The 2018 ‘Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage’ has been awarded to two human right advocates, film makers and former political prisoners Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme on the third anniversary of the death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche– a highly revered lama who died on July 12, 2015 while serving a prison sentence in a Chinese jail. The medal was awarded to Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme in absentia at an event held in Tokyo, Japan on July 12, 2018 in recognition their courage and determination and the sacrifices they have made in defending the rights of Tibetans under the occupation of the Communist Party of China.
The Medal of Courage is an annual award, conferred every July 12, in remembrance of the Tibetan spiritual leader Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who was accused and convicted of a bomb attack at the central square of Sichuan’s provincial capital, Chengdue on April 3, 2002. Rinpoche passed away in prison while Tibetans, international supporters and human right activists `were pressing for a release on medical parole.
On accepting the award both Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme send video messages: Dhondup Wangchen says, “Whilst I was in prison in Tibet I was very much aware of the effort to the support me and press for my release. It is so important to continue to advocate for all the Tibetan political prisoners as these efforts are instrumental in not just saving the Tibetan political prisoners from torture in Chinese prison but also their lives”.
Golog Jigme’s message said, “On behalf of all the organisers of the Leaving Fear Behind documentary project, Dondup Wangchen and I would like to convey our deepest thanks to International Tibet Network and all the Tibetan supporters who have continued to steadfastly supported the Tibetan cause”. He added, “The courage and relentless efforts [of Tibetans in Tibet] towards our project have been instrumental in highlighting the reality of Tibet and thereby garnering international support and attention. This award is an important recognition of their collective works and thereby each of them should now strive to work even harder. This recognition and award would not be possible without their courage and dedication”.
Golog Jigme and Dhondup Wanchen were detained by the Chinese authorities in Tibet in March 2008 for making Leaving Fear Behind, a documentary film made to give voice to Tibetans ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Both men had to go through intense interrogation and torture including electrocution. Golog Jigme suffered multiple detentions and Dhondup Wangchen was given a six years sentence for “inciting subversion”. Despite being under strict surveillance after their release, both have been able to flee from Tibet into exile.
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