armed, on the streets of central Lhasa, in particularly on the road leading from the Norbulinga [Norbulingka] in central Lhasa to the Potala Palace.
Tibetans have been banned from performing the Lingkor circumambulation (a tradition on the fifteenth day of Saga Dawa – 18 June 2008).
Only Tibetans “in certain jobs” were allowed to apply for the special permit to watch the arrival of the Olympic torch in Lhasa on 21 June.
Telephone calls to Lhasa have been significantly more difficult in the last few days.
(reported by FTC, 20 June 2008)

Courts in the TAR handed down punishments on Thursday and Friday to 12 people who had been involved in the Lhasa riot in March. To date, forty-two people [included 30 charged on 29 April] have been convicted of “arson, robbery, the crime of gathering to assault state organs, and other crimes”; they received criminal punishments from courts for their actions; the punishments for 29 of the convicts have “gone effective”. Defendants from minority ethnic groups were provided with interpreters at court sessions, which “ensured their rights”. Another 116 people in custody are awaiting trial.
Tibet has released 1,157 people involved in the March Lhasa riot, who were charged with minor offences. Tibet police detained and arrested 953 people after the riot, while 362 others “surrendered to police”.
Judicial authorities followed the policy of “combining punishment with leniency” in handling the cases, which means “leniency for those with minor offences”.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 20 June 2008)

Press conference for a 50-strong delegation of journalists, including staff from 29 overseas news organisations. Palma Trily [Tib: Pema Thinley], TAR executive vice chairman, said the TAR government was “confident to have a safe and successful Olympic torch relay on Saturday” [Palma Trily paraphrased by Xinhua]; five organisations including the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) had threatened to sabotage the torch relay. He said police have been deployed to ensure security during the relay, “but there was none from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)” [Palma Trily paraphrased by Xinhua], as “the duty of the PLA is to guard the frontier and protect the territory” [quotation: Palma Trily].
Dekyi Drolkar, director of Tibet’s sports bureau, said the Olympic torch relay in Tibet would have 156 torch bearers including 75 Tibetans. The Lhasa leg would cover 9.3 kilometres “from Norbu Lingka Square and end in Potala Palace”. The torch’s relay schedule in Tibet was originally planned for three days, 19-21 June, but was cut to one day on which the “flame kindled on the top of Mount Qomolangma” [Everest] on 8 May will “join the main torch”.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 20 June 2008)

Following the arrest of three Beri [Bheri] monastery monks on 18 June, the Chinese authorities sent ‘work teams’ to provide ‘patriotic re-education’ to the monks of Beri monastery; this could not be conducted due to opposition from the monks.
(reported by CTA, 24 June 2008)

Lobsang Tsewang (aged 30) from Tsoshi village in Kardze county staged a peaceful protest at the county government office. He was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

On or around 19 June: Ngawang Lhundup and Kal Nyima, two monks from Karze [Kardze] monastery, were severely beaten and arrested by the PAP for holding a peaceful protest in front of the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Youdroom, a monk from Koe-tsa village in Serthar county, staged a peaceful protest at 2pm in front of the county government office; waved Tibetan flag, shouted slogans: “Tibet is an independent country, long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Dalai Lama must return to Tibet”. When others gathered in his support, Youdroom was arrested by the PSB.
(reported by CTA, 29 June 2008)

During morning, Tibetan residents of Nangchen county conducted a religious ceremony, burned incense, and then tried to carry out a peaceful protest; immediately stopped by local Chinese authorities; no details of arrests.
That night, the Chinese flag on rooftop of county government office was replaced with the Tibetan flag; many pro-independence posters were pasted throughout the county. Consequently, the Chinese authorities closed down private schools, including the schools of monks and nuns, located in the county.
(reported by CTA, 27 June 2009)

At around 2-3pm, more than ten local Tibetans demonstrated, led by an unidentified layman of Shillidha village. They were reportedly beaten and arrested by Chinese armed forces.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 July 2008)

Six independence protests took place in Ganze [Kardze] county on 18 June.
(reported by The Times, 07 July 2008)

Palden Nyima, a 27-year-old from Karze [Kardze] county, was severely beaten and arrested for staging a peaceful protest; the number of protesters is unknown [location of protest not provided].
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Khando, a 25-year-old girl staged a peaceful protest at around 5pm despite wind and rain; shouted slogans: “Tibet is an independent country” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”; she was severely beaten and arrested by the PSB [location of protest not provided].
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Two nuns from Gewa Drak nunnery in Karze [Kardze] county peacefully protested at the county government office; severely beaten and arrested by the PSB:

1. Shitso, aged 26.
2. Dhungtso, aged 20 (approximately).
   (reported by CTA, 20 June 2008)

Protest in front of county PSB office at around 11am by Ngawang Phuntsok (aged 32), from the Ngangpa Taktsang family in Bhulshar area of Karze [Kardze] county. Carried Dalai Lama portrait, distributed leaflets, shouted slogans: “Chinese authorities must not denounce the Dalai Lama”, “Bring human rights in Tibet”, “Dalai Lama should be invited to Tibet”. Ngawang Phuntsok was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
Just over an hour later, three nuns from Yarteng nunnery – Yangzom (aged 31), Pewang (Pemo) (aged 27), and Lhamo (29) – staged a peaceful protest, shouted slogans: “Dalai Lama should be invited to Tibet”, “Bring human rights in Tibet”, “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, “Release Lobsang Tenzin Yeshi Thinley Rinpoche” (the founder of Pangri-Na and Yarteng nunneries, who was arrested on 18 May).
[Note: CTA does not state the location of the three nuns’ protest, but it is assumed to have taken place in Kardze county town; CTA does not state whether or not the nuns were arrested for their protest.]
(reported by CTA, 04 July 2009)

Passang Dolma, a 32-year-old woman from Yartoe Lamna village in Karze [Kardze] county, carried out a pro-independence protest in front of the county government office. Before leaving her home, she “kept a message that ‘our parents had passed away hopefully waiting for all these years for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to get independence for Tibet and freedom to Tibetans. I too have promised them to contribute something in realising their hope. So, I have no regret even if my life meets its end in doing so’”.
Passang Dolma was badly beaten and arrested by the PAP during her protest.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Three monks from Beri monastery in Karze [Kardze] county were immediately arrested by the PSB when they staged a peaceful protest in front of the county government office.

1. Lobsang Gelek, a chant master.
2. Thang-nye, a former chant master.
3. Lobsang Palden.
   (reported by CTA, 24 June 2008)

Protests “seem to have occurred” in Drepung monastery on 18 June (the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar; considered to be the most holy day of the year); PAP personnel reportedly fired warning shots.
(reported by tibetcustom.com, 21 June 2008)

A gunshot was fired in Drepung monastery; the PAP opened fire in the air to warn the monks from protesting.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

Lhasa will soon re-open to foreign tourists “very soon”; the date is to be announced after the Tibet leg of the Olympic torch relay on 21 June. It is not known whether other parts of Tibet would be re-opened to foreign travellers at the same time. The Olympic torch relay was scaled down from a planned three-day event in Lhasa to one day after the devastating 12 May earthquake in Sichuan Province.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 18 June 2008)

On the night of 18 June, the PAP arrested 12 monks from Sera monastery.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

Four monks of Tarmo monastery, Driru county, on their way to Lhasa “for some monastery works” were arrested “when they reached the Nagchu prefecture” [presumably when they reached Nagchu town, the capital of Nagchu Prefecture] by local PSB. They were accused of not seeking permission to leave the monastery. It is not known where they are being detained.

1. Ngawang Gyalten, aged 42; abbot and head of the Democratic Management Committee of Tarmo monastery.
2. Ngawang Jampa, aged 40; one of the monastery heads.
3. Ngawang Sangye, aged 38.
4. Kalsang Lochok, aged 20.
   (reported by CTA, 01 July 2008)

The first large religious festival is being held in Lhasa three months after the riot on 14 March. The month-long Sakadwa [Tib: Saga Dawa] festival, the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, began on 4 June and has attracted many residents onto the streets to pray. Hundreds of people hurried to Lhasa from other provinces including Sichuan, Gansu and Qianghai to join the prayers’ march, with their family members and pets. Prayers began at 3am in the moonlight and followed three major routes all circling the Jokhang Lamasery [Tib: Jokhang temple]. The “lamaseries” [monasteries] have all opened to the public. Beggars sit along the major routes waiting for kind givers, which is an original tradition of the festival.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 17 June 2008)

Three people from unit number 1 in Guda Nyakdrog village, Dado township, protested at the township government office; distributed leaflets, shouted slogans: “Tibet is an independent country”, “Long live the Dalai Lama”; fled to the mountains to avoid arrest.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

A group of Tibetans from Dhado township shouted slogans while distributing pro-independence leaflets [it is assumed the demonstration took place in Dhado]; they avoided arrest by feeling to “the mountain”.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

The Chinese government abruptly postponed the date of the arrival of the Olympic torch in Lhasa; refused to present a reason or to detail the timing of the route.
The situation in Lhasa is “anything but normal”. The authorities continue to fear that Tibetans may try to stage further protests, and Tibetans continue to fear that they can be arrested at any time for any reason.
Several thousand additional troops are to be deployed this week.
(reported by HRW, 16 June 2008)

Mid June: It was assumed that some Lhasa residents found to be communicating with relatives or friends abroad had also been receiving money from them, and were reportedly made to pay 20,000 yuan each to the authorities.
(reported by sources to TibetInfoNet, 16 June 2008)

Two monks from Tashi Choekhor Ling monastery in Dho-khor township, Chone county, sentenced in a trial that “devoid of transparency and fairness”:

1. Tenzin, sentenced to 15 years for being one of the leaders of the March protests.
2. Tenzin Gyatso, sentenced to 13 years for replacing the Chinese flag with the Tibetan flag at a school in Dho-khor township.

Lekshey (a monk), Tenzin, Woeser (a monk), and five others currently detained in Chone county are to be sentenced soon.
Some of the Tibetans arrested on 17 March in Chone county were each fined 200 yuan and released.
(reported by CTA, 27 June 2008)

Three people arrested on 11 April by Machu county PSB for allegedly participating in a protest held in Machu county in March were given arbitrary prison sentences by the People’s Intermediate Court of Kanlho TAP:

1. Kelbar, aged 20, from Drolkyab Tsang family in the upper division of Noorma village, Machu county; sentenced to 15 years.
2. Kheychok Trimthak, aged 30, from Rongchok Tsang family; sentenced to 13 years.
3. Kunchok, aged 16, from the lower division of Noorma village, Machu county; sentenced to 12 years.
   (reported by CTA, 26 July 2008)

An unidentified Tibetan carried out a protest in Karze [Kardze] county. Details not available.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

Circa mid June: “Few days back” [a few days before 18 June], telephone lines of some households in Karze [Kardze] county were disconnected.
(reported by CTA, 20 June 2008)

Three Tibetans from Rakha village in Dhado township, Karze [Kardze] county, staged a peaceful protest in front of the county PSB office:

1. Sonam Wangyal, aged 31.
2. Dorjee Lorig, aged 23.
3. Rinchen Dhondup, aged 24.

One of them held a portrait of the Dalai Lama on his head during the protest; shouted slogans: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Serenity the Panchen Lama are most precious to us”, “Chinese authorities have compelled His Holiness the Dalai Lama to leave the country, and imprisoned His Serenity the Panchen Lama”, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be welcomed to Tibet”, “release all the political prisoners including His Serenity the Panchen Lama”, “Independence for Tibet”, and “China quit Tibet”.
The three protesters were severely beaten and arrested by the PSB and PAP; their whereabouts unknown; “Both of them are relatives” [presumably all three are related].
(reported by CTA, 23 June 2008)

Peaceful protest outside the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Jampa Tashi (aged 24) from Tsangkha village in Kardze county was severely beaten when he shouted slogans at the county government office and then arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

Yeshi Palden, aged 27, from Khangmar (Gaeden Samdupling) monastery in Karze [Kardze] county, staged a peaceful protest in front of the county PSB office; shouted slogans: “release all the political prisoners”, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be welcomed to Tibet” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. Yeshi Palden was severely beaten with metal batons and arrested by the PSB.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

Tsewang Rigzin from Chishar village in Barzing township, Tawu [Dawu] county, and another unidentified person from Pangna village in Tawu [Dawu] county were arrested by the county PSB on 13 June for allegedly taking part in and photographing “the protest” [CTA 29/0708 does not state the date or location of the protest, but it is assumed to be the protest which occurred in Dawu county on 5 April].
(reported by CTA, 29 July 2008)

A Tibetan man named Palden Wangyal, aged 20, protested in Kardze town centre, tying a white prayer scarf round his head and holding the Tibetan flag; he walked two kilometres (1.2 miles) before being detained by police.
(reported by RFA, 12 June 2008)

On 11 and 12 June, “PAP and others” continued to harass the monks who have been on 3-year retreat; restricted the monks of minor age from living in the monastery.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Recently the Labor and Social Security Office of the TAR issued an initial 1.19 million yuan (US$172,963; EUR€110,679; UK£87,647) in unemployment relief for those who were left temporarily unemployed after the " 3.14 Tibet riots". Only city residents are eligible to receive unemployment benefits; the first batch of unemployment assistance is targeted to five state-owned tourism enterprises [therefore, not to Tibetan-owned businesses]; compensation is for those who worked in hotels, tourism agencies, and restaurants, to guarantee their basic livelihood during the temporary unemployment period. Those with unemployment insurance will receive up to 480 yuan (US$70; EUR€45; UK£35) per month; those without unemployment insurance will received 420 yuan (US$61; EUR€39; UK£31) per month. It is expected that the relief will be provided for one year in Lhasa city and six months in other counties and cities in Tibet.
(reported by People's Daily Online, 12 June 2008)

