Dear friends,

I am deeply disturbed to learn that Chinese authorities have sentenced 81-year-old Paljor Norbu (Chinese: Panjue Ruobu) to 7 years in prison. I join people worldwide in calling for his immediate release, and the release of all Tibetan political prisoners.

Paljor Norbu is internationally recognized as a distinguished master printer and publisher of traditional Buddhist texts. He was detained on October 31 and accused of printing 'prohibited material', but no official charges against him have been released. In gross violation of Chinese law and international law, he was denied even the most basic rights to a free and fair trial procedure. He was tried in secret and denied the right to chose his defense lawyer. No details about his trial have been disclosed, and his whereabouts remain unknown. 

Paljor Norbu is 81 years old. We are deeply concerned for his well-being and call for his family to be allowed to see him immediately.

According to Human Rights Watch, Norbu's sentencing is part of a new wave of arrests in China's ongoing crackdown in Tibet. Foreign journalists are still being denied access to Tibet, thousands of Tibetans remain imprisoned or disappeared and Chinese armed forces continue to surround towns and monasteries, carrying out a campaign of terror against the Tibetan people.

The international community has consistently demonstrated its long-standing support for Tibet and the restoration of human rights and freedom for the Tibetan people. Until this military siege ends and your government commits to meaningful dialogue with the Tibetan-government-in-exile to resolve the Tibetan issue, China will never truly be accepted as a leader on the world stage.

I am monitoring Paljor Norbu's case very closely and will raise his plight with my government representatives, as well as those of other Tibetan political prisoners. I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Paljor Norbu, Dhondup Wangch en, Jigme Guri and all other Tibetans who have been unjustly detained.

Sincerely,

Gerin