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Political Prisoners

In 1996 the Chinese government launched a re-education campaign aimed primarily at the monasteries. The guiding principle is that if the troublesome monks were to disappear from the monasteries, resistance in Tibet would automatically decline. As a result of this campaign, monks have been imprisoned and many have fled. Protests were suppressed with violence. In 1996 a "strike hard" campaign, was launched in China to apprehend criminals. In Tibet political activists were arrested under the pretext of this campaign. Over 3,000 political prisoners have detained since 1987. Tow of them, in particular, have emerged as international symbols of the protest against the Chinese policy.

Re-education in the monasteries

In August 1996 a group of 100 Chinese civil servants descended on the Drepung monastery. Within the context of re-education, the monks were required to take courses in history, law and politics. According to the Chinese it was necessary for them to learn the correct political and legal truths because "Buddhism must adapt to socialism because the religion impedes social and economic development." Following these courses (which lasted five months instead of the scheduled three months, the monks are required to take a kind of test or sing a document. The monks are then divided into categories: those who pass the test are deemed to support unity with China, to reject an independent Tibet, to recognise the Panchen Lama appointed by the Chinese and to confirm that the Dalai Lama threatens the unity of the people. They are given a red card entitling them to travel. Monks who fail the test are given a blue card which severely restricts their right to travel. The campaign began in the large monasteries, such as Sera and Gaden. Last May the Gaden monks refused to remove images of the Dalai Lama and fights ensued. One monk was killed and 100 were arrested. Three other monasteries closed their doors in protest, but were soon forced to open again.

International attention to political prisoners

Information comes from a variety of sources, including the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala (India), the Tibet Offices around the world, and the Tibet Information Network (TIN), an independent news agency in London, all of which are helping to monitor the situation in Tibet, along with other international support groups.

Song of sadness in our hearts We sing this to our brothers and friends What we Tibetans feel in this darkness will pass The food does not sustain body or soul Beatings impossible to forget This suffering inflicted upon us May no other suffer like this... 'May no others suffer like this' Nun's Song, Drapchi Prison

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