Date unspecified: The Labour and Social Security Office of the TAR “recently” issued an initial 1.19 million yuan in unemployment relief for city residents left temporarily unemployed after the “3.14 Tibet riots”. The first batch of unemployment assistance is targeted at “five state-owned tourism enterprises”; compensation provided to those who used to work in hotels, tourism agencies, and restaurants; “In accordance with regulations, those who have unemployment insurance will receive up to 480 yuan per month. However, other victims who do not have unemployment insurance will also get 420 yuan per person per month according to Tibet’s unemployment relief standards”. It is expected that the relief will be provided for one year in Lhasa city and six months in other counties and cities in Tibet.
(reported by People's Daily, 12 June 2008)

Palden Wangyal, aged 20, was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP for staging a peaceful protest while flying the Tibetan flag in front of the county government office.
A layperson and a monk from southern Karze [Kardze] were also beaten and arrested by the PAP for carrying out a peaceful protest in front of the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Lobsang (aged 20; born in Chokri village, Drakgo [Draggo] county) and his brother, Dorjee (aged 30; from Tsaklek village in Karze [Kardze] county) staged a peaceful protest while distributing leaflets at the [Kardze] county government office at around 2pm; shouted slogans such as “Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, “the Dalai Lama must be invited to Tibet”.
They were soon “suppressed” by the PAP, “resulting in a gun shot at Dorjee’s foot”; both were arrested.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2007)

A peaceful protest occurred at around 11am at the county government office; slogans included “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be immediately welcomed back to Tibet”, “Freedom for Tibet”, “Release all the political prisoners”, and “China quit Tibet”. According to some of CTA’s sources, there were five protesters who were all arrested; CTA confirmed that three Tibetans from Rakha village, Dado township, Karze [Kardze] county, were severely beaten and arrested by the PAP:

1. Namsey Lhamo (female; aged 30).
2. Tenzin Dhargye (male; aged 32).
3. Unidentified monk.

Namsey Lhamo’s brother attempted to help her while she was being arrested; PAP later arrived at the brother’s home to arrest him but he fled.
(reported by CTA, 12 June 2008)

At around 11am, a peaceful protest was staged by a few Tibetan residents of Kardze county at one of the road intersections at the main market square in Kardze town; raised pro-Tibet slogans; distributed pamphlets calling for the “swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet”, “freedom in Tibet”, the “release of those arrested in recent protests” and “China, quit Tibet”. Shortly after the brief protest, at least three Tibetans were rounded up by county PSB officials and severely beaten before being taken away to the county detention centre; their current condition is unknown. Those detained are:

1. Namsey Lhamo, aged 30; mother of two children; a farmer from Raga village, Dando township, Kardze county.
2. Tenzin Dargyal, aged 32; father of an infant; a farmer from Kardze county.
3. A monk whose identity has not been ascertained.
   (reported by TCHRD, 11 June 2008)

Four or five Tibetans demonstrated at the main intersection in Kardze town at around 10 am. The protesters were Namsel Lhamo, aged 30 (female), from Raka village; Tenzin Thargyal, 32 (male); a man whose name is not known. A boy and a monk from Lhoba village “protested on the same day” [although it is unclear if all five people participated in the same protest]. All five protesters were beaten and detained by police. Local officials then raided Namsel Lhamo’s home; “took away” photographs of the Dalai Lama and “smashed them on the floor”. Namsel Lhamo’s brother, Pema Gyatso, aged 30, then “drew his sword”; the officials fled; soon after, around 200 PSP personnel were dispatched to arrest him; meanwhile he had escaped to the mountains. Chinese officials were subsequently “giving a hard time” to family members, including the elderly parents and young children.
(reported by RFA, 12 June 2008)

Following the appearance of pro-independence posters pasted at the roadside near Se monastery and a Tibetan flag [see Se monastery, 9 June 2008; CTA 21/06/08], the PAP surrounded Se monastery and heightened its restrictions; a thorough raid was also conducted in the monastery; many monks fled the monastery.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

On 11 and 12 June, “PAP and others” continued to harass the monks who have been on 3-year retreat; restricted the monks of minor age from living in the monastery.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Two monks were arrested by the PAP for staging a peaceful protest on 10 June at the county government office.
In another incident, a woman was arrested by the county PSB for her alleged involvement in sharing information with the outside world through phone calls [it is unclear whether or not this arrest also occurred on 10 June].
(reported by CTA, 12 June 2008)

A “huge contingent of PAP and others” arrived at Se monastery and arrested a group of monks; raided the monastery and confiscated Dalai Lama photos and portraits.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

One of the three monks who staged a peaceful protest on 6 May reportedly died on 9 June. The monk is believed to be Tsewang Drakpa; was severely beaten and arrested on 6 May and later admitted to hospital.
(reported by Tibetan Solidarity Committee, 09 June 2008)

Four monks from Khangmar (Khanang) monastery in Karze [Kardze] county carried out a peaceful protest while flying the Tibetan flag and scattering leaflets in front of county government office. They were severely beaten and arrested by the Public Security Burean (PSB).

1. Jamgha Phuntsok, aged 18.
2. Yeshi Dorjee, 32.
3. Jampa Dorjee, 18.
4. Solu.
   (reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

On or around 9 June: The PSB arrested Yangchen Khando from Pa village in Karze [Kardze] county for “allegedly sharing information about the protests being held in Karze county”.
(reported by CTA, 25 June 2008)

Many pro-independence posters were found pasted at the roadside near Se monastery; a Tibetan flag was also found hoisted there [see also Se monastery, 11 June 2008; CTA 21/06/08]
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

At around 9am, a Tibetan nun named Tsering Tsomo staged a peaceful, solo protest in Draggo county; raised pro-Tibet slogans; distributed pamphlets calling for the “swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet” and “freedom in Tibet”. Tsering Tsomo, originally from Chakra village, Draggo county, is a 27-year-old nun from Samtenling (a.k.a. Watak) nunnery. During her protest, Tsering Tsomo was surrounded by security forces, and was “severely beaten and tortured”, pounded with iron rods, kicked and punched indiscriminately. She was detained by county PSB officials and held at the county Detention Centre for questioning.
In response, at around 5pm more than two hundred nuns of Samtenling nunnery staged a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of Tsering Tsomo; headed towards Draggo county headquarters; en route they were stopped at a place known as Gogaythang by security forces. The nuns were kicked and punched indiscriminately, and attacked with electric prods and iron rods. Ten protesters were seriously injured; taken to a nearby hospital for treatment; “scores” were detained and taken away in waiting military trucks to the county detention centre. Relatives of those injured and hospitalised were prohibited from meeting their loved ones. No further information available on the condition of those injured and detained.
(reported by TCHRD, 09 June 2008)

Tsering Tsomo, aged 28, from Samten Ling nunnery, was detained while handing out leaflets in Draggo county, calling for the return of the Dalai Lama. Later that day, more than 300 nuns from Samten Ling nunnery marched on county offices, demanding the release of Tsering Tsomo. All were detained and many were beaten.
(reported by RFA, 12 June 2008)

At around 9am at the county government office, Tsering Tso (Tsering Tsomo), a 27-year-old nun from Samten Ling (Watak) nunnery, distributed pamphlets calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. She was beaten and arrested by PAP personnel.
In response to the arrest of Tsering Tso, all the nuns from her nunnery “left for Drakgo [Draggo] county [presumably the county town] in order to carry out peaceful procession at around 5pm”.
When they were nearing the county [presumably the county town], the nuns were stopped in the Gogey Thang area by PAP personnel. Some nuns were beaten so severely that they had to be hospitalised at the county hospital; some were “taken away on the pretext of treating them in a Chengdu hospital”.
That night, local people protested; demanded the release of the detained nuns.
(reported by CTA, 11 June 2008)

At around 9am, a nun named Tsering Tso(mo) from Samtenling (a.k.a. Watag) nunnery in Tehor, staged a lone protest in Draggo county; distributed leaflets calling for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet; unknown whether or not she had shouted slogans; she was arrested and beaten.
At around 5pm, all other nuns from Samtenling nunnery went on a procession in solidarity with Tsering Tso(mo) towards Draggo county [government headquarters] but were stopped by security forces at a place called Go-geythang; the nuns were beaten; some of them reportedly sustained injuries caused by stabbing; some were hospitalised; others were detained.
Around five to six hundred local Tibetans later assembled to request that the authorities release the detained nuns, warning of possible widespread protests; picketed until 9pm. Some of the nuns were released; families of the detained nuns were seen carrying them home by hauling them on their [the relatives’] backs due to the nuns’ severe injuries. Among the injured were two nuns with broken ribs; many others were “virtually speechless”. Those with serious injuries have been taken to Chengdu for treatment.
(reported by Tibetan Solidarity Committee, 09 June 2008)

Three monks from different monasteries in Draggo county staged a peaceful protest outside the county government headquarters, calling for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama. The monks were indiscriminately “beaten with electric prod”, kicked and punched by the Chinese security forces; the monks were critically injured and taken to Draggo county hospital for urgent medical treatment.

1. Tsewang Dakpa, aged 22; from Jangtha township, Draggo county, Kardze TAP.
2. Thupten Gyatso, (age unknown); from Tawu county, Kardze TAP.
3. Jangsem Nyima, aged 22; from Dzatoe county, Jyekundo (Ch: Yushu/Jiegu) TAP, Qinghai Province.

Tsewang Dakpa reportedly sustained severe, multiple injuries; believed to have only a slight chance of survival; unconfirmed rumours have spread of his death. Thupten Gyatso and Jangsem Nyima are believed to be in a critical condition and moved to another hospital.

(reported by TCHRD, 09 June 2008)

Three monks were severely beaten and arrested by PAP personnel for distributing pamphlets, shouting slogans and waving the banned Tibetan flag at 12:22 pm. When the first monk was arrested, the second monk began to protest; when he was arrested, the third monk began to protest.

1. Tsewang Drakpa, a monk from Drakgo [Draggo] county, Karze [Kardze] TAP. Tsewang Drakpa was reportedly severely injured; some sources report that he has died.
2. Thupten Gyatso, a monk from Tawu county, Karze [Kardze] TAP.
3. Jangsem Nyima, a monk from Zatoe county, Kyegudo TAP, Qinghai Province.
   (reported by CTA, 11 June 2008)

Some youths protested in Drakgo [Draggo] county while riding motorcycles and waving the Tibetan flag.
(reported by CTA, 11 June 2008)

Three youths riding motorcycles waved the Tibetan national flag in the middle market of Draggo county [town]; shouted pro-independence slogans; scattered “anti-China” leaflets; they escaped from the scene.
(reported by Tibetan Solidarity Committee, 09 June 2008)

Additional armed police were deployed to the streets of Lhasa, according to a local official, as Buddhist pilgrims flocked to the city for Saga Dawa, a traditional month-long religious festival which this year commences on 4 June (which also happens to be the 19th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre). The government spokesman told AFP that “the deployment of armed police was increased because of the coming of a religious festival and as a response to some threat remarks made by Tibetan separatists recently”. Therefore, “we certainly have to increase police deployment […] to ensure people’s safety at the festival”.
(reported by AFP, 04 June 2008)

The Chinese government acknowledged the possibility of further unspecified “incidents” in Lhasa.
(reported by HRW, 16 June 2008)

Second day of visit by thirty-one reporters from 18 media organisations in Taiwan (2), Hong Kong (15) and Macao (1).
Tuesday morning: visit to the “Lugu residents community”. Drakpa Yonten, director of the residents’ committee, said: “People live a peaceful life here now and they can worship Buddhas in monasteries”, noting the Jokhang Monastery [Tib: Jokhang temple] has “already been opened”. The Lugu area used to be a slum, “housing one third of the beggars in Lhasa”; now “85 percent of the residents are Tibetans and most run their own businesses”; residents donated 45,000 yuan for the 12 May “quake-hit regions” [Sichuan province].
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 03 June 2008)

The Chinese government permitted a trip to Lhasa for foreign correspondents on 3-5 June [the third of three such media trips in 2008]. Chinese residents gave [some of?] the correspondents accounts of police shooting protesters in Lhasa.
(reported by HRW, 16 June 2008)

On 24 May, 2 and 3 June, “some Tibetan people expressed their frustration at those Tibetans (shop owners and street vendors) for resuming their businesses as reported earlier”. [Note: CTA does not state how this frustration was expressed.]
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

Date unclear: “Later” [after some Tibetans expressed frustration at Tibetan shop owners and street vendors on 3 June, for resuming their businesses] many posters were seen pasted at Barkhor Square and other areas, stating that people should neither visit the sacred shrines nor open up their shops, as this would allow the Chinese government to show the outside world that stability has been restored. Tibetans in Lhasa are neither visiting the sacred shrines nor circumambulating the Potala Palace and surrounding temples (the lingkhor) and continue to remain in their homes.
The possibility of further protests has led the authorities to tighten restrictions.
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

A contingent of PAP personnel arrived at Gyalrong Tsodun Kirti monastery in Barkham county and hoisted a Chinese flag on the monastery. The monks “secretly destroyed the flag with its pole the next night” [unclear if 2 or 3 June].
Consequently, restrictions heightened; no one allowed to leave or enter the monastery campus; additional PAP personnel deployed; monks interrogated to find out who committed the “serious crime” of destroying the Chinese flag. The monastery is reported to be in a critical situation.
(reported by CTA, 21 June 2008)

On 24 May, 2 and 3 June, “some Tibetan people expressed their frustration at those Tibetans (shop owners and street vendors) for resuming their businesses as reported earlier”. [Note: CTA does not state how this frustration was expressed.]
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

Thirty-one reporters from 18 media organisations in Taiwan (2), Hong Kong (15) and Macao (1) arrived for “coverage of Tibet”; the “second batch of reporters invited to Tibet after the 14 March Lhasa riots”. Three-day visit to Lhasa and Shannan [(Tib: Lhoka) prefecture], Tibet University, companies engaged in handicraft art, Potala Palace and Norbu-Linkag [Tib: Norbulingka]. Reporters will have “extensive contact with officials, monks and common people” and be “able to interview shop owners whose shops were damaged during the riot”. A TAR government official said the trip will “provide open news coverage without any restriction”. Yang Liu, Oriental Daily (Hong Kong) reporter, had visited Tibet six times; met friends Monday evening, “he said normal life in Lhasa has resumed”.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 03 June 2008)

