You are considered a freedom fighter of Tibet. Why were you arrested in the late 1950s?
Tibet, even though it had been an independent country for thousands of years, even with the Treaty signed between the Emperor of China and the King of Tibet, still China did not respect the old historic agreements and invaded Tibet in 1949. As a direct result of that invasion there was massive destruction and desecration of Tibet's culture. There were 6,000 monasteries destroyed, and those monasteries incorporated the school, college, and university all rolled into one educational system. They were also the treasure-houses for Tibetan sacred artifacts and relics. China knows this, and that's why the monasteries became the first line of attack. They were looted, and the artifacts, gold, and valuables were sold in Hong Kong to raise more money for China's weapons to continue the invasion and conflict in Tibet. China destroyed our heart and soul by burning our holy scriptures.
As a direct result of this invasion, 1.2 million Tibetan people died. There was no sparing of women, children, nuns or monks. My father was one of the nine leaders in the Gonjo district in Tibet, and could not stand all the destruction. He and the nine leaders started a resistance against the Chinese invading forces. He died in 1958, and because I was the only child of that family, I had to take up that responsibility and fulfill the duty to my community and country in the Tibetan uprising against China troops in 1959. I resisted the Chinese military movement into Tibet, and I tried to defend my motherland. That's why China arrested me and put me into prison for 21 years.
What was the worst treatment/torture you had to endure all those years in prison?
I had two incidences that were unbearable. The worst punishment was putting very heavy shackles around my ankles for one year and one month, 24 hours per day for that duration. In the winter, it was excruciating because I felt they were cutting into my skin, like a burning sensation, because the iron got so cold.
I also had to live in a hole for nine months in solitary confinement. I was put underground and had to live in my own feces. It was a difficult time; it was totally dark. I couldn't see any light and I had to just imagine whether it was day or night. I would sometimes hear a bird singing its song and assume it was daytime. It was a terrible punishment-solitary confinement in total darkness. Some nuns have to endure that punishment for years.
Human Rights Watch/Asia released a report on Tibet in 1998 that said that since President Clinton de-linked human rights and world trade status for China, repression against Tibetans has actually increased.
China not only violates the human rights of Tibetans, but also of its own people. China violates every norm of human behavior, [and] does not respect any form of international convention or law. So by granting this special trade status to China, it is now being rewarded while conducting such atrocities.
China breaks all rules framed by the United Nations for basic human rights. The trade status for China will enslave Tibet more, with more child labor used to profit Beijing.
From a personal perspective for Americans, it is not good for America's moral strength and your sense of being a moral nation and peacekeeper in the world. All people who are striving toward independence from Communist nations, all people who are fighting for truth and justice, all people who are fighting for basic human rights as Tibetans are doing, are totally discouraged by this act of the U.S. Congress. Therefore, I feel that it is a great concern not just to the Tibetan people, but for Americans too. What do you stand for? What does your nation really stand for morally and ethically in the world?
The International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet released a preliminary report which focuses on human rights abuses in Tibet, including the imprisonment and torture of Tibetan children. What are Tibetan children suffering?
They have documented illegal detention, mistreatment, torture and imprisonment of Tibetan children. We have no religious freedom. In rural Tibet, the real Tibet, we have no schools now for Tibetan children. The Chinese say there are schools, but they are only in the cities and they cater to Chinese officers' children. Since we don't have human rights, if we conduct a peaceful demonstration, we are met with brutal force, either shot on the spot or put in prison.
Because of these conditions, there are 3,000 to 4,000 refugees yearly crossing the Himalayas to flee the brutal force of China. Since 1979, 40,000 refugees have fled into India.
Are the mostly nuns and monks?
Yes, and children risking their lives to get their education. They have had to say good-bye to their parents forever just to be safe and get proper schooling. Recently, 60 Tibetan children went back to Tibet to see their parents after they graduated, and they were all arrested and are now doing hard road work as punishment.
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