Death of Mr Goshul Lobsang following torture suffered in detention_OMCT calls for an immediate investigation

Death caused by torture

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

TheInternationalSecretariat of OMCT has been informed by The Tibetan Centre for Human Rightsand Democracy (TCHRD), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the death ofMr Goshul Lobsang, a 43-year-oldTibetan political prisoner released on medical parole late 2013, followingtorture suffered in detention.

According to the information received, on 19 March2014, Mr Goshul Lobsang died at his home at Bhelban Township in Machu County inKanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in China’s Gansu Province.

According to the same information received, Mr GoshulLobsang was repeatedly tortured by the Chinese police and the prison authoritieswhile in detention (see backgroundinformation). The torture allegedly included severe beating and repeatedpiercing and penetration of tooth pick-like objects into the tops of hisfingernails and cuticles. Mr Goshul Lobsang never received appropriate medicalcare during his detention. He was reportedly only given all kinds ofpain-relief injections that only worsened his condition. On 27 October 2013, hewas released on medical parole. It is believed that the authorities decided torelease him since they feared that he would die in custody.

Upon release from prison, Mr Goshul Lobsang hadreportedly lost a lot of weight. He was unable to speak, walk, eat or drink. Hedied less than five months after his release on medical parole.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravelyconcerned about the death of Mr Goshul Lobsang caused by torture and otherill-treatment suffered while in detention. OMCT urges the competent Chineseauthorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartialinvestigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr Goshul Lobsang,the result of which must be made public, in order to bring those responsiblebefore a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil,and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law.

OMCT recalls that the authorities have to fulfil theirobligations under international human rights law, notably the UN ConventionAgainst Torture, to protect the right to life and the right not be subjected totorture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and tobringing to justice those responsible for violating these rights.

Background information

Mr Goshul Lobsang was arrested on 16 May 2010 for allegedlyleading a protest in 2008 against the Chinese authorities at Bhelban Township,in Machu County. In December 2010, the Gannan Intermediate People’s Courtsentenced him to 12 years in prison and he was imprisoned in Lanzhou, thecapital of Gansu Province.

Actions Requested

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

i. Carry out a prompt, effective,thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the death of Mr Goshul Lobsang in accordance withinternational human rights standards, the result of which must be made public,in order to 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 prompt reparation, including adequate compensation, is granted tothe victim’s family;

iii. Guaranteetherespect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country inaccordance with national laws and international human rights standards;

iv. Ensure that all persons deprived oftheir liberty are treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity ofthe human person as guaranteed by international human rights law;

v. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN ConventionAgainst Torture.

Addresses

· Mr. Li Keqiang Guojiazhongli, Prime Minister of thePeople’s Republic of China, Guojia Zongli, The State Council General Office, 2Fuyoujie, Xichengqu, Beijingshi 100017, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 1065961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Email: notice@scio.gov.cn

· Minister of Justice of the People’s Republic ofChina, Wu Aiying Buzhang Sifabu, 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu,Beijingshi 100020, People’s Republic of China, Fax: +86 10 6529 2345, Emails: minister@legalinfo.gov.cn / pfmaster@legalinfo.gov.cn

· Ambassador Wu Hailong, Permanent Mission of thePeople’s Republic of China, Chemin de Surville 11, P.O. Box 85, 1213Petit-Lancy 2, Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7937014, E-mail: chinamission_gva@mfa.gov.cn

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

***

Geneva, 27 March 2014

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