Daily Sun reports that Tibetan singer Lhundrub Drakpa has been arbitrarily held in detention for over a year. He was arrested only two months after the release of his song ‘Black Hat’. Now Chinese authorities have sentenced Lhundrub to 6 years in prison for criticizing China’s policies in Tibet with his song.

Our colleagues in Freemuse report that in 2019 they witnessed “a clampdown on artists and other citizens who questioned Beijing’s dominant celebratory narrative”.

“Black Hat” By Lhundrub Drakpa
Translation by Bhuchung D. Sonam

On the heads of a sincere and truthful people
A black hat has been forcefully put on
For years and months under this black hat
They’ve suffered as if hell is on earth

A language that is more precious than jewels
Is hemmed in by a thousand insidious means
For years and months in this state
The voice of the six million Tibetans is gagged

For years and months the sun is clouded
For days and nights the moon is blackened
In this realm of strangled darkness
Lies the sorrow of the people of the Snowland

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