Students in a class dedicated to freeing an imprisoned Tibetan dissident discuss the case one recent afternoon.

BRISTOL — Ten Roger Williams University students in a unique class are getting a first-hand lesson in international diplomacy and activism, as they try to free a Tibetan writer imprisoned by the Chinese government.

In conjunction with the PEN American Center, a human rights organization dating back to 1921, the class is attempting to secure the release of Dolma Kyab, a Tibetan teacher and writer. According to PEN, Mr. Kyab was arrested in March 2005 and imprisoned for "endangering state security" by writing a book on Tibet's geography. An appeal by his family later that year was rejected, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Devon McCormick, a senior from Guilford, Conn. majoring in psychology and philosophy, said once Mr. Kyab entered prison, the trail on him went cold. She said he was only able to send out one letter regarding his case, and because of conditions at a work camp, he had contracted tuberculosis.

"We need to know that he's being treated and he's OK," Ms. McCormick said.

Ms. McCormick said PEN is making a big push to free 50 writers from Chinese prisons, since the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing will focus international attention on the country. Tibet is the focus of world scrutiny these days, too, as Chinese authorities try to quell an uprising protesting the country's heavy-handed rule.

Dolma Kyab has been imprisoned since 2005.

For their class, the students work directly with PEN to lobby the Chinese government for status updates on Mr. Kyab, and his release. The group also said they are writing to their local and national representatives, to get them to put pressure on the Chinese government.

They meet every Wednesday for three hours to talk about the case and provide status updates. For example, one small group of students might spend the week calling up Rhode Island senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, while another group tries to talk to the Chinese embassy. The class is also planning outreach events at area schools. They jokingly added that since they consist of 10 college-aged women, this sometimes gets people to call back a little sooner.

Brittany Costa, a senior from Barrington majoring in global communications, said it is unlike any other class she has ever taken.

"We don't deal with theoretical," she said. "We're working outside the box on the practical. We're trying to make a difference. We're really changing a person's life."

No right to free speech

Although the class features several different majors, five students have a focus in creative writing. With that background, senior Marissa Brennan from Jessup, Pa., said she would never want to experience what Mr. Kyab has gone through.

"I couldn't imagine as a writer something like that happening here," she said.

Ms. McCormick said, "I can't imagine someone being prosecuted for writing about what they love. He is a man who's trying to be a teacher, who loves his country."

Ms. McCormick added that under Chinese rule, Tibet is being assimilated without any debate or consideration.

"Without really talking about it, they've really wiped out the Tibetan culture," she said. "They destroyed a lot of monasteries and pertinent religious buildings."

Adam Braver, the professor for the course, said he normally teaches creative writing at Roger Williams. He said the class is a pilot program for himself as well, but he thought it would be an interactive way for the students to learn about China and Tibet.

"We could have a class and I'd say, 'We're going to learn about Tibet for the next three weeks,'" he said. "This is what I always wished it was like when I was a student."

Ms. McCormick said she gets a real sense of accomplishment from her work with the class.

"We're all here because this is where our hearts are," she said. "There are no instant results with this. You really have to work at it and remember that you're dealing with a real person."

By Stephen Greenwell

sgreenwell@eastbaynewspapers.com