Translated By TenGyal
Reported and Edited By Kelsang Jinpa
The Chinese government, suspecting Anyak Sengdra of holding contacts outside of Tibet, has forcibly confiscated his cellular phone, effectively cutting off his communications and placing him under even stricter surveillance than before.
According to verified information received by Tibet Times, following his release from prison upon the completion of his sentence, a photo and information about him circulated outside Tibet. Consequently, Anyak Sengdra was subjected to interrogation again by the the Chinese authorities, conducting a thorough search of his cellular phone and eventually forcibly confiscating it.
Furthermore, even though he is currently back in his native town of Kyang Che,Gade County in Golog, Tibet, all of his communications have been cut off and his movement continues to be strictly surveilled and curtailed.
A related source described, “ Due to the recent circulation of a photo and information about Anyak Sengdra, he has been interrogated again and his cellular phone has been seized too. Currently, there is no means whatsoever to reach or communicate with him.” The source continued, “Recently, he underwent a medical check-up and treatment; he now needs to rest and recover his health.”
Upon his release this year, reports indicated that he was facing severe health challenges such as kidney disease, weakened eye-sight and high blood pressure.
Tibetan environmental activist and anti-corruption advocate Anyak Sengdra campaigned against local government officials’ abuse of power and corruption, illegal natural resource extraction, and the poaching of precious wildlife. After becoming a figure of support and admiration for the local nomadic population, the Chinese government—alleging he had committed illegal acts—arrested him in 2014 and sentenced him to one year and three months in prison. He was released from Xining Dongchuan Prison on October 18, 2016.In 2018, the Chinese government arrested Anyak Sengdra again under the pretext of “disturbing social order.” Although his wife, Yangkyi, and lawyer Lin Qilei filed successive legal appeals in late 2018 and early 2019, on December 6, 2019, Anyak Sengdra was sentenced to 7 years in prison for charges including “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.” While his prison term was technically completed in September of last year, the Chinese authorities accused him of “illegal behaviour” while in prison, and decreed that he would not be released until February of this year.
In 2018, the Chinese government arrested Anyak Sengdra again under the pretext of “disturbing social order.” Although his wife, Yangkyi, and lawyer Lin Qilei filed successive legal appeals in late 2018 and early 2019, on December 6, 2019, Anyak Sengdra was sentenced to 7 years in prison for charges including “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.” While his prison term was technically completed in September of last year, the Chinese authorities accused him of “illegal behaviour” while in prison, and decreed that he would not be released until February of this year.
Anyak Sengdra, currently 55 years old, is a native of Kyangche Township in Gade County, Golog, Tibet. He established an organisation called Mangdon Leng “Discussion of Public Affairs,” a grass-roots platform, and exposed many issues, such as local officials embezzling relief funds provided by higher authorities for the public, illegal mining, discrimination, and a general disregard for the welfare of the public, particularly the lack of care for the impoverished residents. He has taken these grievances to the county, prefectural, and provincial levels to file formal petitions.
