Tibetan Monk Formerly Imprisoned And Permanently Injured Still Under Surveillance

2-2-2022

Alexandros Anthis

Tibet and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence

According to reports, Geshe Tsewang Namgyal, a former Tibetan monk imprisoned for six years and impaired by beatings during custody, is still being watched by Chinese authorities even after his release in 2018. Despite his age and infirmity, Namgyal is monitored with the purpose of preventing his resurgence as a human rights activist.

Geshe Tsewang Namgyal used to be a monk at the Draggo monastery in Sichuan’s Kardze in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He was released from incarceration in frail health on 24 January 2018 and has since been in a critical state as he sustained heavy injuries and permanent disability during his detention. Sources claim that his legs are damaged to the point of immobilization, while his health is deteriorating as a result of the battering.

Namgyal was apprehended on 23 January 2012, for participating in peaceful protests in Draggo County against Chinese authoritarianism. These protests were marked by violence that resulted in the shooting of protestors by the police. Sources had reported deaths and injuries from the shooting, albeit without providing an accurate number of casualties.

After serving his sentence, Namgyal was released on several conditions. Indicatively, he could not return to his former monastery, participate in assemblies, own a cell phone or recount his prison experiences to anyone, while he had to get authorization for travelling or visiting a hospital.

He was arrested along with other Tibetan activists who were also released from prison in failing states of health after serving their sentences. Sources allege that they too are being monitored by the police.

Commentators are criticizing the tight grip kept by the authorities on the former prisoners. They point out that the authorities’ purpose is to eventually incapacitate former political prisoners and diminish their chances of re-engaging in such activities.

Sources and further reading:

Central Tibetan Administration (2022, February 1). Tibetan former political prisoner in failing health still watched by police. Retrieved February 1, 2022 from https://tibet.net/tibetan-former-political-prisoner-in-failing-health-still-watched-by-police/ 

Kunchok, S. (2022, January 1). Tibetan former political prisoner in failing health still watched by police. Retrieved February 1, 2022 from https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/watched-01312022161153.html 

Radio Free Asia (2018, February 8). Tibetan Monk Released From Prison, Disabled From Beatings. Retrieved February 1, 2022 from https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/beatings-02082018153910.html