Tibetan Journalists' group condemn arrest of a Tibetan writer

Dharamsala April 20, 2009: The Associations of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) today expressed its disappointment over the arrest earlier this month of a Tibetan writer in Ngaba.

Calling on the Chinese government to immediately release Drokru Tsuiltrim, a Tibetan monk of Ngaba Gomang monastery, the ATJ said that the Chinese government has undermined a Tibetan writer's freedom of expression and that he must be allowed to freely express his thoughts and feelings through literature.

Tsuiltrim was accused of writing articles that were allegedly against the Chinese government and supported the "separatist forces of the Dalai Lama," according to the source quoted by phayul.com.

It was also reported that the publication of Tsultrim's private journal in Tibetan language called "Khawai Tsesok" was ceased. It is not known where he is currently being held.

Associations of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) urged the Chinese government to also release other journalists and writers such as Kunga Tsangyang, Golok Jigme, Kunchok Tsephel, Dhodup Wangchen and many others, who were put behind bars for expressing their views through films, blogs, poems, articles and essays etc.

The ATJ also called on the government of the People's Republic of China to allow independent media to visit Tibet.