Heavy Restrictions in Karze
The region witnessed a series of peaceful protests by Tibetans, who made strong calls for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Over 39 Tibetans, including monks and nuns, have been arrested and tortured since the protests began on 6 June.
”The situation in the area is very tense and people live in a climate of fear. In the wake of protests, security troops in thousands have been deployed in the area to instantly crush any sort of a popular protest,” an unnamed foreign tourist who visited Kardze told the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
“There were thousands of police and army, in riot gear, in armored trucks patrolling the streets, and on foot in formation patrolling the streets. As well as many standing on street corners, and many more in plain clothes,” the foreigner said.
The foreigner also saw a prison full of Tibetan political prisoners and evening TV shows that showed how the prisoners repent for wrongdoing after they were forced to confess by beatings. “One was an old nomad lady -- about 80, crippled and bent over. Her three sons had been killed and she came into town to shout Free Tibet. My friends in Ganzi, who I won't name to protect them, had several members of the family in prison in the past. The father was in for two years and repeatedly tortured. The two nieces, who are nuns, were most recently in prison in 2008 for writing an open letter asking the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and in support of him. They are young nuns in their 20's and were locked up for two and three years successively. As they described their torture to me, they started crying, the emotional/mental wounds were still fresh,” the foreigner told TCHRD.
China Intensifies Restrictions in Tibet
The Chinese government has convened a high-level meeting in Lhasa on 25 June to strengthen security apparatus in Tibet, as it prepares to celebrate its so-called "60 years of Peaceful Liberation of Tibet".
In the evening of 25 June, a meeting was held in Lhasa for the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People Armed Police (PAP) to take oath by them to keep the society stable and to bring security to the people. The police displayed their arms and ammunitions and marched in the police ground to swear on ensuring stability on the society and to maintain peace.
“Due to the forthcoming celebrations there have been increased restrictions in Lhasa and monks from the monastery around Lhasa area are restricted to move around freely to Lhasa. The hotels and guest houses are being checked round the clock, passes are being checked for fear of any protest. Especially the former political prisoners are being questioned and Tibetans coming from outside Lhasa are being arrested if they do not have permits to stay in Lhasa,” TCHRD reported.
The rights group urged the Chinese government to immediately lift restrictions, saying the restriction violates human rights of the Tibetans in Tibet.Media-agenies
No comments:
Post a Comment