Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be making his first official visit to China and meet with President Hu Jintao between December 2nd-6th.  The Prime Minister's first trip to China presents a strategic opportunity to make real progress towards a just and lasting resolution for the Tibetan people.

Canadians have overwhelmingly shown support for the Tibetan people in their peaceful struggle for freedom and human rights as seen by the unanimous decision by the Canadian Parliament to bestow the highest honour of Honorary Canadian Citizenship to His Holiness the Dalai lama, one of the most respectd leaders of all time.

In November 2006, Prime Minister Harper was even quoted as saying he wouldn't "sell out" on human rights to promote trade and investment with China. One year later, he met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his Parliament Hill office, against the Chinese government's wishes.

As this is the Prime Minister's first visit to China since being elected almost four years ago, it is an unprecedented opportunity for him to uphold the Canadian values of human rights and democracy by speaking out for those who have been violently denied these rights.

Please TAKE ACTION by urging Prime Minister Harper to speak out for Tibet during his trip to China.  We also encourage you to send a letter and call your local MP insisting they urge the Prime Minister to stand up for Tibet during his visit to China.

To see SFT Canada's letter to Prime Minister Harper, please click here. 

TAKE ACTION HERE!

Please see below for a sample letter, however, we encourage you personalize and write your own letter.  Click here to find the contact information for your local MP.

[MP Name], MP

[MP Address]

[Date]

Dear [MP Name],

I am writing to you as your constituent and a [Tibetan-Canadian/Canadian of conscience]

 [Personalize the letter by adding something about your SFT chapter here or thank your MP for his/her previous support for Tibet]

The Prime Minister’s first trip to China December 2nd and meeting with President Hu Jintao presents a strategic opportunity to make real progress towards a just and lasting resolution for the Tibetan people.

As you know, Canadians have overwhelmingly supported the Tibetan people in their peaceful struggle for freedom and human rights as seen by the unanimous decision by the Canadian Parliament to bestow the highest honour of Honorary Canadian Citizenship to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one of the most respected leaders of all time. 

As this is the Prime Minister’s first visit to China since being elected almost four years ago, it is an unprecedented opportunity for him to uphold the Canadian values of human rights and democracy by speaking out for those who have been violently denied these rights.

Therefore, I ask that you raise the issue of Tibet during Question Period in the House of Commons before he leaves for China December 2nd.  I ask that you urge Prime Minister Harper to press the Chinese government to meaningfully negotiate a resolution to the ongoing brutal occupation of Tibet. A just and lasting resolution will prevent Chinese authorities from committing further cultural genocide in Tibet.

I ask that you call on the Prime Minister to take the following concrete actions during his trip to China and to brief the House of Commons upon his return on the progress he has made on these important issues:

1.      Make a public statement about your concern for the ongoing human rights abuses taking place inside Tibet and calling on the Chinese government to commit to negotiating a just and lasting resolution for the Tibetan people who have been denied their right to self-determination and religious, cultural and political freedom. 

2.      Demand the immediate release of Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan filmmaker who is being tried in secret, has been denied the right to be represented by the attorney of his choice, and faces a severe prison sentence for the making of Leaving Fear Behind, a remarkable film documenting the true voices of Tibetans in Tibet. 

3.      Condemn the recent executions of two young Tibetans – Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak – and demand answers about the reported executions of two other Tibetans ­– Penkyi, and a fourth unknown Tibetan. Furthermore, express Canada’s firm and principled opposition of the death penalty with your Chinese counterparts. 

4.      Uphold the Canadian government’s commitment to the highest standards of corporate social responsibility by holding mining companies accountable for their unethical mining operations inside Tibet. The activities of Canadian mining companies such as Continental Minerals and Jinshan Gold Mines present grave human rights and environmental consequences for the Tibetan people. Until Tibetans are in a position to freely decide the use of their land and resources, Tibet should be a no-go zone for Canadian and foreign companies.

As your constituent, I would like the opportunity to discuss these issues [in person/over the phone], and would like to schedule a meeting with you at your earliest convenience.  I hope and believe that you, as my representative, will take real and concrete action on this issue, which resonates with all Tibetan-Canadians and Canadians of conscience.

Sincerely,

[Name]