The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD, the only Tibetan NGO monitoring human rights in Tibet, revealed the names of the five monks who were arrested at a “patriotic re-education” session on 23 November 2005 in Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet.
A press release issued by the Tibetan human rights NGO said that the five are Ngawang Namdrol from Tsotod Township, Phenpo Lhundrup County, Lhasa Municipality, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”), Ngawang Nyingpo from Khartse Township, Phenpo Lhundrup County, Lhasa Municipality, “TAR”, Ngawang Thupten a.k.a Shogbu Metok from Lhasa Inner City, Lhasa Municipality, “TAR”, Ngawang Phelgey from Rinpung County, Shigatse Prefecture, “TAR”, and Phuntsok Thupwang from Gongkar County, Lhoka Prefecture, “TAR”.
Following their expulsion from the monastery the monks were handed over to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) of their native village. The monks stood up against the “work team” officials who were forcing the monks of the monastery to sign a document denouncing the Dalai Lama and approving China’s claim over Tibet.
The incident took place on 23 November 2005 during a session of the “patriotic education” campaign that has been going on in Drepung monastery since early October 2005, the Tibetan NGO said.
“TCHRD fears that they might be tortured during interrogation sessions and detention in the PSB Detention Centres.”
The Centre urges the UN Special Rapporteur on torture who is currently visiting China and Tibet (from 21 November to 2 December 2005), to raise the five monks’ case with the Chinese authorities to ensure that they do not undergo any inhumane treatment.
The monks of Drepung Monastery, and in particular the five monks, received severe setback for simply exercising their fundamental rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religious beliefs.
The TCHRD accused China of violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It said that the patriotic reeducation” in the monasteries of Tibet and the recent crackdown on the peaceful mass protest in Drepung Monastery on 25 November 2005 which lasted from 10 am till 7 pm violates Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
According to the UDHR, everyone has the right to “…freedom of thought, conscience and religion…”, “…freedom of opinion and _expression…”, and “…the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association…”
