Dharamsala October 22 (TCHRD): Ngawang Choephel, a prisoner of conscience, was awarded the Courage of Conscience Award by Mr. Lewis Randa, Director of the Peace Abbey on October 19 at Harvard University. The award was received by his mother Sonam Dekyi who is traveling throughout America seeking support for her son's release from a Chinese Prison.

The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award is presented to individuals and organisations whose commitment to the cause of peace, social justice, non-violence and the arts has served to bring about life-affirming social change. Since 1991, this award has been made to outstanding figures such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Maya Angelou, Harry Wu, Mohammed Ali, Thich Nhat Hanh and others.

"This award is presented to Ngawang Choephel for his courage in returning to Tibet to preserve the history and diversity of the Tibetan oral tradition in music and dance", stated Mr Randa.

Mr. Randa stated: "11,000 people cross the statue every day and will notice the tragedy of Ngawang Choephel and accordingly will be requested to express their support for his release. Also all the previous recipients of the Award would be requested to send letters to the Chinese government on Ngawang Choephel's behalf".

During the ceremony, mother Sonam Dekyi said, "I am very honoured to receive this award on behalf of my son who is imprisoned in Tibet. I shall keep and cherish this award until his release. Until then, I ask you to join me in campaigning for his unconditional release."

Sonam Dekyi and Ms. Tsering Norzom, representing the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, are currently in the United States campaigning for the release of Ngawang Choephel who was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Government of China on a false charge of espionage activities. Choephel willingly put his personal freedom at risk to return to his native land to make a documentary film that would preserve the oral tradition of music and dance of Tibet. He has been imprisoned in Nyari Detention Centre since September 1995.

After the award, a vigil in support of Ngawang Choephel's release was organised by Amnesty International and Students for Free Tibet. In her address to the gathering Ms. Tsering Nozom called for continued support for Sonam Dekyi's dauntless struggle to release her imprisoned son.

Wendy Cook, a friend of Choephel, said, "I knew Ngawang for many years and he was very calm and silent person who had great devotion for music and dance. He was never involved in any political activity." While addressing the gathering, a representative from Amnesty International said, "Ngawang was innocent and yet given a sentence of 18 years. We will all work for his release."

Life Experience School Children make a noble gesture

The Children of Life Experience School in Boston made a generous gesture by presenting a round trip air tickets to Ngawang Choephel and his mother, Mrs. Sonam Dekyi during a ceremony honouring the imprisoned Tibetan scholar Ngawang Choephel.

Mrs. Sonam Dekyi, mother of the imprisoned Tibetan scholar Ngawang Chophel, along with Ms. Tsering Norzom, visited the Peace Abbey on the morning of October 20 to participate in the peace ceremony honoring her son. The ceremony included the placing of handcuffs on the left wrist of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi that resides on the grounds of the Life Experience School. On the handcuffs read a short imprinted message about the plight of Ngawang Choephel. The symbolic handcuffs would be taken off the day Ngawang Choephel is released from his detention. Upon his release he is scheduled to come to the school from India to remove the symbolic handcuffs and teach a class in Tibetan music and dance for the children.

Mrs. Sonam Dekyi on receiving the honor said, "I am very touched and moved by this display of support and love for my son and I hope that I will be able to see him soon with the continued help that is being offered by the school".

While speaking on behalf of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy at the ceremony, Ms. Tsering Norzom thanked the Peace Abbey and the school for honouring Ngawang with the Courage of Conscience Award. She hoped that this award will send a message to China and enlighten them in realising that every human being deserves fundamental freedom and human dignity.

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Last updated: 24-Oct-98