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China blocks Tibetan blogger from receiving award at Dutch embassy

A Tibetan writer has been blocked by the Chinese authorities from collecting a prestigious prize from the Dutch embassy in Beijing.

Tsering Woeser, who until this week wrote a blog for news website nrc.nl, was recognised by the Prince Claus Fund (Prins Claus Fonds) for her 'courage in speaking for those who are silenced and oppressed.'

She had been due to attend a ceremony at the embassy on Thursday, but revealed on Twitter that security agents were at her home and had refused her permission to leave.

Christa Meidersma, director of the fund, said: ‘The fact that Tsering Woeser is not free to leave her home and freely express herself, demonstrates once again the importance of her voice.’

One of the few Tibetan writers to produce work in Mandarin, she had two blogs closed by the government in 2006 after she wished the Dalai Lama a happy birthday and discussed politically sensitive subjects.

She has also written a book, Notes on Tibet, which was banned in 2003, and was one of the original 303 signatories to Charter 08, a manifesto calling for China to recognise universal human rights. One of its authors, Liu Xiaobo, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on 2010.

In a statement the Prince Claus Fund said it regretted her absence, adding: ‘Tsering Woeser is a brave writer from Tibet whose work offers unique perspectives on the complexity of present-day Tibet.’

Source: NRC: Tibetaanse blogger Tsering Woeser mag prijs niet ophalen

Photo by Mirabile Dictu

See also: Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development