Tsering Woeser, the award-winning Tibetan writer and blogger has been barred from collecting an award from the Netherlands Embassy in Beijing and issued a month-long house arrest order.
Writing on her social networking page, Woeser said she was invited to receive her 2011 Prince Claus Award at a dinner reception at the Netherlands Embassy but on the eve of the private felicitation ceremony, officials from the Beijing Public Security Bureau arrived at her doorstep and issued orders barring her from visiting the Embassy.
“They (State Security police) said I could not go to the Netherlands Embassy tomorrow. They also said: for the month of March I would not be able to go out. If I wanted to go out it would have to be with them following along,” Woeser wrote.
Calling the 44-year old, a “courageous Tibetan writer,” the Prince Claus Fund while announcing the award last September had noted the “unique perspectives” that Woeser offers “on the complexities of Tibet today.”
According to Woeser, the Chairman of the Fund was scheduled to personally present the award but he was refused a visa to visit China. Moreover, the Netherlands Embassy was also warned by officials in Beijing against honouring Woeser. “But the Netherlands Embassy stated that it was still going to award me the prize, but at a fairly private ceremony in the embassy residence,” Woeser wrote.
