Longest-serving female political-prisoner released
18 October, 2002
Dharamshala welcomes the release of Ven. Ngawang Sangdrol - Considers it another good gesture
“We welcome the release yesterday of Ven. Ngawang Sangdrol from Drapchi prison in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa,” said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala in north India.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said, “We believe this is an another good gesture on the part of the Chinese leadership.” In view of her long prison sentence, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche expressed concern about her health and urged the Chinese authorities that she be given proper medical treatment.
“We thank all the governments around the world, NGOs, Tibet Support Groups and individuals who worked so hard for her release,” said Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. He urged the Chinese leadership to release all the political
prisoners who have been imprisoned for exercising the right to free expression.
Ngawang Sangdrol is a nun from Garu nunnery and is 24 years old. She was first arrested in 1990 for taking part in demonstration in Lhasa. She was considered too young for prosecution but was again arrested and sentenced for three years of imprisonment in 1992 for her involvement in protest demonstration. Her prison sentence was repeatedly extended for singing
freedom songs in prison and for her participation in a protest in Drapchi
prison on 4 May 1998. ngawang Sangdrol was sentenced to be imprisoned until
2011.
The city of Northhampton in the United Kingdom awarded ngawang Sangdrol on 8 March 2002 an honorary citizenship in recognition of the suffering of the people of Tibet.
Contact:
Mr.Thubten Samphel, Secretary
Mr. S. N. Dagpo, Addl. Secretary,
Tel: 91-1892-22510, 24846
Read more about Ngawang Sangdrol
|
