I am concerned to learn that the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) has sentenced four Tibetans to death and one Tibetan to life imprisonment, as reported by Xinhua on 8 April. I am further concerned that according to a China Daily report of 21 April there have been another death sentence with reprieve, a life sentence and a ten year imprisonment.
I understand that Losang Gyaltse (Lobsang Gyaltsen) and Loyar have been sentenced to death without a reprieve, and I call for an immediate stay of execution and an independent inquiry into their cases.
I am gravely concerned for Penkyi, Tenzin Phuntsog and Gangtsu (Kangtsu) who have also been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, and for Dawa Sangpo and Penkyi who have been sentenced to life imprisonment and Chime who has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
I am concerned, that these individuals were denied their basic legal rights, and the trials were not conducted in accordance with international judicial standards.
I call on the Chinese government to immediately halt these executions and to safeguard in all cases mentioned above new trials according to the internationally accepted standards for the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, which require adequate opportunity for defence and appeal;
I call on you to ensure that Losang Gyaltse and Loyar, Penkyi, Tenzin Phuntsog and Gangtsu as well as Dawa Sangpo, Penkyi and Chime have access to their family, legal representation of their own choice and any medical attention they may require.
Further, I urge the National People’s Congress to introduce a legal procedure for clemency.
Last of all I would ask you to establish an immediate moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.
The sentences of these Tibetans have received world-wide attention and I call on the Supreme People’s Court to overturn the decision. If, however, the Court decides to order a retrial, then I urge that the trial is held in a fair and transparent manner, in accordance with international standards.
The right to a fair trial is a fundamental human right and an essential component of the administration of criminal justice. This right is part of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which China signed in 1998.
Yours faithfully,