1977
Ngawang Sangdrol is born in Lhasa. According to the wishes of
her father, Namgyal Tashi, and her mother, Jampa Choezom, she
enters Garu nunnery at a young age.
1987
At the age of ten, Sangdrol takes part in a demonstration for
independence and is detained for 15 days.
1990
Sangdrol is 13 years old. After martial law has been lifted in
Lhasa, Sangdrol takes part in a peaceful demonstration together
with other nuns in August 1990. She is detained for nine months
without charge as the Chinese authorities classify her as too
young for legal proceedings.
1991
Sangdrol is 14 years old. In June her father and her brother,
Tenzin Sherab, is arrested after an incident in Samye Monastery
where the Tibetan flag is hoisted. Tenzin Sherab is imprisoned
in Drapchi prison for two years and Namgyal Tashi is sentenced
to eight years in Drapchi prison. Shortly after Namgyal Tashi’s
imprisonment, his wife Jampa Choezom dies at the age of 52 – due
to a heart condition according to reports. Sangdrol is released
afterwards but a return to her nunnery is denied.
1992
Sangdrol is 15 years old. On 17th June Sangdrol is arrested for
demonstrating peacefully for independence together with other
nuns from Garu nunnery and several monks from Ganden monastery.
Despite her minor status she is sentenced to three years in
Lhasa’s notorious Drapchi Prison.
1993
In June Ngawang Sangdrol and 13 other women record songs and
poems for independence onto a tape that is subsequently smuggled
out of prison. Due to this incident, her sentence is extended by
six years.
1996
The prisoners refuse to stand when Party members visit the
prison workroom. Many nuns, including Sangdrol, are severely
punished for this. Sangdrol and two other nuns are placed in
solitary confinement where they spend the next six months.
Almost 90 women go into hunger strike to protest against the
mistreatment of the nuns during their solitary confinement.
1997
During Losar, the Tibetan New Year, three cellmates sing
pro-Chinese songs. Two nuns attempt to sing over them with
Tibetan songs and are beaten heavily and placed in solitary
confinement. 70 women go into a five day long hunger strike.
Both nuns serve two years in solitary confinement.
1998
On the 1st and 4th May Sangdrol takes part in protests within
the prison as the Chinese flag is hoisted at two ceremonies. The
prisoners are severely punished for their rebellion. According
to reports, nine prisoners died as a result of these incidents.
In October, Sangdrol’s sentence is extended by six years.
2000
Sangdrol is 23 years old. Prison visits that were forbidden
after the demonstrations of 1998 are slowly permitted again. The
cells in Sangdrol’s unit in Drapchi prison are under 24 hour
surveillance using cameras and audio equipment.
2001
Sangdrol is 24 years old. Sangdrol’s sentence is extended by
eight years. On 20th August Sangdrol receives a visit from her
father for the last time. Namgyal Tashi was himself a prisoner
in Drapchi from 1991 to 1999. He died one month after the visit
on 20th September. Sangdrol’s sentence totals 23 years as her
original sentence had been extended three times.
2002
Sangdrol is in a critical state of health. She is too weak to
walk. She can hardly speak or eat. Due to numerous international
interventions, particularly from Switzerland, USA and France,
she is released on 17th October. She is forbidden from returning
to her nunnery and is kept under house arrest in Lhasa.
2003
On 28th March Sangdrol is allowed to travel to the USA on
medical grounds.
On 6th May Sangdrol arrives in Switzerland for medical
treatment.
On 9th June Sangdrol has a private audience with His Holiness
the XIV. Dalai Lama in Denmark.
2004
Ngawang Sangdrol begins working as human rights analyst for the
International Campaign for Tibet in Washington D.C. |
