DHARAMSHALA, July 23: A Tibetan political prisoner has died in hospital in Lhasa on Sunday, less than two months after being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said.
Chinese authorities have refused to hand over the body of Lobsang Yeshi, 64, to his family members who, the TCHRD said, were not even allowed to come near his body. “Following repeated requests by his family members, Chinese authorities decided to allow one Tibetan monk to conduct prayers other rituals. They also decided to allow the deceased’s two siblings to be present during cremation.
The only right group run by Tibetans said that China must handover the body to his family and order probe into his death in custody.
Lobsang was moved to a hospital in Lhasa after he suffered bouts of nausea and dizziness, according to the Tibetan rights group which cited sources from inside Tibet indicating Lobsang was subjected to long hours of physical and mental torment days earlier.
Lobsang, father of eight and sole breadwinner of his family, was arrested on May 12, 2014 with seven other Tibetans following peaceful demonstrations against China’s failure to account for the suicide protests by two other Tibetans – Phakpa Gyaltsen and Rigzin – on May 7 2014. Both Phakpa Gyaltsen and Rigzin had stabbed themselves to death in protests against Chinese mining at the sacred Gyalmo Ngulchu (‘Salween’) River that runs through Thong Par, Lobsang Yeshi’s hometown in Tsawa Dzogang County.
Lobsang was held at Chushul prison near Lhasa before he was moved to the hospital.
Lobsang, as the head of Kewa village in Thong Par Township, was well respected by local Tibetans as a leader of integrity, who dared to stand up for Tibetan rights and dignity, according to TCHRD.
The TCHRD urged Chinese authorities to release Lobsang’s body to his siblings and relatives, if he has not been cremated within prison walls against his family’s wishes, as in the case of Tulku Tenzin Delek. “To mourn and grieve over the death of loved ones is a right that should be accorded to every one, including one’s opponents,” the TCHRD said.
Lobsang Yeshi is survived by his eight children, two of whom live in India.
