unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/12/89)
REPORT ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN TIBET ISSUED LATE-JULY '89
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The following two news items are the most recent real news from within
Tibet. Needless to say, the situation there is quite desperate, made
more so by the continued lack of media coverage.
Indira Singh - TIBET Conference
Source: Office of Informtion and International Relations
Tibet Government-in-Exile Dharamasala, India
FURTHER REPORTS OF TORTURE ON NUNS
Many of the arrested nuns from SHUGSIB Nunnery, West of Lhasa, have
been imprisoned at the MILITARY prison below Chakpori in Lhasa. reports
of severe and inhuman torture session have been received from our
sources. The nuns are being tortured in the following ways:
a) after stripping them naked on a site the Chinese Security forces,
order their dogs to bit or chase the nuns.
b) cattle prods, always used during interrogation and torture session)
are being inserted into the nuns' private parts (motsen in Tibetan)
c) At times the nuns are being tied upside down for long durations and
d) there are even unconfirmed reports of their breasts cut off.
Note: The preceding violations have been routinely used by
the Chinese authorities against Tibetans, as previously
confirmed by Amnesty International and Asia Watch.
SITUATION IN LHASA UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Lhasa City and its districts are
under tight military and security control. Checkposts, for example
(seven between the Holiday Inn and the Jokhang*), have been manned. At
one time a Tibetan reportedly had to show identity card to even use the
toilet. Whenever there were reports of some foreign visitors arriving
in Lhasa, the Chinese authorities immediately evacuated the checkposts
from the road and moved them into houses. There are eye-witness
accounts of there being permanent military tents housing 40 to 100
soldiers (in front of the Jokhang). There are also eye-witness accounts
of 5 surface-to-air rocket launch tanks patrolling around the Jokhang.
When these types of tanks patrol Lhasa city there are always more than
10.
* The Jokhang is a Tibetan monastery which is held in
sacred regard by Tibetans, who perform prostrations and
circumambulations (Buddhist practices) around the Jokhang daily.
There are also reports of military tanks (3) being stationed below the
Mensinkhang (Medical College) near the Jokhang. Eyewitnessessay that
many of the smaller roads leading to the Jokhang are being closed or
being blocked for the public.
It is feared by us that many more Tibetans have been arrested in June.
This is because the Chinese authorities were recently arresting more
after looking at the photgraphs taken by their photographers during the
March 1989 demonstrations in Lhasa. A few Tibetans have already fled
Lhasa fearing arrests.
The Chinese authorities in Lhasa have been scrutinizing Lhasa residnets
whether they or the local offices are hiding or protecting non-ration
card holders. Tibetan have been warned of severe consequences if they
protect non-ration card holders. Furthermore, the Chinese authorities have
stated that a Tibetan from outside married to a ration-card holder in
Lhasa will not be permitted to settle in Lhasa. The couple will have to
settle at their native place. If such cases are found the authorities
will arrest and deport them.
Because of these strict measures, hundreds of Tibetans are said to be
living outside Lhasa with the hope that they would be able to return to
Lhasa.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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