German Government Commissioner for Human Rights Bärbel Kofler Statement at the Occasion of Shokjang’s release
Bärbel Kofler welcomed the release of Shokjang and called for Tashi Wangchuk’s release.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/newsroom/-/1793354
Concerns about Tibetan writer Shokjang are rising. Two days after his release there are still no reliable sources about his condition neither a picture of him. This is particularly concerning since local Tibetan people normally share and spread information after the release of a political prisoner despite censorship and repression by the Chinese authorities. Friends of Shokjang in exile and Tibet organizations are suspecting intensified repression regarding his release in the township of Gengya (Amdo province, Chinese: Gansu province), Shokjang’s birthplace. Furthermore, police and military presence in all regions of Tibet is intensified by the authorities now due to the anniversary of the March uprising of 2008. In many areas, the Chinese authorities have blocked internet for almost one month. In Tibet, political prisoners are not free after release from prison. They live under constant harassment and surveillance by the authorities.
Migmar Dhakyel, campaign coordinator of the Tibet Initiative Germany: “We are extremely concerned that we have not received any information about Shokjang’s wellbeing. This indicates that there is massive pressure by the authorities on Shokjang, his family, his friends and the local people. It is unbelievable that the Chinese government is denying Shokjang a return in dignity even after criminalizing and imprisoning him arbitrarily. We demand from the Chinese authorities to respect Shokjang’s and the local people’s rights and to guarantee that they are not harassed nor threatened and persecuted.”
Golog Jigme, friend of Shokjang and former political prisoner: “We have been hoping and fighting for Shokjang’s release for three years now. 48 hours passed since his release from prison and there is still no information about his health nor a single picture of him. Even now, the Chinese government is forcing us to worry about him day and night. They are still afraid of Shokjang’s voice.”
For further information on the case of Tibetan writer Shokjang see the press statement released on Monday, 19 March 2018: https://www.tibet-initiative.de/tibetischer-schriftsteller-shokjang-aus-der-haft-entlassen/
Last modified: 27. März 2018