Rinchen Palmo (b. 1972) is a nun from Yangchen Galo Nunnery who was arrested for participating in a peaceful political demonstration in Barkhor, Lhasa, on 28 February 1995, along with her cousin Jhangchup Dolma. Both were immediately detained by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials, who reportedly assaulted them during arrest before transferring them to Gutsa Detention Centre.

They were held in Gutsa for five months, where they endured severe mistreatment, including beatings, electric shocks, and denial of visitation rights. In June 1995, the Intermediate People’s Court of Lhasa sentenced Rinchen Palmo to five years’ imprisonment with an additional two years’ deprivation of political rights.

On 30 July 1995, she was transferred to Drapchi Prison along with other nuns. There, she was subjected to harsh disciplinary regimes, including prolonged standing under extreme conditions, forced military-style drills, physical punishment, and inadequate food. Prisoners were also forced into labor, including wool weaving under strict quotas that extended late into the night.

On 20 February 1997, Rinchen Palmo was placed in solitary confinement for allegedly displaying a “bad expression” toward prison authorities. Her detention conditions and treatment reflect the broader pattern of severe repression, physical abuse, and punitive measures imposed on Tibetan nuns for peaceful political expression.