Press Release - 4 July 2005

[LONDON] Free Tibet Campaign has written to Tony Blair on the eve of his departure for Singapore, for the IOC's decision of host city for the 2012 Olympics, and called on him to "make Britain proud; back Tibet." Free Tibet Campaign has asked Mr Blair to support a negotiated settlement in the best interests of Tibetans by 2008, so that the Beijing Olympics will mark the peaceful solution to this half-century long injustice.

"The British public look forward to the possibility of London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, but also want to be able to watch the 2008 Olympics in the knowledge that China fully respects human rights," said Alison Reynolds of Free Tibet Campaign. "If Britain wants to be a deserving host of the 2012 Games, our Prime Minister should show he supports the Olympic Truce and do everything he can to encourage China to free Tibet by 2008."

Mr Blair will meet Chinese leaders regularly during the UK's Presidency of the European Union (see note), and is further asked to pass the message on to representatives of the Beijing Organisers of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) attending the IOC's meeting in Singapore. On 30 June envoys of the Dalai Lama concluded a fourth round of talks with their Chinese counterparts. After more than a decade of political stalemate, formal contact between China and the exiled Tibetan leader re-opened shortly after Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympic Games. However, despite the Dalai Lama having renounced all claims for independence for Tibet, China has yet to demonstrate a reciprocal willingness to drop its pre-conditions to proper negotiations.

The Olympic Truce is a concept based on the ancient Greek tradition of "ekecheira", under which hostilities between nations were suspended to allow participation in the Games. The concept was revived in the 1990s and in 1999 a United Nations resolution was supported by 80 countries including China. Member States are urged to "abide by the Olympic Truce, individually and collectively, and to pursue in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, the peaceful settlement of all international conflicts through diplomatic solutions."

Note: China's President Hu Jintao has confirmed that he attend the G8 meeting from 6 to 8 July in Gleneagles. Mr Blair will also meet Premier Wen Jiabao when he leads the EU/China summit in September, and it is thought that Hu Jintao will visit the UK again towards the end of the year.

Click here to see the full text of the letter sent to Tony Blair.