Profiles of Courage: DAY 41 – January 29th

Ngawang Sangdrol
Age: 32
Sentenced to 23-years in prison for protesting in Tibet; one of the 'Drapchi 14' nuns

"I knew I would be imprisoned... I knew the demonstration was for the right cause. I knew I was doing it for the truth."  - Ngawang Sangdrol

Ngawang Sangdrol was born in Lhasa in 1977. As a young girl, she joined Garu Nunnery, just north of Lhasa. Her father Namgyal Tashi was arrested during the 1959 March 10th Uprising. He was later arrested again for protesting and sentenced 8 years in prison.

From a young age, Ngawang Sandrol defiantly resisted China's occupation of her homeland. At the age of 10, she was first arrested and detained for 15 days for an independence protest. In 1990, she was arrested again for joining a demonstration, and consequently subjected to imprisonment, beatings and torture for 9 months.

In 1992, Ngawang Sandrol was again arrested for protesting and sentenced to 3 years in Drapchi Prison. While in prison, she and 13 other nuns recorded songs and poems about their suffering, beatings, faith and their unfaltering commitment to Tibetan independence. Despite the risks, the nuns included their names in the recordings, dedicating their songs and poems to family members and friends. For this incredibly brave action, Ngawang's sentence was extended by 6 years.

During her time at Drapchi, she was subjected to inconceivable physical and mental torture. During a patriotic re-education campaign, Ngawang Sangdrol and another nun practiced non-cooperation, refusing to make their beds or clean their cells. As punishment, they were badly beaten and forced to stand in the rain for hours, during which time Ngawang Sandrol shouted "Free Tibet". Her sentence was extended by an additional 8 years.

In 1998 when she refused to take part in a flag raising ceremony at Drapchi prison, her sentence was again extended, this time by 6 years. Her cumulative sentence was 23 years, the longest sentence given to a Tibetan female prisoner.

As a result of international pressure, Ngawang Sangdrol was released in October 2002 on medical parole, after serving 11 years of her sentence. In 2003, she was allowed to travel to the U.S. for medical treatment. Read more.

Read a message from Ngawang Sangdrol to SFT upon her release.

Ngawang Sangdrol continues to campaign for Tibetan freedom. She is currently living in New York where she studies English. She has testified before many governmental and international bodies about the routine torture she witnessed in Drapchi prison. Read her testimony to the U.S. Congressional Executive Commission on China.

Ngawang Sangdrol singing one of the songs she and the other 'Drapchi 14' nuns recorded in prison:

Last year, Ngawang Sangdrol traveled to London during China's Olympic torch relay, where she was reunited with some of the fellow 'Drapchi 14' nuns who are now living in exile. She spoke during the Torch relay rally: