We know from past experience that the best way to protect, and ultimately free, Tibetan political prisoners is to publicize their stories and demand accountability from the Chinese authorities.

Please take action now and join the international effort to secure the release of Runggye Adak and Adak Lupoe.

Runggye Adak, a 52 year-old Tibetan nomad and father of eleven, from Lithang in Eastern Tibet was sentenced to 8 years in prison for publicly appealing for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. This harsh sentence follows his conviction on October 29, 2007 of "subversion and inciting separatism" by the People's Court in Dartsedo, in Eastern Tibet [Chinese: Kangding, Ganzi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province].

Click here to read the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy's press release condemning Adak's sentence:

Click here for more information about Runggye Adak's conviction. 

Read Human Rights Watch's report calling for Runggye Adak's immediate release.

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BACKGROUND:

On August 1, 2007, Runggye Adak, a 52 year-old Tibetan nomad from Lithang in Eastern Tibet was detained for publicly calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He stood up on stage at a Chinese government function commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army and spoke to the crowd of several thousand Tibetans who had gathered for the annual Lithang horse-racing festival. Before he was arrested, he also called for the release of the Panchen Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche as the crowd below cheered in response. Tenzin Delek, a revered Buddhist teacher and community leader also from Lithang, is currently serving a life-sentence for bombing charges fabricated by the Chinese authorities.

In response to Adak's arrest, over two hundred Tibetans congregated outside the Lithang police station to appeal for his release; some managed to get inside and demand to speak to local officials. Eye-witness reports describe how police and soldiers violently dispersed local gatherings in Lithang by using tear gas, stun grenades and metal batons. Hundreds of local government officials have been ordered to attend meetings to condemn Adak's actions. According to the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Hong Kong, Adak was charged with "provocation to subvert state power" and the Chinese government has labeled his actions a "major political incident."

On August 21, 2007 Chinese authorities also detained three of Adak's nephews, Adak Gyaltso, Adak Nyima and Adak Lupoe from the village of Yonru Kharshul in Lithang. Adak Nyima and Adak Gyaltso were later released, but Adak Lupoe, a monk at the Lithang monastery, remains in custody and his whereabouts are unknown. 

In a heartfelt appeal letter issued by Adak's son and nephew who live in exile in India describe Adak as a soft-spoken man and father of 11 who "broke the silence by speaking the truth, the truth that remains suppressed in the hearts of his fellow countrymen." Adak's actions are a testament to the Tibetan spirit of resistance.

Click here to read the Associated Press article for more details about Runggye Adak's charges.
Click here to see photos and read a report on the police crackdown in Lithang following Adak's arrest.
Click here for the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy's (TCHRD) report on Runggye Adak's arrest.
Click here for TCHRD's report on the detention of Adak Lupoe. 
Click here to read the appeal letter written by Adak's son and nephew in exile.