News and Views on Tibet

Amnesty International to Highlight Drapchi Nuns’ Cases on April 14, 2003

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Amnesty International Local Group 133 in Somerville, MA, is organizing a Get on the Bus (GOTB) trip to New York for a day of human rights action on April 14, 2003, during which they will highlight the case of the 14 Tibetan nuns in Drapchi Prison.

This is the eighth consecutive time that Amnesty has organized such a day.

“This year’s Get on the Bus day of action is tentatively scheduled to include the annual demonstration at the Chinese Consulate for human rights in Tibet, a demonstration at the Russian Consulate about human rights abuses in the Russian Federation, a demonstration regarding human rights violations against refugees as well as various speakers throughout the day,” according to an Amnesty International announcement.

“These are all peaceful and permitted events, and police will be contacted ahead of time so that we have the greatest possible security while in New York City,” the announcement added.

Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have consistently raised the plight of the 14 Tibetan nuns, who were imprisoned between 1989 and 1992, for taking part in peaceful demonstrations in Tibet.

One of the initial 14, Ngawang Lochoe, died on February 5, 2001, immediately after prison officials transferred her to the police hospital near Drapchi Prison, according to a report. Four others, Jigme Yangchen, Phuntsok Nyidron, Rinzin Choekyi and Namdrol Lhamo are still in prison.

Nine nuns — Ngawang Sangdrol, Ngawang Tsamdrol, Ngawang Choezom, Lhundup Sangmo, Gyaltsen Choezom, Gyaltsen Dolker, Ngawang Choekyi, Palden Choedon and Tenzin Thubten — have been released.

There is a website devoted to the nuns www.drapchi14.org, including information on their status and action pages.

Buses are scheduled to leave from select Northeastern areas for New York City on April 14 morning. Last year buses left from cities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, bringing together more than 800 local and student activists from 100 different organizations and groups.

More information on this day, including facilities for online registration, is available at www.gotb.org.

For questions regarding bus pick-up times and locations http://www.amnesty133.org/ai/gotb/businginfo.html.

For other general questions contact Paul Bugala, the GOTB Coordinator, at gotb@amnesty133.org or (617) 504-3991.

All GOTB written correspondence, fees, and registration forms should be mailed to:

Get on the Bus
c/o Scott Langley
23 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116

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