Zurich, May 19, 2010: Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen who was sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment on 28 December 2009 for "subversion of state power", has been transferred from his previous detention centre in Xining to a labor camp [1] both in Western China's Qinghai Province. Wife and family members of Dhondup Wangchen called today on Hillary Clinton who is going to China next week to press the Chinese government to release those who are arbitrarily imprisoned for political reasons.
Although Dhondup Wangchen formally appealed his 6 year sentence, it is assumed that the appeal failed and the verdict was upheld as he was transferred to Xichuan prison on April 6, 2010. Chinese lawyer Chang Boyang who travelled in February 2010 to Xining to represent Dhondup Wangchen was not allowed to meet with him and then was threatened in March with the closure of his law firm if he did not drop the case [2].
Dhondup Wangchen's wife in India, Lhamo Tso, said today, "We are absolutely desperate now. We are indebted to the brave Chinese lawyer Chang Boyang and also the previous law- yer Li Dunyong who both risked a great deal to help my husband. However, China has made it clear that it is impossible for us to work inside their legal system. Therefore I appeal to for- eign governments to intervene to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen, who did nothing more than exercise his right to freedom of expression."
According to the Washington DC based Laogai Research Foundation, Xichuan Prison manu- factures aluminum alloy windows, ordinary bricks, porous and hollow bricks and sinter con- crete blocks [3]. Dhondup Wangchen's cousin in Switzerland, Gyaljong Tsetrin, himself a former political prisoner said today, "It is very dangerous for Dhondup Wangchen's health to carry out hard labour in this facility. We already heard last year that he was suffering from Hepatitis B with no medical treatment. I also know several Tibetans who have been impris- oned there in the past who testify to the harsh living and working conditions. I'm extremely worried for Dhondup Wangchen".
Dhondup Wangchen was first detained on March 26, 2008, for filming interviews with ordi- nary Tibetans on their views on the Olympic Games, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government policies in Tibet. The interviews were made into a documentary film "Leaving Fear Behind" which has since been screened in over 30 countries worldwide.
Contact:
Gyaljong Tsetrin: +41 (0) 76 462 67 68 (Tibetan & Chinese) Dechen Pemba: +44 (0) 77 848 23907 (English) Tenzin Tsedoen: +41 (0)79 384 05 63 (German)
Notes:
1. Xichuan prison is a labour camp concealed as an industrial manufacturer under the name of "Qinghai Xifa Water and Electricity Equipment Manufacture Installment Limited Liability Company". The complex of Xichuan Prison can clearly be seen here on this Google Maps image: http://tinyurl.com/xichuan-prison
2. See Amnesty International's public statement of April 21, 2010: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA17/018/2010/en/5578278e-7772-487e-a1d4- 93802bb6c50b/asa170182010en.html
3. The following information is given on page 37 of the Laogai Handbook 2007-2008: http://laogai.org/books
Enterprise: Qinghai Xifa Water and Electricity Equipment Manufacture Installment Limited Liability Company Prison: Xichuan Prison Details: Location: 108 Xichuan South Rd., Xi'ning City