Sonam Choedon, who was 50 years old in 1993, is a native of Lhasa, Tibet. During the 1959 crackdown, her father, Kalsang Choedhen, was among many Tibetans arrested and sent to prison. In 1988, Sonam Choedon traveled to India to attend teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After returning to Tibet, she began distributing political leaflets advocating for Tibet.

On 18 April 1989, she was arrested by seven security personnel along with her eldest daughter, Chemi Dolker, and her husband, Norbu. On 19 April 1989, her middle daughter, Nyima, was also arrested. During this period, Nyima’s seven-year-old daughter was poisoned while on her way to school and died, after which Nyima reportedly suffered a severe mental breakdown. Subsequently, Sonam Choedon’s husband died, and her son was stabbed to death by an unknown assailant.

Sonam Choedon was released from prison in November 1991 and fled into exile in 1992.