Lhamo Tso, wife of Dhondup Wangchen, launches campaign for Jigme Gyatso
Filming for Tibet information has collected, with the help of Lhamo Tso, information about Tibetan monk Jigme Gyatso (aka “Golog Jigme”) that clearly indicate the charges against him of manslaughter are baseless. Lhamo Tso, an old friend of Jigme Gyatso, is appealing to the US government and governments around the world to request the officials in China to stop the manhunt.
Since the surprising charges against Jigme Gyatso first appeared, Filming for Tibet has tried to shed light on the case and started research into the matter. The findings of this research are as follows:
1. Over the past weeks and months, individual reports appeared on Facebook by Westerners living in China and Tibetans who know Jigme Gyatso that protest against the idea of manslaughter. Filming for Tibet representatives have met with several of these voices in person and have been reassured that the background for the PSB search are baseless and motivated by other, unknown, reasons.
2. There has been a systematic outreach by Filming for Tibet to reliable sources in Tibet who say:
a. There has been no case of manslaughter whatsoever that can be brought in a connection with Jigme Gyatso
b. His whole personality is against violence. It is unthinkable that he could bring harm to any person.
c. Repeatedly, the opinion was voiced that Jigme Gyatso’s political and social activism might be the real reason for the arrest and the harsh statements following his disappearance/flight from the PSB. See the photos below for his involvement with relief work after the earthquake in eastern Tibet in 2010.
3. There have been a series a phone call to PSB in Gansu. Analysis of the recordings of the phone calls show that the PSB official are embarrassed by their initial charges and show no signs of confidence in the reason for their search campaign. Repeated requests to repeat the charges are met with either complete silence ( Video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=384667598286240 ) or evasive statements such as claiming not to be able to hear well or not understanding the other person ( Video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151152729405423 )
Lhamo Tso, wife of Dhondup Wangchen, has been friends with Jigme Gyatso for more then 16 years. Currently in the US, Lhamo Tso is carrying out advocacy work and appealing to the US Secretary of State to take action to ensure the safety of Jigme Gyatso. In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry dated January 25, 2013, Lhamo Tso wrote: “Today, I write to you requesting your support for Jigme Gyatso, also known as Golog Jigme, a man who is very dear to my family. Jigme Gyatso is a Tibetan monk and an old friend of mine who helped my husband to realise the film […] Together with friends and supporters of my husband, I am trying to find ways to help him. I am convinced that if foreign governments inquire about his case, some level of protection will be provided to him. Therefore, I request the US government to approach the Chinese government and ask them about the case of Jigme Gyatso.”
Contacts:
Lhamo Tso, +1-510-681-3244, (Tibetan)
EMail: media[at]leavingfearbehind.com
Wangpo Tethong
“Filming for Tibet” spokesperson, +41 787 44 3010 (English, German, Tibetan)
EMail: media[at]leavingfearbehind.com
Dechen Pemba, “Filming for Tibet” spokesperson, +44 20 3286 7681 (English)
EMail: media[at]leavingfearbehind.com