By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 26: A Tibetan man in his twenties has been reportedly detained by Chinese authorities from Tsoe County, Gansu Province in connection with the latest self-immolation by Tashi Rabten on Dec. 8 earlier this month.
Jamyang Choephel, about 25, was detained on Dec. 11 by Chinese security personnel from Ngok Gyalmo Monastery located in Ngok Phar-ngo village in Gyalmogon Township in Tsoe County, according to rights group, Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy. Jamyang is currently held incommunicado at Machu County Detention Centre in Machu County. Since his detention occurred just two days after the self immolation case, TCHRD suspects that his detention is related to the same.
Tenzin Dawa, research officer at TCHRD mentioned, “It is a standard practice for the Chinese authorities to launch a crackdown whenever there is a self-immolation protest. Family members, relatives and friends connected to the self-immolator are liable to get detained and questioned.”
Following the self immolation of Tashi Rabten, a total of 12 Tibetans including family members of the deceased as well as those suspected of recording videos of the self immolation were detained by Chinese authorities.
