A/HRC/13/40/Add.1 8. (a) Communication sent on 2 September 2009 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Allegations transmitted to the Government 61. The Special Rapporteurs brought to the attention of the Government information they had received regarding the sentencing of Mr. Palden Gyatso, Mr. Tsultrim, Mr. Sangpo, Mr. Jamyang Khedrub, Mr. Gendun, and Mr. Shrab Sangpo, six monks from Ragya Monastery in Qinghai Province, Tibet Autonomous Region, together with Mr. Hu-lo and Mr. Yang-kyab from Gya-sa village. 62. On 10 March 2009, Mr. Tashi Sangpo, a monk from Ragya Monastery in Magin County, Qinghai Province, was arrested after the authorities allegedly found political leaflets and the banned Tibetan flag in his room. He was reportedly subjected to beatings, inhumane treatment and long interrogations during his detention. On 21 March 2009, Mr. Tashi Sangpo allegedly escaped from the detention centre after he asked to use the bathroom, and committed suicide by jumping into the Yellow River. 63. On the same day, several thousand monks and local Tibetans in and around Ragya Monastery gathered to demand an answer for Mr. Tashi Sangpo’s death. In response, the government authorities allegedly arrested monks from the Ragya Monastery, as well as local Tibetans. 64. On 13 August 2009, the Machen County People’s Court in Golog, Qinghai Province, tried and sentenced the following persons to varying prison terms for “inciting protests and demonstrations against the Chinese government” for taking part in demonstrations on 21 March 2009: • Mr. Palden Gyatso, monk and disciplinarian at Ragya Monastery, sentenced to seven years of imprisonment • Mr. Tsultrim, monk and former disciplinarian at Ragya Monastery, sentenced to four years of imprisonment • Mr. Sangpo, monk and former treasurer at Ragya Monastery, sentenced to three years of imprisonment • Mr. Jamyang Khedrub, monk and secretary of the Board of Directors at Ragya Monastery, sentenced to two years of imprisonment • Mr. Gendun, monk, sentenced to one year of imprisonment • Mr. Sherab Sangpo, monk, sentenced to two years of imprisonment • Mr. Hu-lo from Gya-sa village, sentenced to one year of imprisonment • Mr. Yang-kyab from Gya-sa village, sentenced to six months of imprisonment 65. Furthermore, according to reports received, psychological trauma has been inflicted on the monastic community through the imposition of “patriotic education”, requiring them to denounce the Dalai Lama, which has reportedly intensified in the aftermath of regionwide protests in the Tibet Autonomous Region beginning in March 2008. Reports claim that since March 2008, 15 persons, including monks and nuns, have committed suicide in addition to Mr. Tashi Sangpo, and that three monks have attempted to commit suicide. These persons include: • Mr. Namdrok Khakyab, visiting scholar at Samye Monastery from Dorjee Drak Monastery, committed suicide on 19 March 2008 19