Lhakpa Tsamchoe, a 13-year-old resident of Lhasa, Tibet, participated in protests held in Lhasa on 5, 6, and 7 March 1989. On the evening of 9 March 1989, police raided her residence and arrested her along with her brother, Migmar Tsering.

Lhakpa Tsamchoe was detained at Sangyip Prison for four months, during which she was interrogated and tortured, including being beaten with an electric baton. As a result of the abuse, she sustained fractures to her arm and damage to her leg joints. Her brother was found in possession of a Tibetan national flag and was sentenced to one year and six months’ imprisonment.

After her release, Lhakpa Tsamchoe left Tibet on 11 September 1991 and arrived in India on 27 September 1991.