Dharamsala, July 21 – A Tibetan monk has been sentenced to 3 years in prison at the beginning of July this year for confronting the Chinese government’s patriotic education campaign two years back, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy based here said on its website.

The Kardze County Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Jamyang Tenzin, 35, of Yonru Geyden Rabgayling Monastery in Lithang for defying the government’s “Patriotic Education” in 2007.

Citing a source, the Tibetan right group said Jamyang was arrested on 3 October 2007 for opposing the “work team” from conducting “Patriotic education” Campaign in his monastery, a branch of the Lithang monastery.

The Tibetan right group also expressed its concern at the Chinese government’s “violation of the constitution and the international laws” by keeping the Tibetan monk in prison without trial for more than 21 months. It also expressed doubts if Jamyang had been provided with rightful legal representation and tried under the due legal process. His family was kept in dark about his whereabouts until his trial earlier this month.

Calling on the Chinese government to unconditionally release Jamyang, the Tibetan right group said it strongly condemns the sentencing of Jamyang Tenzin as his freedom of expression does not violate any of the constitutional components of Chinese law.

A massive “patriotic education” campaign was launched in the monastic institutions in Lithang County following anti-China protests in Lithang started by Ronggye A'drak during the annual horse race festival on 1 August 2007.

During a visit of Chinese “work team” to Yonru Geyden Rabgayling Monastery for patriotic education on 3 October 2007, Jamyang Tenzin refused to cooperate and expressed his support for Ronggye A’drak. He even shouted slogans calling for the long life of the Dalai Lama before getting arrested by the Public Security Bureau officials.

Jamyang Tenzin, was born in Youru Sakhor Village, Lithang County. Jamyang visited India in 1995 and studied at Gaden Jangtse Monastery in South India until his return to Tibet in 2004. While returning to Tibet, he was detained at the Nepal-Tibet border and later detained for three months.