Following on from Human Rights Watch reported about the Labrang school children arrested, we’ve found out a few more details totday.
Three of the school boys – Lhamo Tsethen, Dolma Kyab and Tsering (Tseko) Dondhup – have been released. To secure their discharge, their parents had to pay hefty fines of up to 2000 yuan and to pledge that their sons would never leave the country or ever again engage in any form of political activity.
The detained school children were all beaten. In the case of Lhamo Tsethen the injuries sustained were so severe that he was hospitalised and is still receiving medical treatment.
Four of the boys – Chopa Kyab, Dukar Tashi, Thade Kyab and Ghobe – remain in Sanchu (Xiahe) County detention centre.
The seven boys who were arrested are all from nomadic families. On the day in question, none of them would normally have been at school. However, parents were informed that children were compelled to attend to demonstrate to a high ranking Chinese official the progress being made on education in the area. Parents were informed that they would be fined if their children failed to attend.
In total 40 students were arrested on suspicion of protesting, although all but seven were released later the same day.
The incident occurred on 20 September 2007 in Labrang County, Gannan prefecture, Gansu province.
Free Tibet Campaign is urging supporters and the general public to write to the Chinese government and UNICEF, requesting the immediate release of the remaining four school children.
—
Anne Holmes
Campaigns Manager
FREE TIBET CAMPAIGN
28 Charles Square
London NI 6HT
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7324 4611
Mob: +44 (0) 7798 666 658
E-mail: anne@freetibet.org
Web: www.freetibet.org
