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Labrang monk Jigme Gyatso re-arrested

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

An undated photo of Jigme Gyatso, who assisted in the making of the film – Leaving Fear Behind. He was re-arrested by Chinese authorities, previously arrested on 23 March 2008 and then later released on 15 October 2008, for assisting to make the film.File photo/Photographer unknown/China

Chinese authorities have re-arrested a monk from Labrang monastery who helped gather Tibetan voices for a film against the Beijing Olympics 2008, reports Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Jigme Gyatso aka Golog Jigme assisted filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, from Bayen in Qinghai Province, for six month from October 2007 to make a documentary film titled: Leaving Fear Behind (Tib: Jigdrel).

Gyatso, 40, was reportely arrested on 10 March, the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against the Chinese rule in Tibet, by security forces from his home in Sangchu in Gansu Province, without giving any explanation. He was previously arrested on 23 March 2008, but later released on 15 October.

His whereabouts is not known since the recent arrest.

TCHRD says that Gyatso was interrogated and severely tortured by the Chinese prison guards during his earlier detention. He fainted several times due to the beatings he received in the prison cells.

The duo took the initiative of the film to gather opinions and feelings of ordinary Tibetan people about the Dalai Lama, China’s policies in Tibet and the Beijing Olympics 2008. They started the film in October 2007, and was concluded in early March 2008.

The film also provided a glimpse into hearts and minds of the Tibetan people about what they feel about the Chinese presence in Tibet and the survival of Tibetan culture.

Wangchen was arrested on 26 March last year, three days after Gyatso was arrested. Wangchen was first detained at Ershilipu detention centre, in Xining city for three months. In July he was taken to Gongshang Hotel, where he was last seen.

His whereabouts is not known since then.

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