In October 1996, the People's Republic of China officially acknowledged the detention of Ngawang Choephel, a Tibetan musician and scholar arrested by Chinese authorities in August 1995 whilst travelling in Tibet. Ngawang was undertaking some preliminary research for the creation of a documentary on the traditional folk music and performing arts of Tibet.

Ngawang has been held incommunicado for more than 15 months without charge or trial and his mother, Sonam Dickey, has waited over a year in vain to hear anything from her son. Sonam Dickey forwarded a copy of her letter, an appeal to the PRC to release her son, to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy which has been faithfully reproduced below.

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Date: December 5th 1996

H.E. the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of the People's Republic of China 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri

NEW DELHI - 110 021

Your Excellency,

May I, Sonam Dickey, as the mother of my only son, Ngawang Choephel, detained since September 16th 1996 in Tibet, request you to release him immediately and unconditionally. It was last year that I learnt of my son's arrest in Shigatse, Tibet and has been in prison ever since. It has been over a year since I have heard anything regarding my son's whereabouts.

My son learnt the art of music in his childhood. Since then he had been striving to preserve Tibet's distinct culture and tradition through his art. I assure that he does not have any political motives or vested interests. He loves music and only wishes to preserve his culture.

The recent acknowledgement of my son's detention and the unsubstantiable charges framed against him which accuse him of "being an agent of the Dalai Lama's Government-in-exile sent to gather sensitive intelligence and engage in illegal separatist activities" are totally false and baseless. He travelled to Tibet on his own accord - not at the instigation of any individual or organisation.

Under the circumstances I would strongly appeal to you to release my son immediately, unconditionally, and to assure his safe return to me.

Yours sincerely,

(signature)

Sonam Dekyi

Village No. 2, House No. 30

Tibetan Settlement

Mundgod, North Kanara

Karnataka State