Dhondup Wangchen Action at Zurich Chinese Consulate
From Phayul.com
Dharamsala, July 31 – Three Tibet activists associated with the group, Tibetan Youth Association in Europe chained themselves with handcuffs in front of the Chinese Consulate in Zurich today to protest against the imminent trial of the Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen.
Dhondup Wangchen, 35, was arrested in March 2008 for making the documentary, “Leaving Fear Behind”. There is an apparent fear among Tibetans and activists alike that Dhondup Wangchen might be sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment.
According to information received from Qinghai’s provincial capital, Xining, the trial will start soon, more than eighteen months after Dhondup Wangchen and his helper Golog Jigme were first arrested in March 2008. By denying basic information to the family about the charges, the Chinese authorities have violated the minimum rights that Chinese law provides to accused persons, said TYAE . Moreover, the family appointed lawyer was forced to lay down his mandate in July 2009 and was replaced by a court appointed defense lawyer from Xining a few days ago, it said.
The Tibetan Youth Association in Europe pledges to launch more campaigns for the Tibetan filmmaker and other imprisoned Tibetans including an initiative with filmmakers, writers and artists in Europe and other parts of the world in solidarity with Dhondup Wangchen.
Dhondup’s film “leaving fear behind” documents the Tibetan resentment against Chinese rule and features interviews with Tibetans that sharply criticize the Chinese government policies in Tibet. The tapes of the film were smuggled out of Tibet to Switzerland where Dhondup’s cousin edited them and distributed around the world bringing a much needed boost for the Tibetan campaign against the Beijing Olympics, 2008.
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Dhondup Wangchen Protest in NYC
July 30, 2009, Members from SFT and the 5 New York Tibetan organizations held an emergency protest to call on the Chinese Government to release Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen.
The Chinese government has charged Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan filmmaker who made Leaving Fear Behind, of “inciting separatism,” a charge which carries a severe prison sentence in China. His trail will be held in Siling in eastern Tibet (Chinese: Xining, Qinghai Province).
Dhondup Wangchen’s lawyers have been barred from representing him, casting serious doubt over the fairness of his trial. He has been subject to torture while in detention and is in very poor health.
Click here for more photos of the protest.
Click here to send an urgent letter to the Qinghai Provincial Government.
Click here to send an urgent letter to China’s Minister of Justice, Wu Aiying
Click here for ways you can take action for Dhondup Wangchen.
Exile Tibetans Demand Immediate Release of Dhondup Wangchen
Dharamshala – Tibetans and supporters joined a day long campaign organized by five major Tibetan NGOs for the release of Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan filmmaker charged with “inciting separatism,” and whose trial could take 
place any day now in Siling in Eastern Tibet [Chinese: Xining, Qinghai province].
Dhondup Wangchen was detained in March 2008 by Chinese authorities for making the film ‘Leaving Fear Behind’ which documents Tibetans’ views about the Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama, and Chinese government’s policies in Tibet. His Beijing based lawyer hired by his family has been barred from representing him and he is in very poor health after being beaten and tortured in prison.
“My husband is not a criminal. He was arrested for making a film, interviewing Tibetans about the 2008 Olympics, the Dalai Lama and their lives under Chinese rule. None of our family has been allowed to speak to him since his arrest” said Lhamo Tso, Dhondup Wangchen’s wife, who resides in Dharamshala. “My husband is an innocent man but the Chinese government is trying to silence him for exercising his right to freedom of Expression. I urge the international community to take action for my husband’s release.”
Tables were set up in the main square of Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala – the heart of Tibetan freedom movement in exile – for signature campaign to appeal Shri Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India to pressurize Beijing for immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen. Candle light vigil
was held in the evening at the Main Temple and the short film, ‘Leaving Fear Behind’ by Dhondup Wangchen was screened to the crowd.
SFT Canada’s Back-To-School Workshop!
In preparation for the fall school semester, Students for a Free Tibet Canada will be holding a back-to-school training workshop on August 29th in Toronto! For those of you who have never been to an SFT conference but are interested in joining or starting up a chapter at your school, this training is a must!Workshops include how to start and maintain a chapter, grassroots organizing, fundraising, non-violent direct action, campaign strategy, and a lot more!
It is also a great opportunity to meet, share skills and strategize with fellow freedom fighters from all over Eastern Canada. French translation is available if required.
So start planning your travel arrangements and fill out the application form below.
Upon receiving your application, we will send you an email confirming your attendance to the training. If you are coming from out of town and need accommodations for Friday and Saturday evening, please state so in the form below.
*Travel plans deadline: August 24th
The registration fee per participant is $20. This fee covers lunch and dinner on the day of the conference and accommodation (if required).
Send in your application to canada@studentsforafreetibet.org by Sunday, August 23rd!
APPLICATION FORM
First name:
Last name:
Age:
Current address:
Permanent address (if different):
Current telephone:
Permanent telephone (if different):
E-mail:
University or school name (if applicable):
Have you ever attended an SFT Canada conference or SFT action camp?
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH CARE
1) Are you a member SFT or another Tibet support organization? If so, which one?2) Are you a highschool or university student?
3) Is there an SFT chapter at your highschool or university? Have you been involved with the chapter? If so, for how long?
4) Are you interested in starting a chapter at your school, university or in your community?
5) Do you have any dietary needs? (vegetarian/vegan, allergies, or other)
6) Do you need us to provide accommodation during the conference?
Please send your registration details to canada@studentsforafreetibet.org as soon as possible!
Tibet will be free!
Tsering, Tenzin Lobsang and everyone from SFT
SFT Canada’s Back-To-School Workshop
In preparation for the fall school semester, Students for a Free Tibet Canada will be holding a back-to-school training workshop on August 29th in Toronto! For those of you who have never been to an SFT conference but are interested in joining or starting up a chapter at your school, this training is a must!Workshops include how to start and maintain a chapter, grassroots organizing, fundraising, non-violent direct action, campaign strategy, and a lot more!
It is also a great opportunity to meet, share skills and strategize with fellow freedom fighters from all over Eastern Canada. French translation is available if required.
So start planning your travel arrangements and fill out the application form below.
Upon receiving your application, we will send you an email confirming your attendance to the training. If you are coming from out of town and need accommodations for Friday and Saturday evening, please state so in the form below.
*Travel plans deadline: August 24th
The registration fee per participant is $20. This fee covers lunch and dinner on the day of the conference and accommodation (if required).
Send in your application to canada@studentsforafreetibet.org by Sunday, August 23rd!
APPLICATION FORM
First name:
Last name:
Age:
Current address:
Permanent address (if different):
Current telephone:
Permanent telephone (if different):
E-mail:
University or school name (if applicable):
Have you ever attended an SFT Canada conference or SFT action camp?
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH CARE
1) Are you a member SFT or another Tibet support organization? If so, which one?2) Are you a highschool or university student?
3) Is there an SFT chapter at your highschool or university? Have you been involved with the chapter? If so, for how long?
4) Are you interested in starting a chapter at your school, university or in your community?
5) Do you have any dietary needs? (vegetarian/vegan, allergies, or other)
6) Do you need us to provide accommodation during the conference?
Please send your registration details to canada@studentsforafreetibet.org as soon as possible!
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