Congratulations on a successful effort to collect 10,000 Panchen Lama postcards! Free Tibet Campaign collected 10,057 postcards addressed to China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The postcards were presented at the vigil on 17 May in front of the Chinese Embassy, the 10th anniversary of the Panchen Lama's kidnapping by the Chinese authorities.

Post-Election Action The new UK Parliament began its work in May. Free Tibet Campaign has written to each MP, introducing our campaign for Tibet to those elected for the first time and re-establishing dialogue with those who have been re-elected. A strong voice for Tibet in Parliament is crucial for Free Tibet Campaign to be able to promote Tibetan issues with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the British Government and the EU, and to call for an affirmative position regarding Tibet in their relationship with China. Your support is essential for this effort.For full details on your MP go to www.faxyourmp.com or contact your local council.

Action:
Write to your MP now 

1. Write to your MP asking him/her to join the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. This Group is a forum for MPs from any party to meet and discuss ways to promote action on Tibet in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The group will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday 22 June from 2.15pm in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House. Free Tibet Campaign has invited Ngawang Sangdrol - a 28 year-old Tibetan nun and former political prisoner - to visit the UK. MPs and their staff are invited to meet Ngawang Sangdrol and learn more about Tibet on this unique occasion. Ngawang has a most extraordinary presence and a harrowing story; first arrested as a child for saying "Long Live the Dalai Lama" and "Free Tibet", she was incarcerated in Drapchi Prison at the age of 15. She remained there for 10 years, during which time she became a source of enormous inspiration to other political prisoners, enduring beatings and torture, for her peaceful refusal to denounce her country and her spiritual leader. Her sentence was extended to a total of 21 years but fortunately China responded to the pressure generated by our campaigns and in 2002 she was released on medical parole.

2. Ask your MP to sign an Early Day Motion on the case of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. EDM Number 147 was tabled on 19 May 2005. Title - GEDHUN CHOEKYI NYIMA, text as follows: "That this House notes that 17th May 2005 is the 10th anniversary of the abduction of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the child recognised by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet and that during the last decade China has refused to allow independent observers to establish the well-being of Gedhun and his family; further notes that China will appear before the United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Child (CRC) later this year; and calls on Her Majesty's Government urgently to press China during the UK's Presidency of the EU to allow the CRC access to the Panchen Lama and his family." Signatures as of 1 June 2005 (14) Sponsors: Norman Baker MP; Andrew George MP; Harry Cohen MP; Peter Bottomley MP; Bob Spink MP; Mike Hancock MP. Signed: Lynne Jones MP; Ann Cryer MP; David Taylor MP; Greg Pope MP; Bob Russell MP; Elfyn Llwyd MP; Martin Caton MP; David Drew MP.

Stop the Torture in Tibet 

Lastly, we enclose a case sheet from our 'Stop the Torture in Tibet Campaign'. As you will see from the prisoner sheet your letters to the Chinese authorities can make a difference between life and death. Please act on this case and join our 'Stop the Torture Campaign'.

(Please send copies of your letters and faxes and any responses to Free Tibet Campaign; this helps us to monitor the situation.)

To make a donation towards the running of the Urgent Campaign Scheme please go towww.freetibet.org/membership/join.html and under donations choose Urgent Campaign Scheme for the reason for your donation. By making a donation you will be automatically subscribed to receive Urgent Campaigns by email, unless you tell us otherwise. Thank you.

If you have an email address and would like to receive urgent campaigns by email, please email us at paul@freetibet.org with SUBSCRIBE URGENT CAMPAIGN LIST in the subject or body of message. Please include your name and postal address.

Free Tibet Campaign also has an Action Email List, which sends out details of upcoming Free Tibet Campaign activities as well as a monthly Tibet-related events diary (UK events only). To subscribe to this list please send a message to paul@freetibet.org with SUBSCRIBE ACTION LIST in the subject or body of message. Please include your name and postal address.