(New York) - The Chinese government today commuted the death sentence of Tenzin Delek, a highly respected Tibetan monk renowned for his efforts to protect Tibetan culture and lifestyle, Human Rights Watch said today. Tenzin Delek was imprisoned in 2002 for allegedly “causing explosions and inciting the separation of the state.”
His alleged co-conspirator, Lobsang Dondrup, was executed exactly two years ago today, immediately following a high court review of the case.
“We’re happy that Chinese officials finally followed some of their own rules when it came to commuting Tenzin Delek’s sentence,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “Every other aspect of his arrest and detention has violated international norms.”
The Human Rights Watch report, “Trials of a Tibetan Monk,” released in February 2004, documented the many irregularities surrounding Tenzin Delek’s arrest and conviction. Tenzin Delek did not receive a fair trial, none of the evidence used to convict him has ever been made public, and his alleged co-conspirator was summarily executed, Human Rights Watch said.
The decision of the Higher People’s Court of Sichuan province to commute Tenzin Delek’s death sentence had been widely expected. Tenzin Delek’s sentence had been suspended for two years, which under Chinese law meant that he would not be executed if he did not intentionally violate the terms of the suspension. The two-year period ended on January 26.
Human Rights Watch again urged the Chinese government to free Tenzin Delek immediately pending a new and fair trial that meets international standards. Human Rights Watch further urged the Chinese government to make public all relevant charges and the evidence against Tenzin Delek.
