The lawsuit was signed by former political prisoners Mr. Takna Jigme Sangpo who served 34 years in prison, Ven. Palden Gyatso who served 30 years in prison, Ven. Thubten Wangchen, a former political prisoner and Spanish citizen serving as the Director of Casa del Tibet in Barcelona and Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa representing Tibetan Youth Congress.
The motivation behind the suit was to see that justice is done for the first time and that the crimes committed in Tibet are recognised by international law. The suit also seeks a moral and legal answer to the crimes committed and still being committed against the Tibetan people by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China.
Spain’s positive legislation and judgments using universal jurisdiction to sentence State perpetrators of crimes against humanity provides immunity to the victims of torture worldwide and has successfully trailed cases against Chilean dictator General Pinochet and Argentinean former Naval Officer Scilingo.
The lawsuit is the culmination of 8 years of academic research by Dr José Elías Esteve in consultation with various legal experts on cases of genocide and crimes against humanity. Presented by the CAT: Comité de Apoyo al Tíbet, a Madrid-based, a-political and secular NGO, the lawsuit was submitted by Takna Jigme Sangpo, Ven. Palden Gyatso, Ven. Wangchuk, Mr. Alan Cantose, Mr. José Elías and Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok President of Tibetan Youth Congress.
The names of Chinese leaders against whom the lawsuit has been filed:
• Jiang Zemin, former President of China.
• Li Peng (former Primer Minister of China .
• Ren Rong, Party Secretary for Tibet from 1971-1980, and military leader who, as part of the Southwest Military Command, took part in the invasion of Tibet
• Yin Fatang, Party Secretary in Tibet from 1980-1985, and military leader who, as part of the Southwest Military Command, took part in the invasion of Tibet
• Qiao Shi, Chief of Chinese Security and responsible for the People’s Armed Police during the repression at the end of the 1980’s.
• Chen Kuiyan, Party Secretary in the TAR ” Tibet ‘s Autonomous Region” from 1992-2001.
• Deng Delyun, Minister for Family Planning during the 1980’s.
