unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/19/89)
TIBETNET 16 September 1989
Source: Office of Tibet
Contact: Tinley Nyandak
Via: TibetNet rutgers!rubbs!107!535!Indira.Singh
For Immediate Release
TIBETAN NUNS ARRESTED & SENTENCED WITHOUT TRIAL AFTER DEMONSTRATION
Nine Tibetan nuns have been arrested and sentenced after an incident in
Lhasa on Sept. 2, 1989, according to a report by Radio Lhasa on Sept.
14, 1989. The nuns were immediately detained when they approached the
stage chanting pro-independence slogansat a large public festival.
The festivity was in the garden of the Norbu Lingka, the summer palace
of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A performance of Tibetan opera was
underway at the time. The day was traditionally celebrated as the
"Yoghurt Festival" by Tibetans, but is also honored as "Democracy Day"
by Tibetans in exile.
Nine nuns were seized. Six of them (Ngawang Choezom, NgawangPema,
Lobsang Choedon, Phuntsok Tenzin, Pasang Dolma, DawaLhazom) have
already received three year sentences to hard labor and reeducation. In
an unprecedented procedure, the sentences were passed down WITHOUT ANY
FORMALITY OF A TRIAL. The decision was by the Lhasa Bureau of Labor
and ReEducation.
This is an alarming precedent, as Chinese authorities are believed to
be holding thousands of Tibetans in the wake of disturbances last
March. The September 2 incident confirms Tibetan claims that they are
determined to carry on their protests despite the iron rule of martial
law.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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