Urgent: You can influence UK foreign policy toward China and Tibet

15 July 2010

Dear Urgent Action member

We have a small window of time in which to influence and strengthen the UK's approach with China to address human rights issues. Please email your MP immediately to encourage him or her to take action on your behalf.

 The new Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) has been formed and is meeting on Wednesday 21 July to set the agenda for the year ahead. As a matter of urgency we are building further support for Free Tibet's call for an inquiry into the UK’s strategy to improve human rights in China and Tibet in advance of Wednesday's meeting. The inquiry was not possible last year as the Committee’s agenda was full.

The Early Day Motion calling for this inquiry was supported by over 120 MPs in the previous Parliament. Thank you for all of our supporters who had written to their MPs last year to support the inquiry.

TAKE ACTION! We are asking you to contact your MP and urge them to support an inquiry and write to the new FASC chairman Richard Ottaway MP before Wednesday 21 July. We understand that this is short notice, but we hope that you are able contact your MP today and tell your MP about the urgent need for an inquiry.

We have drafted an e-mail that you can forward to your MP.

Thank you very much for your continued support. Together we can make human rights in Tibet a priority for the new government.

Find your MP and their contact details

Dear [your MP]

Support an FASC inquiry into the effectiveness of UK foreign policy to address human rights issues in Tibet and China now .

I am writing to ask you to support a Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the effectiveness of UK foreign policy to address human rights issues in Tibet and China. The FASC will very shortly set their agenda for the year so it is imperative that your support for an inquiry is heard now.

During the last Parliament more than 120 MPs supported the call for an inquiry by signing Early Day Motions 345 and 2133.

The newly constituted Foreign Affairs Select Committee will likely be agreeing its agenda for the year this Wednesday 21 July. Please write to Richard Ottaway MP, the new Chairman of the Committee, before Wednesday to illustrate your support for such an inquiry.

Based on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s own findings in 2009 “There is little evidence that the British Government’s policy of constructive engagement with China has led to any significant improvements in the human rights situation”, a change in UK strategy with China is necessary based on a review of the previous government's failed approach.

Reasons for an Inquiry:

• There is an urgent need for Tibetan and Chinese people to be afforded the basic human rights we all take for granted. The stability of China, Tibet and subsequently international security and the global economy depend on it.

• The human rights situation in Tibet is getting worse.

• The UK’s engagement with China including the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue lacks the means of assessing whether any progress has actually been made as it lacks measurable benchmarks or timeframes to monitor progress.

As a supporter of Free Tibet, I hope that you will support this call.

Yours sincerely