Dharamsala, India, October 22, 1996 -- After a year and one month's imprisonment, China has at last officially acknowledged the detention of Ngawang Choephel, a Tibetan musician living in exile, who travelled to Tibet in July 1995 to make a documentary film on traditional Tibetan music and culture.

Mr Shao Wenquang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, while responding to an enquiry by Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont, said, "We have learned that, funded by some Americans, Ngawang Choephel was sent by the Dalai Lama's "Government-in-exile" to Tibet, used the cover of so-called collecting Tibetan folk songs to gather sensitive intelligence and engaged in illegal separatist activities. His activities are suspected to have violated Article 4, Section 2 (5) of the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China."

Ngawang Choephel was first seen being brought by two prison officials at Nyari Detention Centre in Shigatse on September 16, 1995 by an exiled Tibetan businessman Dorji Rinchen. Ngawang, a 29 year-old Tibetan Fulbright scholar at Middlebury College in the United States, visited Tibet to research Tibetan folk music and dances. His visit was purely a cultural and there was no indication of his involvement in any political activities.

China's accusation that Ngawang Choephel was sent by the Tibetan government-in-Exile is totally baseless and refutable. The charges arising out of their assumption are totally in disregard to international law and a crass violation of human rights. China's acknowledgement of Ngawang's detention after a year's imprisonment confirms the arbitrary detention of Ngawang without trial and further reinforces the arbitrary and politicised nature of the Chinese justice system. We are dismayed by the fact that the Chinese authorities have accused Ngawang without proper investigation. The true motive of Ngawang's visit to Tibet has been testified to by concerned people who have assisted and funded him to undertake research on traditional Tibetan music and folk dances.

Tibetans are concerned with the safety and freedom of Ngawang Choephel.

China's accusation of Ngawang's "engaging in illegal separatist activities and violating China's law" may endanger his life as a result of torture and inhuman prison condition. We therefore appeal to you to urge the Chinese authorities to immediately release Ngawang Choephel.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/fax/airmail letters expressing your concern about the safety and freedom of Ngawang Choephel. Urge China to immidiately and unconditionally release Ngawang Choephel as the reasons given for his arrest are totally groundless.

Write APPEALS to:

H.E. Li Peng Zongli

Premier of the People's Republic of China

Guowuyuan

9 Xihuanchenggenbeijie

Beijingshi - 100032

People's Republic of China

Telexes: 210027 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN

Fax: +86 10 512 5810

H.E. Shao Wenguang

Counselor

Embassy of the People's Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Avenue

N.W., Washington, DC 20008

Tel: (202) 328 2509 Fax: (202) 234 4055

Gyaltsen Norbu Zhuxi, President

Tibet Autonomous Region

1 Kang'angdonghu

Lhasa City - 850000

P.R.C.

Telexes: 68014 FAOLT CN or 68007 PGVMT CN

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FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact:

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy

Narthang Building

(First Floor)

Gangchen Kyishong

Dharamsala (HP)

India

Ph: +91 1892 22457/22510

Fax: +91 1892-24957, E-mail: diir@dsala.tibetnet.ernet.in

Released by TIBETAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

Department of Information and International Relations

Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala