Buddhist nuns jailed for shouting "Long live the Dalai Lama"
by Nirmala Carvalho
To celebrate 60 years since the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet, China has strengthened the presence of police and crushes slightest protest with arrests and prison. In a regime of terror, suspicion is enough to justify an arrest.
Dharamsala (AsiaNews) – On July 2 a court in Kardze county (Sichuan) sentenced three nuns from the monastery of Gyemadrak to 3 years in prison each for having shouted slogans in favour of Tibetan independence and the Dalai Lama.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said that the nuns - Jampa Choedon 31; Sheh Lhamo, 21; Yangchen aka Tashi Choetso, 28 - were arrested June 15 while demonstrating in the market in Kardze County with slogans like "Free Tibet", "Return the Dalai Lama to Tibet", "Long live the Dalai Lama."
TCHRD notes that the ruling was issued just days before China celebrated the 60th anniversary of the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet on 11 July 1951, and commemorated, in a White Paper published by Beijing, how it had brought peace and prosperity to the country.
The anniversary saw a heightening in security measures, police presence and repression in Tibetan areas. On July 12 in the prefecture of Yushu, Qinghai, police arrested eight monks from the monastery Zurmang taking them at night, accused of having distributed leaflets with the request not to participate in official celebrations which included horse races, singing and dances.
Radio Free Asia reports that on July 6 in Tawu County (Chinese: Daofu), to prevent celebrations for the 76th birthday of the Dalai Lama, authorities cut off electricity to the monastery of Nyasa, and in two Dargyeling convents.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said that the nuns - Jampa Choedon 31; Sheh Lhamo, 21; Yangchen aka Tashi Choetso, 28 - were arrested June 15 while demonstrating in the market in Kardze County with slogans like "Free Tibet", "Return the Dalai Lama to Tibet", "Long live the Dalai Lama."
TCHRD notes that the ruling was issued just days before China celebrated the 60th anniversary of the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet on 11 July 1951, and commemorated, in a White Paper published by Beijing, how it had brought peace and prosperity to the country.
The anniversary saw a heightening in security measures, police presence and repression in Tibetan areas. On July 12 in the prefecture of Yushu, Qinghai, police arrested eight monks from the monastery Zurmang taking them at night, accused of having distributed leaflets with the request not to participate in official celebrations which included horse races, singing and dances.
Radio Free Asia reports that on July 6 in Tawu County (Chinese: Daofu), to prevent celebrations for the 76th birthday of the Dalai Lama, authorities cut off electricity to the monastery of Nyasa, and in two Dargyeling convents.
.png)
See also
