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Mass Lobby for Tibet on 10 March 2009 |
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Feedback from this mass lobby action has led Free Tibet to call for an inquiry into Britain's weakening Tibet policy. Click here to read more Update On 10 March 2009 over 300 free Tibet supporters attended a mass lobby of Parliament, organised by Free Tibet and other Tibet support groups, to urge their MPs to take action on Tibet. Each supporter arranged to meet their MP, a constitutional right of all UK citizens. The number of Tibet supporters both outside Parliament and in the halls of Parliament clearly demonstrated to both the media and MPs the level of support in the UK for Tibet. Feedback from supporters who lobbied their MP brought to our attention that most were unaware of neither the UK governement's historic and damaging change in position regarding Tibet and China nor of its weakening Tibet policy. Now that we have MPs' attention it is important that we coordinate to ensure public scrutiny of the UK's weakening policy on Tibet and human rights violations in Tibet. Over 300 people joined the mass lobby for Tibet! Tuesday 10 March 2009 We are organising a mass lobby of Parliament to urge MPs to take action on Tibet. The lobby will take place on Tuesday 10 March, the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Uprising in Tibet. 10 March 2009 is also one year on from the eruption of the largest protests in Tibet since 1959. At least 140 unarmed protestors were killed and over 6,000 were detained in the ensuing crackdown. The whereabouts of 1,000 Tibetans still remain unknown. China has flooded Tibet with troops and has banned tourists and journalists from the region. In the face of the worst human rights situation in decades in Tibet, the UK government has weakened its policy on holding China accountable for its human rights abuses in Tibet. How to take part in the mass lobby: Find your MP: The most effective way to put pressure on your MP is to meet them face-to- face, therefore we encourage you to come to Parliament with us. Anyone can join the mass lobby, you don't have to be an expert – and Free Tibet will support you. 1. Make an appointment with your MP (and book some time off work!) Please note that your MP or his or her representative will have to come to meet you even without a confirmation of your appointment. So come down to the Mass Lobby on 10 March even if your appointment is not confirmed. - You can use email, post or telephone to make your appointment. - Please request an appointment for as close to 2.30pm on 10 March as possible – we would like everyone to be at Parliament at the same time. 2. Let us know the name of your MP, his or her constituency and the time of your appointment. - Contact us either by email: lobby@freetibet.org or call us on 0207 324 4605 and ask for Sophie. We will coordinate with others joining us at Parliament from your constituency so that you can meet your MP together. Your lobby pack will contain If you have any questions between now and the 10 March please don't hesitate to contact us either by email: lobby@freetibet.org or call us on 0207 324 4605.
| If you can't meet your MP in person Please feel free to use this sample letter Dear (Your MP’s name) I am writing, as your constituent, to ask you to take action on Tibet. Today, 10 March, marks the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising. It is also one year on from the largest protests in Tibet since 1959 that erupted exactly a year ago. China responded with brutality and deadly force. 2. Establish a Tibet Desk at the British Embassy in Beijing, China 3. Appoint a UK Special Representative for Tibet 4. Sponsor a call for a thorough and independent enquiry into the reported excessive use of force, including against peaceful demonstrators in Tibet in spring 2008 Yours sincerely, (Your name) 2. Mass Lobby Asks We hope your MP will act for Tibet 1. Ask your MP to sign the tabled Early Day Motion (EDM) No. 978: "The 50th Anniversary on 10 March 2009 of the Tibetan National Uprising" Ask your MP to press the UK Government to:
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