UCS 23/02/08: Tell Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama |
Tell Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama
23rd February 2008
The Dalai Lama will be visiting Britain between 22 and 30 May 2008. He will be giving public talks and teachings, as well as meeting public figures. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has already requested a meeting with His Holiness.
However, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has not made any commitment. A Downing Street spokesperson says "no decisions have yet been taken on arrangements for the Dalai Lama's visit".
The Prime Minister's silence about human rights abuses in Tibet during his recent trip to China shamed the British public. Before Gordon Brown returns to Beijing for the Olympics Opening Ceremony spectacle, it is crucial that he demonstrates how much the British people care about human rights and the plight of Tibetans. He must also show that the UK is prepared to stand up to China on these issues. Nothing would make this statement more clearly than a meeting between Gordon Brown and the Dalai Lama in Downing Street in May.
Norman Baker MP has tabled EDM 984, calling on the Prime Minister to stand up for Tibet by meeting with His Holiness. It is urgent that as many MPs as possible sign this EDM.
Please contact your MP immediately and ask him or her to sign the EDM which reads as follows:
'That this House welcomes the forthcoming visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United Kingdom in May; recognises the strong historical connections between this country and Tibet; notes that the Dalai Lama has recently had meetings with President George Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Australia, Canada and Austria; and calls upon the Prime Minister to take the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his visit, particularly in the light of the worsening human rights position in Tibet and the Dalai Lama's commitment to a non-violent solution.'
*TAKE ACTION!*
Write to your MP and ask him or her to sign EDM 984, calling on Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama during his forthcoming visit to the UK in May 2008.
Send your letter to: (Your MP's name), The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
You can find your MP and send him or her an e-mail via the websitewww.writetothem.com. To find out your MP's name phone the House of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272.
(Please send us copies of any replies you receive as this helps us to monitor the situation.)
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