Free Tibet launches General Election website

  

Free Tibet launches today its “Make Your Voice Matter!” campaign for the General Election. The campaign features a new website which contains a candidates’ pledge card for supporters. Free Tibet supporters will ask parliamentary candidates to sign the card which pledges support for human rights in Tibet and China in return for the electors’ votes.

Free Tibet’s 2010 General Election website can be seen at: www.freetibet.org/ge.html

The website is intended to leave parliamentary candidates in no doubt that human rights in China and Tibet matter to the public, and to hold candidates to account over their support for human rights by listing all candidates, together with their constituencies, who sign the pledge.

Announcing the launch of the microsite, Free Tibet Director, Stephanie Brigden, said:

“Just two years ago, the British public dramatically demonstrated its overwhelming support for human rights in Tibet when it staged a massive protest during the Olympic Torch Relay through London. By allowing our supporters to remind politicians that people in this country still care just as much about human rights as they do about the economy, our new website will drive on the debate that the UK must do more to protect human rights in Tibet and China, and ensure that progress is maintained in the next parliament.”

The website also provides information on “Tibet Champions” – MPs who have worked hard to promote human rights in Tibet in the last parliament; what the respective parties say about Tibet and human rights; and also gives supporters practical tips on how, where and when to quiz local candidates on whether they will support human rights in China and Tibet if elected.

Kate Hoey, a “Tibet Champion” and the Labour MP for Vauxhall, on the website calls on Free Tibet supporters to urge candidates to take the pledge:

“I have worked hard in parliament to push the UK government into adopting a more effective policy on human rights in Tibet and China.  We need more MPs to be doing the same after the next general election. Please urge candidates in your constituency to pledge to promote human rights in Tibet and China as an important issue in parliament if they are elected.”

Ends

For further information:

Matt Whitticase, External Communications

t +44 (0)20 7324 4605 / +44 (0)7515 788456 and email: matt@freetibet.org

 

Stephanie Brigden, Director

t +44 (0)20 7324 4605 / +44 (0)7530 528264 and email: stephanie@freetibet.org