Report: China sentences 2 nuns over Tibet protests

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — A court in western China has sentenced two Tibetan nuns to lengthy prison terms for taking part in anti-government demonstrations last year, amid reports of more clashes between Tibetans and security forces, advocacy groups reported Friday.

The news came ahead of the March 14 anniversary of protests staged across a huge swath of Tibetan-populated areas in western China following deadly rioting in Tibet's capital Lhasa last year.

The sometimes violent demonstrations — which prompted a swift and sustained crackdown by security forces — was the largest Tibetan protest against Chinese rule since the failed March 10, 1959 uprising against communist authorities who fought their way into the Himalayan region in 1950.

The upcoming anniversaries have prompted authorities — who are wary of unrest during this sensitive period — to declare Tibetan areas off-limits to foreigners and to reportedly crack down violently on demonstrators.



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