Dhondup Wangchen is a Tibetan filmmaker who made Leaving Fear Behind and, as a result, is accused by the Chinese government 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).
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.
TAKE ACTION:
- Send a letter to China's Minister of Justice, Wu Aiying and China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Yesui
- Watch Leaving Fear Behind and help spread this remarkable film by sharing it on your Facebook homepage, website, blog or other social networking site.
- Send a letter to to Qiang Wei, Secretary of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee and Qinghai's top party official.
- Download the letter in Chinese, print and fax the letter to the following Chinese offices.
China's Ministry of Justice
No. 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu, Beijingshi
100020, People's Republic of China
Fax: (86) 10 6529 2345 / (86) 10 8313 9051
Qinghai Province People Government
Offices 12, Xi Dajie
Xining, Qinghai
810000, People's Republic of China
Fax: (86) 971-8239540
- Fax and call the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you to demand Dhondup Wangchen's immediatre release.
Click here for a list of Chinese Embassies.
Click here for a list of Chinese Consulates.
When you call, ask that your message be relayed to the Ambassador or Consular General. Tell them that Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan filmmaker, is innocent and should be immediately released from Chinese prison. - Download a petition and collect signatures from your friends, family, co-workers and fellow students.
- Change your Facebook profile picture to Dhondup Wangchen. Ask people to take action on his behalf in your Twitter feed and Facebook status update.
MORE ACTIONS:
Dhondup Wangchen was detained in Tibet in March 2008 for making a film, Leaving Fear Behind, which documents Tibetans' views on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama, and life under Chinese occupation. He is innocent, and is being persecuted solely for exercising his basic right to freedom of expression.
- Phone and lodge a complaint with Wu Aiying, China's Ministry of Justice in Beijing: (86) 10 652 067 06. Dhondup Wangchen is believed to be held at the Ershilipu Detention Center in Xining, Qinghai Province. Please also call and request his immediate release: (86) 97 153 119 82.
Note: China is 12 hours ahead of EST - Download a fact sheet about the filmmakers and the circumstances surrounding their detention. Jigme Gyatso (known as Golok Jigme) has been released after his second arrest on March 10th, 2009, the day that Tibetans in Tibet and around the world marked the 50th Anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising.
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.
SFT's step-by-step guide to organizing a screening of Leaving Fear Behind.
Download the complete Film Screening Kit (zip file - 17.5MB)
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
Candle Light Vigil for people on International Human Rights Day
In commemoration of InternationalHuman Rights day, we will be holding a candle light vigil in Toronto to shine alight on Dhondup Wangchen's case as well as all of the human rights abuses thatcontinue in Tibet under Chinese rule.
Where: Chinese Consulate, 240 St. GeorgeStreet
When: Thursday, December 10, 2009
What: Candle Light Vigil from 5:30pm-7:00pm
International HumanRights Day is a reminder that there are many people all over the world whocontinue to be denied their human rights. Ultimately, it is a call to action inthe face of the enormous effort needed to make human rights a reality foreveryone. Human rights violations remain the main concern for millions ofindigenous peoples like the Tibetans and the Uyghurs, and thousands of otherindigenous communities around the world.
To see the media advisory for the vigil, click here.
