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World Tibet Network News Friday, October 15, 1999

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1. Tibetan Monk Tortured Over Dalai Lama Documents

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BEIJING, Oct 15, 1999 -- (Agence France Presse) A 68-year-old Tibetan
monk is receiving hospital treatment after being tortured in police
custody for possessing documents on Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the
Dalai Lama, the Tibet Information Network (TIN) said Friday.

"Gyaye Phuntsog is currently receiving treatment in Chabcha county
hospital... following his release from custody," the London-based group
said in a statement faxed to AFP.

"His legs are reportedly swollen and at least two sources state that he
has been unable to walk without the use of crutches since he was
released from detention," TIN said.

Phuntsog, 68, was sentenced to six years in prison in July for "damaging
the stability of the nation" and released several months ago on medical
parole after being ill-treated during detention, it said.

He had been active in providing basic education to poor nomadic children
in his hometown of Gyaye, and had received funds from "Project Hope", a
movement initiated by the China Youth Development Foundation in 1989 and
partly sponsored by UNESCO.

The Tibetan region has been under tight security for most of the year
because of fears of unrest around a series of sensitive dates, including
the 40th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight into exile.

He left for Dharamsala, India in March 1959 followed an uprising against
Chinese communist rule.

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Articles in this Issue:

1. Tibetan Monk Tortured Over Dalai Lama Documents
2. Tony Blair should insist on concrete human rights measures Britain's "ethical foreign policy" to be tested
3. Chinese leader heads for Dome
4. Chinese visit stirs protest over Tibet
5. "No place for Patten at China banquet"
6. ROLF STEIN PASSED AWAY IN PARIS

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