Melody in Prison: Ngawang Choephel
	UPDATE 5 February 1997

Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, has reported that Ngawang is appealing his conviction to a higher court and the second hearing is now in progress, according to a news update issued by the Tibet Information Network (TIN). Xinhua cited Tian Dan, deputy secretary general of the China Society for the Study of Human Rights, as its source of information. TIN notes that "People convicted in China of a criminal offence are allowed ten days to apply to a higher court for an appeal against their conviction, but there are no known cases of appeals being successful in Tibet."

Speaking at a seminar of Chinese "scholars" in Beijing called to condemn the US State Department's annual report on human rights practices in China and Tibet, released on 30 January, Tian reportedly referred to Ngawang's case as an example of the "groundless accusations and intentional fabrications" which he said filled the report. According to TIN, Tian provided no new information about Ngawang's conviction, but merely reiterated previous government accusations that Ngawang had been "sent by the Dalai Lama clique in July of 1995 to gather information in Tibet under the guise of making a documentary about Tibetan performing arts" and that he was traveling "with equipment and funding provided by a certain country" (a thinly veiled reference to the US). He concluded by telling those attending the seminar that "Criminals like Ngawang Choephel, who endanger state security and engage in espionage, would be punished in accordance with the law in any country with a sound legal system."

TIN points out: "In fact, the US report had only described Mr Choephel's conviction in one sentence which cited the Chinese claim without commenting on or questioning the verdict. In a separate statement on 11th January, the US Government said it had 'no information that Ngawang Choephel was doing anything other than pursuing his professional interests in music and dance' but did not explicitly call for his release."