Published by World Tibet Network News - Friday, October 25, 1996

DHARAMSALA, October 20, 1996 (DIIR) Tibetans Staged Hunger Strike and Candle Light Vigil in Dharamsala Over 500 people from all walks of life undertook a candle lightvigil on 20 October, 1996 in Dharamsala calling for the immediate and unconditional releaseof Ngawang Choephel, an exiled Tibetan musician, who has been detained in Tibet since September 16, 1995.

The demonstration commenced with a 12-hour fast by about 160friends and supporters of Ngawang Choephel and was followed by a candle light vigil whichbegan from Mcleodganj and culminated at the main Tibetan temple. The demonstratorsraised slogans against the Chinese authorities and appealed to the international community to put pressure on the Chinese government by all possible means.

Ngawang Choephel, a 29 year-old Tibetan musician living in exile was arrested in Shigatse on 16 September 1995. He travelled to Tibet in July 1995 to make a documentary film on Tibetan traditional music and culture and has since been detainedin Nyari detention Centre. Recent reports indicate that Ngawang Choephel has been transferred to Lhasa.

The demonstrators also called for the immediate release of Chinese dissident Lui Xiaobo, sentenced to three years imprisonment for expressing his views on the Tibetan people's right to self-determination. Lui, 40, was arrested at his home in Beijing on October 8, one week after he and fellow dissident Wang Xizhe wrote an open letter in support of the Tibetan people on September 30, 1996. The fate of Wang Xizhe is unknown.

The demonstrators expressed their serious concern over the deteriorating situation in Tibet. The China's "Strike Hard" campaign has further worsened the human rights situation in Tibet and has brought fear and sufferings to the Tibetan people. Those who dare to defy the Campaign are intimidated, arrested and tortured. A number of monks have been purged from their monasteries and two have been killed while protesting against the Chinese authorities.

The demonstration was initiated by friends and supporters of Ngawang Choephel in India and was organised by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Issued by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Department of Information and International Relations

Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala

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