Date unspecified: Rebgong [Rebkong] county’s annual summer festival which was to be held in June was cancelled “to show solidarity with, and gratitude to, those Tibetans who have suffered the brutal crackdown of the Chinese government” in recent months, and to show sympathy for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake in May.
Rebgong [Rebkong] county is being tightly guarded by the Chinese authorities.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Date unspecified: In June, Tashi Dorjee (aged 19) from Gangteng village, Karze [Kardze] county and Thupten Phuntsok from Phukyul Nang village, Karze [Kardze] county, were arrested by the PSB after peacefully protesting. It is reported that the protest included other Tibetans whose details are yet to be confirmed.
(reported by CTA, 28 July 2008)

“Since” 1 June, Kirti monastery’s monks began leaving, unable “to bear the severe restrictions imposed on the monastery by Chinese authorities”. Since 20 March, the monks at Kirti have been forced to undergo ‘patriotic re-education’ in eight groups; they are made to provide their signatures or thumbprints in opposition to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the exile Tibetan community, and particularly the Dalai Lama. The Chinese flag is flown on the monastery rooftop. Unable to bear this repression, all the monks stopped participating in the ‘patriotic re-education’ “since” 1 June. “From the evening of June 2 till the morning of next day” all the monks have fled the monastery, with the exception of a few senior monks aged over 70 years of age.
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

Date unspecified: In June, Gyurmey Wangdak from Guytsok nomad [area] in Ghardo township, Markham county, carried out a peaceful protest at the township government office calling for Tibet’s independence and wishing the Dalai Lama a long life. After the protest he was arrested by the Chinese authorities and the PSB; detained at the county detention centre; later taken “towards Chamdo” [apparently along with Soegyal; see Ghardo township, 15 May 2008; CTA, 29/0708]; current wellbeing unknown.
(reported by CTA, 29 July 2008)

Armed police were re-deployed in Lhasa.
(reported by HRW, 16 June 2008)

“Since” 1 June, Chinese authorities have tightened restrictions in Lhasa with the deployment of an “additional strong contingent” of PAP personnel. People of the surrounding counties are prohibited from travelling to Lhasa by their respective authorities.
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

Circa 31 May 2008: Drolmakyi, the Tibet folk singer arrested on 30 March was permitted to return home in late May after nearly two months in custody; a condition of the release was reportedly that Drolmakyi cannot appear in public or discuss her arrest. [See also entry for LA Times, 30 March 2008]
(reported by LA Times, 08 June 2008)

The ‘patriotic education’ campaign has been vigorously enforced in Tibetan areas and monasteries in the Draggo area during the past few days. On 31 May, the Chinese authorities convened a meeting in a town close to Chogri monastery, Draggo county; Tibetans forced to denounce the Dalai Lama; many poor Tibetans were offered large sums of money to condemn the Dalai Lama and oppose Tibetan independence. Those who refused were threatened with expulsion from the area; told that all the land belongs to China; anyone refusing to comply with the patriotic education told they were “free to go to India or any other place”. Some poor families complied, but 90 percent of those present refused to sign criticisms of the Dalai Lama, even under threat of confiscation of their land and homes.
(reported by sources to RFA, 03 June 2008)

Jampa Dekyi, a 20-year-old girl from Jokhang Nangkha Gon-tsang family, Thingka township, shouted pro-independence slogans at Karze county government office at about 12:00pm. PSB and PAP personnel immediately appeared; she was severely beaten and bled profusely from her head, before being taken away.
(reported by CTA, 04 June 2008)

Date unspecified: Following their participation in a protest staged by local people and themselves on 16 March, the monks of Se monastery were placed under severe restrictions which restricted their movements and prevented them from organising gatherings. Therefore, [despite these restrictions] the monks left; the monastery remained empty at the end of May.
(reported by CTA, 31 May 2008)

Date unspecified: Ngawang Palsang (a.k.a. Lama of Lo monastery), who had been arrested in March, died in May from a heart attached caused by torture he suffered in prison. His body was handed over to his family.
[See also: Lhasa, 31 March 2008; CTA, 02/07/08]
The death toll now stands at 211 [note: CTA’s death toll relates to the date when information was received about each death, not when each death occurred].
(reported by CTA, 02 July 2008)

Date unspecified: some of the 14 march Lhasa protesters who were released from detention in early May were re-arrested at the end of the month. Some of them “are being released by forcing them to furnish information of those involved in the Lhasa protests. Some are even given monetary incentives for this purpose. Through this way, Chinese authorities still continue to arrest people involved in the protest”.
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

Date unspecified: Namlang, a man aged around 42 years from Dzong Shol village, was badly beaten during the March protests in Phenpo Lhundrup county; hospitalised in the county hospital; his health did not improve; he died in May.
Namlang is survived by his wife, two children aged 8 and 15, and a grandmother aged 82.
(reported by CTA, 10 July 2008)

Date unspecified:
Three monks from Gyalsho Bhenkar [Gyalsho Bekar] monastery and six laypeople from Bhenkar [Bekar] township were “given nine years of sentences” in May [it is not clear whether each of them was sentenced to nine years, or if nine years was the combined total]; these nine people along with two monks sentenced in March (Drakpa Gyaltsen and Naymay) were all “imposed sentences at different times”.
The three monks are:

1. Bhuchung Norwa.
2. Bhu Tengay.
3. Tsokchok.

The six laypeople are:

1. Lhakpa Tashi.
2. Dorjee.
3. Lhakpa.
4. Kyayou.
5. Zumril.
6. Woetro.
   (reported by CTA, 15 July 2008)

Alak Khaso Rinpoche from Rongpo monastery is in a critical condition after being severely beaten when PSB officers cracked down on a peaceful protest staged by laypeople and monks on 17 April. He was being treated at a hospital in Siling (Chin: Xining) Municipality. His leg was broken and he suffered lung injuries; his vision and hearing have also been affected. Rongpo monastery was tense as monks rejected patriotic re-education, and seven others remained in detention. Due to this, there was a possibility of more protests.
(reported by CTA, 31 May 2008)

At approximately 10am, a 21-year woman named Rinchen Lhamo, from the Tapon-tsang family, “situated near Tachu Bridge”, staged a peaceful protest and waved the Tibetan flag [it is unclear whether “near Tachu Bridge” refers to Rinchen Lhamo’s home or the location of her protest]. Rinchen Lhamo handed out flyers with slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country”, “The Dalai Lama must be welcomed back to Tibet”, and “China quit Tibet”. She was severely beaten at the protest site and then arrested by county PSB officers. Local people at the scene confronted the PSB, but were ignored. Locals also reported hearing gunshots near the protest scene.
(reported by CTA, 29 May 2008)

At around 9am, three nuns from Draggar nunnery in Serchu Teng township protested at the county government offices, shouted slogans: “The Dalai Lama must be welcomed back to Tibet” and “Long live the Dalai Lama”. All three were arrested:

1. Sangye Lhamo.
2. Tsewang Khado.
3. Yeshi Lhadon.
   (reported by CTA, 31 May 2008)

At around 9am, three nuns from Dragkar nunnery, Kardze county, staged a peaceful demonstration in Kardze county town’s main market square; they distributed pamphlets calling for Tibetan independence and chanted slogans calling for the “swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet”, the “Immediate release of all political prisoners”, as well as “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “Freedom for Tibet”. The short demonstration was ended when they were arrested and taken by PSB officials for questioning. The nuns are Ven Sangye Lhamo, aged 26, from the Kyakyatengtsang family of Dungra village, Serchuteng township, Kardze county; Ven Tsewang Kando, aged 38, from Dungra village, Serchuteng township, Kardze County; and Ven Yeshi Lhadon, aged 24, from Tsozhi village, Kardze county. Their present condition and well-being is unknown.
About one hour after the nuns’ demonstration, a 21-year-old female student named Rigden Lhamo of the Tapontsang family from Lhakey village, Thingkha township, Kardze county, staged a solo protest; she unfurled the Tibetan national flag and shouted similar slogans at the county government headquarters. The county security forces reportedly fired gunshots; Rigden Lhamo was then detained and beaten severely by PSB officials; one eyewitness was unsure whether or not Rigden Lhamo had been shot or injured; another eyewitness reported seeing bloodstains on her body, but it could not be ascertained whether it was from bullet wounds or the beating. TCHRD reported that it was “confirmed that she has sustained an injury”, but that there is no information on her current whereabouts.
The current situation in Kardze is known to be very tense; the authorities are deploying more security forces to the area to suppress further political dissent.
(reported by TCHRD, 29 May 2008)

Some of the laypeople and monks arrested around 22 and 23 March from Machu county were “recently” released [note the report is dated 12/06/08] after being heavily fined; the health of a few of them has deteriorated due to severe torture.
Lodoe Wangpo (a.k.a. Shidae Gyatso), who was arrested and detained on 17 April from Lanzhou, was released on 27 May “after paying many thousands of [yuan]”. He is no longer allowed to manage the school which he had established [see Lanzhou, 17 April 2008; CTA 12/06/08].
(reported by CTA, 12 June 2008)

RFA does not specify Tawu town or Tawu county: Tibetan residents of Tawu own some 500 trucks, 200 of which have been parked in Tawu blocking Chinese-owned trucks. Residents said they “weren’t sure why but suspected the park-in amounted to a protest against Chinese rule”.
(reported by RFA, 27 May 2008)

Three monks from Ramoche temple were detained for allegedly sharing information with outsiders via telephone calls. They are:

1. Bhuchung.
2. Damdul.
3. (The third is unnamed but was reportedly born in Maldrogongkar).

They had previously been arrested along with other Ramoche monks on 7 April, but were released after 17 days, along with all but five monks.
Subsequently, attempts to re-arrest the three monks failed due to the support expressed by other monks and the officials’ fear of sparking strong protests. On 26 May they were “arrested quickly” before other monks could show their support.
(reported by CTA, 31 May 2008)

Sungkyab, resident of Tse-shey village, Khenleb sub-district, Serthar county, was arrested by Nyitoe sub-district PSB personnel. He had been injured during the protest held on 20 March in the Nyichu area. Sungkyab’s wife, Drukpo (aged around 30 years; a resident of Thoeshel village), was also arrested.
(reported by CTA, 02 June 2008)

Paltsel Kyab (a.k.a. Shikalo), a 58-year-old resident of the Nak-tsangma area of Ngaba county, was arrested on or around 24 April by county PSB officers, allegedly for involvement in a protest in Ngaba county in March. He reportedly died after “severe torture” in Ngaba county prison.
(reported by CTA, 29 May 2008)

Chinese authorities have detained five monks in connection with four small explosions said to have occurred in the Markham area 6-7 April. No casualties were reported. The monks, all from Gonsar monastery in Markham, were identified as:

1. Gonpo, aged 20.
2. Choedrub, 25.
3. Palden, 30.
4. Ngawang Phuntsok, 17.
5. Kunga, 20.
   (reported by RFA, 29 May 2008)

Afternoon: Three Tibetan youths who opposed the opening of Tibetan businesses during the current period of repression of Tibetans, “had a short argument” with some of the Tibetan street vendors and shop owners at Tromsik-khang [Tromsigkhang] market. The three youths then shouted pro-independence slogans. PSB, PAP, “and other personnel”, both in uniform and civilian dress, appeared at the scene “to crackdown on the peaceful protest”, resulting in a fight between the youths and the Chinese forces; people near the scene had dispersed; a gunshot or explosion was heard. All the shops near Barkhor square were immediately closed; PAP tightened security checks “on every passer-by”.
(reported by CTA, 03 June 2008)

Two nuns from Dhargye Hardu nunnery demonstrated outside the county government offices; shouted slogans: “Freedom for Tibet”, “The Dalai Lama must be welcomed back to Tibet” and “Long live the Dalai Lama”. They were severely beaten and then arrested by county PSB and PAP officers. The nuns are:

1. Jampa.
2. Rigzin Wangdon.
   (reported by CTA, 26 May 2008)

Two nuns of Dargay Hardu nunnery staged a peaceful protest at the Kardze county government headquarters; chanted slogans: “Swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, “Freedom for Tibet” and “Immediate release of all political prisoners”. PSB personnel arrested the two nuns, Ven Jampa Lhamo, aged 30 from Sadul village, Kardze county and Ven Rinzin Wangdon aged 23 from Lharinyan village, Kardze county. They were reportedly “severely beaten and manhandled” by the PSB personnel at the site of the demonstration before being taken to Kardze county PSB detention centre for questioning. No information available on their current condition.
(reported by TCHRD, 26 May 2008)

At 9am, county PSB personnel arrested two monks, Lobsang Dorjee and Kunga, for “showing disrespect to the ‘patriotic re-education’ being imposed on the monastery”.
(reported by CTA, 02 June 2008)

On 24 May, 2 and 3 June, “some Tibetan people expressed their frustration at those Tibetans (shop owners and street vendors) for resuming their businesses as reported earlier”. [Note: CTA does not state how this frustration was expressed.]
(reported by CTA, 07 June 2008)

At approximately 6pm, four nuns from Nyima Gesey nunnery distributed posters [or leaflets] and shouted slogans outside the county government office, including “Freedom for Tibet”, “All the political prisoners must be released immediately” and “Long live the Dalai Lama”. County PSB and PAP officers immediately arrived and arrested the nuns. They are:

1. Tengha.
2. Rinchen, from the Jama-tsang family.
3. Jamgha Dolma.
4. Pema.
   
   (reported by CTA, 26 May 2008)

Ugyen Tashi, an 18-year-old monk from Tse-tsang monastery, staged a peaceful protest in Karze county carrying a large Dalai Lama portrait. Ugyen Tashi was immediately arrested by PSB personnel.
(reported by CTA, 04 June 2008)

At around 6pm, four Tibetan nuns of Nyimo Gaysey nunnery in Tehor, Kardze county had staged a peaceful protest at the county government headquarters against the recent crackdown of peaceful Tibetan protesters and the illegal detention of Tibetan people in the Chinese prisons. The nuns distributed pamphlets calling for Tibetan independence, “raised their fists” and shouted slogans: “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, “The Dalai Lama to return to Tibet”, “Independence for Tibet” and “Release all political prisoners”. Moments after the protest [began?], local PSB personnel immediately arrested the four nuns. The detained nuns were identified as Bhumo Tengha from Lunang village, Kardze county and Rinchen Jamatsang, Jamgha Dolma and Pema from Lhopa township, Kardze county. According to TCHRD, “The detained nuns were later subjected to severe beatings and torture by the Chinese security forces”, while “There has been no information about the nuns’ current whereabouts and well being”.
(reported by TCHRD, 26 May 2008)

