Chamdo sees another drastic protest; another senior monk arrested

After Phakpa Gyaltsen stabbed himself and jumped to his death to protest Chinese mining on 7 May, a second man from his village carried out a similar protest. Rigzin, aged 34, stabbed himself and tried to jump off Phakba Gyaltsen’s house. His action was to show solidarity with Gyaltsen and also protest against the mining. Other Tibetans prevented Rigzin from jumping and took him to a hospital in Chamdo. His current condition is unknown as police have surrounded the hospital and communications have been cut in the region. In April Tibetans protesting against the mining in this area were arrested but later released due to appeals from the local community. China is actively destroying the Tibetan environment with mines and other projects, which frequently lead to protests by Tibetans.

China targets Tibetan monastery

Update: Lodoe Rabsel released. Forbidden from any religious activities and not permitted to leave his village. After recent arrests of two Khenpos (senior monks), the abbot of Karma Monastery in Chamdo has been rearrested, days after his release from prison. His whereabouts and situation are unknown. Lodoe Rabsel 43, was released on 5 May 2014 after serving over 2 years for refusing to participate in a political re-education program, in which monks are often required to denounce the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama. Since the 2008 protests and the bombing of a Chinese government building in Karma Township on 26 October 2011, the monastery has been under strict surveillance and restrictions. Monks from this monastery have been accused and targeted because of the proximity of their monastery to the bombing. Karma Monastery is also linked to the arrests of both Khenpo Khedup and Khenpo Kartse.

Take action

The international community must pressure China to respect the rights of Tibetans. Our new campaign action page can help you send a message directly to your own foreign ministry wherever you are to ask for action on Tibet.