By Tenam
Paris, October 15 – The Tibet Study Group, one of the largest groups in the French legislative called for the release of Dhondup Wangchen, an amateur Tibetan filmmaker who is serving six years in prison and ‘reeducation through labour’ for his film ‘Leaving Fear Behind'(Jigdrel in Tib).
Wangchen’s wife Lhamo Tso met with French lawmakers and briefed them about her husband’s latest condition. Lhamo is currently in Paris as part of her Europe tour to garner support for her husband’s release.
Wangchen was reportedly in poor health, suffering from Hepatitis B, according to his wife Lhamo Tso, who lives in exile. Lhamo Tso said that she is “very worried about the deteriorating health” of her husband.
“We have sent a letter to the Chinese Ambassador calling for the release of Dhondup Wangchen and directed all the members of the Group to present the letter in their jurisdiction,” said Lionnel Luca, President of the Group.
“My husband is one amongst hundreds of political prisoners languishing in Chinese prisons today,” she pointed out during her talk at the French Senate, where she met with Jean-François Humbert, President, Tibet Information Group in the Senate.
She was invited at a special screening of ‘Leaving Fear Behind’ this Wednesday by the Mayor of the 11th district of Paris, Patrick Bloche, who also unveiled a commemorative plaque ‘sponsoring’ Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, an initiative of France-Tibet Association.
“This is to show our solidarity with the just cause of the Tibetan people”, said the mayor’s office.
After the screening of the film, Lhamo Tso answered questions from the audience.
“It is a privilege to be able to meet and hear this brave, resolute and dignified woman,” said Martha Graugnard from Students for a Free Tibet, France.
Tashi Wangdi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lionnel Luca, and Thupten Gyatso, President of the Tibetan Community of France were present at the ceremony.
Wangchen had traveled to remote corners in the eastern region of Amdo and across the Tibetan plateau from October 2007 to March 2008 filming over thirty five hours of interviews. The tapes were sent out in March 2008 to Switzerland, where Wangchen’s cousin Gyaljong Tsetrin put the final cut together and distributed it.
The film features twenty ethnic Tibetans; their views on the Beijing Olympics, the present situation inside the country and calls for the return of the Dalai Lama.
