Alleged torture and subsequent death in detention of Karwang, a 36-year-old Tibetan monk at Nyagrong Monastery

Death in detention/ Allegationof torture/ Extrajudicial killing

The International Secretariat of the WorldOrganisation Against Torture (OMCT)requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the People’s Republic of China.

Brief description of the situation

The InternationalSecretariat of OMCT has been informed by The Tibetan Centre for Human Rightsand Democracy (TCHRD), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the tortureand subsequent death in detention of Karwang,a 36-year-old Tibetan monk at Nyagrong Monastery, in Nyagrong (Chinese:Xinlong) County, Kardze (Chinese: Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures,Sichuan Province.

According to the information received, in May 2012,Karwang was arrested on suspicion of having put up posters calling for freedomon the walls of a Chinese government building in Nyagrong County a few daysearlier. He was taken to Dartsedo (Chinese: Kangding) County where he wasdetained for about eight days. The authorities reportedly tried to force him toconfess to having put up the posters but Karwang denied. He was allegedlytortured (including beatings).

According to the same information received, Karwangdied a few days later in detention. His relatives received a call from Dartsedopolice telling them to come to collect his body.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravelyconcerned about the alleged torture to which Karwang was subjected, whichallegedly led to his death. OMCT calls upon the competent authorities to carryout a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartialinvestigation into the circumstances of these events, notably theallegations of torture and resulting death of Karwang, in accordance with international human rights standards, such asthe UN Principle on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal,Arbitrary and Summary Executions, the result of which must be made public, inorder to bring those responsible before a competent, independent and impartialtribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided bylaw.

Actions Requested

Please write to theauthorities in the People’s Republic of China urging them to:

i. Carry out aprompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these events,notably the allegations of torture and resulting death of Karwang, inaccordance with international human rights standards, inter alia, with the UNPrinciple on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal,Arbitrary and Summary Executions, the result of which must be made public,in orderto bring those responsiblebefore a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civiland/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;

ii. Ensure that adequate, effective and promptreparation, including adequate compensation, is granted to the victim’s family;

iii. Guaranteethe respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the countryin accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• Mr. Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of thePeople’s Republic of China, Guojia Zongli, The State Council GeneralOffice, 2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu, Beijingshi 100017, People’s Republic ofChina, Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Ms. WuAiying, Minister of Justice of the People’s Republic of China, BuzhangSifabu, 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu, Beijingshi 100020, People’sRepublic of China, Fax: +86 10 6529 2345, minister@legalinfo.gov.cn / pfmaster@legalinfo.gov.cn
• Mr. DaiBingguo,Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, BuzhangWaijiaobu, 2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Beijingshi 100701, People’s Republic ofChina, Fax: +86 10 6588 2594, Email: ipc@fmprc.gov.cn;
• Mr. MengJianzhu, Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China,Buzhang, Gong’anbu, 14 Dongchang’anjie, Dongchengqu, Beijingshi 100741,People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 63099216
• PermanentMission of the People’s Republic of China, Chemin de Surville 11, P.O. Box85, 1213 Petit-Lancy 2, Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7937014, E-mail: mission.china@ties.itu.int;

Please also write to the embassies of the People’s Republic of China in your respective country.

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Geneva, 21 June 2012

Kindly inform us of anyaction undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.