Lobsang Yeshi, 64, a Tibetan political prisoner, died on July 19 in hospital in Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). He had been sentenced to two years of imprisonment two months ago. Yeshi was mentally tormented while in prison, and in addition was physically tortured which led to his poor health and subsequent death, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Lobsang Yeshi
Photo: TCHRD
The Chinese authorities refused to give the body to his family. In fact, the authorities did not allow anyone to come near his body. After much pleading from his family, they allowed one monk to conduct the Dhay Choe [Funeral rites] and two siblings were allowed to witness the cremation, said TCHRD.
Lobsang was arrested on May 12, 2014 for taking part in a peaceful protest against China’s failure to account for the suicide protests by two other Tibetans;:PhakpaGyaltsen and Rigzin, on May 7, 2014 in Chamdo Prefecture in Tibetan province of Kham. Lobsangwas held in Chushul prison near Lhasa before being moved to hospital. Both people who committed suicide stabbed themselves to death in protest against Chinese mining at the sacred Gyalmo Nguchu River which runs through Thong Par Township – Lobsang Yeshi’s hometown. Lobsang Yeshi and other elderly Tibetans led demonstrations against the Chinese mining which resulted in beatings and arrests by Chinese security forces. Lobsang Yeshi and seven other Tibetans were forcibly taken and held in Tsawa Dzogang County detention Centre for a year, and subject to physical and psychological torture through repeated interrogations.
According to TCHRD, Lobsang Yeshi was the well-respected head of Thong Par Township and was a man of integrity who dared to stand up for Tibetan rights and dignity. He was father of eight children and sole breadwinner for his family. He was born and raised in Kewa Village of Thong Par Township in Tsawa Dzogang County in Chamdo Prefecture. Two of his children are living in India.
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