In order to have the most impact, we need to act together in our push to save Tenzin Deleks life.
A respected Buddhist leader in the Tibetan region of Kham (Sichuan Province), Tenzin Delek has been targeted by the Chinese authorities because of his dedication to preserving Tibetan religion and culture, and his support for the Dalai Lama. He was arrested in April 2002 and sentenced to death, with a two-year suspension, on 2 December 2002 after an unfair judicial process. He had been charged, with Lobsang Dhondup, of "splittist activities" and being involved in "causing explosions." At least ten (10) other Tibetans were detained in connection with this case and two still remain in prison.
China has produced no evidence to support the accusations against Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. After immense international pressure, governments expressed their strong concern to the Chinese authorities about these cases. The Chinese government assured the US and the European Union that Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and Lobsang Dhondup would receive a fair and open retrial.
However, in a shocking development, the Chinese authorities held the retrial in secret and EXECUTED LOBSANG DHONDUP ON JANUARY 26, 2003. This is the first known execution of a Tibetan for political crimes in 20 years. Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death sentence was upheld in this same secret trial.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION! Tenzin Delek Rinpoche could be executed as soon as December 2nd 2004. Pressure must be applied to the Chinese authorities to remove Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death sentence and to provide the opportunity for a free and fair re-trial. This trial should be open to impartial independent observers and allow Rinpoche to select his own legal counsel.
1. Write to the Chinese Government
Let the Chinese Minister of Justice and the Ambassador to Canada know that we are watching the events unfolding in Tibet. Ask them to lift Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's death sentence and to conduct an independent re-trial that could be observed by impartial international observers.
Download the following letter, sign and send immediately to the Minister of Justice.
Download the following petition, get signatures and send immediately to the Chinese Ambassador to Canada.
2. Write to the Canadian Government
You can also help Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's case by writing to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. Ask Pierre Pettigrew to raise Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's case with China and press for the above requests.
Download the following letter, sign and send immediately to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Download the following petition, get signatures and send immediately to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
For more information on Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, please visit:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/02/06/china7278.htm
http://www.savetenzin.org
