The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award is presented to individuals and organizations whose commitment to the cause of peace, social justice, nonviolence 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 honored 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 organized 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."

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 honoring the imprisoned Tibetan scholar Ngawang Choephel.

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 honoring Ngawang with the Courage of Conscience Award. She hoped that this award will send a message to China and enlighten them in realizing that every human being deserves fundamental freedom and human dignity.

China Releases Ngawang Choephel on Medical Parole

January 20, 2002

Ngawang Choephel, a Tibetan ethnomusicologist arrested in Shigatse, Tibet, in September 1995 has been issued medical parole by Chinese authorities after serving more than 6 years of an 18-year sentence on charges of espionage while filming traditional arts in Tibet.

The 36-year-old Tibetan exile attended Middlebury College in Vermont as a Fulbright scholar in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, Mr. Choephel returned to Tibet to film a documentary on traditional performing arts where he was imprisoned by the Chinese government for engaging "in separatist activities.?

Tibetan advocacy groups, human rights organizations, parliamentarians and several governments have vigorously pressed for Mr. Choephel's release. In response to repeated inquiries about his well being from the Vermont delegation of the U.S. Congress, the Chinese Embassy reported in October 1999 that Mr. Choephel had been suffering serious medical ailments.

"The campaign for Ngawang Choephel's medical parole has ended successfully today in a clear vindication of the world-wide efforts of so many to help secure his release," said John Ackerly, President of the International Campaign for Tibet.

Mr. Choephel is the first high-profile Tibetan prisoner to be issued early release, although a number of Chinese political prisoners have been released or granted medical parole, usually prior to a major diplomatic event. Mr. Choephel's release comes fewer than five weeks before President Bush's State visit to Beijing, scheduled for February 21 and 22, and as the international community is examining China's human rights record in advance of the annual UN Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva beginning on March 20.

"The International Campaign for Tibet welcomes the release of Ngawang Choephel and we are happy for his mother, Sonam Dekyi, who has hoped and worked tirelessly for his release," said Ackerly.