Chinese authorities have released on bail a leading Tibetan media personality – writer, television producer, and performer – Jamyang Kyi. Relatives reportedly paid 5,000 yuan in bail; her family has urged friends to avoid phoning their home; Jamyang Kyi expects to stand trial on unspecified charges related to massive “anti-Chinese” protests in March. [See also entry for RFA, 1 April 2008]
(reported by RFA, 20 May 2008)

During the morning, some nuns from Nyagey nunnery were arrested for protesting at the county offices.
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

Two Tse-tsang monastery monks named Loyang and Tenzin Ngodup staged a peaceful protest at the county government offices; shouted slogans including “Freedom for Tibetans”, “The Dalai Lama must be welcomed back”, and “Long live the Dalai Lama”.
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

At around 1am on 20 May, in order to avoid restrictions of movement, three nuns from Nyagay nunnery began walking from Tehor Nyagay nunnery (located close to Tehor Dargay monastery) towards Kardze county – a distance of around 20 kilometres – for a demonstration. The nuns were Achoe from Rida village, Kardze county; Soe Choekyi from Lamna village, Kardze county; and Taga (Tashi Yangtso) from Noekab village, Kardze county. The nuns reportedly reached Kardze county town before dawn and began their protest at around 9am near Kardze county headquarters; they shouted slogans (“Freedom in Tibet”, “Dalai Lama should return to Tibet” and “Immediate release of the political prisoners imprisoned by the Chinese authorities”) and were immediately detained by the county security forces; their whereabouts is unknown.
(reported by TCHRD, 21 May 2008)

Two monks in their early twenties from Tehor Tsitsang monastery staged a peaceful protest outside the Kardze county government headquarters; chanted slogans: “Dalai Lama return to Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama”, and “Immediate Release all political prisoners including Trulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche” (a prominent religious figure arrested on 18 May from his residence for unknown reasons; his whereabouts unknown). The two monks, Loyang from Tsaklab village, Lhopa township, Kardze and Tenzin Ngodup from Pharingtsang, Kardze, were immediately arrested by PSB personnel and taken in a police vehicle to Kardze county PSB detention centre for questioning. No information available on their condition.
(reported by TCHRD, 22 May 2008)

Following demonstrations by 52 nuns of Baruna nunnery [See also RFA entry for Buruna nunnery, 20 May 2008], no one was allowed in Kardze town; all shops were ordered closed and the town was full of security forces.
(reported by RFA, 21 May 2008)

Date unconfirmed; circa 20 May: an unidentified Tibetan girl was shot dead outside the southern gate of the Tsuklakhang [Jokhang] temple at around 12 noon.
The girl, who is believed to have come from a village in Lhokha, was attempting to visit her brother, a monk at the Jokhang. The girl argued with PAP personnel who are surrounding the temple and who denied her permission to visit; during the argument she was shot dead from behind by a PAP officer using a gun with a silencer. A witness reported that the girl bled from her chest after she fell. Witnesses were dispersed from the scene at gunpoint.
(reported by tibetcustom.com, 16 June 2008)

Circa 20 May: An unidentified Tibetan girl, who came from a village reportedly in Lhokha, arrived at the southern gate of the Tsuklakhang [Jokhang] temple to visit her brother, a monk; she was denied entry by PAP personnel who are guarding the temple, resulting in an argument. An armed policeman then shot her from behind (the gun used to shoot her was fitted with a silencer) at about 12 noon. She reportedly fled, bled from her chest, and died on the spot. People [bystanders] were dispersed from the scene at gunpoint; the corpse was later taken away by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 16 June 2008)

A Chinese ‘work team’ visited Shelkar Choedhe monastery on 19 May 2008 to conduct ‘patriotic re-education’, resulting in a “bitter and heated argument” between the monks and the ‘work team’. Ven Khenrab Tharchin, a member of the monastery’s so-called Democratic Management Committee (DMC), stood up during a ‘political re-education session’, which he opposed, stating that he could not denounce the Dalai Lama as required under the campaign. Eleven monks stood up in support of Ven Khenrab Tharchin and in opposition to the ‘re-education’ campaign. After the incident, the monastery was closed to all visitors, the monks were forbidden from leaving and their mobile phones were confiscated to prevent news of the incident from spreading; the monks were threatened with “dire consequences” if found leaking information to the outside world. That night, “scores” of PAP and PSB personnel conducted a raid on the monastery, arresting twelve monks:

1. Ven Khenrab Tharchin, 32, Drushe village, Shelkar township,
2. Ven Tsewang Tenzin, Phelbar village, Shelkar township, Dingri county
3. Ven Tenzin Gayphel, Lingshar village, Gaymar townsip, Dingri county
4. Ven Khenrab Tashi, Mashak village, Shelkar township, Dingri county
5. Ven Topgyal, Drushe village, Shelkar township, Dingri county
6. Ven Tenzin Tsering, Bichu village, Gyatso township, Dingri county
7. Ven Lobsang Jigme, Norgay nomadic area, Shelkar township, Dingri county
8. Ven Khenrab Nyima, Shelkar township, Dingri county
9. Ven Dhondup, Che village, Tsakhor township, Dingri county
10. Ven Tenpa, Lolo Langga, Shelkar township, Dingri county
11. Ven Samten, Shollingshar, Shelkar township, Dingri county
12. Ven Choedhen, Shollingshar, Shelkar township, Dingri county

Several days after their arrest, relatives enquired with the local PSB officers as to the monks’ whereabouts and requested permission to visit them; the relatives were then intimidated with a “stern warning” for “damaging the image of the government” and requested the identity of the person who informed them of the monks’ detention.
(reported by TCHRD, 31 May 2008)

Twelve monks were arrested by county PSB at Shelkar Choede monastery, for refusing ‘patriotic re-education’:

1. Khenrab Tharchin, a member of the monastery’s Democratic Management Committee.
2. Choewang Tenzin.
3. Tenzin Gephel.
4. Khenrab Tashi.
5. Topgyal.
6. Tenzin Tsering.
7. Lobsang Jigme.
8. Khenrab Nyima.
9. Tashi.
10. Tenpa.
11. Samten.
12. Choeden.

Among those arrested monks, four are being held at Dingri county detention centre; eight were taken away to Shigatse Prefecture [presumably Shigatse, the prefectural capital].
At Shelkar Choede monastery, monks’ quarters were raided, mobile phones were confiscated. Strict restrictions are being imposed; monks are prohibited from leaving the monastery campus and visitors are being prevented from entering the monastery.
Another member of the monastery’s Democratic Management Committee, Lobsang Jinpa, was later arrested “for having links with those monk arrestees in refusing the so-called patriotic re-education” [date of arrest not provided]. Lobsang Jinpa had been in Lhasa during March and was subsequently arrested for his alleged involvement in the Lhasa protests; he had been detained until the beginning of May.
(reported by CTA, 02 June 2008)

At approximately 4pm, Trulku Phurbu Tsering and Khado, the head and deputy head of Pangri-Na (Trehor) nunnery, were arrested by PSB officers. Trulku Phurbu Tsering, is also responsible for the functioning of Pangri-Na and Ya-tsek or Yarti nunneries. He is a popular and highly revered monk who established a home for the poor and the old, two medical stores and worked for the welfare of local people. His arrest caused great concern.
Two laypeople, one of them named Jampa Dorjee, were also arrested in the same area.
(reported by CTA, 19 May 2008)

At around 4.30am on 18 May 2008, security forces arrested Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche from his residence without stating any reason; his whereabouts is unknown. He is the chief spiritual preceptor and the head of Pang-ri and Ya-tseg nunneries in Kardze; he had constructed an “old age orphanage” (sic) and opened two chemist shops for the local Tibetans. As a highly revered religious figure in Kardze county, and therefore viewed by the Chinese authorities as a direct challenge to their authority, the arrest of Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche has brought “much grief and disbelief to the local Tibetans”.
(reported by TCHRD, 19 May 2008)

On or around 16 May, Rigdhak, Menkyab and Ghoeso were arrested for their participation in a protest in Phuwu village, under Nyitoe sub-district, on 18 March. Their names had subsequently been included among the list of wanted ‘rioters’.
(reported by CTA, 02 June 2008)

The Jokhang temple in Lhasa, closed to public since the 14 March violence, re-opened to Buddhist believers and tourists on 16 May; “Buddhists queued up to make pilgrimage before the statue of Sakyamuni and tourists took photos against the background of the temple complex”. In half a day, the temple received “more than 400 Buddhist believers and some 40 tourists organised in three groups”.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 16 May 2008)

Following demonstrations by nuns of Pang-ri nunnery on 14 May, during which more than 55 of them were arrested, the Chinese authorities have imposed strict restrictions on daily movements of nuns and monks. Since 15 May 2008, shops and groceries remain closed and freedom of movements restricted in Kardze County.
Tibetan monks and nuns requiring medical treatment must procure special permission from the “higher Chinese authorities” [TCHRD does not specify which level] and they must have a member of government staff as a guarantor to escort them. Failure to follow these instructions could lead to arrest.
(reported by TCHRD, 17 May 2008)

The Chinese government has been filming every evening for the last few days with a cast of PAP officials at the old airport (known as Mara-thang) near Kardze monastery. Scenes being filmed include Tibetan protestors engaging in violent acts such as attacking PSB and PAP personnel, who are then in self-defence forced to resort to violence including opening fire on Tibetan protesters. CTA believes the film may be used for propaganda purposes to deceive the international community.
(reported by CTA, 15 May 2008)

Dorjee Tashi, an 18-year-old male from Se-ngo township, Karze [Kardze] county, shouted slogans against the Chinese authorities at the county government office. He was arrested immediately by PSB personnel.
(reported by CTA, 04 June 2008)

Soegyal from Guytsok nomad [area] in Ghardo township, Markham county, shouted slogans at the township government office. After the protest he was arrested by the Chinese authorities and the PSB; detained at the county detention centre; later taken to “towards Chamdo” [apparently along with Gyurmey Wangdak; see Ghardo township, 1 June 2008; CTA, 29/0708]; current wellbeing unknown.
(reported by CTA, 29 July 2008)

Nuns from Ganden Choeling nunnery protested against the Chinese authorities at 9 am [TCHRD reported the number of participants as both “scores of nuns” and a “few nuns”]. During their demonstration, the nuns marched towards Kardze county government headquarters; as they were about to cross the Kardze bridge, about 300 PSB and PAP personnel arrived and blocked their way. Three nuns – Dorjee Khando, Takdon and Pema Lhamo – breached the security and protested and shouted slogans upon reaching the county government building. They were arrested within minutes and beaten severely by the security forces. Their whereabouts is unknown.
(reported by TCHRD, 17 May 2008)

Four nuns from Gaden Choeling nunnery were arrested after protesting outside the county government offices at approximately 4pm local time:

1. Yeshi Choetso (a.k.a. Yigha), aged 36.
2. Gyalgha Lhamo, aged 54.
3. Deyang, aged 31.
4. Choetso, aged 25.
   (reported by CTA, 17 May 2008)

Over 60 nuns from Pangri-Na nunnery, in Sib-ngo township, Kardze county, staged a peaceful protest at approximately 5pm at the county government offices; 52 nuns were arrested after being severely beaten by PSB and PAP personnel. Others escaped arrest; their whereabouts not known.
Prior to the protests, there were over 80 nuns in Pangri-Na nunnery; following the arrests, approximately 16 nuns remain; they had been conducting prayer rituals in private households on the day of protests.
After the protest, work teams from the township arrived to “educate” the remaining nuns; however, the officials “had to flee due to strong opposition from the nuns”.
[See also: Dartsedo county, 4 July 2008; CTA 04/07/08.]
(reported by CTA, 15 May 2008)

Six nuns from Gaden Choeling nunnery protested in Kardze town; shouted “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. Police stepped in immediately to stop the protest and beat the nuns; a Tibetan man named Serga from Gonpashab town “charged into the crowd to defend the nuns”; he was arrested along with the six nuns:

1. Dorje Khadol from Damdo township.
2. Champa Lhadon from Serkham township.
3. Pema Lhamo from Serkham township.
4. Choetso from Damdo township.
5. Gyal-ho from Damdo township.
6. Yeshi Choetso from Damdo township.

