Dhondup Wangchen Dhondup Wangchen (Pronounced: Duh-ond-up Wangchen) January 2014 Amnesty International USA AI Concerns: Prisoner of Conscience, Torture and Other Ill-Treatment, Medical Concerns, Human Rights Defenders, Freedom of Expression Situation: Dhondup Wangchen, a TiBetan filmmaker, was detained in Qinghai Province and held in various detention centers from March 2008 to DecemBer 2009 for his involvement in making a film that expresses TiBetan attitudes toward the Beijing Olympics and the Dalai Lama. On December 28, 2009 Dhondup Wangchen was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for “inciting separatism” after a secret trial By Xining City Intermediate Court. He has reportedly Been tortured and is suffering from Hepatitis B and other ailments, for which he has not Been treated. Dhondup Wangchen and his wife Lhamo Tso have four children. Action Ideas • Letter writing: Write letters to the authorities calling for the release of Dhondup Wangchen and send Dhondup Wangchen messages of solidarity and support. Remind him that he is not forgotten. • Tabling: Set up an information table in a puBlic space, coffeehouse, liBrary, school cafeteria, or other venue, where you can inform people about the situation in TiBet and the case of Dhondup Wangchen and encourage them to take action. • Teach-In: The detention of Dhondup Wangchen is a clear illustration of the lack of justice in China. Host a “teach-in” in your community or at your school that analyzes the current political and human rights environment in China and TiBet. Approach international studies, political science, or history scholars with the idea of organizing an event that will educate people about the current situation of human rights in China and TiBet. • Film Screening: Plan a film screening of “Leaving Fear Behind,” which is the documentary film that lead to Dhondup Wangchen’s arrest. • Educate through story telling: Engage the greater public in Dhondup Wangchen’s case simply By sharing his story with people. You can do this through theatre, writing an article for puBlication in your local paper, and or speaking to other community and school groups . • Street Art: Art is a great way to engage people to take action and educate the greater community around you! Use wheatpaste or create a mural with the theme of “Freedom of Expression.” Include the link for people passing by to take online action: amnestyusa.org/freedhondup • Social Media: Utilize FaceBook and Twitter to raise public awareness of Dhondup Wangchen’s case and invite people to take action. If you tweet, Be sure to use the hashtag #DhondupWangchen Solidarity Action Example of solidarity letter: English: Dhondup Wangchen-la, We want to let you know that we are thinking of you. We support you and your work for all TiBetans and for human rights in the world. We are campaigning hard for you and we hope that you will Be released soon! Tibetan: Send letters of solidarity to: Dhondup Wangchen Qinghai Province Women’s Prison 40 Nanshan road Chengzhong district Xining City Qinghai Province 810000 People’s RepuBlic of China Important March 26, 2008: Date of Arrest DatesOctoBer 17, 1974: Dhondup Wangchen’s B irthday DecemBer 28, 2009: Date of Sentence Resources The China Regional Action Network (CHIRAN) is a national network of AIUSA groups and individual activists who provide rapid response to urgent situations involving prisoners of conscience, detainees, and other individuals in China and Taiwan whose human rights are Being imminently threatened. Monthly actions as well as China-related news items are sent out to memBers of the Network. For more information, contact Suzanne Wright, CHIRAN Coordinator, at [email protected]. For more information on the situation between China and Tibet please refer to the following reports by AI: Tibet Autonomous Region: A year of escalating human rights violations http://www.amnesty.org/en/liBrary/info/ASA17/011/2009/en China: Briefing for the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: 75th Session http://www.amnesty.org/en/liBrary/info/ASA17/024/2009/en AIUSA China country WeB page: http://www.amnestyusa.org/china/page.do?id=1011134 Amnesty International Report 2013, China: http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/china/report-2013 Get On The Bus WeBsite: http://www.gotb.org/actions-and-issues.html Film: Leaving Fear Behind, film By Dhondup Wangchen: https://www.youtuBe.com/watch?v=ANZZa5IabJ4&list=PL64B3F2866FF92221 Leaving Fear Behind WeBsite: http://leavingfearBehind.com/ Video: Voices for Freedom – Dhondup Wangchen’s story http://Bit.ly/1ahJEZI For information about China and updates contact: China Country Specialist James H. Zimmerman, Jr. [email protected] or phone 619.358.5965 Skype jhzkongo1 SAMPLE LETTER: You may also contact the China Coordination Group (CoGroup) at [email protected] Local Group 133 of Somerville, Massachusetts has Been working on Dhondup’s case since 2008 and they have a lot of additional resources & ideas. If you would like to connect with this group please