| PLEASE
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION:
Further information on EXTRA 89/02
(ASA 17/059/2002, 6 December 2002) and follow-ups (ASA 17/002/2003, 9 January
2003, and ASA 7/006/2003, 22 January 2003)
Fear of imminent execution/death
penalty/unfair trial/torture or ill-treatment/incommunicado detention/possible
"disappearance"
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
1 Lobsang Dhondup (also known
as Luo Rang Deng Zhu) (m)
2 Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche (also
known as Ngawang Tashi or A An Zha Xi) (m)
3 Tsultrim Dargye (m), aged 36
4 Tamdring Tsering (m), aged
33
5 Ashar (or Aka) Dhargye (m),
aged 40
6 Tashi Phuntsok (m), aged 39
7 Tserang Dondrup (also known
as Jortse or Jotse) (m), aged approximately 65
8 Choetsom (m), aged 19
Amnesty International has
received reports that Lobsang Dhondup was executed on 26 January 2003,
after his conviction was upheld for alleged involvement in a series of
bombings in Sichuan province, southwest China. There are serious concerns
that Lobsang Dhondup's trial was unfair. He appears to have been held for
several months incommunicado, he was not given full and adequate legal
representation and his trial was held in secret. According to official
sources, this was because the case involved "state secrets", but the authorities
have not explained how this related to the charges the defendants faced,
which included "inciting separatism", "causing explosions" and "illegal
possession of guns and ammunition".
Lobsang Dhondup's co-defendant,
the Tibetan religious leader, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, had been given a death
sentence with a two-year suspension of execution in connection with the
same case. His appeal was also rejected by the Sichuan High People's Court
on 26 January 2003.
Amnesty International has
also learnt that Tserang Dondrup, arrested in connection with the monks'
detention, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, and not to eight
as previously stated. Some six others arrested in connection with the case
are believed to remain in detention. The whereabouts of two young monks
who were reportedly interrogated and beaten in connection with the case
remain unknown and there are
serious concerns for their safety.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION:
According to media reports, Lobsang
Dhondup's execution was confirmed by a local court official at the Kardze
(Ganzi) Intermediate People's Court, in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
of Sichuan Province. If this is true, it would be the first known case
of the execution of a Tibetan for alleged political offences in many years.
Until now, the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR), home to the mainly
Muslim Uighur minority, was the only place where Amnesty International
has recorded executions of political prisoners in recent years. There are
serious concerns that this case could signal a move by the Chinese authorities
to extend the use of the death penalty to those branded as political opponents,
'separatists' or 'terrorists' beyond the XUAR. In China the death
penalty is used extensively, arbitrarily and frequently as a result of
political interference. There is often an increase in executions and death
sentences on or around major events or before public holidays, such as
on National Day (1 October) or the Chinese New Year, which this year falls
between 1-3 February. Execution is by shooting or lethal injection.
FURTHER
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals to arrive as
quickly as possible, in Chinese or your own language: (Luo Rang Deng Zhu
and A An Zha Xi are the
Chinese names of Lobsang Dhondup
and Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche. Please use these Chinese names in letters to
the authorities).
- expressing dismay at the reported
execution of Luo Rang Deng Zhu (Lobsang Dhondup) on 26 January 2003;
- expressing opposition to the death
penalty as the ultimate form of cruel and inhumane punishment, and a violation
of the right to life, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights;
- calling on the Chinese government
to end its extensive and arbitrary use of the death penalty and not to
carry out further executions prior to the upcoming Chinese New Year (1-3
February 2003);
- expressing grave concern that
the trials of both Luo Rang Deng Zhu (Lobsang Dhondup) and A An Zha Xi
(Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche) were unfair, and calling on the authorities to
conduct an immediate and impartial review of the case against A An Zha
Xi (Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche);
- if the charges are well-founded,
calling on the authorities to conduct a re-trial in an open court in line
with international fair trial standards; if the charges are not well-founded,
calling for A An Zha Xi (Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche) to be released unconditionally;
- calling on the authorities to
reveal the names and whereabouts of all those believed to be detained in
connection with this case and to clarify the charges against them;
- urging the authorities to release
them unless they are charged or convicted of a recognizable criminal offence;
- calling on the authorities to
launch a full, immediate and impartial investigation into all allegations
of torture or ill-treatment with a view to bringing the perpetrators to
justice.
APPEALS
TO:
(NOTE: Fax numbers may be difficult
to obtain, but please keep trying)
*Acting
Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government ZHANG Zhongwei Daishengzhang
Sichuansheng
Renmin Zhengfu Duyuanjie, Chengdushi
Sichuansheng,
People's Republic of China
Telegram: Provincial Governor, Chengdu,
China
Fax: +86 28 8435 6784 / 8435 6789
(c/o Foreign Affairs office of Sichuan Government)
Salutation: Dear Governor
*Director
of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice ZENG Xianzhang Tingzhang
Sifating 24 Shangxianglu,
Chengdushi 610015 Sichuansheng People's
Republic of China
Telegram: Director, Sichuan Justice
Department,
Chengdu, China
Fax: +86 2 8435 6784 / 8435 6789
(c/o Foreign Affairs office of Sichuan Government)
Salutation: Dear Director
*Minister
of Justice Zhang Fusen Sifabu (Ministry of Justice)
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020, People's Republic of China
Telegram: Justice Minister, Beijing,
China
Fax: +86 10 65 292345 (c/o Ministry
of Communications)
Salutation: Dear Minister
*President
of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China XIAO Yang
Yuanzhang Zuigao Renmin Fayuan
27 Dongjiao Min Xiang
Beijingshi 100726 , People's Republic
of China
Telegram: President of Supreme People's
Court,
Beijing, China
Fax: + 86 10 6529 2345 (c/o Ministry
of Communications)
Salutation: Dear President
COPIES TO:
Diplomatic representatives of the People's Republic of China accredited
to your country.
PLEASE SEND
APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. |
