A Tibetan’s perspective on two personalities in the Karma Samdrup case
The sentencing of Tibetan environmentalist-cum-businessman Karma Samdrup to 15 years by a Chinese court even as his lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang, highlighted the absence of a fair trial, is yet another challenge to Tibetans who are trying to find a place for themselves in the People’s Republic of China. Karma Samdrup is a founding member of the Three Rivers Environmental Protection Association, one of the few NGOs that Tibetans have been allowed to set up in China. Even the Chinese government has in the past itself acknowledged the good work of this NGO by highlighting its work, and giving it awards, etc. International organizations have also recognized the NGO’s work.
Therefore, from all indications it looks like an old issue that was once settled is being used as a pretext to launch a fresh assault on Karma Samdrup. His independent efforts to preserving Tibetan culture could be one of the causes in a system where the authorities do not want to share credit with individuals in the matter of protecting minority issues.
Karma Samdrup’s lawyer has indicated that he is going to appeal the court decision and so we may not have heard the last word on this case.
Karma Samdrup has complained of being beaten in detention, deprived of sleep and “drugged with a substance that made his eyes and ears bleed.” In this gloomy development, I have, however, found encouragement and solace in two personalities.
The first is Pu Zhiqiang, a partner in the Huayi Law Firm in Beijing, who has taken on the onerous task of defending Karma Samdrup.
Pu has no doubt done his firm proud and lent credence to its objective of “following international standards of law profession and adhering to the principle of working towards perfection…” More relevant to the Tibetans, Pu Zhiqiang (specifically because of his ethnicity) symbolizes the new China that the international community wants to see, a China where everyone, whether Tibetan, Chinese, or anyone else are all equal. At a time when successive actions by the Chinese leadership have posed a question in the minds of the Tibetan people as to their place in the People’s Republic of China, Pu Zhiqiang has shown through his actions that at his level at least, Tibetans are equal citizens. In recent years we have seen more ethnic Chinese scholars and lawyers looking at the Tibetan people through a new prism that is positive and inclusive. This is a positive development for China’s own long term future.
The second personality is the indomitable Dolkar Tso, the wife of Karma Samdrup. I should not be surprised, but given the political climate under which Tibetans have to exist in China and Tibet today, she is among the rare breed of Tibetans (Woeser la being another example) who have had the courage to stand up to the authorities while seeking justice for her husband. Undoubtedly being confident about Karma Samdrup’s innocence she has not only been taking all legal steps to challenge the unjust dictates but also has not hesitated in using her freedom of expression to share her views on developments. Her blog postings have revealed a determined individual who is fighting a system that politically claims Tibetans to be very much part of the nation but does not deign to treat them equally. Dolkar Tso has raised the Tibetan quest for civil rights in China to a new level.
PHOTO: Karma Samdrup in an undated photograph.
4 Responses to “A Tibetan’s perspective on two personalities in the Karma Samdrup case”
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The plight of these brothers and the courage of Dolkar Tso and the Chinese legal team stands as a beacon to the whole world. When will the UN give its attention to these egregious examples of China’s refusal to respect the basic rights of Tibetans? When will the international community acknowledge that as China does not respect its own laws, it can not be relied upon to adhere to anyone else’s laws either? How long will international hypocrisy continue? May the world take note and eyes become opened!
I pray for insight, wisdom, and compassion for all involved in this case.
Oh we so need to hear of the likes of Pu Zhiquiang. Blessings and courage to him and team and may success come to free Karma Samdrup.Free Tibet. I pray for them.
When will China ever learn? If they didn’t like being treated cruelly by the Japanese during WWII it is ironic that they treat others in their nation and neighboring countries as cruelly. Fascinating.