 URGENT: China Sentences Dhondup Wangchen to 6 years in prison
According to sources in Tibet, Chinese authorities sentenced Dhondup Wangchen to a six-year prison sentence on December 28th, 2009. His trial was held in secret and he was denied access to a lawyer of his choosing.
Tell China to Release Dhondup Wangchen Now!
The Chinese authorities have yet to confirm the sentence, but Dhondup Wangchen's family has released a statement based on information they received from Tibet. It appears that Dhondup Wangchen is appealing his sentence, so it is important we keep the pressure on.
TAKE ACTION:
- Call the Chinese
authorities in Beijing to demand Dhondup Wangchen's
immediate release (note: Beijing is 12 hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Time.) The Chinese government refers to Dhondup
Wangchen as Dangzhi Xiangqian (phonetic: Dang-Jeh She-ang
Chi-an.)
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +8610 6596 1114 or +8610
6596 3100
Chinese Ministry of Justice: +8610 6520 6706 or
+8610 6520 6706
- Visit FreeTibetanHeroes.org for more ways to take action
Read More:
AFP: China sentences Tibetan film-maker to six years: family
Radio Free Asia: China Jails Tibetan Filmmaker
Press Statement by Dhondup Wangchen's family
Tibetan Governmnet-in-Exile's Report on Dhondup Wangchen's Sentence
The story of Dhondup Wangchen, filmmaker jailed in China
New York Times: Profile of Dhondup Wangchen's trial
Click here for more actions you can take to help secure Dhondup Wangchen's release
BACKGROUND:
The Chinese government accused Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan filmmaker who made Leaving Fear Behind of "inciting
separatism," a charge that carries a severe prison sentence in China. His trial is taking place in secret in Siling in eastern Tibet (Chinese: Xining, Qinghai Province).
In September 2009, Dhondup Wangchen smuggled a letter out of prison alerting the world to his trial. His lawyers have been barred from representing him,
casting serious doubt over the fairness of his trial.
This innocent man has been subject to torture while in detention and is in very poor health. Read Human Rights Watch's appeal for Dhondup Wangchen.
ORGANIZE A SCREENING:
 Leaving Fear Behind
is an exceptional film made by Tibetans inside Tibet who took great risk to document the true feelings of Tibetans living under Chinese
occupation.
Defying all odds, their stories of courage, determination and hardship
were smuggled out of Tibet on the eve of the historic uprising that
spread across the Tibetan plateau this past spring.
The film is a powerful tool to highlight the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet. Watch the film online now.
Leaving Fear Behind Film Screening Kit:
SFT's step-by-step guide to organizing a screening of Leaving Fear Behind.
STEP 1: Order a copy of the film! Fill out the form below or contact: grassroots@studentsforafreetibet.org or call 212-358-0071. We are asking for a $10 donation to cover the costs of printing and shipping the DVD, please specify "Leaving Fear Behind " in the "In Honor Of" field.
STEP 2: SFT's Film Screening Kit contains resources on how to organize a successful screening.
Download the complete Film Screening Kit (zip file - 17.5MB)
The Film Screening Kit includes:
1-Intro to Leaving Fear Behind
2-How to Organize a Screening
3-Leading a Discussion and FAQ
4-Outreach Poster in black & white
5-Outreach Poster in color
7-50th Anniversary Flyer
8-50th Anniversary Flyer Color
9-50th Anniversary Flyer Black & White
Materials to pressure for the release of Dhondup Wangchen:
10-Advocacy Letter
11-Petition for the release of Dhondup Wangchen
BACKGROUND
Dhondup Wangchen, the film maker and his camera assistant and friend Jigme Gyatso (commonly known as Golog Jime), a monk from eastern Tibet, interviewed over 100 Tibetans, starting in October 2007. Filming concluded in March 2008, as a historic uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet erupted across the country, bringing new meaning to the voices and sentiments captured in this film.
After being brutally beaten and tortured by Chinese authorities Golog Jigme was release on October 15 back to his monastery in Labrang Tashikyil. He was warmly received by the monks at the monastery and nearby Tibetans who reportedly thanked him for making the film. He is currently under surveillance by Chinese authorities and it is not clear if his charges were dropped. Read the press release about Golog Jigme's release.
China's crackdown against the mostly peaceful protests that spread across Tibet last March continue today, with thousands of Tibetans still detained, imprisoned, or missing. As Tibetan areas remain largely closed off to foreigners and journalists, getting information out about the situation on the ground is increasingly difficult, making it even more important that people worldwide hear the voices of Tibetans speaking in this film.
For more information about the film, go to: www.leavingfearbehind.com
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