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ACTION: Political Prisoner Profiles |
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There are currently over 800 known political prisoners imprisoned in Tibet. Most have been jailed for peacefully expressing their dissatisfaction with China's policies in Tibet. Since the protests in 2008 that swept across the Tibetan plateau, there has been a growing trend by the Chinese government to silence ordinary Tibetans who speak up for human rights, promote the Tibetan identity or simply discuss the future of Tibet.
Tibet Society is currently highlighting the cases of two political prisoners, Wangdu and Migmar Dhondup. Please take action to help free these two Tibetans who have received severe sentences for the simple act of sending messages about ongoing protests to contacts outside Tibet.
Take Action
1. Read the profiles below, download the leaflets and inform your friends and colleagues. Awareness is the first step in campaigning!
2. Download the petition, ask your friends and colleagues to sign and return the petition to us. (We will send the petitions en-masse to the Chinese Embassy.)
3. Send a message directly to the Chinese Ambassador calling for the release and fair-treatment of Wangdu and Migmar Dhondup.
4. Join Tibet Society’s supporter email list and receive news updates, campaign actions and event notifications. Email
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.
Profiles
Wangdu: serving a life sentence for "espionage"
 Wangdu, 44, is a former monk from Dechen Township, Taktse County, near Lhasa. At the time of his arrest he was working in Lhasa on a community health project. He previously worked on social development issues with a British NGO.
On 14 March 2008, Wangdu was arrested as Tibetans took to the streets in Lhasa to demonstrate and protest against Chinese rule. It is believed his arrest was prompted by the sending of messages to contacts outside Tibet about the protests. Wangdu was held incommunicado until his trial seven months later.
On 27 October 2008, Wangdu was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of “espionage”. It was alleged Wangdu had set up an underground intelligence network in Lhasa to provide national security information to the ‘Dalai clique’ [a term used by the Chinese government to describe individuals and organisations sympathetic with the Dalai Lama’s views]. It was also alleged that the network produced and distributed materials, such as CDs and leaflets, that aimed to split the country by inciting a “Tibetan people’s uprising”.
The severity of Wangdu's sentence may be because it was his second 'politcal crime'. He previously served an eight-year sentence, having been arrested in 1989 during another period of public protests.
According to official Chinese reports Wangdu is incarcerated in Drapchi prison in Lhasa, known for its harsh conditions.
Click here to download Wangdu's profile.
Migmar Dhondup: 14 year sentence for "espionage"
 Migmar Dhondup, 38, was born in Tingri, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. He is a social worker dedicated to improving the welfare of the Tibetan people and passionate about his country of birth. Until 2006 he worked for a British NGO on social development issues.
Migmar was arrested shortly after protests broke out in Lhasa in March 2008. It is believed his arrest was prompted by messages he sent to contacts outside Tibet regarding the protests. He was held incommunicado until his trial seven months later. It is likely he was tortured during his detention.
On 27 October 2008, Migmar was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment having been accused of assisting his colleague Wangdu in “espionage” activities and collecting “intelligence concerning the security and interests of the state and provid[ing] it to the Dalai clique".
Migmar is believed to be imprisoned in Chushur (Ch: Qushui) prison in Chushur county, Tibet Autonomous Region, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
Click here to download Migmar Dhondup's profile.
Take Action
Write to the Chinese Ambassador in the UK, Mr Liu Xiaoming, urging the Chinese government to:
► immediately release Wangdu and Migmar Dhondup on the grounds that they did not commit any crime but were peacefully expressing their views, a right guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
► hold a fair and open re-trial conducted under internationally accepted legal standards with impartial observers where credible evidence of “espionage” is presented, with Wangdu and Migmar Dhondup having unfettered access to legal advice and representation to present their cases;
► ensure Wangdu and Migmar Dhondup remain in good health whilst in prison and provide access to medical treatment when required;
► undertake to arrange regular prison visits by family and friends.
Address: Mr Liu Xiaoming
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
49-51 Portland Place
London W1B 1JL
Email:
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Downloads
Petition for Wangdu & Migmar Dhondup
Profile of Wangdu
Profile of Migmar Dhondup
(Both profiles are 4 pages and are arranged so they can be printed double-sided onto one A4 sheet of paper, and then folded to make an A5 size leaflet.)
Hard copies of the petition and leaflets can be sent in the post. Please email your address details to
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or call 020 7272 1414.
Tibet Society, the world’s first Tibet support group, was founded in 1959. Funded by its members, it has been working for over 50 years to seek justice for Tibet through parliamentary lobbying, campaigns and actions. Help keep Tibet alive by joining Tibet Society today. (Annual membership £24; Overseas £36; Life £500).
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