Ngawang Thonden, a Tibetan monk from a village approximately four hours’ journey from Lhasa, joined Drepung Monastery at the age of 18. Following the peaceful public demonstrations in Lhasa in March 1988, he was arrested by Chinese authorities and imprisoned in three different detention facilities. During his imprisonment, he was labeled a “reactionary,” subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, and subsequently expelled from his monastery.

In addition to the abuses he personally endured, Ngawang Thonden witnessed severe mistreatment inflicted on other Tibetan detainees. After his release, and facing continued persecution and restrictions, he eventually escaped from Tibet in order to recount his experiences under Chinese rule and to speak out about the ongoing repression faced by the Tibetan people.