by Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, April 22 – A monk who assisted in production of documentary film criticizing China has been released on Monday in Labrang, Sangchu County, Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) said in a press statement today.
Golok Jigme Gyatso had assisted Dhondup Wangchen in shooting his documentary film “Leaving Fear Behind” that was intended to shed light on the lives of Tibetans in China in the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The film featured a series of interviews with Tibetans talking about how China had destroyed the Tibetan culture, violated religious freedom and their undying reverence for the exiled leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Jigme Gyatso was born in 1969 in Golog Serta, in the Kardze region of Kham (Chinese: Ganzi, Sichuan province).
Tashi Wangchuk, President of ATJ said, “We welcome Jigme’s release. It is a culmination of efforts put forth by international rights groups, Tibetans under His Holiness’ leadership and above all the courage and determination of Jigme himself.”
According to ATJ, a heavy monetary fine of several thousand Yuan was levied on Jigme at the time of his release by the Chinese authorities who accused him of disseminating information to the outside world. This, ATJ said, is simply a violation of freedom of expression. “Therefore, we urge the Chinese authorities at higher level to investigate into the matter and take necessary action as per the law,” he added.
Jigme was first arrested in March 2008 for secretly shooting video but was later released in October. He was arrested again last month, kept in custody for about 40 days. Jigme had sensed international pressure on the Chinese officials who interrogated him and was treated unusually better than other prisoners, according to ATJ.
“We urge the Chinese government to also release Kunga Tsangyang, Kunchok Tsephel, Dhodup Wangchen, Dolma Kyab and many others, who were put behind bars for simply expressing their views through films, blogs, poems, articles and essays etc,” added Tashi.
