News and Views on Tibet

Tibetans in exile mourn the Chinese execution of a Tibetan

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Dharamsala, 28 January – According to reliable sources, we are sad to learn that Lobsang Dhondup was indeed executed at seven in the morning of 26 January 2003 in Darstedo or what the Chinese call Kangding. The Tibetan communities of Delhi and Dharamsala and elsewhere have organised prayer meetings to commemorate Lobsang Dhondup’s sacrifice for the sake of the Tibetan people and to remember his deeds.

Normally executions in China and elsewhere are a public event, deliberately made public to intimidate potential trouble-makers. However, Lobsang Dhondup was quietly executed without public knowledge perhaps to avoid inflaming Tibetan passions. The Chinese authorities have executed Lobsang Dhondup on charges of “attempting to split the motherland and to overthrow the state by planting bombs.” The authorities say that he was given the opportunity to appeal his case to the higher court but he never availed himself of the opportunity.

Lobsang Dhondup was born on 15 June 1974 in the village of Duphutse in Ngyachu in Kham, now incorporated into the Chinese province of Sichuan. His father’s name is Phuntsok who passed away a few years ago. His mother is Kathar Lhamo who is about 50 years old. When small Lobsang Dhondup helped his parents in farming their small plot of land. Years later, he married and fathered two sons. Later he left his family to become a monk at a monastery run and managed by Tulku Tenzin Delek. He remained at the monastery for about a year and then left the monastery to take to business. He sold mushroom to Chinese clients.

Lobsang Dhondup is survived by his mother and two sons. When the Tibetans of his village learned of the execution of Lobsang Dhondup, they quietly and without the knowledge of the Chinese authorities gathered together in prayer and remembrance.

Contact: Thubten Samphel, Secretary
Sonam N. Dagpo, Additional Secretary
Tel: (1892) 222510, 222457
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration

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