Free Tibet

" Tibet was an ancient country the size of western Europe when it was invaded by the People’s Liberation Army of China in 1950. A place with a unique culture, history and identity, Tibet has been changed dramatically by the Chinese invasion and occupation. Not only have many Tibetan lives been lost, Tibetans in Tibet do not enjoy basic human rights and the Chinese government have introduced policies by which Tibetan culture, language and natural resources are being systematically and irrevocably eroded."

At: freetibet.org

It is OUR time to help Tibet! Here is a little bit more about this situation:

• During Tibet's history, it has been an independent country , divided into different countries, and a part of China each for a certain amount of time.

• Tibet was first unified under King Songstän Gampo in the seventh century. A government nominally headed by the Dalai Lamas, a line of spiritual leaders, ruled a large portion of the Tibetan region at various times from the 1640s until 1950s.

• The 13th Dalai Lama proclaimed Tibet independent in 1913, but this declaration was not accepted by China, nor recognized by any country as a de jure independent nation.

• The Communist Party of China gained control of central and western Tibet (Tibet area controlled by the Dalai Lama) after a decisive military victory at Chamdo in 1950.

• Today, Tibet is administered by the People's Republic of China (PRC). Beijing and the Government of Tibet in Exile isagree over when Tibet became a part of China, and whether the incorporation into China of Tibet is legitimate according to international law.

Tibet under the People's Republic of China

Many innocent people have been killed since China gained control over Tibet. Unfortunatly there isn't much we can do to help this situation but if we help each other helping we can surely make this better!

YOU can help by joining freetibet.org and take part in their Urgent Action Campaigns.

"Urgent Action Campaigns is a system by which supporters are contacted about cases as they happen in Tibet, and advised about how to speak up about the detention of political prisoners, the decisions of political figures and new policies which damage the Tibetan people and culture. We will let you know what is happening, who to write to and what to say to urge for action on issues which affect Tibet. Signing up for Urgent Actions is easy and can be done online using the contact box below. You may specify whether you wish to recieve updates by post or e-mail, but we ask you to donate to this scheme if possible, as these donations not only pay for postage costs, but also allow us to get more information out of Tibet and accurately challenge cases which come to light."

Urgent Action Successes

Urgent Action Campaign successes, along with other work, include:
* Golog Jigme being released and stating that his torture ended when campaigning in his name began
*Jigme Gyatso, reporting that due to campaigning, he was treated well during his second period in jail
*Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche's sentence being cut from death to life.
*Phuntsog Nyidrol being released early from her sentence.
*Gordon Brown agreeing to meet the Dalai Lama.

Recent Urgent Action Campaigns:

23/06/09: Lama Phurbu Rinpoche awaits trial
19/04/09: Stop the executions!
20/03/09: Inquiry into UK government's Tibet policy
24/02/09: Mass Lobby for Tibet on 10 March 2009
04/01/09: Tell Gordon Brown he has failed the people of Tibet
27/11/08:British Government must explain its change of position on Tibet
30/10/08: British Government must show more support for Tibet
17/10/08: Campaign Success!Filmmaker Jigme Gyatso is released

Please go to www.freetibet.org to help!