Lobsang Lhundup, 41, a Tibetan writer whose pen name is Dhi Lhaden, has been sentenced to four years in prison following a secret trial, on a charge of “creating disorder among the public”. This follows his writing a book criticising Chinese rule in Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia. He has been in custody for two years and his family has not been allowed to visit or to bring him food or clothes and the current state of his health is unknown.
Lhundup was taken into custody in June 2019 while working in a private cultural education centre in Chengdu.
Born in 1980, Lhundup is a native of the Pema district of Golog in Amco [Ch: Sichuan]. He became monk at the age of 11 and studied Buddhism in Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy in Kardze where, over the last couple of years, thousands of resident monks and nuns have been forcibly evicted by the Chinese authorities.
In his late 20’s, Lhundup taught Buddhism in Drepung and Sera monasteries in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and travelled widely in Tibet. Later he wrote and published books about the region-wide protests in 2008 against Beijing’s policies and rule in Tibetan areas.
He has a wife and child. On December 4, 2020 his family was summoned by the Chinese authorities to discuss his case but learned only that his case still pending and they would not be allowed to visit him.
Writers, singers and artists in Tibet who promote Tibetan national identity and culture have frequently been detained by the Chinese authorities, with many handed long jail terms, reports RFA, saying that this has increased following the 2008 widespread protests across Tibet against Chinese rule.
Print
Email