Three Tibetan monks sentenced to ‘Re-education Through Labour’, China tries to dissuade Kirti monks with money

Around 10 September 2011, three Kirti monks were sentenced to 2- 3 years’ of ‘Re-education Through Labour’ by the Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture Public Security Bureau (PSB). The three monks: Lobsang Dhargye, Tsekho and Dorjee were all arrested around 12 April 2011 on suspicion related to the 16 March 2011 self immolation of monk Phuntsog.

According to our sources, Dorjee, 16, from Lhoengtsang Village, Ngaba County, has been sentenced to three years re-education through labor.

Tsekho is 30 years old, born in Tru-tse Township, Ngaba County and 22 years old Lobsang Dhargye is from Myeruma, Ngaba County. Both Tsekho and Lobsang Dhargye have been sentenced to re-education through labor for two years and six months.

Since the beginning of this month, Kirti Monastery monks were on 15 days annual holiday. By this time (19 September), all monks are supposed to be back at the monastery but very few of them were back at the monastery from their holiday. However, many Chinese officials arrived at the monastery claiming to make identity cards for the Kirti monks. Sources also said that the Head of the monastery and his assistants have been frequently harassed by the Chinese officials.

It is also known that the Chinese authorities are planning sturdily to further endorse the ‘Patriotic Re-education’ and to significantly minimize the strength of monks. They have promised payment of 20,000 Yuan and also a loan of 50,000 Yuan to help in ‘starting a new livelihood’ to those who voluntarily resigns from the monastery. Yet, so far none of the monks has claimed such reward and benefits.