The Tibetan man was in Khardze county.
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

At around 5pm, approximately 76 nuns from Pungrina nunnery (located 4 km from Kardze town) protested on the street linking Kardze monastery and the county police station; shouted slogans: “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, “We want freedom”. Fifty-two nuns were arrested by the police.
There are usually 87 nuns resident at Pungrina nunnery; following the protests and arrests there were only 16 nuns remaining in the nunnery; the whereabouts of 19 nuns who took part in the protest remains unknown.
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

Fifty-four nuns were arrested on 14 May [not 52 as reported by FTC on 15/05/08; FTC also revised the spelling of the nunnery, from Pungrina to Pangrina].
Work teams of local government officials had been implementing ‘patriotic re-education’ sessions at Pangrina Tashi Gephel Ling nunnery since March; nuns ordered to denounce the Dalai Lama and sign a document vilifying the Dalai Lama as a ‘separatist’. The nuns decided unanimously that they would rather die than denounce the Dalai Lama; held a secret meeting at which it was decided they would stage a peaceful protest against the Chinese government.
At around 5pm on 14 May, the nuns entered Kardze town in two groups from different directions – from the Shurilung area and the Degonpo area. They scattered flyers, shouted slogans: “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, “The Dalai Lama must return to Tibet” and “We want freedom”. As they approached the police station they were beaten; 54 arrested, bundled into a police van; they continued to shout slogans and scatter flyers as they were driven away. Blood seen on the street and some of the nuns’ robes and shoes left lying on the ground.
The whereabouts of a further 19 nuns who took part in the protest remains unknown.
(reported by FTC, 19 May 2008)

Over 55 nuns of Pang-ri nunnery protested against the Chinese authorities (Pang-ri is usually home to around 80 nuns, but around 25 were absent due to religious ceremonies in “other places”). The nuns voiced their resentment against the ongoing ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign in Tibetan nunneries and monasteries, including the killing, torture and arrest of peaceful Tibetan protesters. They resented the Chinese government’s allegations that the Dalai Lama had masterminded protests in Tibet, and they resented the implementation of ‘patriotic re-education’, forcing Tibetans to sign official documents that criticise and denounce the Dalai Lama.
In an “anticipatory move”, the nuns gathered for a meeting where they vowed never to take part in ‘patriotic re-education’ at any cost. They made a proclamation: “It is better to die than to denounce, criticise and attack the Dalai Lama; to sign official documents denouncing the Dalai Lama. If there is no place for us to worship and live, let us go somewhere else or die. If the Chinese authorities kill us, let us be killed; we have no regrets”. Shortly after the end of the meeting, at around 5 pm, the nuns grouped themselves at the Kardze bridge and then marched towards the Kardze county government headquarters, located about two kilometres from Pang-ri nunnery. They chanted slogans including: “Independence for Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “The Dalai Lama to return to Tibet”.
Approaching the county government building, PSB and PAP personnel immediately arrested more than 55 nuns “on the spot and their torn and fallen robes and clothes were reportedly scattered on roads. No one picked up the nuns’ robes for fear of being arrested by the security forces”. The nuns shouted slogans and threw pamphlets into the air while they were “bundled up and thrown them [sic] into police vehicles and taken into custody within minutes”. TCHRD also remarks that the nuns were “beaten and tortured during the arrest”. The nuns’ current whereabouts and conditions are unknown.
(reported by TCHRD, 17 May 2008)

A 22-year-old monk named Bumgha from Gonjo county in Chamdo prefecture was arrested by PSB officers following a protest in Serthar county. He denied PSB claims that he was resident at Larung Ngarig Nangten Lobling monastery in Serthar county, “but the monastery he belonged to was unknown”.
Additional PAP personnel were reportedly deployed in the county.
(reported by CTA, 17 May 2008)

Two lay Tibetans were arrested, seemingly in connection with the arrests of monks from Khenpa Lungpa and Woeser monasteries in Garthog township. The are: Dhargye Garwatsang, aged 19, and Kunchok Tenzin, aged 21.
(reported by TCHRD, 15 May 2008)

Monks and two laypeople affiliated with the Oser and Khenlung monasteries, Markham county, were detained on 14 May. The Oser monastery monks were identified as:

1. Tenphel, aged 19.
2. Riyang, 21.
3. Choegyal, 23.
4. Lobsang, 19.
5. Tenzin Tsampa, 19.
   The monastery’s manager, Ngawang Tenzin, was also detained but has since been released.

The Khenlung monastery monks were identified as:

1. Lobdra, aged 15.
2. Namgyal, 18.
3. Butruk, 13.
4. Jamyang Lodroe, 15.
5. Tsepak Namgyal, 15.
6. Kalsang Tashi, 17.
7. Jamdrub, 21.
8. Wangchuk, 22.
9. Penpa Gyaltsen, 26.
10. Pasang Tashi, 30.
11. Lhamo Tsang.
    The detained laypeople were identified as Dargye Garwatsang, aged 19, and Konchog Tenzin, 21.
    (reported by RFA, 29 May 2008)

Choyang Gyatso wrote a petition dated 13 May 2008 to county prosecutors, the Rebkong People’s Procuratorate, stating that 23,000 yuan (US $3,352; EUR €2,128; UK £1,680) disappeared from his quarters at Rongwo monastery between 17 and 19 April. Choyang Gyatso accused 20 police officers (15 special policemen and five armed policemen) who searched the premises after he was detained on 17 April. The money included donations by the devotees and families of several monks, including Choyang Gyatso, and from donations and payments for prayer sessions. The money had been saved for use on the monastery, and wrapped in a yellow ceremonial scarf and placed in a red cloth bag, but after Choyang Gyatso’s release on the morning of 19 April, he found the cloth bag was on his bed but the ceremonial scarf and the money had vanished. Other monks are able to testify that the money was being kept in Choyang Gyatso’s room. Choyang Gyatso threatened to sue the government unless authorities investigate. A copy of the letter had been sent to Woeser, the Beijing-based Tibetan writer.
(reported by RFA, 26 June 2008)

Monks from Kardze monastery protested outside the county headquarters; three monks known to have been arrested are:

1. Lobsang Choeden.
2. Palden Tsultrim.
3. Lobsang Tenpa, aged 20.
   (reported by CTA, 13 May 2008)

Three Tibetan Buddhist monks from Kardze monastery gathered in Kardze town at around 9.30 to 10 am; they distributed leaflets and shouted for the long life of the Dalai Lama; protested in the presence of Chinese security forces (there are reportedly hundreds of soldiers dressed as ordinary labourers in Kardze town; there is a “huge presence” of armed security forces). The protesting monks were detained by the police. The monks were identified as:

1. Lobsang Tenpa, aged 20.
2. Lobsang Choeden, 19.
3. Palden Tsondru (Tsultrim?), 19.

Five Tibetans from Palden Tsultrim’s hometown, Seshutin Yaratin, have also been detained.
(reported by RFA, 15 May 2008)

Three Trehor monastery monks were arrested for protesting in Kardze town; shouted slogans and scattered flyers calling for a Free Tibet:

1. Lobsang Thonpa, aged 20, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
2. Palden Tsultrim, aged 19, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
3. Lobsang Choeje, aged 19, from Thingka township, Kardze county.

Their whereabouts unknown.
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

Local police arrested five monks, “Chogyal and Tenphel and another three monks from the Wese monastery”, who “allegedly plotted to bomb key county establishments” [the ‘plotting’ was reported to have taken place on 3 April, the actual bombing allegedly on 5 April].
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 05 June 2008)

The arrival of a Chinese ‘work team’ on 10 May to conduct an intense and rigorous ‘patriotic re-education’ programme resulted in “bitter and heated” arguments between the monks and the Chinese authorities. Monks adamantly refused to sign official documents or write essays denouncing the Dalai Lama, leading to the arrest of six monks at Woeser monastery on 13 May:

1. Ngawang Tenzin, aged 40 (monastery administrator)
2. Tenphel, aged 19
3. Rigyang, aged 21
4. Choegyal, aged 23
5. Lobsang Gyatso, aged 19
6. Tsangpa, aged 17

The remaining monks subsequently left Woeser monastery and “returned to their respective homes in a solemn act of protest”. The closure of the monastery, which usually housed fewer than one hundred monks, has brought “much sadness to the local Tibetan devotees who were unable to come to terms with a sudden closure of sacred monasteries”.
(reported by TCHRD, 15 May 2008)

A group of nuns from Drakar nunnery protested against the Chinese authorities during the afternoon. Ten nuns were arrested:

1. Tashi Gha
2. Thinely
3. Sonam Yangzom
4. Tamdin Choekyi
5. Yangkyi
6. Lhamo Choekyi
7. Jampa Lhamo
8. Dickyi
9. Nyima
10. Bhuti
    (reported by TCHRD, 17 May 2008)

Ten nuns protested at the county headquarters; they were arrested by the PSB and PAP. A few nuns, including one named Tragha, were severely beaten.
(reported by CTA, 13 May 2008)

Fourteen nuns from nunneries in Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) were detained after demonstrating on 11-12 May in the centre of Kardze town, near the local television station. They were protesting against the detention of two nuns from Drakar nunnery (Bumo Lhaga, 32, and Sonam Dekyi, 30) who were detained on 23 April for calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.
Twelve of the 14 nuns were identified:

1. Sey Lhamo, aged 36
2. Thubten Drolma, 40
3. Ani Taga, 36
4. Lhawang Chokyi, 41
5. Yangkyi, 28
6. Gyayul Seyang
7. Gyayul Thinley
8. Gyayul Shachotso Bodze
9. Tamdin Tsekyi
10. Seshuktin Tamdin Tsekyi
11. Seshuktin Dekyi, 29
12. Bendetsang Yangchen

The nuns shouted pro-independence slogans, calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and wishing him a long life. Chinese security forces rounded up and beat the nuns, seriously assaulting Ani Taga, striking her head against the pavement; she was bleeding profusely. Bloodstains were found on the pavement. All 14 nuns are believed to be held in Kardze prison.
(reported by RFA, 12 May 2008)

Gaden Choeling nuns protested against the detention of two nuns (Bumo Lhag and Sonam Dekyi, arrested on 23 April); ten nuns arrested:

1. Botsun, from Serchu township.
2. Trinley Sonam Yangtso, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
3. Tamdrin Tsekyi, aged 36, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
4. Lhamo Choekyi, aged 44, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
5. Dekyi, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
6. Bumo Yangkyi, aged 21, from Serchu township, Kardze county.
7. Champa Lhamo, from Karak town, Kardze county.
8. Trinley from Karak town, Kardze county.
9. Bumo Taga, from Karak town, Kardze county.

[Note: FTC did not provide a tenth name; however, “Trinley Sonam Yangtso” may actually be two names, missing a coma in FTC’s text. FTC gave the location of the protest as Kardze county; more specifically, it is believed to have occurred in Kardze town.]
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

Police arrested Tashi Tsering who allegedly “ignited” a bomb “while passing an armed police station” on 8 April; police are seeking three other monks who, along with Tashi Tsering, allegedly intended to bomb “a fuel station and a police service spot” on 7 April, but failed.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 05 June 2008)

The arrival of a Chinese ‘work team’ on 10 May to conduct an intense and rigorous ‘patriotic re-education’ programme resulted in “bitter and heated” arguments between the monks and the Chinese authorities. Monks adamantly refused to sign official documents or write essays denouncing the Dalai Lama, leading to the arrest of ten monks at Khenpa Lungpa monastery on 12 May:

1. Lodoe, aged 15
2. Namgyal, aged 18
3. Butuk, aged 13
4. Jamyang Lodoe, aged 15
5. Tsepak Namgyal, aged 15
6. Kalsang Tashi, aged 17
7. Jangdrup, aged 21
8. Wangchuk, aged 22
9. Tenpa Gyaltsen, aged 26
10. Passang Tashi, aged 30

Khenpa monastery usually houses fewer than one hundred monks, but “few remaining monks” left the monastery and “returned to their respective homes in a solemn act of protest”.
(reported by TCHRD, 15 May 2008)

Police arrested monks accused of being involved in “bombing a local resident’s home” on 15 April.
[Note: Xinhua did not provide any further details about the incident and did not specify how many monks were arrested, but it is understood to be a total of six monks including Tengpa Gyatso and Gyapa Dondrup].
According to the local police, “all the suspects had confessed to their crimes, claiming they had been listening to foreign radio for a long time and were following separatist propaganda from the Dalai Lama. They said the 14 March unrest had inspired them”.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 05 June 2008)

Two nuns, Sonam Lhamo and Thupten Dolma, from Drakar nunnery were arrested while calling for religious freedom and protesting against the Chinese authorities, in response to an ongoing ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign in Tibetan regions
(reported by TCHRD, 17 May 2008)

Two Drakar nuns, Thubten Dolma and Sonam Lhamo, arrested after scattering flyers in Kardze town; the flyers called for the return of the Dalai Lama.
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

The Chinese authorities have been conducting an intense ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign in Khenpa Lungpa monastery since the beginning of April 2008. On 10 May, the Chinese ‘work team’ entered the monastery to conduct an intense and rigorous ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign. [note: these events occurred in parallel with those at Woeser monastery, also located in Garthog township.]
(reported by TCHRD, 15 May 2008)

The Chinese authorities have been conducting an intense ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign in Woeser monastery since the beginning of April 2008. On 10 May, the Chinese ‘work team’ entered the monastery to conduct an intense and rigorous ‘patriotic re-education’ campaign. [note: these events occurred in parallel with those at Khenpa Lungpa monastery, also located in Garthog township.]
(reported by TCHRD, 15 May 2008)

Following the arrest of around 140 monks on 7 May and the release of 122 on 8 May, Labrang monastery monks continued to protest, calling for the release of the 18 monks still in detention. Eleven of them were then released during the morning of 9 May. Despite the “additional contingents of armed police arriving at the monastery”, large numbers of monks “determined to secure the release of the remaining seven monks at all cost” protested again on 9 May. The authorities have refused to release those still detained. The situation at Labrang monastery remains extremely tense.
(reported by TCHRD, 09 May 2008)

Eleven monks detained on 7 May were released on 9 May as a result of continued demands from Labrang monastery. Seven more remained in detention. Those released had been severely beaten; two monks named Jigme and Thapkhey had suffered more beatings than the others.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

A 15-year-old boy named Sonam Gyalpo shouted slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country” and “Long live the Dalai Lama” at the market intersection in Sog county. He was arrested by county PSB officers and taken to Nagchu town.
(reported by CTA, 24 May 2008)

A “large number” of Labrang monks protested, calling for the release of the monks arrested on the previous day. The authorities, fearing the protest would escalate, released all those detained with the exception of 18 monks, but protests continued, calling for their release.
(reported by TCHRD, 09 May 2008)

The “remaining huge number of monks” protested for the release of the 149 monks arrested on the previous day. The authorities released 131 of the detained monks in order to prevent the protest from gaining further intensity.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

An estimated 5,000 PAP and PSB personnel surrounded Labrang monastery and carried out a sudden raid. Around 140 monks were arrested and detained.
(reported by TCHRD, 09 May 2008)

Papal, a former nun from Drakar nunnery, and Lagruk, a nun from Drakar nunnery, were detained for taking part in earlier protests.
(reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

Lhadruk, a nun from Draggar nunnery in Serchu Teng township and Pay Pay, a former nun from Draggar nunnery, were arrested during the afternoon by the PSB for shouting slogans outside the county headquarters, including “Tibet is an independent country”, “Long live the Dalai Lama”.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

Without warning, “thousands” of PAP personnel raided Labrang monastery in Ngaba county arrested 149 monks.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

Doctor Yangzom and her husband Shilok, residents of the area under Key-ray Neighbourhood Committee in Lhasa, were arrested by Lhasa PSB personnel at around 10pm. Doctor Yangzom had retired after serving many years at Lhasa People’s Hospital, although she continued to serve there in retirement. She was arrested for providing medical treatment to those who were injured during the protests in Lhasa and nearby villages. Her husband, who had been doing tailoring work in his retirement, was arrested for allegedly passing information relating to protests in March to “separatists”. Their wellbeing following their arrest is not known.
[Note, RFA reported that they were arrested separately, on 3 and 6 May 2008.]
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

Three monks staged a peaceful protest while dressed entirely in white; held the protest “in succession with one emerging after another”; they were severely beaten in public and arrested.

