At least 100 prisoners of conscience are known currently to be held in Tibet. They include Buddhist monks and nuns and lay Tibetans arrested for peacefully advocating independence for their country. Some are serving terms of “reform through labour”, e.g. five monks from Ding-gar monastery, ten monks from Drepung monastery and Jampa Ngodrup, a medical doctor. Others are held in administrative detention, including Kelsang Phuntsog and Lobsang Tashi, monks, and Buddhist nuns Kelsang Wangmo, Tenzin Choekyi, Kunchog Drolma and Choenyi Lhamo. Reports of torture include that of Sonam Dolkar, a 24-year-old woman, who was also reportedly sexually assaulted, Tsering Dhundrup, a wood carver, and a teenage girl. Deaths in custody and death sentences after unfair trials are reported.
