Tibetan Information Office (TIO) is based in Canberra.

Update on Tibet Demonstrations, 4 July 2008

1 July 2008: Karze (Ch: Ganzi) County, Karze “TAP” (incorporated into a Chinese province of Sichuan) – Monks stopped Chinese forces from raiding Khangmar monastery

Every year on 1 July, Khangmar (Gaeden Samdupling) monastery use to conduct its one of the annual religious ceremonies. This year also when over 70 monks were conducting such a ceremony, Public Security Bureau (PSB), the People’s Armed Police (PAP), and officials arrived at the monastery to raid the quarters of those five monks who were arrested between 14 – 22 June.

Due to a strong opposition from all the monks against being bullied by the Chinese authorities and forces, the raid had to be postponed temporarily. The monks are likely to continue to hold onto their opposition against such raids.

28 June 2008

Serthar (Ch: Seda) County, Karze “TAP” (incorporated into a Chinese province of Sichuan) – Three monks from Noobsur monastery arrested for staging a peaceful protest

On 28 June at around 2:30 p.m., Trulku Gedun, Sashe, Gyachuk Wangchuk (or Yangchuk), all three monks from Noobsur monastery in Serthar county, were arrested for shouting slogans. Detailed information is awaited.

26 June 2008

Karze (Ch: Ganzi) County, Karze “TAP” (incorporated into a Chinese province of Sichuan) – A nun from Dragkar nunnery arbitrarily arrested

The PAP and PSB arrived at the Dragkar nunnery under Karze county on 26 June and arbitrarily arrested its nun Tsering Wangchuk, one of the heads of the nunnery. No detailed information is available.

18 June 2008

Karze (Ch: Ganzi) County, Karze “TAP” (incorporated into a Chinese province of Sichuan) – Nuns staged peaceful protests

On 18 June at around 11:00 a.m., Ngawang Phuntsok (32), from Bhulshar Ngangpa Taktsang family in Karze county, carried out a peaceful protest while waving the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in front of the county PSB office. He also distributed many leaflets.

During the protest, he shouted slogans such as “Chinese authorities must not denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Bring human rights in Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama should be invited to Tibet”. He was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.

Just after an hour of his arrest, Yangzom (31), Baywang or Pemo (27), and Lhamo (29), all three nuns from Yarteng nunnery, staged a peaceful protest. They also shouted similar slogans such as “His Holiness the Dalai Lama should be invited to Tibet. Bring human rights in Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans. Release Lobsang Tenzin Yeshi Thinley Rinpoche [the founder of Pangri Na and Yarteng nunneries who was arrested on 18 May]”.

Over 50 nuns from Pangri Na nunnery were arrested on 14 May. Four have been released. Remaining are being detained in a prison located in Dartsedo (Ch: Kangding) county, Karze “TAP”.