We have learned of the death of Tsering Bhakdro, a former political prisoner. Tsering Bhakdro,a native of Lhasa, passed away at his home in Lhasa on 26 April at the age of 51.

Tsering Bhakdro

Tsering Bhakdro was enrolled in Ganden Monastery in Lhasa at a young age. In 1992, while he was at the monastery, Chinese authorities launched a campaign of political re-education, targeting Tibetan Buddhists and their loyalty to their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The campaign prompted Tsering Bhakdro and some of his friends to protest against this campaign. In June 1992, they took to the street, carrying a banned Tibetan national flag and shouting slogans calling for the return out the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence.

The protesters were arrested at the scene by the local Public Security Bureau. They were reportedly beaten severely and held in Lhasa’s Gutsa Prison for five months. During this period, they were repeatedly subjected to interrogation sessions with beatings and threats.

In November 1992, Tsering Bhakdro was sentenced to eight years in prison and moved to Lhasa’s infamous Drapchi Prison, where he would remain until his release on 9 May 2000.