Amnesty International on Dorje Shugden
(Amnesty International | USA | June 1998)
Amnesty International's position on alleged abuses against
worshippers of Tibetan deity Dorje Shugden
Amnesty International (AI) has received and studied a large amount
of material alleging human rights abuses against worshippers of
the Tibetan Buddhist deity Dorje Shugden. These alleged abuses are
reported to have happened largely in Tibetan settlements in India.
None of the material AI has received contains evidence of abuses
which fall within Al's mandate for action —
such as grave violations of fundamental human rights including torture,
the death penalty,
extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention or imprisonment,
or unfair trials.
While recognizing that spiritual debate can be contentious,
Amnesty International cannot become involved in debate on spiritual issues.
AI campaigns on the grave violations of human rights in Tibet,
as well as the rest of the People's Republic of China.
In 1997 a widespread crackdown on Tibetan nationalists and religious
groups continued. At least 96 Tibetans, most of them Buddhist
monks and nuns, were reported to have been detained during the
year for peacefully exercising fundamental freedoms. A continuing
"patriotic reeducation campaign" in monasteries and nunneries has
led to expulsions and arrests. Prison conditions remain harsh in
Tibet and prisoners are often ill-treated for minor infringements
of prison regulations.
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