Tibetan writer says China blocking her from getting Dutch award

Beijing, Mar.2 (ANI): A prominent Tibetan writer living here in Beijing has claimed that Chinese Police have placed her under house arrest to prevent her from receiving a prize for culture from the Dutch Embassy.

The writer, Woeser, was quoted by the New York Times, as saying during a telephone interview that there were police officers downstairs in her apartment building, where she lives on the 20th floor.

She said she was unsure about the exact number, but had noticed at least two men in a car outside the main door and others waiting nearby.

She claimed that Beijing police officers had come to her apartment on Wednesday night and told her she would not be allowed to receive the award.

She said that she had informed the The Netherlands Embassy on Thursday.

The embassy is giving Woeser an award from the Prince Claus Fund.

The fund's Web site says the award is given out annually to individuals and organizations in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America "for their outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development."

Woeser, who has written critically of Beijing's policies in Tibet, said she had planned to go the Dutch ambassador's residence on Thursday at 6 p.m. to have dinner and receive the award.

The ceremony was originally to have been at the embassy but was recently moved to the residence.

Christa Meindersma, director of the Prince Claus Fund, said in a written statement that the fact "Woeser is not free to leave her home and freely express herself demonstrates once again the importance of her voice."

Woeser said the police might stay at her apartment building for a couple weeks or even a month. (ANI)