By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, September 1: A senior Tibetan monk serving his sentence of eight and half years has been found to be in a poor health condition at a Chinese prison near Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said.
Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Lama in Kardze County, was spotted by a Tibetan who was visiting another prisoner at Mianyang prison, the TCHRD said citing a source from inside Tibet. “At first I couldn’t recognize him as he had become so weak, almost emaciated,” TCHRD quoted the source as saying. “It looks like he is not being treated well in prison.”
On May 18, 2008, Chinese police arrested Rinpoche for ‘alleged’ possession of weapons. Police alleged they found a pistol and more than 100 bullets and cartridges under a bed in Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche’s living room but he has denied the allegation, saying he was framed. Fangping Li, Rinpoche’s lawyer had said that Rinpoche was forced into making a confession after a police interrogation that lasted four days and threats that his wife and son would be detained if he did not comply.
Dhartsedo Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Rinpoche to eight years in prison and six months for possession of weapons on December 24, 2009. Though the actual reason for Rinpoche’s imprisonment is not clear, TCHRD source says that Rinpoche’s unwavering faith in the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama may have led to his arrest.
“Chinese authorities accused Rinpoche of indulging in separatist activities, when he led the monks and nuns of Yatseg Nunnery and Pangri-na Nunnery organize a life-long prayer ceremony (Tib: Tenshug) for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2002. The nuns moreover opposed the ‘patriotic education’ campaigns conducted in their nunnery, refusing to sign on the documents condemning His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” TCHRD said citing the source.
The Tibetan right group has called upon the Special Rapporteur on torture, and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to investigate the causes of Rinpoche’s detention and his health condition.
Local Tibetans have also expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of Rinpoche.
TCHRD further urged the Special Rapporteurs and Working Group to raise the issue of arbitrary detention of Rinpoche with the Chinese government.
Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche is a highly respected Tulku (Living Buddha) of Tehor Kardze Monastery. He is also the chief spiritual preceptor and the head of Pang-ri and Ya-tseg Nunneries in Kardze. Rinpoche ran a home for the elderly and taken care of orphans and handicapped children.
