Tsering Gyaltsen died in recent days in jail in eastern Tibet. The monk of Drango monastery was arrested in February during a demonstration in Kandze Autonomous Prefecture. The authorities refused to hand over the body to family members.

Lhasa (AsiaNews) - A Tibetan monk has died in prison in eastern Tibet after months of torture by Chinese police. Free Tibet sources, an organization for the rights of Tibetans reported the news. Tsering Gyaltsen, 40, from the monastery of Drango (Kandze Autonomous Prefecture), was captured by police on 9 February during a protest against Chinese occupation. He had participated in the largest event organized on January 23 by the monks of Drango, dispersed with violence by the Chinese police leaving two dead, 34 injured and over 100 arrests. At the end of May, a police officer visited the monastery to inform authorities of the death of the monk, but refused to hand over the body, apparently to avoid revealing the signs of his torture. Yesterday, the family celebrated the symbolic religious funeral with the Drango community.

Stephanie Brigden, director of Free Tibet, said that "after the protests in recent months, the organization has registered hundreds of arrests and disappearances." "In Chinese prisons - she continues - the Tibetans suffer all kinds of abuse. Torture is now a set practice to get information. After the death of Tsering Gyaltsen we fear for the lives of hundreds of monks and activists who have disappeared or are still in the hands of police."

Despite the numerous protests and repeated appeals by organizations and foreign countries, the Chinese police continue to arrest and seize those who express dissent. In recent months, Beijing has increased its strict censure of the Tibetan people, which experts believe is undergoing a real plantation. The Chinese restrictions include a ban on teaching language and religion of Tibet, the imposition of inappropriate development policies, all in favor of the Han ethnic group and continued attacks on the cultural and intellectual elite of Tibet. In recent months dozens of young Tibetan monks and lay people, have chosen self-immolation as an extreme act of protest against Chinese rule. Since the beginning of 2012, 35 Tibetans who have self-immolated to criticize the dictatorship in Beijing and demand the return of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. In a further strike to the Tibetan community, on the 24th of May, the Chinese authorities in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) issued a notification prohibiting local Communist Party members, leaders, administrative officials and even students to participate religious activities, including the festival of Saga Dawa (the Vesak, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and the abandonment of the earthly life of the Buddha). (N.C.)

 

 

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