The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case CHN/TIB 070296.2 Follow-up of Case CHN/TIB 070296.1 and Case CHN/TIB 070296 The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture has received further information on the following situation in Tibet. Brief reminder of the situation : On 7 February 1996, a reliable source informed the International Secretariat of the arrest of Ngawang Choephel, a 30-year-old Tibetan music teacher, by the Chinese authorities last summer, in Shigatse, while on a trip to Tibet. In the follow up, the International Secretariat informed you that Ngawang Choephel was being detained in Nyari prison, Shigatse Province. Mr Choepel had apparently been detained there since September 16 1996. At the time of his arrest he was working on an educational film on Tibetan dance and music with an American documentary photographer. New information : According to information received, China has officially acknowledged the detention of Ngawang Choephel. In an answer to an enquiry by U.S. Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont, Mr Shao Wenquang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, said : "We have learned that, funded by some Americans, Ngawang Choephel was sent by the Dalai Lama's "Government-in-exile" to Tibet, used the cover of so-called collecting Tibetan folk songs to gather sensitive intelligence and engaged in illegal separatist activities. His activities are suspected to have violated Article 4, Section 2 (5) of the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China." This accusation of Ngawang Choephel's "engaging in illegal separatist activities and violating China's law" leads the International Secretariat to fear for his physical and psychological integrity ; his life may be endangered as a result of torture and inhuman prison conditions. Action requested : Please write to the Chinese authorities urging them to: i guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Ngawang Choephel; ii order his immediate release in the absence of any valid charges; iii ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses: LI Peng Zongli, Guowuyuan, 9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie, Beijingshi 100032, People's Republic of China. Telex : 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN. Fax : + 86 10 512 5810 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs). H.E. Shao Wenguang, Counselor, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20008, USA Fax + 001 202 234 4055 Geneva, 1 November 1996 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply. Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT - SOS Torture Tel: +41-22-733 31 40 Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 10 51 CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org Switzerland OMCT@iprolink.ch OMCT is the l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture