Melody in Prison: Ngawang Choephel
	UPDATE 10 November 1998

The Tibet Information Network (TIN) has obtained further details about Ngawang's treatment and condition while in Nyari Detention Center in Shigatze. A former prisoner, who is now living in exile, told TIN that Ngawang was transferred in early July from Nyari to Drapchi Prison, which houses the majority of political prisoners in Tibet.

It is not known whether or to what degree prisoners in Nyari at that time were aware of the May protests that resulted in the deaths of at least eleven prisoners at Drapchi. However, TIN reports that, according to their source, "The Chinese authorities said that they were going to bring him to Lhasa but Ngawang said that he didn't want to go." Ngawang seemed to be nervous and worried at the prospect. He seemed to be trying to distract himself by striking tin cans to make different musical sounds. The authorities at Nyari prison apparently did not stop him doing this and did not force him to work, although other prisoners had to do so. It is not clear whether this was because he seemed too ill to work, or because the authorities wanted to keep him away from other prisoners. The former prisoner also said: "Ngawang seemed thin and weak because there was nothing much to eat. We heard that they [prison officials] had confiscated his camera, video camera and old works of literature and art that he had transcribed."

Ngawang was also reportedly anxious to see his mother, Sonam Dekyi, who is currently campaigning in Europe to gain, if not his release, at least the right nominally granted under Chinese Prison Law to visit him.

Further information about Nyari Detention Center and other prisons and prisoners in Tibet is available from TIN.