(Originally printed in the Daily Targum, Jan. 2002)
by Sara Nordstrom
Jan. 20 was an important day in the movement to gain independence for Tibet. In a broader context, it was a powerful breath of hope for all caring activists who hope to end human suffering but are overwhelmed by the amount of change there is to affect. However, because the date was two days short of the start of the spring semester, The Daily Targum had the journalistic responsibility to run more current stories. The Rutgers community should be made aware of the event, though, as it marks a step forward in the movement to end human rights abuses and proves that dedicated advocates for social justice are being heard.
In Beijing on Jan. 20, China released a Tibetan music scholar from prison, a 34-year-old man named Ngawang Choephel who was in his seventh year of an 18-year sentence for charges of espionage and spreading counter-revolutionary propaganda. Choephel was released on medical
Ngawang Choephel is a former Fulbright scholar and professor of musicology at Middlebury College in Vermont. He grew up in Tibet's exile community in India. He returned to Tibet in 1995 for the purpose of capturing traditional dance and music on film, only to be arrested and detained by Chinese officials. It wasn't until a year later that China announced that Choephel was to serve an 18-year prison sentence for spying. He had been denied an open trial and authorities had failed to produce evidence linking him with the crime of espionage. Human rights organizations throughout the world began to campaign for his release.
After China seized Tibet in 1950, it began a series of atrocities that included cultural genocide and severe oppression of the native Tibetan population. The Dalai Lama, political and spiritual leader of Tibet, fled the region and presently lives in exile in India, and residents of Tibet are prohibited from even carrying a picture of him, much less worshiping him. Tibetans must learn the Chinese language and way of life if they are to advance in education and employment; most face impoverished conditions otherwise. Dissidents are jailed, tortured and sometimes killed. Many human rights organizations have documented the extremely poor living conditions and torture that political prisoners face in Chinese jails. Choephel's release is thus significant because it testifies to the pressure being exerted by activists around the world.
Although it is said that Ngawang Choephel's release is partly aimed at improving China's relations with the United States one month ahead of a scheduled visit by President Bush, officials of the United States Embassy in Beijing have acknowledged the influence of the multitude of letters addressed to Choephel from the United States Congress. These letters are the direct result of activists tirelessly writing their Congress members and other government officials in America and China on behalf of Choephel. There is still much work to be done, however, as it is documented that several other imprisoned dissidents suffer from chronic illnesses worsened by the horrendous conditions of Chinese jails. A young Tibetan Buddhist nun jailed for dissident activity (i.e. being a Buddhist nun) died just last February in Drapchi Prison of pancreatitis. The government of China continues its human rights abuses in Tibet, as well as within its own country, but progress is being made thanks to the worldwide efforts of devoted activists. Those who wish to get involved and learn more about the Tibetan Freedom movement should attend the weekly meeting of Students for a Free Tibet.
Free Tibet movement sees results
parole after developing bronchitis and hepatitis. He is now in the United States receiving treatment for his illnesses, after which he plans to return to his mother and family living in exile in India.
