Tibetan filmmaker, Dhondup Wangchen, was detained on 26 March 2008 and sentenced 28 December 2009 to six years’ imprisonment for “inciting separatism.” His documentary film, Leaving Fear Behind, features a series of interviews with Tibetans, all of whom voice skepticism about the Chinese authorities’ promises of greater freedom in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, about their lives, and about their views on the Dalai Lama.
Amnesty International believes him to be a Prisoner of Conscience, detained for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
Dhondup Wangchen has been tortured and suffers from Hepatitis B for which he is not receiving any medical treatment. His family has not been allowed to see him. Chinese authorities barred his family appointed lawyer from representing him. Authorities have also threatened his lawyers with closing their law firm if they do not drop his case.
We the undersigned urge:
--The immediate and unconditional release of Prisoner of Conscience, Dhondup Wangchen, detained solely for this peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression,
--You to guarantee Dhondup Wangchen will not be tortured or otherwise ill treated,
--Dhondup Wangchen have access to his family, legal assistance of his choosing, and any medical care he may require, and
--You to order a prompt and impartial investigation into the torture and other ill treatments of Dhondup Wangchen, and bring those responsible to justice.
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Send to: WU Faxiang Tingzhang, Qinghaisheng Sifating, 11 Nanshanlu, Xiningshi 810000, Qinghaisheng, People’s Republic of China
Copies to: Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou, Embassy of People’s Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Ave. NY, Washington DC 20008