147 Rights groups demand end to China’s persecution of environmental, cultural defenders

8 months ago

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Sep 4: A coalition of 147 Tibet-related organisations and members of the International Tibet Network has issued a strong statement condemning China’s escalating crackdown on Tibetan environmental defenders, cultural advocates, and community leaders.

The statement released on Wednesday comes in response to the arbitrary extension of Tibetan activist A-Nya Sengdra’s prison sentence, which rights groups say underscores Beijing’s determination to silence dissent.

A-Nya Sengdra, a respected community leader from Gade County, Golog, Amdo province, eastern Tibet, was arrested on September 4, 2018, and sentenced to seven years in prison on 6 December 2019 for his efforts to combat corruption and protect fragile ecosystems. He was due to be released this month, but authorities have extended his sentence until ...

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