Forced labour and bribes to ‘re-educate’ Tibetan monks

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) – The Public Security Bureau in Nagba Prefecture sentenced three monks from Kirti Monastery to three years in a ‘re-education’ labour camp. Lobsang Dhargye, Tsekho and Dorjee were arrested on 12 April on suspicions related to the death on 16 March of a young monk, Phuntsog, who had set himself on fire. The three were convicted on 10 September, but the verdict became public knowledge only now.

Dorjee, 16, originally from the village of Lhoengtsang, was given three years of forced labour. Tsekho, 30, from Tru-tse, and Lobsang Dhargye, 22, from Myeruma, were given ‘only’ two years and six months.

Lobsang Dhargye is Phuntsog’s brother. The latter set himself on fire to mark anti-Chinese protests that occurred on 16 March 2008, when Chinese soldiers fired on an unarmed crow, killing many.

Meanwhile, monks from Kirti Monastery began their 15 days of holiday at the start of this months as they do each year. However, only a few have already returned to the monastery. In fact, Chinese officials recently burst into the monastic compound asking those present to identify themselves.

Chinese authorities are also planning new sessions of ‘patriotic re-education’ to undermine the monks’ resistance.

Beijing also plans to go after the monks through bribes. In fact, Chinese authorities have promised monks 20,000 yuan, plus a 50,000 loan, to help them “change their lives” if they voluntarily leave the monastery.

So far, no monk has accepted to give up their vow for money or benefits.