Arbitrary arrest of seven monks of Labrang Monastery

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

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by The Tibetan Centre for Human Rigths and Democracy (TCHRD), member of OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the arbitrary arrest of seven monks of Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County, Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture “TAP”, Gansu Province, namely Gendun Gyatso (30 years old), Gyurmey (40 years old), Gelek Gyurmey (30 years old), Sangay (30 years old), Samten (32 years old), Yonten (34 years old), and Thabkhey (30 years old) on 1 April 2008 by members of the People’s Armed Police and officials of the Public Security Bureau. While Thabkhey was later released (exact date currently unknown), the current whereabouts of the six others are unknown.

According to the information received, Thabkhey was released in a very poor state of health. He reportedly has bruise marks all over his body and he is currently mentally unstable, indicating that he may have been severely beaten during his detention.

According to the same information, the seven monks were arrested for having protested on 14 March 2008 in Sangchu County, during which they reportedly displayed the banned Tibetan national flag. At the time of their arrest, they were reportedly asked where they did get the flags from and who motivated them to protest.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the safety of Gendun Gyatso, Gyurmey, Gelek Gyurmey, Sangay, Samten and Yonten, whose whereabouts are currently unknown and who, according to the information received, were arrested and detained solely for their peaceful political and religious beliefs and the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. OMCT fears that they may be subject to torture and ill-treatment. OMCT is also very much concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Thabkhey. OMCT recalls that China is a State party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In line with their obligations under this treaty, it is incumbent on the Chinese authorities to consider seriously any allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and to undertake a thorough and impartial investigation in this regard. OMCT urges the authorities to conform with China’s international human rights obligations, commitments that were reaffirmed on the occasion of its election as a member of the new United Nations Human Rights Council.

Actions Requested

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

1. Immediately locate the whereabouts of Gendun Gyatso, Gyurmey, Gelek Gyurmey, Sangay, Samten and Yonten;
2. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Gendun Gyatso, Gyurmey, Gelek Gyurmey, Sangay, Samten, Yonten and Thabkhey;
3. Order the immediate release of Gendun Gyatso, Gyurmey, Gelek Gyurmey, Sangay, Samten and Yonten in the absence of valid legal charges, or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial, independent, competent and fair tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
4. Guarantee immediate and unconditional access to their lawyers, families and any medical treatment they may require;
5. Order a thorough and impartial investigation into these events in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
6. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• Mr. Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Guojia Zongli, The State Council General Office, 2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu, Beijingshi 100017, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Mr. Wu Aiying, Minister of Justice of the People’s Republic of China, Buzhang Sifabu, 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu, Beijingshi 100020, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 6529 2345, minister@legalinfo.gov.cn / pfmaster@legalinfo.gov.cn
• Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Buzhang Waijiaobu, 2 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Beijingshi 100701, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 6588 2594, Email: ipc@fmprc.gov.cn;
• Mr. Meng Jianzhu, 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
• Mr. Ma Zhenchuan, Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau, Juzhang, Beijingshi Gong’anju, 9 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongchengqu, Beijingshi 100740, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 85222320, Email: wbjc2sohu.com
• Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice, Sifating, 24 Shangxiznglu, Chengdushi 610015, Sichuansheng, People's Republic of China
• Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China, Ch. De Surville, CP 85, 1213 Petit-Lancy 2, Suisse, e-mail: mission.china@ties.itu.int, Fax : +41 22 793 70 14
• Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brussels, Avenue de Tervuren, 463 1160 Auderghem, Belgium, Tel: + 32 2 663 30 10 / + 32 2 663 30 17 / +32 2 771 14 97 / +32 2 779 43 33; Fax: +32 2 762 99 66 / +32 2 779 28 95; Email: chinaemb_be@mfa.gov.cn

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

Geneva, 10 April 2008

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