1. Tsewang Drakpa.
2. Thupten Gyatso.
3. Jangsem.

[See also entry for Draggo county, 9 June 2008]
(reported by Tibetan Solidarity Committee, 09 June 2008)

A Tibetan woman named Yangdzom, works in retirement as a doctor at the Lhasa People’s Hospital, was detained three days after her husband [See RFA entry for 3 May 2008]. She was accused of secretly taking painkillers and other medications from the hospital to treat Tibetans injured in the [March] protests. Here whereabouts is unknown. The couple’s two children, both at university in China, returned home to Lhasa to find the family home had been looted.
(reported by RFA, 15 May 2008)

Between 6 and 7 May, groups of people who had been previously arrested and detained in Maldrogongkar county (as well as Phenpo Lhundrup and Tagtse counties) were released. Some of them had injuries; a man from Maldrogongkar county named Kunga, aged approximately 60 years, passed away within three days of his release.
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

Between 6 and 7 May, approximately 300 (from 500 people arrested in Phenpo Lhundrup county) were released, including a group of approximately 35 nuns from Shar-Bhumpa [Shar Bumpa] nunnery. Among those released, a group of people were released from Lhasa prison and sent to their respective families in Phenpo Lhundrup county. Others from Maldrogongkar and Tagtse counties were also released. Some of those released had injuries
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

Between 6 and 7 May, groups of people who had been previously arrested and detained in Tagtse county (as well as Maldrogongkar and Phenpo Lhundrup counties) were released. Some of them had injuries
(reported by CTA, 20 May 2008)

At approximately 9am, seven PSB officers raided the house of Akar Tashi (aged 38-39) in Lathok Yuchu township; they attempted to arrest Akar Tashi for his alleged involvement in the recent Lhasa protests and for his past involvement in other political activities. Akar Tashi resisted arrest and during a scuffle he allegedly stabbed one of the officers; Akar Tashi was then shot dead by the PSB officers.
(reported by CTA, 07 May 2008)

Paljor and Dorjee Drakpa, two monks from Sangloong monastery, were arrested and beaten by the PSB for pleading at the PSB’s county office for the release of a fellow monk named Kunchok, arrested on 29 April.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

A 63-year-old retired Tibetan named Shelok, formerly of the Chinese border patrol, was taken from his residence between midnight and 1am and taken to Gutsa detention centre. He was accused of passing information about the death and detention of Tibetan protestors and prison conditions, to contacts outside Tibet; he was also accused of “helping Tibetan protestors in the hospital” [Lhasa People’s Hospital]. [See also RFA entry for 6 April 2008]
(reported by RFA, 15 May 2008)

For approximately 15 minutes, four students (two boys and two girls) from a middle school in Draggo county shouted slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country” and “His Holiness should be welcomed to Tibet and enthroned”.
(reported by CTA, 07 May 2008)

Date unclear; “around four or five days” before CTA reported the incident: At Samtenling (Watak) nunnery, people hung banners for over almost two kilometres, on which pro-independence slogans had been written in Tibetan and Chinese. The local authorities summoned officials from the nunnery and sent in work teams to impart ‘patriotic re-education’; however, the nuns walked out.
(reported by CTA, 07 May 2008)

Date unspecified; “beginning of May”: Drakpa, a monk from Gyuto monastery (a branch of Labrang Task-khil [Tashikyil] monastery) was arrested by PSB officers; he was one of the monks who protested before a Chinese state-managed media tour [which included Western journalists] in April. His whereabouts not known.
(reported by CTA, 17 May 2008)

For the past week, restrictions have been the same as those imposed during the Cultural Revolution: the authorities go from house to house checking residence permits (obtainable only by Tibetans born and brought up in the Lhasa area; Chinese residents do not need permits); any Tibetan without a permit is detained. Tibetans have to report any visitor to the Lhasa Municipal Committee; hosts of any Tibetans visiting from outside Lhasa for business have to vouch for the guest, providing details of all relations, contacts, length of stay. No Tibetan from outside Lhasa is allowed to remain for more than ten days; no one is allowed to stay on pilgrimage; all holy sites are closed. These precautions are intended to prevent demonstrations during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa in June; reportedly only one Tibetan from each family is allowed to witness the torch ceremony in front of the Potala Palace. Many Chinese troops are being dressed in civilian uniforms with blue hats and red hats; several thousand regular army troops are deployed in Lhasa. For two consecutive nights, trains arrived from China loaded with armoured vehicles and tanks; the area just below Drepung monastery is “packed with soldiers”. Tibetan members of the Communist Party are being subjected to intense political education; Tibetan officials monitored for their loyalty.
(reported by sources to RFA, 01 May 2008)

Date unspecified: Monks and nuns arrested during their two-day protest in Phenpo Lhundrup county in March, including those from Gaden Choekhor monastery and Shar Bhumba nunnery, were released in May after nearly two months of detention. However, local authorities attempted to bar their re-admission into their respective monasteries and nunneries; this attempted failed due to strong opposition from local nuns, monks and laypeople.
(reported by CTA, 03 June 2008)

During the course of approximately eight days (1-8 May), “heavy machinery” was used to move eleven stupas from behind the prayer hall of Nagchu Shabten monastery and relocated to a crematorium at the foothill of Gyabri Dharcha Lhamo. The stupas had been damaged during the Cultural Revolution and subsequently repaired. County and prefectural officials told monks that the stupas were being moved because they did not look “appealing” enough to the many tourists who visited the monastery. The original location of the stupas was turned into a park. Monks and laypeople in the region have shown “much resentment” toward the relocation.
(reported by CTA, 08 May 2008)

Circa 1 May: Five or six military companies [PLA and/or PSB] have been deployed between Shigatse and Dingri; there is an estimated one soldier for every 50 meters in this area. Security is very tight in the Dingri area to prevent protests when the Olympic torch passes through the area. Chinese soldiers are being allowed to enter the Nepalese side of Mount Everest.
(reported by sources to RFA, 01 May 2008)

Circa 1 May: In preparation for the Olympic torch to be taken to the summit of Mount Everest, three additional military companies [PLA and/or PSB] were added to the two already stationed in the area of the Dram Friendship Bridge. [see also entry for Dingri county for 1 May 2008]
(reported by sources to RFA, 01 May 2008)

During ‘patriotic re-education’ sessions, work teams attempted to pressure monks to sign a letter stating that they oppose all “separatists”. The monks refused. In response, PAP personnel surrounded the monastery and tight restrictions were imposed.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Date unspecified: Tenzin Choedak (a.k.a. Tenchoe), aged 20, was arrested from his house by Lhasa city PSB in April; he was alleged to be one of the leaders of the Lhasa protests in March.
Tenzin Choedak was born in Lhasa (his father’s name is Khedup); he is well educated and has worked with an international NGO serving the Tibetan community of Lhasa; “along with [a] few other people of similar case, [Tenzin Choedak] is about to be given arbitrary sentence”.
(reported by CTA, 20 June 2008)

Late April 2008: Konchog Dondrub, a monk aged between 26 and 30 from Thayi in Markham county, Chamdo Prefecture, was recently detained in Lhasa along with two other monks, Tashi Gyaltsen and Choedrub Norbu. Chinese officials had issued a ‘wanted’ notice for Konchog Dondrub in the local newspapers and on television, offering a reward of 22,000 yuan to anyone providing information leading to his capture. He was suspected of participating in the March demonstrations and unrest in Lhasa, and had subsequently disappeared. Towards the end of April he was detained at the residence of two monks from Gyuto school at Ramoche monastery in Lhasa. RFA’s source stated that Tashi Gyaltsen and Choedrub Norbu will be charged with the same crime as Konchog Dondrub because they sheltered him.
(reported by sources to RFA, 03 May 2008)

Date unspecified: Moenpa (his nickname) and two monks from Nalanda monastery were arrested in April; they were beaten by the PAP and made to kneel on stones with their “necks tied with automobile tyres”. They were later released [date unspecified; some time before July]; however, their health has deteriorated due to torture.
(reported by CTA, 01 July 2008)

PSB officers arrested Nyima Drakpa, 41-year-old former monk from Nya-tso monastery. He had previously been arrested in 1998 for being “one of the first people to hang pro-independence posters in Dawu county”.
(reported by CTA, 06 May 2008)

Seven nuns and one layperson were sentenced to prison on 29 April for protesting in Chori, Draggo county.

1. Khandro Lhamo, aged 32 (seven-year sentence)
2. Khagongtsang Choedron, 43 (seven-year sentence)
3. Drolma Yangtso, 23 (seven-year sentence)
4. Wangmo, 29 (seven-year sentence)
5. Yibu, 22 (three-year sentence)
6. Drolyang, 42 (three-year sentence)
7. Sonam Choedron, 28 (three-year sentence)
8. Kalsang Dorje, 39 (layperson; three-year sentence)

Of 200 people detained in Kardze [not specified whether Kardze town, county or prefecture] since 24 March, 93 were nuns; the rest were monks and laypersons; of the 200 detained, 20 people remain in detention.
(reported by RFA, 12 May 2008)

A monk named Kunchok [believed to be from Sangloong monastery] was arrested for shouting slogans in front of the local PSB office.
(reported by CTA, 12 May 2008)

At an open court session on Tuesday morning, Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court sentenced seventeen people in connection with the Lhasa violence on 14 March.
Soi’nam Norbu [Tib: Sonam Norbu], born in 1988, a driver with a Lhasa real estate company, was “one of the mobs which burnt vehicles in a square near the Johkang Monastery, smashed police stations and fire engines with stones, and assaulted firemen”; he was “convicted of arson and disrupting public services” and sentence to life.
Basang [Tib: Pasang], a monk from Doilungdeqen county [Tib: Toelung Dechen; Chin: Duilongdeqing] in Lhasa Municipality was also sentenced to life; he had “led 10 people — including five monks — to destroy the local government office, smash or burn down 11 shops and rob their valuables, and attack policemen on duty”.
Of the five monks who “followed” Basang, two were sentenced to 20 years and the other three to 15 years.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 29 April 2008)

A “public court session” commenced on Tuesday morning at the Intermediate People’s Court, Lhasa. Thirteen people were sentenced that afternoon, “bringing the number of people imprisoned for involvement in the 14 March riot to 30”. Sentences ranged from three to thirty years.
(reported by Xinhua/People's Daily , 29 April 2008)

The Intermediate People’s Court in Lhasa conducted a “sentencing rally” (xuanpan dahui) during which thirty Tibetans’ sentences, which ranged from three years to life in prison, were announced. Reports from the official Chinese news agency Xinhua characterised the proceedings as an “open court session.” However, The trials of the thirty Tibetans accused of participating in violent protests on 14 March in Lhasa were not open and public, as claimed by the Chinese government, and did not meet minimum international standards of due process. The actual trial proceedings, in which evidence from the prosecution was introduced, had been conducted covertly on undisclosed dates earlier in April. Guilty or innocent, these Tibetans (and any other defendant in China), are entitled to a fair trial. Instead, they were tried on secret evidence behind closed doors, without the benefit of a meaningful defence by lawyers they had chosen.
Severe flaws in the regional authorities’ handling of the Tibetan protests precluded fair trials of people suspected of having participated in the disturbances. These flaws included a consistent failure to establish a distinction between peaceful and violent protesters, statements by the Procuratorate (the Public Prosecution) at the time of the suspected protesters’ arrest that assumed their guilt rather than their innocence, and secret trial proceedings.
(reported by HRW, 29 April 2008)

More than 200 people attended an “open trial” during which the Intermediate People’s Court of Lhasa sentenced 30 Tibetans, including six monks, to jail terms ranging from three years to life for their roles in “deadly riots” in Lhasa on 14 March. These were the first sentences since the 14 March incidents.
Three people were given life sentences:
Soi’nam Cering (Tib: Sonam Tsering), a driver with a Lhasa real estate company born in 1988, “joined mobs which burned vehicles in a square near the Johkang Monastery, smashed police stations and fire engines with stones, and assaulted firemen. He was convicted of arson and disrupting public services”.
Basang (Tib: Passang), a monk from Doilungdeqen County in Lhasa, “led 10 people – including five monks – to destroy the local government office, smash or burn down 11 shops and rob them, and attack policemen on duty, the court said. Of the five monks who followed Basang, two were sentenced to 20 years and the other three to 15 years in jail”.
A 30-year-old businessman Cering (Tib: Tsering) was convicted of “inciting others to loot shops and burn vehicles and buildings in his home county of Lingzhou, about 70 kilometers outside Lhasa, during riots on March 15 and 16, the court said. His actions were described as a major cause of the persistent unrest in Lingzhou”.
(reported by ShanghaiDaily.com, 30 April 2008)

A Chinese court imposed sentences on 30 Tibetans [allegedly] involved in the recent protests in Tibet. Three were given life sentences; seven were given sentences of over 15 years; the remaining twenty were given sentences ranging from three to fourteen years.
Contrary to Chinese allegations that the 30 Tibetans’ sentences were related to 14 March protests in Lhasa, Pasang (a.k.a. Ngawang Ignyen) was given a life sentence [note: CTA does not state why the sentencing of Pasang could not be related to 14 March protests in Lhasa]. Furthermore, most of those who received 15-year sentences were monks from Dhingkha monastery, Toelung Dechen (Chin: Duilongdeqing) county, while other individuals sentenced were from Phenpo Lhundrub (Chin: Lingzhi) county.
CTA notes that protests in Toelung Dechen county and Phenpo Lhundrub county began after 14 March, “therefore those sentenced cannot be linked to the 14 March protests in Lhasa” [however, it is possible that those individuals from Toelung and Phenpo counties were visiting nearby Lhasa on 14 March]
Sentences imposed were apparently not consistent, with those who lived in villages being given longer sentences.
(reported by CTA, 06 May 2008)

