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EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: ASA 17/01/91

Distr: UA/SC

UA 04/91 Death under Torture10 January 1991

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC)

(TIBETAN AUTONOMOUS REGION): Lhakpa Tsering

According to detailed allegations received by Amnesty International,

Lhakpa Tsering, a 20 year-old Tibetan political prisoner and possible prisoner of conscience, reportedly died under torture on 15 December 1990 while held in Drapchi prison in Lhasa, capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the PRC.

Lhakpa Tsering's body was reportedly handed over to his family on 16 December 1990. According to the allegations received by Amnesty international, Lhakpa Tsering was severely beaten while held in a cell in Drapchi prison. His family reportedly asked that an inquest into the cause of his death be carried out. A post-mortem was reportedly held at a burial ground, attended by a Tibetan doctor and an official from the local People's Procuratorate. Lhakpa Tsering's body was reportedly found to "bear many bruise marks".

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lhakpa Tsering was reportedly arrested on 4 November 1989, together with five other Tibetan middle school students. Their arrest was confirmed on 8 December 1989 by the Lhasa Radio. Five of the pupils, including Lhakpa Tsering, were reportedly accused of having formed a "counter-revolutionary" organization called the Gangchen [Mountain Range] Youth Association and of having posted "reactionary" posters in central Lhasa and called for Tibet's independence.

Lhakpa Tsering was not known to have been sentenced following his arrest. Two of the five middle school students he was arrested with are believed to be still held in Drapchi prison. They are Lhakpa Tsering Junior, believed to be aged only 14 and to be serving a 2-year sentence, and Migmar Tsering, who is not known to have been charged or sentenced. Neither Lhakpa Tsering nor any of the other five students arrested with him were known to have used or advocated the use of violence. They were believed to have been arrested solely for the peaceful exercize of conscientiously held beliefs.

Although a post-mortem appears to have been carried out after Lhakpa Tsering's death was reported, its results were not made public and no full-scale enquiry was known to have been held. Amnesty International is concerned that an enquiry into reports of the death under torture of Lhakpa Tsering should be held without delay by an independent, impartial and competent body and that its results should be made public.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telexes and airmail letters:

- expressing regret at the reported death under torture of Lhakpa Tsering;

- requesting that a full enquiry into reports of Lhakpa Tsering's death be opened immediately by an independent, impartial and competent body, and that its results be made public.

APPEALS TO:

Tibet Autonomous Region President:

Gyaincain Norbu Zhuxi

Xizang Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu

Lasashi

Xizang Zangzu Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Regional Chief Procurator:

YANG Youcai Jianchazhang

Xizang Zizhiqu Renmin Jianchayuan

Lasashi

Xizang Zangzu Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Telexes for both: 68014 FAOLT CN or 68007 PGVMT CN

Supreme People's Procuratorate President:

LIU Fuzhi Jianchazhang

Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan

Beijing

People's Republic of China

Telex: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN

COPIES TO:

Editor, Tibet Daily:

JIA Rui Zongbianji

Xizang Ribao

Lasashi

Xizang Zangzu Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Secretary, Chinese Communist Party Regional Committtee:

HU Jintao Shuji

Zhonggong Xizang Weiyuanhui

Lasashi

Xizang Zangzu Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Chief Editor, People's Daily:

SHAO Huaze Zong Bianji

Renmin Ribao

Jintaixilu 2

Chaoyangmenwai

Beijingshi 100733

People's Republic of China

and to diplomatic representatives of the PRC in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 21 February 1991.