Ngawang

When the Chinese invaded and forcibly annexed Tibet in 1949, assurances were made that there would be no restrictions placed on religious freedom. In fact, the "Seventeen Point Agreement," which Tibet was compelled to sign in 1951, included a formal pledge to respect the state's religious traditions. In the half-century that has followed, the Chinese government has not only flagrantly reneged on that promise, but has launched a targeted campaign of "re-education" aimed principally at Tibet's 46,000 monks and nuns. Chinese "work-teams" systematically occupy monasteries and nunneries for months at a time, forcing religious leaders to study the communist party's policy on religion. Those unwilling to denounce the Dalai Lama face harsh repercussions, including expulsion from the nunnery or monastery. Increasing restrictions in 2001 saw the expulsion of 9800 religious practitioners and the closure of at least two institutions. In addition, monks and nuns make up more than two-thirds of all known Tibetan political prisoners. Some are incarcerated for years for small acts of resistance, such as displaying a photo of the Dalai Lama. In the face of this extreme religious persecution, an increasing number, like Ngawang, choose to make the dangerous journey across the Himalayan Mountains, through Nepal and into exile in India. In 2001, despite 1375 Tibetan refugees reaching India, many more were arrested on the Tibet/Nepal border and forcibly returned by Nepali officials.