Tibetans condemn death sentence awarded by China

DHARAMSALA - Tibetans-in-exile voiced their deep concern in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamsala city on Friday over the Chinese Government’s decision to award capital punishment to a Tibetan and lengthy imprisonment to five others.

“According to official Chinese media, 23-years-old Tibetan named Sonam Tsering has been sentenced to death with two years suspension and other five Tibetans have been sentenced to various imprisonment terms between three to seven years,” said Tenzin Norgay, Spokesperson of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Norgay further said the international community has been requested to take a considerate view of the plight of the Tibetans.

“We also appeal to the international media not to listen to the propaganda which is being announced by the Government of China and to look at this whole issue as a vent up of frustration by oppressed people who have been oppressed for more than five decades now,” he added.

The Tibetans said the Chinese claim about practicing human rights in their homeland is a farce.

“This continued suppression and abuse of power is really concerning especially in the face of the fact where it come to China’s participation at the UN Human Rights Council, they have indicated that they are improving human right conditions in China and in Tibet,” said Kesang Yangki Takla, Information Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile.

“They have also said somewhere that they are very cautions about passing death sentences,” he added.

The Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court in China on May 25 sentenced a Tibetan, Sonam Tsering, to death with two years reprieve and five other Tibetans to lengthy imprisonment terms between three to seven years in prison for secretly hiding him from the law enforcement agencies. (ANI)