TPPD

On 11 December 2023, Kunchok Lodoe, a Tibetan activist who received a 13-year prison sentence for protesting against the Chinese government, passed away at the age of 54. His friends and fellow activists stated that he was in generally good health before his passing on December 11th.

He was beaten harshly till his body turned numb and a new method of 'Cold Cell' torture was first used on him where he was surrounded by cold metal sheets on either side of the wall to lower the temperature of the cell.

Zangkar Jamyang a Tibetan writer had been taken away and disappeared by China nearly three years ago from Khyungchu County in Ngaba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. He has recently been found serving a four-year jail sentence.

In June 2023, former political prisoner Mr. Wangchen was detained by the Lhasa Police and subjected to torture, resulting in severe injuries to his intestines. He was scheduled to be sent to his hometown, Sershul County (Ch: Shiqu), in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, by plane. However, airline managers refused to take him due to his health condition, prompting an urgent transfer to the military hospital near Sarah Monastery.

TCHRD learned that Chugdar passed away after being subjected to severe beatings and other forms of torture during his detention as he had no record of medical conditions at the time of his arrest.

Chugdar's family learned that he had passed away while in custody after two days.

Ludup spent the years 2008 to 2020 hiding from the police, who resorted to publishing a public notice calling on the people of Meruma township in Ngaba County to inform them about Ludup and a few other Kirti monks. The notice described them as having participated in an “illegal protest movement.”

Following his arrest and trial, he served his sentence in Deyang (德阳) Prison, located in Huang Xu Town in Deyang City, Sichuan Province.

On 23 November 2016, following over a year and a month of detention, a court in Trochu County held a trial for them. It was the first time they saw each other since their arrest. No family members were present, but two government-appointed lawyers, one Chinese and one Tibetan. They were falsely accused of separatist activities and supporting the Dalai Lama’s group and sentenced to three years each, despite being minors at 16 years old.

After the trial, they were taken to ethnic minority prisons in Sichuan and then to Chengdu city’s largest women’s prison. For the initial three months, they underwent military training and patriotic education and learned about the Chinese constitution.

On 23 November 2016, following over a year and a month of detention, a court in Trochu County held a trial for them. It was the first time they saw each other since their arrest. No family members were present, but two government-appointed lawyers, one Chinese and one Tibetan. They were falsely accused of separatist activities and supporting the Dalai Lama’s group and sentenced to three years each, despite being minors at 16 years old.

After the trial, they were taken to ethnic minority prisons in Sichuan and then to Chengdu city’s largest women’s prison. For the initial three months, they underwent military training and patriotic education and learned about the Chinese constitution.

In May 2023, he was arbitrarily detained for allegedly disseminating teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to local residents. Gedun Tenzin Dorje was skilled in reading and often provides explanations, including those of His Holiness's texts to local residents.

Although he was detained and subsequently released, he was prohibited from continuing his religious explanations. On 25 May 2023, due to heavy surveillance and restrictions by the Chinese authority, he tragically took his own life at home.

Following the arrest of Semkyi Dolma, her family members including her brother, Mr Tsedo went to the police station several times to enquire about her whereabouts, but the authorities refused to speak with him.