Takna Jigme Zangpo

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Takna Jigme Zangpo or Takna Jigme Sangpo (born 1926) spent thirty-seven years in a Chinese prison in Lhasa, Tibet as a political prisoner.[1] First imprisoned in 1964 [2], he was released from prison on a medical parole on 31 March 2002 having reached the age of 76.[3], [4]. He resided in the Drapchi Prison.[3]

He was first sentenced to three years of "re-education through labour" in 1964 because, as a schoolteacher, he had "corrupted the minds of children with reactionary ideas" (in fact, he taught Tibetan history, culture and language, then forbidden in Tibet). [3] He served a further ten-year sentence from 1970 as punishment for "political activities".[3]

In 1983 he received a 15-year sentence and five years deprivation of civil and political rights for "spreading and inciting counter-revolutionary propaganda" after he had been seen pasting a personally written wall poster at the gates of the Jokhang temple in Lhasa on 12 July 1983.[3] That sentence was increased by five years after he shouted "reactionary slogans" in Drapchi on 01 December 1988.[3]

On 06 December 1991, he was reportedly beaten, held in solitary confinement for six weeks, and his sentence extended by eight years for shouting "Free Tibet" during a visit to Drapchi prison by the Swiss ambassador to China.[3]

Following his involvement in protests at Drapchi prison on 01 May 1998 until 04 May 1998, he was held in solitary confinement.[3]

Even while imprisoned, he continued to protest for a free Tibet, for which he was given additional prison sentences of many years. Despite his advanced age and years in prison, he continued to encourage his fellow Tibetans in their struggle for freedom.[5] An April 2002 report described him as "one of the most determined and intransigent political prisoners in Drapchi . . . highly respected by other political prisoners".[3]

John Kamm, director of the Dui Hua Foundation, has been involved in negotiations for Jigme Zangpo's release.[6],[3]

Takna Jigme Sangpo was released March 31 2002, and was authorized to go to Washington July 13 2002 and setled him-self in Switzerland in August 2002, where he obtained the political refuge. He was invited to speak at the UNO Council on June 6th, 2008. [7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Takna Jigme Sangpo addresses the media in Dharamsala," The Office of Tibet
  2. ^ "Interview of Takna Jigme Sangpo", on Human Rights Tribune
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Longest serving Tibetan political prisoner Jigme Zangpo released (TIN)
  4. ^ "News" International Campaign for Tibet
  5. ^ Herzog, W. (Producer/Director). (2003). Wheel of Time [Motion picture]. Germany: Werner Herzog Filmproduktion
  6. ^ En Chine, les hommes d’affaire peuvent jouer un rôle important
  7. ^ Un réfugié tibétain devant le Conseil des Droits de l’Homme de l’ONU
Preceded by
'Abd al-Majid Nimer Zaghmout		 Longest-serving political prisoner in the world
15 February 2000 - 31 March 2002		 Succeeded by
'
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