Tell China to free Tenzin Delek

[Khetsun]

Two years ago today, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. Since then, the movement for his release has grown exponentially, and we are now in the final countdown to save his life. Please read below for reports of what is happening around the world for the Tenzin Delek Global Week of Action, and a simple way to join.

 

Reports are beginning to come in from around the world about powerful demonstrations and actions targeting Chinese authorities, some even inside and on top of Chinese government offices. In Poland, activists held a demonstration in front of the Chinese embassy. In London, SFT members and the Tibetan community held a vigil and members of Free Tibet Campaign scaled the embassy to hang a banner. In Vancouver, SFT held a protest and began a week-long sit-in at the consulate. In Washington DC, SFTers organized dramatic political theater and a demonstration - and the list goes on. Check out http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/tdrweek for inspiring photos and more updates as they come in over the next week.

 

To stop the execution of Tenzin Delek, we must continue this level of activity. We need every single person who wants to help save his life to take a few simple actions, and to urge others to help as well. Every day for the next week, we will ask you to phone a different Chinese government office and ask for Tenzin Delek's release. It will take less than five minutes of your time and will have a real impact.

 

Tomorrow, December 3rd, please call the Chinese embassy in the United States (Washington DC) at +1-202-328-2500. Choose extension #9 (Political Affairs), but if that doesn't work any other extension is fine. If the number stops working, please call +1-202-328-2551. Keep time zones in mind and try to call between 9am and 5pm EST (mornings are best).

 

Tell them:

- You are calling about a Tibetan political prisoner, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.

- Tenzin Delek faces execution in the next few weeks for crimes that he did not commit.

- You are asking that the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, free him now.

- Ask the person you are speaking to to make sure that this message gets conveyed to the Ambassador, Yang Jiechi.

 

**If you reach an answering machine, please leave a message. Say you are calling to tell the Ambassador that China must free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and overturn his death sentence.

 

At some point they may disconnect the number. If you can't get through, please call +1-202-328-2551.

 

Keep up the great work and please send us your photos and stories of your actions for Tenzin Delek. Mail them to campaigns@studentsforafreetibet.org and remember to check out the Week of Action page on the SFT website - http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/tdrweek.

 

Together we will free Tenzin Delek.

 

In solidarity,

 

Freya, Lhadon, Tendor, Han-shan, Alma & Thupten

[Khetsun]

Thank you for joining the worldwide Week of Action for Tenzin Delek. From the daily phone calls to Chinese officials, letters, vigils, and mass marches, to the government resolutions in the US and Canada, our shouts for Tenzin Delek's freedom were heard around the world. See the latest photos and watch a short film (3 mins) created by one of SFT's board members.

 

 

On Monday, AFP quoted a prison official in China saying "This monk has not been executed. I heard they're considering changing his penalty to life imprisonment or a fixed-term penalty,". This isn't an official statement, and not something we should rely on, but if prison officials are speaking publicly about the case of Tenzin Delek, we know we are making significant progress.

 

 

We hope to soon be able to give you more reliable information, but we're not quite there yet. Until we are, please keep up your efforts on Tenzin Delek's behalf. One exciting new tool you might want to use is a documentary about Tenzin Delek, called "Sentenced to Die." This informative and moving film was inspired by a Tibetan man in Dharamsala, India, who began using the SFT stencil of Tenzin Delek's image on every possible surface. You can learn more about it and order a copy on SFT web site http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/ . We will also continue the phone calls to the Chinese government (although we won't ask you to do them every day!) so stay tuned for the next phone action.

 

We'll leave you now with some words from Tenzin Delek himself, from a recording smuggled out of prison just after he was sentenced to death.

