Jampa Sonam
POLITICAL PRISONER- Does it have an image?
- No
- Gender
- Male
- Age at Detention
- 26
- Origin County Level
- Origin Province
- Sichuan Province
- Origin Prefecture
- Kardze (Ch: Ganzi ) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,
- Vulnerable Group at Detention
- Religious
- Date of arrest
- 08/11/1999
- Detention Centre/Prison
- Minyak Prison
- Responsible for arrest and detention
- Public Security Bureau Officials (PSB)
- Description of event
Jampa Sonam was arrested for participating in a peaceful protest on 26 October 1999 in Karze (Kandze) County. The demonstration erupted in response to the violent arrest of Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, a respected religious figure, and drew thousands of Tibetans who demanded his release and protested ongoing political repression.
On 8 November 1999, Jampa Sonam was detained by officers of the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) during the mass crackdown that followed the protests. Authorities carried out widespread raids and systematically targeted individuals suspected of political involvement.
- Violations Faced in Detention
- No Fair Trial: No family meet ups
- No Fair Trial: No legal representation
- Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment: Use of Tiger Chairs
- Details of Violations Faced in Detention
He was later sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment and held at Minyak Prison. Detention conditions were exceptionally harsh, particularly for prisoners linked to the Kandze protests. Detainees were routinely subjected to torture, including electric shocks with batons and cattle prods, scalding with boiling water, mutilation using pliers, and burns inflicted with electric heaters. Many prisoners sustained permanent injuries.
- Types of Human Rights Violations
- Legal and Procedural Rights Violations: Right to Fair Trial
- Civil and Political Rights Violations: Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion
- Civil and Political Rights Violations: Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief
- Length of Sentence
- 2.5 years
- Prison Location
- Sichuan province
- Type of Sources
- Primary: TCHRD field sources
- Torture
- Torture
- Comments
Prisoners were frequently held without trial for extended periods, confined in overcrowded cells, and denied adequate medical care. Some were released only after paying substantial fines ranging from 500 to 5,000 yuan. The prison regime was designed to suppress dissent and punish even peaceful expressions of opposition to Chinese rule.
- Published
- Published