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ACTION: Protests and self-immolations in Tibet |
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Since the beginning of 2012 there has been a significant increase in the number of protests by Tibetans inside Tibet. Thousands of Tibetans have taken to the streets calling for an end to China's repressive policies. Since January this year, 24 Tibetans have taken the drastic action of self-immolation, bringing the overall total to 37. The Chinese government's response has been implacably repressive and violent. Chinese security forces have opened fire on protestors, killing an unknown number of Tibetans and many regions are under virtual lockdown.
Click here for case profiles and background information to the self-immolations.
Reports on protests in Tibet in 2012:
19 Jan I 24 Jan I 25 Jan I 27 Jan I 10 Feb I 6 Mar I 23 Mar I 26 Apr
TAKE ACTION
 China has to be called to account, not only to end the current crackdown in Tibet, but also to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people. The British government must publicly state its concern over the current situation and, along with other international governments, persuade China to ease the increasingly tense situation by withdrawing its troops from Tibetan regions, review its repressive policies in Tibet and grant universally recognised human rights to the Tibetan people.
1. Follow-up action to Tibet Lobby 2012
2. Contact your MP
3. Write to the Chinese Ambassador
4. Sign the global pledge to Stand Up for Tibet
1. Follow-up action to Tibet Lobby 2012
 Over 150 MPs were lobbied during Tibet Lobby 2012 in March, and called upon to ask the British government to take action for Tibet. However, despite the urgency of the situation in Tibet, the Foreign Office made no commitment to further actions.
Tibet Society is calling on the UK government to put mechanisms into place that will bring about real change for Tibetans in Tibet.
Follow-up action I Original Tibet Lobby action
2. Contact your MP and ask them to:
► call on the Prime Minister to make a public statement of concern on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet;
► call on the British government to urge China to ease tensions in Tibet by withdrawing its armed forces from Tibetan regions and allowing access to foreign media, humanitarian agencies and independent observers. Also with other international governments, to work multi-laterally to encourage the Chinese government to enter into negotiations with representatives of the Tibetan people in order to resolve the Tibetans' underlying grievances;
► write to the Chinese Ambassador in the UK urging restraint by the Chinese authorities in Tibet, the withdrawl of troops from Tibetan regions and for international observers and media to be allowed access to Tibetan regions. Also request details from the Ambassador of casualties and detentions during the recent protests in Tibet.
► sign Early Day Motion 2715: Deteriorating Human Rights in Tibet which calls on the British government to stand up and defend the rights of the Tibetan people. (Read text of EDM 2715). NB. If your MP has already signed, you can thank them for standing up for Tibet and ask that they also take the following actions. Click here to find out if they have signed;
► sign the Global pledge to 'Stand up for Tibet' (see Point 4)
To find your MP go to www.writetothem.com or findyourmp.parliament.uk
3. Write to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, calling on the Chinese government to:
► ease tensions in Tibet by withdrawing security forces and ending the martial law conditions imposed across Tibetan areas. Also to allow access to Tibetan regions to foreign media, humanitarian agencies and independent observers.
► confirm the condition and location of Lobsang Gyatso, Sonam Rabyang, Rinzin Dorjee, Kelsang Wangchuk, Lobsang Kelsang and Lobsang Kunchok, all of whom have self-immolated, were taken away by security forces and not heard of since.
► release all the monks and lay-people who have been detained and imprisoned since March 2011 and provide independent legal counsel for all those facing charges.
► respect the fundamental rights of the Tibetans, in particular the freedom of expression and to freedom to practice their religion.
► review its existing policies in Tibet in order to fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a truly harmonious society.
Address: Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL.
Email:
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4. Sign the Global Pledge to 'Stand up for Tibet;
Ask your friends, family and your MP to also sign the pledge at http://bit.ly/STpledge. The pledge calls for the international community, both citizens and governments, to Stand Up for Tibet. Global diplomatic intervention is needed to ensure China ends the crackdown in Tibet.
This world-wide initiative has been created by the International Tibet Network. Tibet Society is a member organisation of ITN.
Click here for latest updates on the self-immolations, case profiles and background information.
Tibet Society, the world’s first Tibet support group, was founded in 1959. Funded by its members, it has been working for over 50 years to seek justice for Tibet through parliamentary lobbying, campaigns and actions. Help keep Tibet alive by joining Tibet Society today. (Annual membership £24; Overseas £36; Life £500).
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