Chemi Tsering, born in 1970, was a monk from Sungrabling Monastery who participated in the March 1989 political poster campaign alongside five fellow monks. The campaign involved writing and distributing slogans supporting Tibetan freedom and expressing allegiance to the Dalai Lama.

He was arrested on 20 April 1989 after authorities searched the monastery and discovered materials allegedly used in preparing the posters. During his detention, he was repeatedly interrogated by security officials.

In October 1989, he was convicted of “counter-revolutionary propaganda” by the Lhoka Intermediate People’s Court and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment together with one year’ deprivation of political rights. He was subsequently transferred to Drapchi Prison.