Six Tibetans were sentenced to four to fourteen year prison terms by the Chinese authorities in September on varying charges of “instigating separatism” and “endangering state security”, reports the Tibet Times. The six are from the Serta region of eastern Tibet, they are author Gangkye Drupa Kyab; Seynam; Gangbu Yudrum; Samdup; Pema Rinchen and Gang Tsering Dolma. They have all been held incommunicado following their initial arrests over the last two years according to Tibet Times’s source, Golog Jigme, a former political prisoner who lives in Switzerland following his escape from Tibet.
In September this year, Kardze [Ch:Ganzi] Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Gangkye Drupa Kyab to 14 years in prison; Seynam to six years, Gangbu Yudrum; seven years; Samdup eight years; Pema Rinchen four years and Tsering Dolma eight years.
“Due to the severe restriction and constant surveillance inside Tibet, details about these six Tibetans, [news of] their health condition and in which prison they are being held are difficult to find out” said Golog Jigme.
Gangki Drupa Kyab
Gangkye Drupa Kyab was arrested on March 23, 2021, again from his home, by Serta County police. He was earlier detained by the Serta County police on February 15, 2021 when he was working as a teacher in a private school founded by Khenpo Tsultrim Lodoe in Kham Drago. Nyakchu county people’s court sentenced him to five years on August 1, 2013, on the charge of advocating the Tibetan movement. Following his release on September 16, 2017, he was accused of touching his head to a photo of a Rinpoche photo and “showing bad expression”, following which he was kept in Serta police station for 17 more days.
It is assumed that the main reason for his detention was that he has written several books and newsletters expressing the fate of Tibetan people and situation inside Tibet, and that he had formed group opposing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He was released from his five year prison sentence on the charge of political activism when his health deteriorated following torture in prison and poor food. He now suffers from multiple health conditions including heart issues, stroke, poor eye sight, forgetfulness, digestion and kidney problems.
Gangkyi Drupa Kyab was born on August 6, 1981 in Kham Kardze, his parents are father Thupten Nyima and mother Wangthang Dolma. He and his wife Wangchuk Lhamo have two children, a 16 year old daughter Mewang Kyi and 14 year son, Gang Tsenpo.
Samdup
Samdup was arrested by the county police on April 5, 2021. He was earlier detained in June 2012 when Nyakchu county people’s court sentenced him to five years for being among those who formed a group opposing the Chinese Communist Party and for advocating the Tibetan movement. He was released on August 19, 2016. He was arrested again on September 19 this year and remained in police custody for 17 days. Samdup was born in 1982 in Serta to his father, Soegyal and mother, Cheydhe.
Seynam
Seynam, a writer and environmental activist, was also arrested on March 23, 2021. In September 2020, he was detained for 15 days along with ten other Tibetans for forming a Tibetan parents’ welfare association. His father’s name is Dungkar and mother’s Newu Tso. He and his wife have two daughters.
Gangbu Yudrum
Gangbu Yudrum was arrested on March 22, 2021. 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. Yudrum is native of Serta county in Kham Kardze.
Tsering Dolma
Tsering Dolma was arrested on April 2, 2021. 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. She was born in 1997 in Serta County in Kham Kardze to her parents, father Solo and mother Tsokyi. She has two sons with her husband, Karma Wangchuk.
Pema Rinchen
Pema Rinchen, a writer,was arrested in 2020 after information of him writing his second book was discussed by his friends. In September this year, he was sentenced to four years after being kept incommunicado for over two years. In 2011, he published a book, following which he was arrested and then tortured during the interrogation about the book. Since then he has remained in poor health and lived under Chinese surveillance on his movements. Pema Rinchen is from Kham Kardze and lives with his mother and sister.
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