In the on-going aftermath of the Tibetan Peoples' Uprising against the Chinese government in 2008, people who took active part in the same are being gradually punished with the severest of sentences without the due process of law in Tibet. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has regretfully learnt of such an instance recently.

Pema Yeshi aged 28 years, a farmer from Thangkyi township of Nyarong County, Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province has been sentenced to a two-year suspended death sentence and Sonam Gonpo 24 years and Tsewang Gyatso 32 who are cooks at the Thankyi Primary School have been sentenced to life imprisonment and 16 years in jail term respectively. They have been charged with "inciting separatism" and "disturbing social order". In fact, these three brave Tibetans had taken an active part in the "Farming Boycott Movement" and "No Losar" or boycott of the celebration of Tibetan New Year to show solidarity with Tibetan martyrs and those who continue to languish in the Chinese prisons since the 2008 demonstrations. They have been sentenced, denied of even the basic legal rights guaranteed under the Chinese laws and with a summary secret trial without any representation from their side.

We strongly condemn this regression of the basic human rights and call upon all right thinking individuals and groups to raise their moral voice against this severe punishment.

Tibetan Parliament – in – Exile

(1st March 2010, Monday)