Dharamsala, February 26 – Tsomoling Dawa, a staunch Tibetan activist, a former political prisoner died at his home on 22 February 2004 in Lhasa, according to reports from Tibet.
The Central Tibetan Administration today expressed its deep remorse over the passing away of Kushok Dawa. In an interview, Kalon Thupten Lungrig, the Minister for the Departments of Religion and Culture and Education of the Central Tibetan Administration, said “The Kashag mourns the passing away of Kushok Dawa la and sends its deep condolences and prayers to his family members and relatives”. Kalon Thupten Lungrig said that the Tibetans are grateful for Tsomoling Dawa’s persistent advocacy of the human rights of his people under extremely difficult circumstances.
The Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) also expresses its sadness on Dawa’s demise and sends its condolences to his family. ATPD’s Vice-Chairperson, Kungoe Dolma Gyari, on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament said, “In the passing away of Tsomoling Dawa La, we have lost a patriot and an activist. We extend our condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, friends and associates of this fearless soul. The people of Tibet should not forget the sacrifices of people like Dawa la”.
Dawa, born in 1937, suffered tremendously during the Culture Revolution– a time when everything old and spiritual was persecuted. After being dragged to various detention centres and logai camps from Lhasa to Kongpo, he was finally released following Mao’s death. Despite all the chaos and Chinese presence, Dawa saw no improvements in the lives of the Tibetan people and in July 1980, after the first exile Tibetan delegation visited Lhasa, Dawa shouted “Free Tibet” in the presence of Chinese authorities in front of the Potala palace. Since 1980, Dawa bravely organised several major campaigns from raising the Tibetan national flag, chanting slogans, to sticking bills which resulted in four arrests and at least six years of imprisonment in total. The final arrest was in June 1998, where Dawa served three years of imprisonment at Trisam labour Camp. He was released in June 2001.
Due to mistreatments in the prisons, he suffered constant ill health. Dawa’s health deteriorated towards the end of 2003. He was only 67 when he breathed his last in the evening of the second day of the Tibetan Wood-Monkey year, 2131. Those who know Dawa well not only eulogise him as a firm political activist, but a good man. While out of prison, he went beyond his ways to help prisoners by bringing food and clothes and giving them motivation to live on and strive hard.