 

"Even if I have to remain in prison, and eventually suffer the loss of my life, my only motivation and aspiration would be to wish and pray for the well being of all sentient beings. I've always [advised] people to avoid harmful practices of any kind, saying that even raising your hand in a clenched fist is harmful...The only reason for subjecting me to those false accusations [of orchestrating bombings] is the fact that I'm widely known to have a deep concern and attachment to Tibet. Therefore, I appeal to the sense of justice of all unbiased people of the world to kindly investigate and ascertain the truth in my case."

 

 

Free Tenzin Delek. Free Tibet.

 

 

Freya, Lhadon, Tendor, Han-shan, & the SFT office crew

[Marsa]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On Monday, AFP quoted a prison official in China saying "This monk has not been executed. I heard they're considering changing his penalty to life imprisonment or a fixed-term penalty,"

 

This isn't an official statement, and not something we should rely on, but if prison officials are speaking publicly about the case of Tenzin Delek, we know we are making significant progress.

[Khetsun]

Free Tenzin Delek

Students for a Free Tibet

 

Take Action: Free Tenzin Delek!

 

 

The suspension of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death sentence ends on Wednesday,

January 26th, and his fate will be decided shortly thereafter. Please act

now to ensure that he is not executed and to urge the Chinese authorities to

free him. Over the past two years, thousands of supporters of Tibet and of

justice everywhere have spoken out for Tenzin Delek. Together, we have

catapulted his name into government debate and the media, and made his case

a huge public image problem for the Chinese government. When Tenzin Delek's

case is reviewed by the Sichuan Higher People's Court after January 26th, he

could be executed, he could be sentenced to life in prison, or he could

receive a reduced sentence. If justice were truly to be served, he would be

released.

Please write to the Chinese Minister of Justice and the Director of Justice

in Sichuan Province to help make sure that Tenzin Delek is not executed, and

to remind the Chinese authorities that he is an innocent man who should be

released immediately. If you change the wording of the subject heading and

the letter slightly to use your own words, it will have even more impact.

 

 

 

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):

Minister Fusen Zhang

 

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

 

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

 

On January 26th, the suspension of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death sentence

will come to an end, and his case will then be reviewed by the Higher

Sichuan People's Court. I am very concerned about his fate. I urge you to

ensure that his execution is stopped and that he is released from prison

immediately.

 

Tenzin Delek, a religious teacher from eastern Tibet, was arrested in April

2002 and later charged with "causing explosions" and "inciting separatism."

However, his trial was not conducted in accordance with international fair

trial standards, and there is no evidence that he is guilty of these crimes.

In fact, Tenzin Delek's history shows that he was targeted unfairly for many

years because of his activities to help preserve and protect Tibetan

language, culture, and environment.

 

It appears that Tenzin Delek has been targeted because he was a strong

advocate for social and environmental rights. He should not be imprisoned,

let alone executed, on these grounds.

 

As an upholder of justice within the People's Republic of China, I am asking

you to ensure that Tenzin Delek's death sentence is overturned and that he

is freed from prison on January 26th.

 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

 

[Your name]

 

cc:

Director Xianzhang Tingzhang Zeng

 

 

Take Action!

Instructions:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tdrj26/

 

Tell-A-Friend:

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tdrj26/forward

 

 

What's At Stake:

 

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk and teacher, was sentenced to death

with a two year suspension that expires on January 26th. He will then face a

review by Chinese court that will decide whether he will be executed or his

sentence will be changed.

Over the past two years, supporters of Tibet and of justice everywhere have

spoken out for Tenzin Delek by the thousands. Together, we have catapulted

his name into government debate and the media, and made his case a huge

problem for the public image of the Chinese government. When Tenzin Delek's

case is reviewed by the Sichuan Higher People's Court after January 26th, he

could be executed, he could be sentenced to life in prison, or he could

receive a shorter sentence. If justice were truly served, he would be

released. Please write to the Chinese Minister of Justice and the Director

of Justice in Sichuan Province to help make sure that Tenzin Delek is not

executed, and to remind the Chinese authorities that he is an innocent man

who should be released immediately.

 

 

Campaign Expiration Date:

January 31, 2005