|
>>March 2nd 2006, Leeds University: Talk by two Tibetan Buddhist nuns and former political prisoners
On March 2nd 2006, the Free Tibet Soc at Leeds University and Amnesty International at Leeds Uni held a talk by two of the Drapchi 14, Namdrol Lhamo and Gyaltsen Drolkar. Students for a Free Tibet UK arranged the talk. In a moving talk, the nuns told their stories of their arrests and imprisonment for shouting for a Free Tibet. They went on to tell us of the disgusting treatment of political prisoners in prisons in Chinese-occupied Tibet, detailing how their sentences were extended as a result of singing and recording freedom songs in prison that were later smuggled out. The lecture theatre sat in complete silence as the nuns described the beatings they received for breaking a window and shouting ‘Bhod Rangzen’ during the Drapchi Prison protests in 1998, which left 5 dead. They explained how the authorities followed them in Tibet after their imprisonment, and they were unable to get a job, or to join a monastery.
Namdrol and Gyaltsen spent 12 years each in prison, and it is testament to their strength that they survived, and are also able to talk about their experiences. Away from the lecture theatre, the two nuns were very chatty, and were telling jokes late into the evening.
In Tibet, most families have suffered in some way from human rights abuses. Many Tibetans have lost family members, or suffered themselves. Whilst China frequently refers to Tibet as ‘A Socialist Paradise’, the truth is glaringly different. Forced labour still exists, and often, even when paid, the pay is as low as 20 Yuan (approx. £1.60) per month. Human Rights abuses remain common, if underreported. China’s recent patriotic re-education programme has seen a crackdown on all sectors of Tibetan life, but especially in monasteries. Whilst countries trade with China, we must force them to improve this shocking record, as by supplying capital for their industry and trade, we are also funding their prisons and other government institutions through taxes. Trade with China must be on the condition of improved human rights, particularly in light of the Beijing Olympics. The Drapchi Nuns case and the brutal put down of the Drapchi riots in 1998 are evidence of this.
The nuns and their translator showed little sign of nervousness in front of a huge crowd of around 150 – 200 people. The talk was the first of its kind in Leeds, and the first major event held by the newly reformed Free Tibet Society at Leeds University. We were delighted to get such a huge turnout, and would like to thank everyone who attended. We hope to continue spreading knowledge of the lack of freedom in Tibet, and the shocking human rights abuses perpetrated by Chinese authorities. Hopefully, there will be several positives arising from this talk- firstly the cause has got a lot more exposure, but there is also talk of establishing a non-student permanent Free Tibet group in Leeds. We were also pleased to see a number of Chinese students in the crowd, most of whom seemed very interested. As might be expected at a University with a large number of Chinese students, the translator was confronted by one rather rude girl, who said to him ‘We do not need to make this issue international.’ The response was simple: ‘Yes we do.’
>About the Drapchi 14
Between 1989 and 1992, 14 nuns were jailed for taking part in peaceful demonstrations in Tibet. All of the demonstrations were non-violent, involving less than half a dozen people and lasting less than five minutes. They have become known collectively as the Drapchi 14.
Drapchi Prison is notorious for its poor living conditions. Torture and ill-treatment by prison officials are commonplace. Political prisoners are often beaten severely and shocked with electric cattle prods. Nuns and other female prisoners have reportedly been raped. Listen to the stories of two former inmates, imprisoned solely for demonstrating for their human rights, and a Free Tibet.
Namdrol Lhamo and Gyaltsen Drolkar, will be touring UK universities for three weeks from 23rd February. Gyaltsen was just 19 years old when she was seized by the Chinese police. In June 1993, they had their sentences extended after being caught recording independence songs in the notorious Drapchi prison.
The nuns will be speaking at these towns and cities. Get in touch with the local group contact or email info@sftuk.org for more details. The tour is being organised by Students for a Free Tibet and the Free Tibet Campaign.
Thursday 23rd Feb: SOAS, London
Friday 24th: Oxford
Tuesday 28th: Bristol
Wed 1st March: Swansea
Thurs 2nd: Leeds
Friday 3rd: Nottingham
Mon 6th: Northampton
Wed 8th: Cambridge
Fri 10th: Brighton
Sat 11th: Uprising Day, London
>A Little More About the Nuns
Gyaltsen Drolkar and Namdrol Lhamo are two Tibetan nuns who are currently living in Belguim. Both of them are from Tibet, where they served long prison sentences for participating in pro-independence protests and shouting slogans such as “Free Tibet” and “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” In 1993, while in Drapchi prison, the two nuns recorded protest songs along with twelve other nuns. Consequently, their original sentences were extended by 6 - 8 years.
Namdrol Lhamo was born in a small village in the Western Tibet. At a young age, she became a nun and later joined a nunnery in the outskirts of Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. On the 11th of May 1992, Namdrol Lhamo aged 28 shouted “Free Tibet” in the heart of Lhasa City and within 5 minutes the Public Security Bureau arrested her. She was taken to Gutsa Detention Center where she was interrogated and tortured for almost two months. Namdrol Lhamo was later taken to the People’s Intermediate Court and was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for “Counter Revolutionary Actions.” In the same year, after experiencing severe interrogation and beatings, she was transferred to Drapchi prison where she spent the next 6 years. In 1993, for recording freedom songs with her inmates, Namdrol Lhamo’s sentence was extended by 5 more years.
Gyaltsen Drolkar was born and raised in a nomadic family in the east of Lhasa City. She joined a nunnery in Lhasa when she was 18 years old. In 1990 during an Opera Performance in Norbulingka, the summer palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Gyaltsen Drolkar participated in a peaceful demonstration with 12 other nuns from different nunneries around Lhasa. She was beaten up on the spot and arrested by the People’s Armed Army. Later she was taken to Gutsa Detention Center where she was interrogated and made to stand in the sun for hours. She was forced to confess through maltreatment and electric prod shocks. Gyaltsen Drolkar was kept in Gutsa for four months without trial. She later received 4 years and then was transferred to Drapchi prison. In 1993, her sentence was extended by 8 years for recording freedom songs.
Gyaltsen Drolkar was released in March 2002. Namdrol Lhamo finished her prison term and was released in September 2003. Both of them have been through military exercises while they were in Drapchi. They have also participated May 1st and 4th demonstrations in 1998 in Drapchi prison. They escaped from occupied Tibet in December 2004.
|
A recent picture of the 2 nuns
Relevant Websites
The Website of the Drapchi 14
Students For a Free Tibet UK
SFTUK Blogspot
Free Tibet Campaign
Amnesty International
Leeds University
Leeds University Tibet Soc
| |
FAQs l Contact the author l Site A-Z |
|