Following several peaceful protests in Darlag county since 21 March, the security forces and the armed forces have arrested countless monks and laypeople but other protesters escaped and avoided arrest. Additional security forces were deployed on 28 April to arrest those protestors who had fled. One security official was reported to have died while attempting to make arrests, and a 22-year-old monk named Choedhen (a.k.a. Choetop) from Pongkor Toema township was shot dead by PSB officers on 28 April.
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

An ethnic Tibetan police officer named Lama Cedain arrived at Hongke on Monday morning to arrest a 21-year-old monk, identified by Tibetan sources as Quduo, and shot him. It was not clear if the monk had been resisting arrest.
The monk was wanted by the authorities after he took part in a Tibetan independence demonstration in the nearby town of Dari on 21 March. During the protest he climbed onto the local government offices, pulled down the Chinese flag flying above the building and set fire to it in protest against Chinese rule.
After the monk was killed, angry villagers turned on the police officer; they fetched guns, commonly used in the area for hunting and also in provincial border disputes among Tibetans vying to collect [lucrative] caterpillar fungus for traditional herbal medicines, and shot the police officer six times, according to state media.
The young monk’s father, identified as Sangsang Lailai, was arrested in the police raid; there are no details of other injuries or detentions.
(reported by The Times, 02 May 2008)

Chinese armed security forces surrounded a nomadic hamlet in Ponkor Toema township; at dawn, the armed security forces fired live ammunition at the nomads, killing a 22-year-old nomad named Choetop. The security forces removed the corpse; as of 29 April it had not been returned to the deceased’s family for funeral rites. The situation in Ponkor Toema township remains tense, with an increasing presence of Chinese security personnel.
(reported by TCHRD, 29 April 2008)

PAP personnel raided a village near Voen-po [Woenpo] Gaden Dho-ngak Shedup Dhargeyling. Altars with portraits of the Dalai Lama were mishandled. During one such incident, a girl [age not provided] by the name of T. Lhamo shouted that the Dalai Lama was her supreme protector and that he should welcomed back to Tibet, and “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. She demanded to know why Tibetans could not have the portrait of the Dalai Lama at their altars; she also demanded an explanation for the arbitrary arrests of A-drel Lama Rinpoche and monks from the local monastery. T. Lhamo later committed suicide by hanging herself.
(reported by CTA, 06 May 2008)

Chinese officials arrived at Namtso monastery and attempted to raise the PRC flag; a monk tried to stop them and was severely beaten by PSB personnel.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Additional PAP personnel were deployed in Ngaba county at around 11am.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Ra Tsedak, aged 32, and Gondon Sangay, aged 35, both from Mehu-ruma village and arrested earlier, were transferred [on 28 April?] to a prison in Dawu Chang Yen, near Chengdu.
Monks and laypeople arrested in Ngaba county in recent weeks were detained in Dawu Chang Yen; many had broken limbs but were denied proper medical care.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Nuns from Shugseb [Shugsib] nunnery and monks from Gangri Thoekar monastery protested locally; county police arrested nineteen nuns (including Dangdug and Tsondue) and four monks [CTA’s wording suggests that this is the total number of people involved in the demonstration]; they are being detained in the county prison.
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Monks from Gangri Thoekar monastery joined nuns from Shugseb nunnery in a demonstration. County police arrested four monks and 19 nuns [it is not clear whether or not this is the total number involved in the demonstration]. They were detained in the county prison. Security forces have since imposed tight restrictions within Gangri Thoekar monastery (home to approximately 20 monks).
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Lhasa People’s Intermediate Court sentenced Yeshe, a 35-year-old Tibetan from Phenpo Lhundrup county, to 12 years imprisonment: seven years for “storming and charging at the government offices” and 5 years for “inciting unrest”. The 12-year sentence will be followed by a further two years of deprivation of ‘political rights’.
(reported by TCHRD, 02 May 2008)

Sera monastery re-opened to both worshippers and tourists on Monday 28 April, having been closed since the “unrest in the regional capital” on 14 March 2008. Buddhist services at the monastery resumed on 20 April.
“In recent days, the monks have been taught legal knowledge and the monastery has resumed its normal religious activities”, according to Tenzin Namgyal, deputy director of the Tibet autonomous regional ethnic and religious affairs committee. He added, “It’s the first monastery in Lhasa to reopen to outsiders. The others will follow suit in the future. Many [Chinese] tourists and worshippers came to the monastery today, and many more are expected in the coming days”.
A tourist from Guangzhou claimed: “I have been in Lhasa for two days. Life here is back to normal”.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 30 April 2008)

Following a protest by nuns of Shugseb [Shugsib] nunnery, the armed forces have imposed tight restrictions within the nunnery [see also Chushur county, 28 April 2008; CTA 02/05/08].
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Following a protest by monks of Thoekar monastery, the armed forces have imposed tight restrictions within the monastery [see also Chushur county, 28 April 2008; CTA 02/05/08].
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Lobsang Dhonyoe, a tutor at Zakhog monastery, was arrested at midnight along with two other monks, identified as Phurga and Tanam (these two monks were released the following morning).
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Date unspecified: In Lhasa, residents report tight security and an oppressive police presence. The city is scheduled to re-open for tourism in May, and only the Jokhang temple remains closed; other monasteries are open to the public.
Tibetan residents have to have two IDs to go grocery shopping: a residence permit and an ID issued by the Lhasa municipal government. Lhasa residents have been told not to leave the city or to move around until the end of May; Lhasa residents are “being forced to criticise the Dalai Lama”.
Those who rent shops or homes have been warned that if they have links to separatists, or if protesters are found on their properties, the property owners will be detained and punished.
(reported by CTA, 27 April 2008)

Monks refused to sign blank documents and walked out of a ‘patriotic re-education’ session.
Three of the monastery’s 70 monks had been arrested during a protest in Lhasa in March 2008:

1. Gelek Thapkhey, aged 27.
2. Gelek Drakpa, aged 28.
3. Tenzin Phuntsok, aged 17.
   (reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Date unspecified, reported 26 April: Chinese work teams arrived at Shiwa monastery (a branch of Shiva Lhathim monastery) and ordered three senior monks to fly the Chinese flag on the monastery’s roof; the monks refused. Local police sought the alleged leader of a demonstration held “earlier”; the monks told the police that there was no individual leader. No arrests were made. Tight restrictions continue at the monastery, where around 200 security personnel are stationed.
(reported by CTA, 26 April 2008)

Tashi Gyaltsen, the former abbot of Zakhog monastery, and Samphel, the monastery’s chant master, were arrested at approximately 8am.
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

The Potala Palace re-opened to [Chinese] tourists on 26 April.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 30 April 2008)

Date unspecified: A petition campaign to vilify the Dalai Lama was launched amongst nomads and farmers in Draggo county. Tashi Sangpo, a young farmer from Gephen Li-khokma village, refused to provide his signature and was severely beaten; he was taken to hospital but was later detained for his alleged involvement in earlier protests in Draggo county.
(reported by CTA, 25 April 2008)

Approximately three people living near Voen-po [Woenpo] monastery were arrested and severely beaten by Chinese police. Seventy-year-old Gyalong Sonam Nyendak from Voen-po [Woenpo] monastery has been suffering from depression due to the intense pressure that has been imposed by the Chinese authorities.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Exact dates unclear: A nun from Shar Bhumpa nunnery (from the Gerpa family in Chugkha Jang village), who had been severely beaten after participating in protests in March, was discharged from the county hospital [possibly on 25 April]. She remains in a critical condition.
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Approximately 20 people from Gaden Choekhor town, who had been arrested during protests in March, were transferred to Lhasa [it is assumed they were transferred from a local PSB detention centre to a prison in Lhasa].
(reported by CTA, 02 May 2008)

Tibet received its first domestic tour group since the 14 March unrest; a 15-member tour group from the eastern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, arrived at Lhasa Railway Station at about 9:50pm. They were due to visit the Potala Palace, the Norbulingka and Yamdroktso Lake before leaving on Saturday afternoon.
Following the 14 March unrest, “the regional government stopped issuing tourist permits to overseas travellers and the tourism authorities suggested travel agencies postpone organising tour groups in the wake of the riot. It cited safety concerns and the reconstruction of tourism facilities around scenic spots damaged in the unrest. Independent domestic travellers have not been prohibited from entering the region”.
(reported by Chinaview (Xinhuanet), 24 April 2008)

Around 3,000 armed forces [sic] were deployed in Shelkar town; a few days earlier, a “sizeable force” was deployed in Drakmar village, Shelkar town and a “sizeable force” was also deployed on Ghung-la mountain, Solu-Khumbu. The yak herders of Choe-loong monastery, Dingri county, were forced to act as porters for the security forces.
(reported by CTA, 25 April 2008)

Two nuns from Drakar nunnery arrested for calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet:

1. Bumo Lhaga.
2. Sonam Dekyi.
   (reported by FTC, 15 May 2008)

At around 1 pm, two nuns from Drakar nunnery held a peaceful protest at Kardze county town market; they were Sonam Dekyi, aged 30, from Serchu village, Kardze town, and Lagha, aged 32, from Dzongpa village. They scattered hundreds of small pieces of paper around the market, containing statements such as “Tibet is an independent country” and “Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. After a “considerable amount of time” they were arrested by security forces; the nuns’ subsequent whereabouts unknown.
(reported by CTA, 25 April 2008)

At around 1pm, two nuns from Drakar nunnery, Kardze county, protested in Kardze town centre. The nuns, Bumo Lhaga, aged 32, and Sonam Dechen, aged 30, distributed hand-written flyers calling for the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and saying that Tibet is independent; the flyers declared that they were acting on their own and that Drakar nunnery was not involved in their protest. Chinese security officers saw the flyers and began to collect them, demanding to know who had distributed them. The nuns were then arrested on a street corner while shouting slogans calling for the return of the Dalai Lama and for freedom for Tibetans; during the arrests they continued to shout but were quickly taken away in a police vehicle to a local detention centre; their subsequent whereabouts unknown.
(reported by sources to RFA, 23 April 2008)

At around 1pm, two nuns from Drakar nunnery handed out leaflets in Kardze town centre calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and saying that Tibet is independent. Chinese security officers saw the flyers and began to collect them, demanding to know who had distributed them.
The nuns, identified as Bumo Lhaga, aged 32, and Sonam Dekyi, aged 30, were seen on a street corner shouting slogans calling for the return of the Dalai Lama and for freedom for Tibetans. They were quickly detained and taken away in a police vehicle; even while they were taken away, they continued to shout.
A second witness said the nuns “were fully prepared for the eventualities that would follow. They were dressed warmly and bundled themselves to face both beating and cold during detention. There were armed Chinese police everywhere but they couldn’t see them protesting for quite some time, and then later when they came for the second round, the police saw flyers. When police asked who had distributed the flyers, they showed themselves and shouted slogans in the presence of police”.
Sonam Dekyi’s mother, contacted by phone on 26 April, said: “My daughter, Sonam Dekyi, fulfilled her purpose in life; she made her own decision to protest, knowing fully the risk and danger that she would face. I am not worried at all. If she doesn’t survive Chinese torture, I have no regrets…As His Holiness wished, she protested peacefully and didn’t resort to any kind of violence”.
The two women are believed to have been taken to Kardze detention centre. The sources told RFA that the nuns’ flyers “indicated that they were acting on their own and that the Drakar nunnery wasn’t involved in the protest”.
A Kardze PSB official said “No nuns were arrested”, adding “I don’t know”.
(reported by RFA, 27 April 2008)

Two nuns from Kandze Tagkar nunnery, Sonam Dekyi aged 20 and Lhaga aged 31, distributed leaflets and posters containing Tibetan slogans, opposing Chinese rule and the crackdown against Tibetans. After half an hour, at least 15 PAP personnel arrested the nuns; their whereabouts unknown.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 May 2008)

Date unspecified: Two men from Jomda have been released from prison. They were arrested on 14 March for their alleged involvement in demonstrations in Lhasa; they were taken to Gutsa prison [detention centre] and were later transferred to a prison in a “very cold location”. They endured “various torture methods” and reported that Tibetan prisoners were denied regular food, and some resorted to drinking their own urine. Before they were released, the other prisoners asked them to report the prison conditions to Tibetans outside Tibet, including the CTA in India. Both the released Tibetans were in poor physical condition from torture and beatings during their imprisonment.
(reported by CTA, 23 April 2008)

In a village near Rongpo monastery, security forces confiscated explosives from a few families. The explosives had earlier been provided by government offices, and were used by Tibetan farmers to ward off extreme weather, especially hail storms that can ruin the farmers’ crops.
(reported by CTA, 24 April 2008)

Almost “200 Chinese military” have been deployed to monasteries everywhere in the Rebkong region since 19 April.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 May 2008)

The security forces entered Rongpo Gonchen monastery’s protective deity chamber (typically a small room where a monastery’s deity statue is housed, and where hunters and poachers give up their weapons while vowing to abstain from hunting). The security personnel removed knives, bows and arrows; these items were arranged outside the monastery and photographed allegedly for propaganda purposes.
(reported by CTA, 24 April 2008)

At Tashi Kyil monastery, monks’ quarters “and also that of Alak Dotsang” searched by police; cash, a computer and many CDs removed.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 May 2008)

In Chogri (a.k.a Chokri) town, Chinese officials began collecting signatures on blank pieces of paper, without providing any explanation. In the past, residents of Draggo county were “ordered” to grow certain plants and trees on most of their agricultural land, for which they were given “financial compensation”. Currently, people were told that if they still want to claim any compensation, they had to provide their signatures. It was also announced that poorer families in the region would be provided with assistance towards their children’s school fees if they provided their signatures. Very few people provided their signatures, while others emphasised that even though they were poor, they had no desire to take the money.
(reported by CTA, 23 April 2008)

