27 October 2009

    Loyak, 25, executed

On Tuesday 20 October, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak were executed in Lhasa.

Free Tibet condemns these executions.

Unconfirmed reports had suggested that two others were executed, including Penkyi, 21 from Sakya County. Penkyi had received a “suspended death sentence” in April for her alleged involvement in arson attacks during last year’s protests.

The Chinese Embassy in London has confirmed the execution of Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak but denied the two further executions. The Embassy said there were no plans to carry out further executions.

Lobsang Gyaltsen's body was handed to his wife and his dead body was later immersed in Kyichu River, while Loyak's ashes were given to his family.

Reacting to news of the executions, the Director of Free Tibet, Stephanie Brigden, said:

"The executions are an outrage. It is impossible to have any confidence that even the most basic legal norms were observed before the Chinese state sanctioned and carried out the killing of these Tibetans. The Chinese regime's decision to execute Tibetans only weeks after the UK Foreign Office Minister returned from an official visit to Tibet directly challenges the effectiveness of Britain and the West's policy of constructive engagement with China. China's response to UK Government efforts to reduce the number of death sentences has been to execute Lobsang and Loyak, the first known executions of Tibetans since 2003. It's time for a dramatic re-think of how Britain engages with China on rights."

Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak were sentenced to death in April 2009 having been found guilty of involvement in arson attacks during the Spring 2008 protests.Two other Tibetans, Tenzin Phuntsog and Gangstuk had received suspended death sentences in April.

TAKE ACTION  Please write to the Chinese Authorities.

-Express your outrage about the executions.

-Ask specifically about the legal status of Penkyi, Tenzin Phuntsog and Gangstu.

-Seek guarantees that no furthe exectutions will take place.

Sample letter and contact details

TIME TO SCRUTINISE HOW THE UK ENGAGES WITH CHINA ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Even before the terrible news of the executions in Lhasa, Free Tibet has been lobbying parliamentarians and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) for many months to conduct an inquiry, to scrutinise what impact UK foreign policy is having in realising the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan and Chinese people.

The effectiveness of UK’s China policy has already been called into doubt by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the Parliamentary body scrutinising the government’s foreign policy. In its Annual Human Rights Report, published in August 2009 it concluded that:

“There remains little evidence that the British Government’s policy of constructive dialogue with China has led to any significant improvements in the human rights situation.”

These executions are a tragic reminder to us all that the British strategy of constructive engagement has failed the people of Tibet and China.

It is now our responsibility to demand change.

Please Join Free Tibet in our call for an inquiry!

TAKE ACTION!

Please ask your MP to support Free Tibet’s call for an inquiry.

You can do this by sending your MP the enclosed action postcard which encourages your MP to sign Early Day Motion 2133 put down by Kate HoeyMP calling for an inquiry.The postcard also encourages your MP to write to Mike Gapes, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in support of the inquiry.

If you have time, please write a personalised letter asking your MP to support the inquiry. You can refer to the postcard text for key points. Personal letters to MPs always have a greater impact and are more likely to generate a response.

To find your MP:
- please go to the website: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/commons
- or call the House of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272.

Please send copies of any responses to Free Tibet to help us monitor the situation. 

Help us continue our vital work. Your participation in the Urgent Action campaign is essential for our success in putting pressure on political and economic decision-makers to improve the human rights of Tibetans. Running the Urgent Actions is possible because of the kind donations the participants make.
You can send a cheque or make a donation online at
 here