Dharamsala, Jan 20 – Four Tibetans including two nuns have been sentenced to varying prison terms by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court, according to the Dharamsala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
The two nuns of Kardze Ghema Draggo Nunnery identified by the centre as Tashi Tso, 26, and Dhungtso, around 20, were given two years and two and half years respectively. The nuns had taken part in an anti-government protests in Kardze on June 18, 2008. The centre said the exact date of their sentencing and charges were unknown.
Jampa Dickyi, 20, from Jokhangnang Village, Thingka Township, Kardze County, Kardze “TAP,” Sichuan province was sentenced to two years’ jail for her participation in 31 May, 2008 protest in Kardze County.
Citing sources, the Tibetan right group said the three Tibetans convicted by the Kardze court were transferred to a prison in Chengdu, the provincial capital.
In another incident on 17 November 2008, the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Yeshi Dorjee, 32, to four years in prison and deprivation of political rights for two years. Yeshi, a monk of Kharnang Monastery in Kardze County, was arrested for his role in a demonstration on 12 June 2008 in Kardze County and distributing leaflets.
In a latest incident of disappearance of Tibetans, the centre said Yigha, 27, a resident of Karma Kusang area of Lhasa city had disappeared since 14 March 2008. His mother, Tsering Khando, could not trace him ever since and his whereabouts are still unknown, according to the centre.
The Tibetan right group said it condemned the sentences passed on the Tibetans for simple exercise of basic rights.
“The TCHRD strongly condemns the sentencing of the four Tibetans as their freedom to opinion and expression does not violate any of the constitutional components of Chinese law. Since their activities constitute nothing more than an expression of their opinion, thought and exercise of their basic human rights peacefully, TCHRD calls upon the Chinese authorities to release them unconditionally,” said Tashi Choepehel Jhamatsang, a researcher at the centre.
