Ngawang Tenzin
POLITICAL PRISONER- Does it have an image?
- No
- Gender
- Male
- Age at Detention
- 23
- Occupation at Detention
- Religious
- Vulnerable Group at Detention
- Religious
- Date of arrest
- 22/03/1995
- Detention Centre/Prison
- Drapchi Prison
- Description of event
Ngawang Tenzin (born 1972) was a monk of Drigung Till Monastery when he was arrested together with another monk, Ngawang Sangpo (born 1960), on 22 March 1995 in Nagchu County. The two were detained for pasting posters calling for Tibetan independence. Immediately following their arrest, they were taken to Gutsa Detention Centre, where they were subjected to prolonged and torturous interrogation over a period of four months.
After this period of detention, both monks were formally sentenced and transferred to Drapchi Prison. Ngawang Tenzin received a sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Ngawang Sangpo was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
- Place(s) of Previous Detention
- Prison
- Violations Faced in Detention
- Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment: Use of Tiger Chairs
- Details of Violations Faced in Detention
Due to the severe injuries and poor health resulting from the torture he endured at Gutsa Detention Centre, he was released on medical parole after only 15 days in Drapchi Prison.
Their cases highlight the harsh treatment faced by Tibetan monks detained for peaceful political expression.
- 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
- Length of Sentence
- 5 years
- Prison Location
- Status of Detention
- Released: On medical parole
- Type of Sources
- Primary: TCHRD field sources
- Torture
- Torture
- Published
- Published