Dharamshala, August 1 – With the growing concerns over jailed Tibetan filmmaker’s health Tibetans and supporters around the world are carrying out various campaign for his release. Sources in Xining, the provincial capital of Qinghai, where Dhondup is held, say that his case may be heard today.

Tibetans and supporters Friday joined a day long campaign organized by five major Tibetan NGOs for Dhondup’s release. Dhondup was charged with “inciting separatism.”

Dhondup was arrested in March 2008 by Chinese authorities for making the film 'Leaving Fear Behind' which documents Tibetans’ views about the Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama, and Chinese government’s policies in Tibet. “His Beijing based lawyer hired by his family was barred from representing him and he is in very poor health after being beaten and tortured in prison,” said a statement by the 5 Tibetan NGOs.

Lhamo Tso, Dhondup Wangchen's wife, who resides in Dharamshala with her 4 children, said her husband is not a criminal. “None of our family members has been allowed to speak to him since his arrest. My husband is an innocent man but the Chinese government is trying to silence him for exercising his right to freedom of Expression. I urge the international community to take action for my husband's release.”

Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, GuChuSum Movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a free Tibet carried out a signature campaign at the McLoed Ganj town’s main square for a petition to be submitted to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to “pressurize Beijing for immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen.

A Candle light vigil was held in the evening at the Main Temple where the representatives of the organizing groups spoke. Dhonsup’s wife also spoke to the gathering. Dhondup’s film was screened for the public after the function.

“We denounce Beijing's attempt to unfairly persecute Dhondup Wangchen with no independent legal representation of him and his family's choice. We demand an immediate and unconditional release of Dhondup Wangchen and all prisoners of conscience in Tibet”, said Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress.