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Former-political prisoner dies due to denial of medical care

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Choekyi flanked by former Tibetan political prisoners wearing the T-shirts made for Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday by Choekyi. Photo-TCHRD
Choekyi flanked by former Tibetan political prisoners wearing the T-shirts made for Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday by Choekyi. Photo-TCHRD

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, May 8: A former Tibetan political prisoner who was released last year after completing a four-year prison term, died on Thursday at his home because local Chinese authorities barred him from seeking timely and proper medical care, rights group Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy said.

Choekyi, 43, died at around 3.35 pm local time on 7 May in Shosang village, Nyitod Township, Serthar County, Kardze.  “Despite suffering from multiple health complications, local Chinese authorities denied him permission to seek treatment from a doctor in Lhasa city. Requests for permission to seek treatment in other hospitals in the neighbouring cities of Chengdu and Barkham were also rejected,” TCHRD said.

He was detained on 19 June 2015 on the charges for “inciting separatism”, although his persecution was due to making T-shirts to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for posting photos of the Tibetan spiritual leader on his personal WeChat account.

Choekyi was released on 18 January 2019 from Ra-nga-kha Prison in Minyak near Dhartsedo (Ch: Kangding) City in poor health after years of torture and forced labour.

The Dharamshala based group said it demands that Chinese authorities launch an independent and impartial investigation into the untimely death of Choekyi due to the denial of timely and proper medical care. “Local Chinese officials responsible for blocking Choekyi from seeking medical care must be made accountable for their unlawful actions and penalised in accordance with domestic and international legal standards,” it further demanded.

This is the second incident of a former political prisoner dying due to injuries sustained during harsh prison terms in Chinese jails, in the span of last two weeks.

Tsering Bagdro, who served 8 years in prison for carrying out a protest in Lhasa against the Chinese policies against the Dalai Lama and Tibet has reportedly died in occupied Tibet on April 26, aged 51. His death is linked to the injuries and deteriorated health conditions; with which he was released upon the completion of his sentence. After eight years in Chinese prison where torture and poor nutrition is a norm, Bagdro remained in poor health until his death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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