Frankfurt, July 31:
Chinese authorities arrested Wangchen and his monk assistant Jigme Gyatso in March 2008, amidst growing anti-China unrest in Tibet, for their role in making the documentary “Jigdrel” or “Leaving Fear Behind.”
The 25-minute film was intended to shed light on lives of Tibetans under the Chinese rule in run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The peaceful protest before the Chinese consulate today came amidst fear that Wangchen could face trial in Chinese court anytime soon after spending more than 18 months under detention. If convicted, Tibetans and activists fear that Wangchen will face imprisonment sentence of up to 15 years.
The small group of protester displayed a huge Tibetan national flag and portraits of Dhondup Wangchen across the street facing the Chinese Consulate here as German police kept a friendly but close watch on them throughout the peaceful demonstration.
The protesters repeatedly shouted “Free Tibet”, “Release Dhondup Wangchen” and “Leaving Fear Behind- Nothing but the Truth!” slogans on loud speakers. Other slogans included “Shame on Chinese Government” and “Release the Political Prisoners”.
The protest demonstration, which lasted for more than an hour, was led by a 22-year old David Demes, a staunch German Tibet supporter and National Director of the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) Germany.
“We are holding this protest to demand a fair trial and subsequent release of the Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen,” Demes told Phayul.
Source: Phayul
Article by: Phurbu Thinley
(Photo: Phayul.com)
Chinese consulates in Germany face Free Tibet protests
Monday, August 3, 2009
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