contact: Kelly Turley: [email protected] SAMPLE LETTER: *If you write your own sample letter, be sure to include the Chinese spelling of Dhondup Wangchen’s name: 当知项欠 Minister of Justice of the People's RepuBlic of China WU Aiying Buzhang Sifabu 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu, Beijingshi 100020 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Dear Minister, I am concerned for Dhondup Wangchen 当知项欠, a TiBetan filmmaker who was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for “suBversion of state power” after a secret trial By Xining City Intermediate Court. Dhondup Wangchen was working on a documentary on the opinions of TiBetans regarding the Beijing Olympics and the Dalai Lama. The reasons for Dhondup Wangchen arrest have Been unclear. He was initially detained on suspicion of "illegal journalism," which is not an offense under Chinese law. The police then attempted to have him charged with "inciting subversion of state power," But the prosecutor returned the case to the police for lack of evidence. He was finally charged with “inciting separatism” in December 2009. Amnesty International considers him a Prisoner of Conscience, detained solely for peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression through his filmmaking work. During his initial detention Dhondup Wangchen was Beaten, punched in the head, often deprived of food and sleep, and kept tied to a chair. Since then, he has experienced headaches and pain in his arms. Dhondup also suffers from Hepatitis B, for which he has not received any medical treatment. I urge you to release Dhondup Wangchen immediately and unconditionally and ensure that he is not tortured or ill-treated while he remains in custody. He should also Be given all the necessary medical treatment. Freedom of expression must Be protected By the state in China, in line with Chinese constitutional guarantees and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which China has signed. I thank you for your attention to these concerns and look forward to your reply. Sincerely, President of the People’s RepuBlic of China XI Jinping The State Council General Office 2 Fuyoujie Xichengqu Beijingshi 100017 People's RepuBlic of China Your Excellency, I am writing to ask you to release TiBetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen 当知项欠. In 2008 he was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for "inciting separatism" after a secret trial By Xining City Intermediate Court. While the reasons for 当知项欠's arrest are unclear, he was first detained after producing a documentary about the opinions of TiBetans on various matters prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Amnesty International considers 当知项欠 a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. I call on you to release 当知项欠 immediately and unconditionally. In detention 当知项欠 has Been tortured and forced to do hard labor; consequently he suffers from a numBer of serious health issues. While he remains in detention, please insure that 当知项欠 receives all necessary medical attention. 当知项欠’s experience is emBlematic of the discrimination and harsh criminal punishment that TiBetans throughout China experience for peacefully expressing their cultural identity. I call on you to respect, protect and fulfil TiBetans’ human right to enjoy their own culture, to practice their religion, and to use their own language. I also ask you to take effective measures to ensure that all people in China are able to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression, in line with Chinese constitutional guarantees and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which China has declared its intent to ratify in the near future. I thank you for your attention to these concerns and look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Copies to: AmBassador Cui Tiankai EmBassy of the People's RepuBlic of China 3505 International Place NW Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 495-2138 TO: Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China WU Aiying Buzhang Sifabu 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyangqu Beijingshi 100020 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA We are deeply concerned about Dhondup Wangchen 当知项欠, a Tibetan filmmaker who was sentenced on December 28 in Qinghai Province to six years' imprisonment for “subversion of state power” after a secret trial by Xining City Intermediate Court. Local authorities forced his lawyers to stop representing him, casting doubts over the fairness of his trial proceedings... He was reportedly tortured and ill-treated while being interrogated in 2008 and suffers from Hepatitis B and other ailments, for which he is not being treated. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, detained for his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression. We respectfully request that the Chinese government release Dhondup Wangchen immediately. While in detention, please ensure 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.