Tibet: Monk arrested for supporting Dalai Lama

Case CHN/TIB 070897

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in China/Tibet.

Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat has been informed by reliable sources of
the concerns that exist for the physical and psychological integrity
of Jampel Tedar  a 20 year old monk, of Choede monastery in Gongkar
county, Lhokha Prefecture on 16 June 1997.

According to the information received, Jampel Tedar was detained
because he put up hand-written posters around the monastery declaring
support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Independence movement which
included a Tibetan Flag. The incident occurred after Gongkar Choede
monks disrupted evening meetings at which 78 monks of the monastery
were expected to sit an examination and give written statements
supporting China's policy on religion and criticising the Dalai Lama.

According to the same information, Re-education teams are carrying out
three-month residencies in all Tibetan monasteries as part of a
programme which began in May last year to instruct monks and nuns in
patriotism under the slogan "Love the Country, Love Religion". As a
consequence, it is suggested that over 300 monks and nuns have
allegedly sought asylum in Nepal and India this year to avoid the
demands of the re-education officials, several of whom are now
reported to be carrying guns.

The International Secretariat is gravely concerned for the physical
and psychological integrity of Jampel Tedar and fears he will be at
risk for torture and ill-treatment, especially in light of the great
number of cases of  torture and ill-treatment of detainees in military
or police custody in China. 

Action requested:
Please write to the Chinese authorities urging them to:

i.      guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Jampel Tedar;

ii.     order the immediate release of Jampel Tedar, if he is detained
without valid charges or, if such charges exist, bring him before a
competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee his full procedural
rights at all times;

iii.    guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into these
incidents, identify those responsible, bring them to trial, and apply
the penal, civil, and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;

iv.     ensure in all circumstances respect for Human rights and
fundamental  freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards;

Addresses:
LI Peng Zongli, Guowuyuan, 9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie, Beijingshi 100032,
People's Republic of China. Telex : 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN.
Fax : + 86 10 512 5810 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs). 

YAO Yunhui Juzhang, Laodong Gaizao Gongzuo Guanliju, 14 Dongchang'anlu,
Dongchengqu, Beijingshi 100741, People's Republic of China. 

YANG Zhengwu Shengzhang, Hunansheng Renmin Zhengfu, 7 Wuyizhonglu,
Changshashi 410011, Hunansheng, People's Republic of China. Telex :
98182 CSPG CN (Please forward to Yang Zhengwu Shengzhang). Fax : + 86
731 47850 

ZHANG Shuhai Jianchazhang, Hunansheng Renmin Jianchayuan,
Changshashi, Hunansheng, People's Republic of China. Telex : 98182
CSPG CN - Fax : + 86 731 47850 

Geneva, 7 August 1997

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld 
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph  4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
         The World Organisation Against Torture

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