Release Dhondup Wangchen

Please sign below to send this urgent e-mail to Chinese President Hu Jintao calling for Dhondup Wangchen's immediate release.

Tibetan film-maker Dhondup Wangchen has been sentenced to a six year jail term, for filming interviews with ordinary Tibetans in which they were asked their opinions about living under Chinese rule, about the Dalai Lama and about the Olympic Games. Although China has not yet officially confirmed the sentencing of Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan government in exile and Radio Free Asia have reported that sentence was passed on 28 December 2009. They also report that Dhondup Wangchen intends to appeal.

Dhondup was arrested in March 2008 for his part in filming the interviews, which were later made into a powerful documentary, "Leaving Fear Behind" which has been screened in more than 30 countries. The lawyer chosen by Dhondup’s family was prevented by the Chinese authorities from representing him causing great concern about the fairness of his trial. During his detention Dhondup Wangchen has been tortured and has not received medical treatment despite having contracted Hepititis B while in detention.

Please send the urgent message below to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Qiang Wei, Party Secretary of Qinghai

I am writing to express my concern about Dhondup Wangchen (当知项欠, dangzhi xiangqian), a Tibetan filmmaker, and call on you to release him without bringing him to trial.

Dhondup Wangchen was arrested in March 2008 and charged with "inciting separatism," but he was committing no crime, merely documenting the views of ordinary Tibetans in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Dhondup Wangchen has been tortured whilst in detention, is in poor health and has been denied medical treatment. Your government has prevented Dhondup Wangchen's lawyer from representing him when his trial begins in Xining which leads me to doubt the fairness of his trial and the validity of China's judicial system. Tibetans are routinely denied their basic legal rights and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the peaceful expression of their views.

I call on you to release Dhondup Wangchen immediately and unconditionally. I further call on China to guarantee that he is not tortured or otherwise ill-treated, and has access to family, legal assistance of his choosing, and any medical care he may require, while he remains in custody.

Qiang Wei

Secretary of the CPC
Qinghai Provincial Committee

Hu Jintao

President
People's Republic of China