Around 40 Tibetans Released After Protests Against Dam Project

Tibetan monks and residents in Dege, Sichuan province, appeal to Chinese
officials to stop a planned dam construction. Photo via RFA

In a recent development reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA), Chinese authorities have begun to release some of the Tibetans arrested for protesting against a dam construction in Sichuan province.

Out of more than 1,000 detainees, about 40 Tibetans, including 20 monks from the Wonto Monastery, have been freed. However, they now face strict communication bans.

The protests, which started on February 14, were against the construction of the Gangtuo Dam in Dege county. This project threatens to flood several ancient monasteries and displace residents from nearby villages.

The demonstrators, including monks and local residents, were arrested on February 23, raising international concerns over human rights violations in the region.

The release of the detainees comes amid increasing international media attention on the situation, as one source told RFA. Despite their release, the monks and other Tibetans have been warned not to contact anyone outside their community.

Moreover, all religious activities within the Wonto Monastery have been suspended, and strict movement restrictions have been imposed on monks across the region.

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The construction of the Gangtuo Dam, part of a massive 13-tier hydropower complex planned by China’s National Development and Reform Commission in 2012, could significantly impact the cultural and religious heritage of Tibetans.

The project threatens the existence of six monasteries, including the historically significant Wonto Monastery, known for its ancient murals dating back to the 13th century.

The international community, including representatives from the U.S. and Canada and various human rights and Tibetan advocacy groups, has condemned the arrests.

Calls for the immediate release of all detainees and the preservation of Tibetan cultural, religious, and linguistic identity have been echoed by many, including U.S. under secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, Uzra Zeya.

As the story unfolds, the global outcry against the crackdown in Tibet and the plea for the preservation of its monasteries continues to grow.