Ngawang Dorjee, a Tibetan monk born in 1974, took part in peaceful demonstrations opposing Chinese rule in Tibet, first in 1988 and again in 1992 in Lhasa. During the second protest, he and eight other participants were arrested and accused of being “counter-revolutionaries.” Ngawang Dorjee was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, during which he was subjected to severe torture and repeated beatings, leaving him physically weakened.

He was released from prison in 1995 but was prohibited from returning to his monastery and placed under constant surveillance by the authorities. Facing ongoing restrictions and intimidation, Ngawang Dorjee eventually fled Tibet in 1996 and sought refuge in India to escape continued persecution and repression.