Global Day of Action for Dhondup Wangchen Release; Tibetan film-maker Dhondup Wangchen likely to be facing charges of espionage; trial imminent. Tibet campaigners call Global Day of Action for Dhondup Wangchen on 23 September, as Hu Jintao addresses the UN General Assembly
photo; Nakahara
23 September 2009 : Dharamsala
Tibet campaigners have expressed their outrage upon learning details of the probable charges facing Tibetan film-maker Dhondup Wangchen. According to information provided by official sources, Dhondup Wangchen was formally arrested in July 2008 under suspicion of "inciting separatism" and espionage (1). He was charged in June 2009. Dhondup Wangchen was detained in Tibet (2) on 26 March 2008 for filming interviews with ordinary Tibetans about their views on the Olympic Games, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government policies in Tibet. The interviews were made into a documentary film "Leaving Fear Behind' (3), which gives the viewer a rare glimpse into the reality of Tibetans living under Chinese occupation and has now been screened in 30 countries.
"These likely charges of "inciting separatism" and espionage are an outrage" said Samten Choedon, Vice president of Tibetan Women's Association "Dhondup Wangchen was merely peacefully exercising the right to free expression, yet China is accusing him of these very serious crimes. This case illustrates China's continual crackdown on Tibetan resistance after the largely non-violent protests in Tibet in 2008 and 2009, and brutal silencing of Tibetan voices."
Dhondup Wangchen - who is being held in the No. 1 Detention Centre in Siling (Ch: Xining, Qinghai Province) - could be tried at any time. In recent months Tibet campaigners have lobbied foreign governments to request permission to attend Dhondup Wangchen's trial, and although a number of requests appear to have been made, the International Campaign for Tibet reported that at least one government has been refused permission to have access to any trial or hearing. This information raises acute concerns that Dhondup Wangchen will be tried in secret. In addition he has been denied access to his family's choice of lawyer, Li Dunyong, from the Beijing Gongxin law firm.
Tibetan film-maker and former political prisoner Ngawang Choephel, who served six years of an 18-year sentence for "espionage" and "counter-revolutionary activities" after filming traditional music and dance in Tibet, said, "Dhondup must be feeling heartbroken to be separated from his friends and family, but at the same time proud to be among those hardworking and courageous Tibetans who are documenting this period in Tibet's history. His work could never be considered a crime. He has exercised his freedom as a human being to bring issues of world importance to light. I was sentenced to 18 years in prison for filming Tibetan music, and with international help I was released. Around the world, we all need to join in this effort to free Dhondup. I am sure he has not lost hope in us, and is counting on us, and it is our responsibility to use our freedom to do what is right and help free Dhondup now." s
On 23 September Tibet groups and supporters held actions around the world to highlight the case of Dhondup Wangchen. The actions coincided with Chinese President Hu Jintao's address to the United Nations General Assembly. In Dharamsala, the four NGOs organized a day-long signature campaign and sent 1000 postcards to Hu Jintao calling for Dhondup Wangchen's release. Thousands of head gears wearing the slogan; 'Free Dhondup Wangchen' was distributed and a candle light vigil and a public discourse was organized in the evening followed by the screening of the documentary film 'Dispatches: Undercover in Tibet'.
A special campaign website, www.freetibetanheroes.org, has been created by the International Tibet Support Network's Political Prisoner Campaign Working Group (4). On 21 August, 16 friends of Dhondup Wangchen in Tibet courageously sent a petition to the chairpersons of the People's Court of Qinghai, stating "it is our wish that Dhondup will be freed from all charges or at least will be granted a fair trial". In exile, Dhondup Wangchen's wife, Lhamo Tso, and cousin, Gyaljong Tsetrin, have been campaigning for his release, including appealing to prominent film-makers to give their support (5).
We demand Hu Jinata to free Dhondup Wangchen and we request the Human rights advocates, world leaders and the International Community to seek access to any judicial proceedings inside Tibet.
Organized by:
Tibetan Women's Association
GuChuSum Movement for Tibet
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet - India
Notes
1. According to information provided to western governments by official sources, Dhondup Wangchen was formally arrested in July 2008 under suspicion of "inciting separatism and stealing, secretly gathering, purchasing, and illegally providing intelligence for an organisation, institution, or personnel outside the country." He was charged in June 2009.
2. Dhondup Wangchen was detained on 26 March 2008 in Tongde in eastern Tibet (Qinghai Province). Dhondup Wangchen was born on 17 October 1974 in Hualong, Haidong, Qinghai Province.
3. The footage for the film "Leaving Fear Behind" (www.leavingfearbehind.com) was smuggled out of Tibet in early March 2008. Dhondup Wangchen and his cameraman, Jigme Gyatso were fully aware of the risks they took in not concealing their identities, but wanted to speak out openly about the situation in Tibet. Jigme Gyatso, a Tibetan monk from Labrang Monastery, was arrested on 23 March 2008 and endured severe torture, including continuous beatings, being hanged by his feet from the ceiling and tied to an interrogation chair for days before he was conditionally released in October 2008. He was detained again for about 40 days in March 2009.
4. The International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) is a global coalition of Tibet related non-governmental organizations, which works to maximize the effectiveness of the worldwide Tibet movement. ITSN Member organizations hold varied positions on Tibet's future political status, but all regard Tibet as an occupied country and are dedicated to ending human rights violations in Tibet, and to working actively to restore the Tibetan people's right under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status.
5. See www.tibetnetwork.org/familyappeal
5. See http://www.vimeo.com/6579635 for the film; Lhamo Tso; Behind the Sea