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Beijing 2008: It's not fun and games in Tibet
This summer China cannot be allowed to hijack the spirit of the Olympics. We must do everything to expose the reality of China’s actions in Tibet.
As sports fans arrive in Beijing to enjoy the Games, Tibetans are languishing in prison, facing torture for simply possessing a photo of the Dalai Lama.
While it might be fun at the games in Beijing, a nightmare is unfolding in Tibet.
Countdown to the Olympics
The protests in Tibet in March and April received widespread media coverage, but since then Tibet has remained closed to the outside world. Human rights violations continue unchecked behind closed doors.
Tibetans are living in constant fear, with house searches and midnight arrests part of their daily lives. Monasteries are under 24-hour police surveillance as Free Tibet recently revealed.
One woman's tragic story During the March protests a 38-year-old woman was caught trying to remove a signboard from a government building. She was arrested and tortured during her detention. On her release she was denied medical treatment and died three weeks later from her injuries. She leaves four children behind. |
World leaders who choose to attend the Games cannot just join in with Beijing’s lavish celebrations. They must speak out publicly against the repression in Tibet.
- Demand that independent monitors and foreign press are allowed free, unfettered access to all areas of Tibet.
- Stop hiding behind the current bad faith talks offered by the Chinese government.
- Prevail upon China to ensure the next round of negotiation with the Tibetan government-in-exile has real targets and measurable goals.
- Ensure that a third party negotiator is appointed to facilitate and monitor the progress of the talks.
Free Tibet is encouraging athletes (and anyone else attending the Games to show their support for Tibet while they are in Beijing. Give Tibet a sporting chance, prepared for athletes, explains the connections between Tibet and the Beijing Olympics. It also offers suggestions of ways they can support Tibet, including something as simple as making a T for Tibet hand signal.
- Become a member of Free Tibet campaign. Click here
- Send a message to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is attending the closing ceremony on 24 August. Tell him he must speak out publicly about Tibet while he is in China and he must make it clear to the Chinese government that Tibet will not be forgotten when the Olympics are over.To send a message to the Prime Minister via the Downing Street website, click here
- Join in Tibetan activities in your area during the period of the Olympics. Click here
- Join or form your own Free Tibet local group