Tibetan Filmmaker Imprisoned Before Olympics is Still Missing in China

Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen and his cameraman Golog Jigme have been in prison somewhere in China for who knows why and who knows how long. His film, Leaving Fear Behind can and should be seen at www.leavingfearbehind.com. His mission (crime?) was to interview Tibetans on their thoughts about the Olympics. His timing was amazing, because he wrapped up just before the March 10 uprising. Although created just a few short months ago, this story would be poignant if the truth weren't so horrific. Here's info about their plight, then the update on the release.
All stills are from Leaving Fear Behind. Here is Dhondup Wangchen, the director.
Wife of arrested Tibetan Filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen appeals to IOC President Jacques Rogge
NOC Tibet[Monday, August 25, 2008 09:56]
London/Beijing, August 24 - A letter was sent today to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge asking once more for his support to free Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme, the two Tibetan filmmakers who made the documentary film "Leaving fear Behind" *. Thousands of people around the world have joined this appeal. So far, there has been no response by the IOC concerning this matter.
Lhamo-Tso, wife of Dhondup Wangchen, appealed to Rogge to help her to free her husband. Dhondup Wangchen was arrested with his friend Golog Jigme in March 2008 for filming a documentary that contains critical remarks about the Olympics and Chinese rule in Tibet.
About the film: "Leaving Fear Behind" (www.leavingfearbehind.com) is a 25 minute documentary made by a Tibetan filmmaker inside Tibet. The self-taught filmmmaker, Dhondup Wangchen, and his monk cameraman, Golog Jigme, filmed testimonies of a range of people in Eastern Tibet, about their views on the Dalai Lama, the Beijing Olympics and Chinese rule. Each interviewee knew the risks they were taking in being filmed but were adamant that their faces be shown. Dhondup Wangchen managed to send his footage out of Tibet but was subsequently arrested. Both he and his cameraman are currently in Chinese custody.
Contact: Dechen Pemba, for Filming for Tibet: +44 778 482 3907
* The full text of Lhamo-Tso's letter reads:
Dear Mr. Rogge:
My name is Lhamotso and I am the wife of Dhondup Wangchen. It is with desperation and sorrow over the fate of my husband and Golog Jigme, who has been detained by Chinese authorities since March 2008. Their crime was to film Tibetans’ peaceful expression of their views on the XXIX Olympic Games.
My husband, Dhondup Wangchen, from Hualong, Haidong (Qinghai) was detained by authorities on or about March 26, 2008. He was held in Ershilipu Detention Center in Xining (Qinghai), and was last seen in Guangsheng Binguan on or about July 12, 2008.
Dhondup Wangchen spent most of his time helping the needy and serving the community. He’s a very good husband and also a good father to our four children. I appeal to the Chinese Government to release Dhondup. I urge you and the IOC to use your influence on China so that the host of the Olympic Games remains true to its promises of freedom of expression to the people.
Tomorrow, the Games in Beijing will be over, the people from all over the world will return home taking away the spot light from China. I beg you on behalf of my children and Dhondup’s family to use the last day and opportunity to speak out on behalf of my husband.
Lhamotso
Dhondup Wangchen in Leaving Fear Behind
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22618
You can take action by writing letters via the following:
http://leavingfearbehind.com/take-action.html
Contact the IOC
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE LETTER
President of the IOC
Jacques Rogge
Chateau de Vidy
Lausanne, 1003
Switzerland
Email: jacques.rogge@ioc.olympic.org
Phone 1: +41 21 621 67 46 (w) Phone 2: +41 79 43 31 022 (cell)
Fax: +41 21 621 63 53
Contact the Chinese government:
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE LETTER
President of the People’s Republic of China
Hu Jintao Guojia Zhuxi
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China
[Salutation: Your Excellency]
Premier of the People’s Republic of China
Wen Jiabao
The State Council General Office
9 Xihuangcheng Genbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People’s Republic of China
Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn
[Salutation: Dear Prime Minister]
Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China
Meng Jiangzhu Buzhang
Gong’anbu
14 Dongchang’anjie
Dongchengqu, Beijingshi 100741
People’s Republic of China
Fax: 011 86 10 63099216
[Salutation: Your Excellency]
Send copies of your correspondence to the Chinese Embassy in your country.
CHINESE EMBASSIES:
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/default.htm
Contact your embassy in China and ask them to express concern.
FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN CHINA:
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/lbfw/namelist/embassy%20list/
SUPPORT Filming for Tibet