Six Tibetans – all prominent writers, environmental activists and former political prisoners, have been arrested in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in eastern Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia (RFA). Communication restrictions have impeded information getting through so the reasons for the arrests are unknown at the moment, reports RFA’s source, Golok Jigme, a former political prisoner now living in Switzerland.
Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, a writer and former political prisoner from Serta County in Kardze was detained by local police on March 23. He had been previously arrested and jailed in 2012, before being released in 2016 in poor health. Writer and environmental activist Sey Nam was also arrested on March 23. In September 2020, he was detained for 15 days for forming a Tibetan parents’ welfare association.
Former political prisoner Gangbu Yudrum was arrested on March 22. Yudrum has served prison time in the past: he was sentenced to three years for his participation in the 2008 Tibetan uprising against China’s rule, raising the Tibetan national flag, and in 2012 he served two years for campaigning for continued activism in Tibet.
Tsering Dolma, a former political prisoner, was arrested on April 2. She has served two previous prison sentences, in 2008 and 2012, for protesting against China’s rule and policies in Tibet. She was tortured in prison and as a result her health has been poor, and reportedly her mental health suffers as well.
All four detainees were people listed by the Chinese local authorities and live under surveillance. They have been constantly called for questioning and to report on their movements to their local office, as well as being restricted from travelling outside Serta County in Kardze prefecture.
Two other people whose details are not yet known were also detained around the same time, reports RFA, again quoting Golok Jigme.
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