Over the past year there has been a significant increase in the number of protests by Tibetans inside Tibet. All across the Tibetan plateau there are growing instances of Tibetans taking to the streets in protest to China’s repressive policies. Since January 2012, almost 90 Tibetans in Tibet have taken the drastic action of self-immolation, bringing the overall total to 107. The Chinese government's response has been implacably repressive and brutal. 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 of known protests in Tibet in 2012:
14 Jan I 23 Jan I 24 Jan I 26 Jan I 5 Feb I 8 Feb I 22 Feb I 10-20 Mar I 14-15 Apr I
25 April I 15 June I 24 June I 27 June I 4 July I late July I 1 Aug I 8 Aug I 13 Aug I
14 Aug I 15 Aug I 25 Aug (further updates to added soon)
Sentences for protestors, those 'assisting' self-immolations and senders of information to foreign contacts:
26 April (17 cases) I 18 June (1 case) I 10 July (3 cases) I 25 Aug (1 case) I
30 Aug (5 cases) I early Sept (2 cases) I 18 Sept (2 cases) (further updates to added soon)
TAKE ACTION
 China MUST be called to account over its appalling ongoing policies in Tibet and urged to uphold international standards for basic human rights. If China wants to play a role in the free world, it is time for the ruling regime not only to end the current crackdown in Tibet, but also to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people.
China’s economic progress cannot continue to be at the expense of human rights and rule of law. The British government MUST acknowledge this and make it clear that China is no different from any other country when it comes to adherence to international human rights norms. To this end the British government must publicly express grave 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. Contact your MP
2. Write to the Chinese Ambassador
3. Sign the global pledge to 'Stand Up for Tibet'
...and join the upcoming Tibet Lobby which takes place in the UK on Wednesday 13 March 2013. Lobby your MP at Westminster or in your local constituency. Further information and registration details at www.tibetlobby.org
1. Contact your MP
a. Tell your MP about the growing resistance inside Tibet, i.e. peaceful demonstrations by thousands of Tibetans against China’s repressive policies; nearly 80 Tibetans self-immolating; calls for the return of the Dalai Lama and freedom for Tibetans; and the response of the Chinese authorities with arbitrary arrests, military lockdowns and the imposition of de facto martial law.
b. Ask your MP, as a matter of urgency, to write letters to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary and/or table parliamentary questions that:
► call on the Prime Minister to make a public statement of concern on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and condemning China's use of force against peaceful demonstrators;
► call on the British government to support the Dalai Lama's request that the Chinese government carries out a thorough investigation on the causes of the self-immolations;
► call on the British government to urge China to ease tensions in Tibet by using restraint when dealing with protests, withdrawing its armed forces from Tibetan regions, releasing Tibetans arbitrarily detained or imprisoned for involvement in protests, and allowing access to foreign media, humanitarian agencies and independent observers;
► urge the British government to work multi-laterally with other international governments, to encourage the Chinese regime to resolve the Tibetans' underlying grievances; also to initiate the establishment of an International Contact Group of concerned governments to facilitate information sharing, discussion of strategies and coordination of initiatives that work to bring positive progress to rule of law and human rights in Tibet.
c. Ask your MP to write to the Chinese Ambassador in the UK:
► urging restraint by the Chinese authorities in Tibet, the withdrawal of troops from Tibetan regions and for international observers and media to be allowed access to Tibetan regions. Also request the Chinese government releases all Tibetans detained or imprisoned for expressing their views, a right guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
d. Ask your MP to sign the Global pledge to 'Stand up for Tibet' (see Point 3).
To find your MP go to www.writetothem.com or findyourmp.parliament.uk
2. Write to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, calling on the Chinese government to:
► ease tensions in Tibet by exercising restraint when dealing with protests, withdrawing armed 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;
► release all Tibetans detained or imprisoned for expressing their views, a right guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and provide independent legal counsel for all those facing charges;
► confirm the condition and location of the following Tibetans who have self-immolated, were subsequently taken away by security forces and have not been seen since. Also ensure family visits are allowed:
Samdup (self-immolated on 7 November 2012 in Aba county, Sichuan)
Dorjee Kyab (7 November 2012, Aba, Sichuan)
Tenzin (25 October 2012; Naqu, TAR)
Dickyi Choezom (27 June 2012; Yushu, Qinghai)
Dhargye (27 May 2012; Lhasa, TAR)
Lobsang Gyatso (13 February 2012, Aba, Sichuan)
Sonam Rabyang (9 February 2012; Yushu, Qinghai)
Kelsang Wangchuk (3 October 2011; Aba, Sichuan)
Lobsang Kelsang (26 September 2011; Aba, Sichuan)
Lobsang Kunchok (26 September 2011; Aba, Sichuan)
Tapey (27 February 2009; Aba, Sichuan)
► conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the self-immolations in Tibet;
► 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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Please send us a copy of any reply you receive from your MP or the Chinese Ambassador. This helps us to monitor political activity. Click here for Tibet Society contact details.
3. 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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