Dharamshala: Tibet campaigners call Global Day of Action for Dhondup Wangchen today, on September 23, to express their outrage upon learning details of the probable charges facing the Tibetan film-maker. Dhondup Wangchen was formally arrested in July 2008 under suspicion of “inciting separatism” and espionage for filming interviews with ordinary Tibetans about their views on the Olympic Games, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government policies in Tibet. Dhondup Wangchen was charged in June 2009 and could be tried at any time. There are concerns that the Tibetan film-maker will be tried in secret as Tibet campaigners have lobbied foreign governments to request permission to attend Dhondup Wangchen's trial, and although a number of requests appear to have been made, the International Campaign for Tibet reported that at least one government has been refused permission to have access to any trial or hearing. Dhonduo Wangchen has also been denied access to his family ´s choice of lawyer.
“Dhondup Wangchen was merely peacefully exercising the right to free expression, yet China is accusing him of these very serious crimes. This case illustrates China’s continual crackdown on Tibetan resistance after the largely non-violent protests in Tibet in 2008 and 2009, and brutal silencing of Tibetan voices" said Samten Choedon, Vice president of Tibetan Women’s Association
Today, Tibet groups and supporters will hold actions around the world to highlight the case of Dhondup Wangchen. The actions will coincide with Chinese President Hu Jintao's address to the United Nations General Assembly.
The groups are demanding Hu Jinata to free Dhondup Wangchen and request the Human rights advocates, world leaders and the International Community to seek access to any judicial proceedings inside Tibet.
In Dharamsala, the four NGOs will organize a day-long signature campaign and sent 1000 postcards to Hu Jintao calling for Dhondup Wangchen's release. Thousands of head gears wearing the slogan; ‘Free Dhondup Wangchen’ will be distributed and a candle light vigil and a public discourse will be organized in the evening followed by the screening of the documentary film ‘Dispatches: Undercover in Tibet’. A special campaign website, www.freetibetanheroes.org, has been created by the International Tibet Support Network's Political Prisoner Campaign Working Group.
The campaign is organized by Tibetan Women´ s Association, Gu-Chu-Sum movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet, India.
