Sangye Tenphel

POLITICAL PRISONER
Does it have an image?
No
Gender
Male
Age at Detention
19
Origin County Level
Origin County Geolocation

Latitude: 30.8601599

Longitude: 98.2708

Origin County Geolocation (linked POLITICAL PRISONER)
Gonjo County(གོ་འཇོ་རྫོང་། )
Origin Province
  • Tibet Autonomous Region
Origin Prefecture
  • Chamdo (Ch: Qamdo) Prefecture
Occupation at Detention
Religious
Vulnerable Group at Detention
  • Religious
Date of arrest
10/04/1995
Detention Centre/Prison
Drapchi Prison
Description of event

Sangye Tenphel was a 19-year-old monk from Khangmar Monastery in Gongjo County. He was arrested on 10 April 1995 for participating in an independence demonstration in Lhasa and was transferred to Drapchi Prison in October 1995. While imprisoned, he protested the harsh punishment of fellow prisoner Ngawang Tensang, which led to him being targeted by prison authorities.

Place(s) of Previous Detention
  • Prison
Violations Faced in Detention
  • Denial of Medical Treatment
  • Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment: Solitary Confinement
  • Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment: Use of Tiger Chairs
Details of Violations Faced in Detention

On 30 January 1996, after refusing to cooperate during a prison inspection, he was placed in solitary confinement, interrogated, and severely beaten. Shortly afterward, his health deteriorated, but he was denied medical treatment until 5 May 1996, when he was taken to a Public Security Bureau hospital. Sangye Tenphel died the following day from a reported brain hemorrhage. His body was cremated without being returned to his family, and no action was taken against those responsible.

Types of Human Rights Violations
  • Civil and Political Rights Violations: Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion
  • Civil and Political Rights Violations: Right to Liberty and security of person
Prison Location
Status of Detention
Custodial Death
Type of Sources
  • Primary: TCHRD field sources
Torture
Torture
Published
Published
Is the Prisoner Deceased?
Yes