E/CN.4/1991/56 page 72 Jampel Losel was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 10 years; Ngoizhou was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 11 years. Nagwang Gyainsing and Ngawang Osel were respectively sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 17 years; Kesang Ngodrup was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 18 years; Ngawang Buchung and Jampel Chunjor were respectively sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 19 years. 3. The situations of the 10 nuns mentioned by the allegation attached to your letter are as follows: In September and October 1989, Choenyi Lhamo and some other nuns, in open violation of the martial law in Lhasa issued by the Chinese Government, participated in illegal demonstrations and shouted slogans, such as 'independence for Tibet', etc. For this reason, Choenyi Lhamo, Tashi Chozom, Sonam Chodren, Gongjue Zhuotna, Rinzen Chorden, Tenzin Wangmo, Phantsog Sangye, Kelsang Wangmo and Tenzin Dorje were respectively given rehabilitation through labour for three years. Rinzen Choenyi was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of seven years for organizing and participating in an illegal demonstration. In China, rehabilitation through labour is an administrative punishment for those who have violated the law but circumstances are minor, and criminal punishment is excused. It is an administrative measure for preventing and reducing criminal activities in order to safeguard social stability. The length of time for such punishment is 1 to 3 years. The Administrative Committees for Rehabilitation through Labour set up by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and big or medium-sized cities, shall examine and decide who should be subjected to rehabilitation through labour in accordance with the relevant regulations. The above-mentioned regulations have been approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Therefore, the decisions made by the Administrative Committee for Rehabilitation through Labour of Lhasa City concerning those nuns who had participated in illegal demonstrations in Lhasa and advocated 'independence for Tibet' are fully in keeping with the related Chinese laws and regulations. The allegation that those nuns were sentenced to rehabilitation through labour 'without trial' is completely groundless. 4. The allegation attached to your letter that priests were put into prison without trial does not tally with the facts. None except Fan Xueyan is a Catholic bishop. The examination and punishment of these people have nothing to do with religious belief. Liu Shuhe was examined according to law in 1988 for his illegal activities, but was released on parole for medical treatment in January 1989, because of his repentance, old age and illness. Zhang Gangyi, Lu Zhensheng, Guo Wenzhi and Yu Chengti were examined according to law for their illegal activities. Since they made confessions and showed repentance, they were later released.