Gonpo Kyi in Critical Condition After Attempting Suicide

Reported By Kelsang Jinpa

Translated By TenGyal

Edited by Kelsang Jinpa

Gonpo Kyi, who has been peacefully petitioning for Dorje Tashi, the Tibetan political prisoner serving a life sentence, to be granted access to his lawyer, was assaulted and beaten by Chinese police, leaving her with an injured leg. After being held in detention and placed under severe restrictions, she attempted suicide by jumping from the second floor of a building.

According to verified information received by Tibet Times, on August 18th, Gonpo Kyi—the sister of Tibetan political prisoner Dorje Tashi, who is serving a life sentence—once again staged a peaceful protest in Lhasa, appealing for her brother to be allowed to meet with his lawyer. During the protest, plainclothes Lhasa police officers beat, manhandled, and inhumanely dragged her through the streets, causing injury to one of her legs.

Following this incident, Chinese police forcibly confined Gonpo Kyi within the compound of the Lhasa Yak Hotel from August 19th onwards. When she attempted to leave, officers manhandled her again, dragging her back and throwing her into the compound. Her freedom of movement is now being severely restricted, as police are forcibly prohibiting her from leaving the premises.

Subjected to repeated beatings and harsh restrictions, Gonpo Kyi attempted suicide this morning, on August 20th, by jumping from the second floor of the Lhasa Yak Hotel. She remains in critical condition after suffering fractures and injuries to her hips, hands, and legs. Despite her state, Chinese authorities have not permitted her to receive medical care or treatment.

According to reports, these days, China is commemorating the so called Tibet Autonomous Regions’ the 60th anniversary, Chinese authorities have intensified restrictions across the region. Dorje Tashi’s brother, Dorje Tseten, was subjected to forcible relocation to Lhoka and denied the right to remain in Lhasa. Although he is not under formal detention, his freedom of movement has been arbitrarily curtailed, as he is prohibited from returning to Lhasa.