For immediate action

BACKGROUND

In January 2006 Google announced that it is to capitulate to political pressure from China and provide a web-based search engine for the Chinese market that will prohibit access to information about Tibet and other sensitive political issues, such as Taiwan and the protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

In a clear violation of its own philosophy which states: 'You can make money without doing evil', Google chose to provide China's oppressive regime with tools of surveillance and restriction in order to gain access to a growing Chinese market of internet users.

Google not only violates its own corporate values but facilitates human rights abuses by China. Freedom of information is a basic human right of all people, Chinese and Tibetans included, and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says:"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression... [and] to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

Please protest against Google's support of China's oppressive regime.

ACTION:
1) Boycott Google's services including search engine and email account. A list of alternative service providers is available on www.freetibet.org

2) Phone, fax or email Google office in the UK and ask them to pass a message onto their Chair and CEO, Dr. Eric Schmidt protesting Google's actions. Please inform us of your participation with a short email to campaigns@freetibet.org or fax to 020 7324 4606 and note on the subject line: Google Campaign.

Google's office details:
phone: +44 (0)20 7031 3000
fax: +44 (0)20 7031 3001

or c/o Ema Linaker
UK PR Specialist
+44 (0) 20 7031 3130
ema@google.com

Debbie Frost
International PR Manager
+1-650-253-4660
dfrost@google.com

3) Join a demonstration on Tuesday 14 February 2006 between 12:30-14:30, in front of Google's office in central London.
Belgrave House
76 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9TQ