by Nirmala Carvalho

Mid-May police took the monks from the Labrang monastery to “interrogate” them. They have not been seen since. Pro-Tibet groups denounce a strategy to weaken the determination of Tibetans.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) – On May 14th Chinese police arrested two monks Tsundue Gyatso and Sonam Gyatso (in photo) after a raid on Labrang monastery in (Gansu). The Tibetan Centre from Human Rights and Democracy (Tchrd) says there has been no news of them since and their whereabouts are unknown.

The two monks had already been arrested a total of 3 times before, accused of having taken part in the March 2008 protests against Chinese persecution, but subsequently released.  When family members went to bring food and clothing to the two monks, police informed them that they only wished to interrogate the men and then they would be released.  There has been no news of them since.

The Tchrd denounces that many Tibetan monks and citizens have been arrested on numerous occasions for their participation in the March 2008 protests, but without ever being formally accused or put on trial.  The group highlights the case of Labrang Jigme, arrested on March 22nd and tortured in prison for over 2 months because he took part in protests in Labrang. He was later released on medical grounds.  He was then re-arrested in November 2008 and only released on May 3rd.

According to the rights activists, this is a clear strategy aimed at crushing the physical and mental will of these people.

• tibet
• china
• buddhist
• monks
• arrest
• torture
• protest
• prison
• democracy
• independence