Melody in Prison: Ngawang Choephel
	UPDATE 24 December 1996

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, located in Dharamsala, India, has released the text of a letter written by Ngawang Choephel's mother, Sonam Dekyi, appealing to the People's Republic of China for the release of her son, who has been held incommunicado for more than 15 months.

Date: December 5th 1996

H.E. the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
NEW DELHI - 110 021

Your Excellency,

May I, Sonam Dekyi, as the mother of my only son, Ngawang Choephel, detained since September 16th 1996 in Tibet, request you to release him immediately and unconditionally. It was last year that I learnt of my son's arrest in Shigatse, Tibet and has been in prison ever since [sic]. It has been over a year since I have heard anything regarding my son's whereabouts.

My son learnt the art of music in his childhood. Since then he had been striving to preserve Tibet's distinct culture and tradition through his art. I assure that he does not have any political motives or vested interests. He loves music and only wishes to preserve his culture.

The recent acknowledgement of my son's detention and the unsubstantiable charges framed against him which accuse him of "being an agent of the Dalai Lama's Government-in-exile sent to gather sensitive intelligence and engage in illegal separatist activities" are totally false and baseless. He travelled to Tibet on his own accord - not at the instigation of any individual or organization.

Under the circumstances I would strongly appeal to you to release my son immediately, unconditionally, and to assure his safe return to me.

Yours sincerely,

(signature)

Sonam Dekyi
Village No. 2, House No. 30
Tibetan Settlement
Mundgod, North Kanara
Karnataka State