23 July 2008
Woeser sues the Chinese government
After being repeatedly denied a passport for three years, the Tibetan poet Tsering Woeser is suing the Chinese government, demanding to be given the document she needs to travel outside the country. Woeser is one of the most prominent critics of Beijing's policy, her blog postings have a worldwide readership. "I'm not expecting to win. But if you don't take action, there's no chance to let the outside world know the truth", Woeser said. "It's an opportunity to talk about the unfair treatment of Tibetans over the years". "It's hard to say whether she will win or not", said her lawyer, Mo Shaoping, who has made his name defending Chinese dissidents. "Both Woeser and her husband [Wang Lixiong] are sensitive figures (...) but no matter who they are, they should enjoy their basic rights as citizens".