A mother's appeal to see her imprisoned son
Join our campaign for Sonam Dekyi to visit Ngawang Choephel
"I cannot wait that long, I am old and ill ... I am worried and do not know what to do. Please help me save my son. I am aging and my health is
worsening day by day. I long to see my only son before I die." - Sonam Dekyi
Mrs Sonam Dekyi is the mother of Ngawang Choephel, the Tibetan musician
presently serving an 18 year prison sentence in Tibet. Sonam Dekyi fled
Tibet along with her only son Ngawang in 1968 and since that time has lived
as a refugee in South India. Following her son's arbitrary detention in
August 1995 and his sentencing one year later, Sonam Dekyi's health has
deteriorated. She is currently suffering from tuberculosis and chronic
depression.
Thirty year old Ngawang was a Fulbright scholar in ethnomusicology in
Vermont. He visited Tibet in July 1995 in order to make a documentary film
on Tibetan musical customs and traditional performing arts. He was first
reported missing in August 1995 but Chinese authorities acknowledged his
detention only on 15 October 1996, more than a year after his arrest.
Charged by Chinese authorities with being a spy for the Tibetan
Government-in-Exile and committing "espionage crime" in Tibet, Nagging was
sentenced on 26 December 1996 to 18 years imprisonment.
A single parent with only one child, Sonam Dekyi has devoted her whole life
to the care and education of Ngawang. She is now 60 years old. As a result
of her age, poor health and the mental anguish caused by her son's long
imprisonment, Sonam Dekyi fears that she may not live long. Her only wish
now is to see her son before she dies.
Sonam Dekyi wrote to the Chinese Embassy in Delhi on 5 December 1996
requesting to see her son in prison. She followed this with a visit to the
Chinese Embassy on 9 January 1997. To date, however, her appeal have gone
unanswered.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy is appealing to the
international community to join the campaign to make a mother's last wish a
reality. You can help by urging the Chinese authorities to allow Sonam Dekyi
to visit her son in prison. This is a right guaranteed to all prisoners
under international law.
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has launched a
signature campaign to be sent to the President of the People's Republic of
China and we appeal to all of you to make your own contribution.
Petition: Mother's visit to her son in Drapchi Prison in Tibet.
We the undersigned call upon the Chinese government to:
Allow Ngawang Choephel access to his family. In particular his mother Sonam Dekyi should be granted permission to visit Ngawang Choephel in Drapchi Prison.
Ensure that Ngawang Choephel receives full legal representation regarding his appeal case as per international standards of due process and fair trail.
Adhere to international standards of fair and humane detention conditions.
Join our campaign for Sonam Dekyi to see her only son Ngawang Choephel in Tibet
Name
Address
Signature
Contact your local Tibet Support Group in your city or country for more
details or you can begin your own petition and send it directly to us at the
address below. Simply have supporters fill in columns with their name,
address and signature and return all petition forms by 20 June 1997 to:
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Narthang Building, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala
H.P., 176215, INDIA
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THE OFFICE OF TIBET, TIBET HOUSE, 1 CULWORTH STREET
LONDON NW8 7AF, UNITED KINGDOM
The Office of Tibet is the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Tel: 0044-171-722 5378 Fax: 0044-171-722 0362
E-mail: tibetlondon@gn.apc.org
Internet: http://www.gn.apc.org/tibetlondon
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