E/CN.4/1989/15 page 7 26. Another letter to the Government of China was sent on 3 November 1988, transmitting information alleging that Tsangpo, Kelsang Wangchuk and Lhagpa Tsering were arrested on 12 June 1988 by the Chinese security forces in front of the Lhasa Dance and Performance Hall. They were allegedly subjected to torture, as a result of which Tsangpo died. The other two persons were blinded and their spines broken- Cobsang Tenzin, Tsering Dhondup, Sonam Wangdu, Phuntsog and Pemba Chung Chung were also reportedly subjected to torture while in detention. Finally, Lodro and Phurbu Tsering were allegedly kept standing for 14 days whilst being interrogated. For two more days and nights, they were reportedly left hanging in the air and were interrogated. 27. The Government of China transmitted a reply by letter on 12 July 1988, stating that in China torture was strictly forbidden by law. In that connection the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that Gesh Wangchuk had been given a 10-year prison term for participating in counter-revolutionary armed rebellion in 1960. In May 1982, he had again been sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment for carrying out counter-revolutionary propaganda and subversive activities. On 3 November 1987, he had died of liver cancer in the Hospital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, at the age of 72. During his illness Gesh Wangchuk had received due medical treatment. Therefore, the cases transmitted by the Special Rapporteur were in the Government's view completely unfounded. 28. On 21 July 1988, the Government reported that the riots in Lhasa in October 1987 and March 1988 were serious political events deliberately planned and organized by a few separatists at home in collusion with those abroad. To punish them according to the law was only a normal act within the judicial competence of China. At the same time, their lawful rights and interests were protected by the Chinese judicial organs in accordance with the law; they were given humanitarian treatment and there had been no maltreatment or torture. Approximately 200 persons had been arrested in early March 1988, and not 840 as mentioned in the letter. Most of those who had committed minor offences and expressed willingness to repent had already been released. 29. The Government of China transmitted, on 30 November 1988, a reply to the Special Rapporteur's letter of 3 November 1988 stating that, as indicated in the previous reply, 200 persons had been arrested during riots in Lhasa, Tibet, since September 1988. The rioters have been said to have caused great damage to the life and property of the people and gravely disrupted social order and public security. The great majority were released soon afterwards, only 22 of those who had committed the most serious crimes were still being held. Careful investigations had been undertaken in regard to the accusations. It was verified that all those detained had been treated strictly in accordance with the law, and no cases of torture and ill-treatment had been found. Colombia 30. On 10 June 1988, a letter was addressed to the Government of Colombia transmitting information alleging that Juan Bautista Berdugo Sandoval was arrested by the members of the Batallon Caldos of the armed forces on 3 April 1987 in "vereda Pitala, commune of San Vicente de Chucuri, Department of Santander. During his detention he was allegedly subjected to torture.