By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Dec 8: Chinese authorities in Dhamgzhong County has reportedly imprisoned Semkyi Dolma, a Tibetan woman, on alleged charges of transmitting ‘State Secrets’ abroad, according to Tibettimes.
Under the backdrop of stringent internet regulations in China, and in Tibet, an escalated surveillance system has led to a surge in arrests and detentions. Among those affected, Semkyi Dolma finds herself incarcerated over allegations of communicating with foreign entities, organizations, and individuals, purportedly involving the dissemination of information abroad.
Semkyi Dolma, who originally hailed from Chumarleb County in the so called Qinghai Province, relocated to Dakha Township, Dhamgzhong County, after her marriage in 2019.
As per credible sources, Semkyi Dolma was suddenly arrested in October, followed by a notification to her family on December 2, informing them of her prison sentence of one and a half years.
Information from a source familiar with the matter, shared with TT, suggests a lack of substantive grounds for Semkyi Dolma’s detention, except for her involvement in WeChat groups discussing Buddhism—an activity deemed unlawful by the Chinese authorities, resulting in her imprisonment. Amid growing apprehensions about Semkyi Dolma’s welfare following her arrest, her brother Tsedo’s repeated attempts to obtain information about his sister from the police station have yielded no responses.
This incident is part of a larger pattern. Other Tibetan individuals have faced similar allegations and consequences. Dolkar, charged with sharing state secrets leading to social instability, was sentenced to a year and three months in prison on May 8, 2019, for allegedly sharing information regarding her nephew Wangchen’s arrest outside Tibet.
Lho Younten Gyatso, a 37-year-old monk from Khashi Geyphel Samtenling Monastery near Ngaba town, received a seven-year sentence for sharing pictures and information about nun Tenzin Wangmo’s self-immolation in 2011.
Additionally, a Tibetan monk from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County was sentenced to six years for distributing ‘state secrets’ and sharing information on Tibet-related issues. Lobsang Sonam, 23, was arbitrarily detained for over a year by County security officials in Ngaba on allegations of disseminating information and images related to the Tibet issue online.
