By Tenzin Menkyi
Mcleod Ganj, June 26: Tibetan exiles and supporters today observed the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture through a host of events to mark the day here.
The only rights monitoring group run by Tibetans, TCHRD, in collaboration with SFT-India, held a screening of a documentary film entitled “Through Flesh and Bones” followed by a panel discussion at Bhagsu Club House here.
The documentary film made by Abhishek Madhukar, a Freelance Journalist, started with an opening message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama stating that the power of truth is more lasting than decisive power of the Gun.
Tsering Tsomo, Director of TCHRD, Gonpo Thinley, a torture survivor, Tenzin Nyinjey, Senior Researcher at TCHRD spoke during the panel discussion.
Gu Chu Sum Movement Association of Tibet also observed the day with a Photo exhibition of Tibetans who have gone through torture under Chinese rule and a discussion with former political prisoners and experts.
Gu Chu Sum invited Sonam Gyaltsen, a Lecturer at Sarah College, Tsering Tsomo and Gonpo Thinley as their guest speakers.
Tenzin Nyinjey, emphasizing the significance of the day for the Tibetans, said, “The UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is held on 26 June every year to provide the international community an opportunity to stand together against the use of torture, which is one of the worst violations of international human rights. This year’s focus is on the right to rehabilitation, which has physical and psychological elements. Since torture is such a regular feature in Chinese-administered detention centers and prisons, we are highly concerned about the well being of the political prisoner upon whom the worst of torture is afflicted. Thus, we observe the day.”
In her talk, Ms. Tsering Tsomo explained the legal definition of the term ‘torture’ and threw light on the critical human right situations in Tibet. She stated, “The rampant use of torture has resulted in the death of 18 known Tibetan political prisoners since 2008 and there are currently 2129 known political prisoners detained in various detention centers and prisons in Tibet.”
Gonpo Thinley shared his encounter with Chinese officials during his prison term and shared stories of interaction with his prison mates.
Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration organized a play titled ‘Norbu’ at Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in the evening to mark the day. In the introduction to the play, the narrator says, “The play was titled Norbu, meaning Gem in Tibetan. The dual meaning of the play portrays the name of the victim and it also implies the courage of the political prisoners who endured Chinese atrocities. Tibetans consider their bravery like a precious gem.”
The play was based on true-story of a Tibetan, who had suffered and withstood the torture inflicted upon him by the Chinese authorities. The play aimed to shed light on the tortures perpetrated by Chinese.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and Health Kalon, Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, among others, attended the play.
In his address, Sikyong spoke from his past experience about meeting Tibetan political prisoners. “How Tibetan victims stand out from the other victims in the world is that they carry no animosity towards their perpetrators”. He added that such response demonstrates the spirit of a Buddhist.
A message form a Tibetan torture survivor read, “I bear no anger against my perpetrators for what they did to me as a devout Buddhist. Whenever I feel pain and I struggle with my illnesses, I practice and pray that my illness and pain can be beneficial in relieving the sufferings of all other people in this world. May my suffering take away the pain of others, I pray daily.”
