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[
back ] **URGENT ACTION ALERT*** Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and the Lithang Detainees! Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and the Lithang Detainees! On January 26, 2003, the death sentence of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a well-respected Lama from Kham who had been convicted of "inciting separatism, committing crimes of explosions, and illegal possession of guns and ammunition" for alleged involvement in a series of bomb blasts in and around Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was upheld by the Sichuan Higher People's Court. The same day, Lobsang Dhondup, also convicted of the same 'crimes,' was executed. At least ten other men associated with Rinpoche were arrested during the initial crackdown of April 2002, and as many as four remain in detention or are missing. These men include Tashi Phuntsok, Tserang Dhondrup, Choetsom, and Pasang.Ý Three others -- Tamdring Tsering, Ashar Dargye and Tsultrim Dhargye were released in April 2003 after serving one-year reeducation-through-labor terms (forced labor) for engaging in activities inciting "splittism." Immediately after his trial, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was taken to a secret location. Chinese authorities revealed in January 2004 that Rinpoche is being held at Tuandong prison in Sichuan Province. A gag order has placed on Rinpocheís family and that of Lobsang Dhondup. They remain virtual prisoners in their own homes. Additionally, there have been indications of torture against all men detained in connection to this case. The arrests, detentions, and sentences of these Tibetans indicate that political and religious repression is quickly on the rise in towns across Eastern Tibet. Lobsang Dhondup's ultimate fate was decided summarily, but there is still time to save Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and the Lithang Detainees! TAKE ACTION! PLEASE TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY to secure the release of Delek Rinpoche and the up to seven other Tibetans that remain in detention or are missing related to his arrest. Click on the links provided below to access contact info and a sample letter. Please use this info to write your own letters, or copy and paste our letter into a new document or email message to send to the individuals below. Thank you for your help and support. Click here for ideas on how to take local action Click
here for a sample letter LEARN MORE about Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, related detainees, and the escalated repression in the Lithang area. Click
here for Human Rights Watch's report on Tenzin Delek Click here for info on the releases of four detainees Click here for info on Tabo and Dhidhi's arrests SUPPORT THIS CAMPAGIN! [
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