Melody in Prison: Ngawang Choephel
	UPDATE 7 October 1998

The following report was written by Bhunchung Tsering of the International Campaign of Tibet, which is the main sponsor and coordinator of Sonam Dekyi's tour in the United States. The syllable "la" after Sonam Dekyi's name is an indication of affection and respect often used by Tibetans much like the Japanese suffix "-san." A khata is a scarf, usually made of silk, offered in greeting as a signal of honor or gratitude.

A fervent and emotional appeal by Sonam Dekyi, the mother of imprisoned Tibetan musicologist Ngawang Choephel, for help for the release of her son, at a distinguished gathering on Capitol Hill yesterday evening moved the co-chairs of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Representatives Tom Lantos and John Porter, to promise publicly that they "would not rest" until they can help free her son.

The occasion was a reception to celebrate the 50th anniversy of the UN Declaration of Human Rights which the Caucus jointly hosted with the United Nations. Addressing a gathering that included the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Louise Frechette, Acting Assistant Secretary of State Molly Williamson, members of the diplomatic corps, staffers of UN and members of Congress, human rights activists, Congressman John Porter introduced Sonam Dekyi as a living testimony of the human rights abuses by China. He then talked briefly about the case of Ngawang Choephel and invited Sonam Dekyi to address the gathering.

Sonam first offered Khatas to the two Congressmen (which they wore throughout the reception making the Tibetan "presence" very visible) and then thanked the people there who worked for human rights saying she as a Tibetan knew what denial of human rights meant. She then started speaking about her son but broke down before she could finish. Her situation and plight moved the gathering so much that when Congressman Tom Lantos spoke again, he dwelt at great length on how he and Congressman Porter had been paying interest to Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama when the rest of the establishment were shy about associating themselves.

Throughtout the meeting Sonam Dekyi sat on a chair besides the two members of Congress with a framed photo of her son, which she carries with her wherever she goes.

Mrs. Tsering Norzom, member of the Tibetan Parliament, translated for Sonam Dekyi la. She is accompanying Sonam la on behalf of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Tibetan Youth Congress President Tseten Norbu and Dawa Gyalpo, one of the hunger strikers [from the TYC hunger strike held in New Delhi last spring], also attended the reception.