Richard Gere, Chair of the International Campaign for Tibet, calls upon the Members of the European Parliament to vote for the Tibet Intergroup on 26 November: “The non-violent struggle of Tibetans embodies wholehearted dedication to human rights, freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law. I invite you to stand up for the values that are a cornerstone for the European Union and support the re-establishment of the Tibet Intergroup in the European Parliament.”
The Tibet Intergroup, first founded in 1989, has become the main base of support for Tibet within the European Union. Its Members have been raising awareness of the situation on the ground in Tibet and advocating for human rights and civil liberties of the Tibetan people as well as denouncing excessive militarization of the Tibetan Plateau and depletion of its natural resources, while calling for the resumption of Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
Tibet needs the support of the European Parliament now more than ever, as the protests of 2008 were met by increased repressive policies and measures of the People’s Republic of China that are still ongoing. There has been a deterioration of human rights, intensification of crackdowns and militarization of Tibetan areas. This has provoked a tragic wave of self-immolations in which more than 130 people have set themselves on fire since 2009, as highlighted in many of our reports
The support of the MEPs is vital for the re-establishment of the Tibet Intergroup in the European Parliament, as an Intergroup needs to be endorsed by at least three Political Groups. The vote is foreseen to take place on 26 November at the meetings of Political Groups in Strasbourg.
Richard Gere concluded his message by quoting His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama: “It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act!”
