Dhondup Wangchen Jailed for Leaving Fear Behind

by Michael Walsh | Published January 6, 2010

In a secret sentencing held by the Xilin People’s Court in the Chinese province of Qinghai, 35-year-old moviemaker Dhondup Wangchen was sentenced to six years in prison on December 28, 2009 for the crime of “splitting the motherland,” stemming from his documentary, Leaving Fear Behind.

Wangchen, a Tibetan native, returned to his homeland to film the 25-minute documentary, interviewing Tibetans in the Amdo region on the recently exiled Dalai Lama, the Beijing Olympics and Chinese law. Wangchen was able to send footage out Tibet before being taken into custody by authorities.

While being held, Wangchen was unable to inform friends and relatives of his trial or sentencing. They argue he is not guilty of any crime, and find the situation to be a clear example of how freedom of expression is oppressed in Tibet.

“His relatives made arrangements for a lawyer to represent him, but the lawyers were not allowed to represent him,” said Jamyang Tsultrim, a relative of Wangchen now living in Switzerland. “He was also suffering from liver problems and was denied any kind of medical treatment.”

Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based, non-government organization that advocates freedom of press and fights for the victims of free-press injustices, ran a petition campaigning for Wangchen’s release back in March, calling him “a courageous man who took the risk of returning to his country to interview other Tibetans.”

Wangchen’s family intends to appeal the court’s ruling in the higher courts.

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Comment by Tashi Wangchuk on 1/08/10 at 3:11 am

ATJ condemns sentencing of Dhondup Wangchen

Dharamshala, Jan 7 2010: Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) condemns the sentencing of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen who was jailed in March 2008 for documenting the Tibetan people’s dissatisfaction about China’s policies, current situation inside Tibet, and the Tibetan people’s call for the return of the exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama.

Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) questions the legitimacy of the court verdict and doubts if Dhondup Wangchen was entitled to fair trial keeping in view the Chinese government’s decision to replace the family appointed lawyer of Dhondup Wangchen with a government appointed lawyer from Xining.

ATJ is concerned about Dhondup Wangchen’s health as reports have indicated that he is suffering from Hepatitis B and being denied proper medical treatment in prison.

ATJ demands retrial for Dhondup Wangchen with the international standard of judicial system, to allow him to further appeal to the higher court represented by independent lawyer and for the transparent trial.

A Chinese court has also sentenced a young Tibetan writer named Kunga Tsangyang or Gangnyi, to 5 years imprisonment on charges of ‘splittist’ activities through his writings.

ATJ urges the Chinese authorities to kindly look into the matter according to the constitution of PRC and free Dhondup Wangchen, Kunga Tsangyang, Konchok Tsephel (Chomey website proprietor), Dolma Kyab and others unconditionally.

“If China is true to its words and claims of stability and prosperity in Tibet, it should let us visit Tibet and witness the situation in Tibet for ourselves.” Tashi Wangchuk, President of the ATJ said.

Contact:

Tashi Wangchuk, President - 0091 94180 54685

Dhondup Tashi, Vice-President - 0091 94187 97503