By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 8: Tibetan writer Lobsang Lhundup known widely by his pen name Dhi Lhaden has been released from Chinese prison after serving four years in prison according to multiple sources.
The writer was arrested in June 2019 in Chengdu City on the charge of “disrupting social order” and was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison. His trial was conducted in October 2021 without the presence of his family members. It was reported that his family members were informed about the verdict only after the court proceedings.
His arrest could be linked to his involvement in teaching Tibetan history at a private cultural education centre in Chengdu, according to the advocacy group Tibet Watch.
As a writer, Dhi Lhaden demonstrated his commitment to expressing his views despite the threat of persecution. His book, ‘The Art of Passive Resistance’ written in the aftermath of the 2008 Pan-Tibet Uprising highlighted his critical perspective on the rule of the Chinese Communist Party in occupied Tibet.
Experts say that the increasing numbers of prisoners of conscience especially among intellectuals, writers and artists points to the Chinese government’s policy of zero tolerance towards any form of free expression. The pattern of using vague charges has been commonly employed by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress voices that challenge their authority and to maintain strict control.
As of now, there are no information on Lobsang Lhundup’s health condition.