Tibetans farmers from Mi-nyak Garthar stopped farming on 22 April but were ordered by county officials to immediately resume work; the farmers continued to be harassed by the officials.
(reported by CTA, 25 April 2008)

Many posters declaring “Tibet is an independent country”, “His Holiness must be welcomed back to Tibet” and “Tibetans want freedom” were distributed in Mi-nyak Lha-ghang village, Dartsedo county. Police investigated, seeking the person(s) responsible.
(reported by CTA, 25 April 2008)

Date unspecified: “Chinese prostitutes are being used to lure arrests of people involved in the recent protests in Tibet”.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

Date unspecified: Chinese authorities have offered a 30,000 yuan reward for Lobsang Jinpa, who allegedly participated in a protest in Ngaba county in March. A reward of 15,000 yuan has been offered for a man injured in a protest in March, but who fled the scene. The authorities announced that those who protest against the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) will receive monthly salaries. Since 21 April, all officials in Ngaba county were instructed to lead activities against the Dalai Lama and the CTA; such activities will be filmed.
(reported by CTA, 22 April 2008)

Officials arrived at Lithang monastery [CTA provided no further details, but this incident was linked to the report of attempts to force monks to provide their signatures on blank pieces of paper without explanation on 4-5 April].
(reported by CTA, 23 April 2008)

Date unclear; presumed from context of report to be 20 April: At Tse-nyi monastery, a branch of Lithang monastery, officials announced that each monk would be photographed holding a Chinese flag in one hand while signing their names with their other hand; all the monks refused to participate.
(reported by CTA, 23 April 2008)

Monks from Voen-po [Woenpo] monastery were summoned to patriotic re-education classes by work teams in Dzamey sub-district. During the meeting, four statements opposing “separatists” were announced, and monks were given orders to raise the Chinese flag on their monastery roof. The monks expressed their discontent and work teams “had to rescind their flag order”.
(reported by CTA, 05 May 2008)

Buddhist services resumed at Sera monastery on 20 April 2008.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 30 April 2008)

Many pro-independence posters appeared in Nagchu town and in Sog county during April. Chokdhen Tsultrim, a 19-year-old monk from Zendhen monastery in Sog county, was arrested in Nagchu town on 20 April in connection with the posters. He is currently being detained in Sog county prison.
(reported by CTA, 24 May 2008)

Many pro-independence posters appeared in Nagchu town (Nagchu county) and in Sog county during April. Chokdhen Tsultrim, a 19-year-old monk from Zendhen monastery in Sog county, was arrested in Nagchu town on 20 April in connection with the posters. He is currently being detained in Sog county prison.
(reported by CTA, 24 May 2008)

A Tibetan man named Nyima Drakpa, described as “a very smart person” with “many connections” was detained in Tawu county, for allegedly contacting a reporter in Hong Kong, and providing information and photographs regarding the recent protests in Tibet. He was given a phone number by a contact in Dharamsala, India, and told a Hong Kong reporter in Mandarin that Tibetans were not protesting against the Chinese people or the Beijing Olympic Games, but stated that Tibetans have no human rights and their religious teachers are not allowed to visit them in Tibet.
On 5 April, Nyima Drakpa suspected he was in trouble when “Chinese officials mentioned several countries contacted from Tawu […] so he stopped staying at his own home”.
Late on 19 April, Nyima Drakpa was travelling to his sister’s home with a friend when he was stopped and detained, not by local police, but by PSB officers who “came in three vehicles from China” according to one source. Nyima Drakpa is reportedly being held in Dartsedo (Chin: Kangding) town; his relatives weren’t allowed to contact him.
Nyima Drakpa had previously been detained for 15 days, for copying statements by the Dalai Lama; he was later detained briefly for allegedly putting up posters calling for Tibetan independence, but he was released when another man confessed.
(reported by RFA, 27 May 2008)

Monks and laypeople staged a demonstration at a monastery, but they were suppressed by military police. Witnesses say people were killed or injured; no further details available.
(reported by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes, 20 April 2008)

Around 190 young monks fled Tak-tsang Lhamo Kirti monastery due to the tight restrictions imposed on the monks by the authorities. Around 21 monks had been arrested at different times for their alleged participation in a protest on 15 March in Dzoege county market; ‘patriotic re-education’ classes were ongoing; the monks were constantly harassed and it was expected that more monks would be arrested. The situation at the monastery remains tense.
(reported by CTA, 23 April 2008)

During a ‘patriotic re-education’ class at Nechung Nangten Lobling monastery, a monk stood up and said the monks do not need patriotic re-education classes and had no desire to participate. Other monks and laypeople joined in to express their discontent over the classes. Six or seven monks were arrested.
(reported by CTA, 22 April 2008)

Date unclear: Xinhua reported on 18 April that two “riotous monks” have “surrendered to the authorities” after participating in demonstrations in Dogo township on 18 March (See Dogo township, Chone county, 18 March). “After the violence”, Xinhua reported, police issued a circular urging the “criminal suspects” to surrender. Garzang Samdain (born 1971) and Garzang Samzhou (born 1980) from Goinba monastery in Zho’nyin (Zhouni) county, both “came forward and confessed their crimes”. An investigation revealed the two were “of the Tibetan ethnic group”.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 18 April 2008)

Following the arrest over one hundred Tibetans on 17 April during the crackdown by Chinese security forces against demonstrations, the situation remains “tense and volatile”; the Chinese authorities are not allowing visitors to meet those detained. [See entries for Rong Gonchen monastery, Rebkong county, 17-18 April.]
(reported by TCHRD, 18 April 2008)

Following the arrest over one hundred Tibetans on 17 April during the crackdown by Chinese security forces against demonstrations and the subsequent raid on Rong Gonchen monastery, armed Chinese security forces continue to keep a close watch over the monks; their movements are severely restricted; they are “isolated from each other without any form of interaction”. They have been issued a terse warning about leaking information to the outside world. The exact number of monks arrested remains unknown.
(reported by TCHRD, 18 April 2008)

Tight restrictions were enforced after a large contingent of security forces arrived at Rongpo Gonchen monastery; the armed forces were most likely from Hunan province.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

Seventeen arrests were made at Rongwo monastery. Alak Khaso [arrested on 17 April] was seriously injured and taken to hospital in Xining; his whereabouts not known.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 May 2008)

A search was conducted at Yama Tashi Kyil monastery; the residence of Alak Drotsang was searched extensively. No arrests were reported on that day.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

Khe-tsun (Khetsun), the former abbot of Chokri monastery, in Chokri (a.k.a Chogri) town, arrested on 25 March, was released on 18 April due to his deteriorating health.
(reported by CTA, 22 April 2008)

Police are still searching for 88 suspects who were “heavily involved in the March 14 riot” in Lhasa. Lhasa PSB claims to have evidence against 170 people; 82 have of whom have been formally arrested, 11 of whom “surrendered to police”; 88 are “still at large”. To date, 365 suspects have surrendered; at least 328 were freed because of the minor nature of their offences and willingness to cooperate in the police investigation. Lhasa PSB vice director Jiang Zaiping told Xinhua that the majority of the suspects “have pled guilty, and many of them were cheated or pressured into the smashing, beating, looting and arson. Some turned in their collaborators”. Many citizens in Lhasa allegedly “provided clues” to help the investigation, helping police “identify the suspects” while others “accompanied investigators to the suspects’ possible hideouts”. Jiang Zaiping reportedly claimed that Lhasa has “restored social order” and promised that his department will “strive to fight crime and make the citizens feel safer”. The municipal government, Xinhua claimed, has earmarked one million yuan (US$ 143,000) to build new homes for the 59 people from ten families whose houses on the downtown East Beijing Road were “burned down by mobs”.
(reported by Xinhua/China Daily, 18 April 2008)

Lodoe Wangpo (a.k.a. Shidae Gyatso) was arrested and detained from Lanzhou. After his arrest, the Chinese authorities closed down a school which he had established and its students were sent to a primary school in Machu county.
[See also: Machu county, 27 May 2008; CTA 12/06/08].
(reported by CTA, 12 June 2008)

At around 11 am, 22 monks from Rong Gonchen monastery staged a peaceful demonstration in Rebkong county market calling for the release of three monks (Lobsang Dhondup, 20 years old; Drakpa, 28 years old; and Lobsang Dhondup, 30 years old) who had been arrested on 13 April 2008 for participating in a peace march on 16 March 2008. The monks demonstrated for “a few minutes” but were then arrested by Chinese armed security forcesl; when this news reached
Rong Gonchen monastery, 80 monks marched to the county market and called for the release of the 22 monks arrested that morning; laypeople joined the monks’ demonstration, which became “large and very loud”.

Additional security personnel arrived; the situation became “extremely tense”. Former chief of Rong Gonchen monastery, 80-year-old Alak Khasutsang, arrived to intervene in an attempt to diffuse the tension, but the Chinese security forces started to severely beat every one at the scene irrespective of age or status. Over 80 Tibetans, including monks and lay people, were arrested and taken to the County PSB detention centre.

Chinese security forces have been deployed at Rong Gonchen monastery, prohibiting visitors as well as restricting monks from leaving.
(reported by TCHRD, 17 April 2008)

At 11 am, around 22 monks from Rebgong monastery were arrested after they demonstrated for the release of three monks arrested on 13 April for their involvement in protests held on 17 March. Hearing about the arrest of the 22 monks, another group of 80 monks “followed the protest”, and were joined by local people. Alag Khatso-tsang, an eighty-year-old former abbot of Rongpo monastery, tried to calm the situation down and was badly beaten and injured by PLA personnel. A further 140 people including monks and laypeople were detained. The monastery [presumably Rongpo monastery] was put under tight surveillance; nobody was allowed in or out.
(reported by CTA, 17 April 2008)

Between 17 and 21 April, over 430 monks and laypeople were arrested in Rebkong county and initially detained in the county prison; their subsequent whereabouts is unknown. Security forces began conducting searches at the smaller monasteries near Rongpo Gonchen monastery.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

Rongpo Gonchen monastery and surrounding area under tight restrictions; numerous monks from Rongpo monastery were arrested, but some, including Tenzin Chophel (a spiritual teacher at the monastery) were released. Border Security Forces from Hunan [possibly Chongqing Garrison District] continue to impose tight restrictions in the county.
(reported by CTA, 22 April 2008)

Following the arrest over one hundred Tibetans including monks in Rebkong county market town on 17 April, “scores of Chinese armed security forces raided monks’ houses” in Rong Gonchen monastery at around 6 pm; “a dozen of the Chinese security forces in full combat gear were armed with guns”; the monks were “forcibly flushed out” to the monastery’s courtyard and were made to kneel down with hands behind their heads. The monks were threatened at gunpoint and photos of the Dalai Lama found in the monks’ rooms were seized.

Alak Khasutsang, the 80-year-old former chief of Rong Gonchen monastery who tried to diffuse the tension between the Tibetan demonstrators and the Chinese security forces on 17 April, has reportedly sustained a severe head injury during the police crackdown. He is believed to be in a critical condition; one source reported that he had been taken to a hospital in Siling (Chin. Xining) city for treatment although this has not been confirmed. He was also known to be suffering from high blood pressure [unclear if this is an ongoing medical condition or if as a result of the events on 17-18 April].

Geshe Tenzin Choephel, a 50-year-old monk from Siling (Chin. Xining) city and a teacher of Qinghai University for Nationalities, was at Rong Gonchen monastery at the time of raid; he is known to have been arrested although for “unknown reason[s]”. His whereabouts remains unknown.
(reported by TCHRD, 18 April 2008)

Armed police raided Longwu (Longwusi/Rongwu) monastery and seized audio-visual discs and pictures of the Dalai Lama, and detained around 200 monks – four fifths of the monastery’s inhabitants – as well as dozens of local laypeople, some of whom had tried to prevent police from detaining the monks.
(reported by Reuters, 18 April 2008)

Among those arrested on 17 April was Alag Khatso-tsang, eighty-year-old former abbot of Rongpo Gonchen monastery. Alag Khatso-tsang was severely beaten, resulting in a head injury and three broken ribs; the security forces stated that he would be taken to hospital but his whereabouts is unknown.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

At 11am, twenty monks demonstrated at Rongwo monastery, demanding the release of the three monks arrested on 13 April [see entry for Tibet Watch, Rebkong, 12 April 2008]. Nineteen trucks of armed police arrived; all protesters arrested. An estimated eighty monks then protested at these arrests; laypeople joined the protest; an eighty-year-old lama named Alak Khaso stepped in to persuade the protesters to disperse. All the protesters were “cracked down upon harshly and beaten”; more than 140 arrests including Alak Khaso. Armed police surrounded the monastery; no-one allowed to enter or leave. In the evening, ten to fifteen soldiers checked the monks’ quarters; confiscated Dalai Lama photographs. Some soldiers had guns, others had electric batons. Monks were arrested; numbers unclear.
(reported by Tibet Watch, 01 May 2008)

A 38 year-old woman named Nechung, from Charu Hu village in Ngaba county, died after being subjected to brutal torture by guards in a Chinese prison. She was the mother of four children.

Nechung had been involved in peaceful protests on 16 and 17 March 2008 in Ngaba county. On 18 March she was arrested for allegedly being “the first person to pull down the door plate of the Township office”. She spent nine days in custody and was released on 26 March. At the time of her release, her health was in an extremely critical condition. TCHRD reported: "There were many bruise marks on her body, she was unable to speak and eat food, constantly vomiting and could hardly breathe properly.

Relatives took her to the county government hospital, but she was refused treatment, “apparently under influence and intimidation of the local Chinese authorities”. After remaining in a critical condition for 22 days without medical treatment, she died on 17 April. Even after her death, “the Chinese authorities issued [a] terse warning to Tibetan monks for offering prayers and ritual rites for her deceased soul”.

Nechung is survived by her four children, all minors. Her husband has been on the run since her arrest, apparently to avoid being arrested by the Chinese security forces.
(reported by TCHRD, 05 May 2008)