Five Tibetans have been arrested in Serta county in Kham Kardze for organising religious activities; one died in detention, reports Tibet Watch, the United Kingdom based non-government group working to promote the human rights of the Tibetan people through monitoring, research and advocacy.
Chudhar, Gelo, Tsedor, Bhamo and Kori from Khakor Township in Serthar County in Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture were arrested on August 24 and taken to a detention centre on the same day. Chudhar’s family was informed two days later that he died in prison. Tibet Watch reports that according to the information they received, Chudhar, 52, died after undergoing excessive beating and torture while in detention and that he did not have any pre-existing illnesses prior to his arrest. Tibet Watch further stated that there have been clear attempts by the police to cover up the circumstances of his death as before being allowed to recover his body, the family was required to sign a letter verifying that the police did not kill him.
Chudhar was the sole provider for his family: his wife, children, father (71) and mother (75). The family was offered a one-off payment of 100,000 Yuan [£ 12,500 /$ 14,000] and an additional 10,000 Yaun [£ 1,250 / $1,400 ] to each member of his family every year.
The other four detainees were transferred to a detention centre in Kardze County on August 31 and are still being held.
The five Tibetans were appointed by their community to take charge of the community’s religious activities such as rituals, incense burning and prayer offerings. The community members considered them dedicated and sincere team.
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