(Please contact Free Tibet Campaign if acting after 31 October 2004)

Phuntsog Nyidrol (37), the last of the 'Drapchi 14' group of imprisoned nuns to be released, has been under constant surveillance in her home village by the Chinese authorities since being freed from Drapchi Prison, according to Human Rights Watch. Phuntsog was released one year early from a 16 year prison sentence on 26 February 2004, following an international campaign on her behalf by Free Tibet Campaign and other human rights groups. Since her release, at least two security personnel (two from the prison authorities and two from the local county public security) constantly monitor her movements and she is only allowed outside with an escort. All visitors must sign in and she is monitored for any expression of political sentiment. Her health remains the subject of great concern as it is not known whether she has had proper medical treatment since her release and it is thought that she is still suffering from kidney damage and memory loss as a result of the number and severity of beatings she received whilst in Drapchi.

China cynically uses the release of political prisoners to alleviate international political pressure on the regime at key times whilst subjecting ex political prisoners to constant harassment. Phuntsog's release in February came the day after a critical human rights report on China by the US State Department was published. Life for released political prisoners is particularly hard. Monks and nuns, the majority of political prisoners, are unable to return to their religious life and find it almost impossible to get a job as they are subjected to harassment. Phuntsog's release brought the number of political prisoners released early to 13 since 2002. Of those early releases, China has allowed only Ngawang Choephel, Ngawang Sangdrol and Takna Jigme Sangpo to leave the country legally. Effectively, Phuntsog is under house arrest.

Background on Phuntsog Nyidrol Phuntsog was arrested in Lhasa when she was just 20 years old in 1989 after taking part in a peaceful protest. She was originally sentenced to eight years. Her sentence was extended by a further eight years after she joined 13 other nuns in secretly recording pro-independence songs that were smuggled out to the outside world in 1993. All received sentence extensions for taking part in the recordings. Phuntsog was given a one year sentence reduction in 2001, for apparently showing repentence.

Take Action

Call on the authorities to stop the constant surveillance on Phuntsog and her family. Ask that Phuntsog Nyidrol, along with members of her family, be allowed to leave Tibet if she wishes, in order to seek medical treatment abroad.

1. Chairman of TAR Government
Name: Legchog Zhuren 
Address: Xizang Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu 
1 Kang'angdonglu 
Lasashi 850000 
Xizang Zizhiqu 
Peoples Republic of China 
Telexes: 6804 FAOLT CN or 68007 PGVMT CN 
(Salutation: Dear Chairman)