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Why start another group supporting Tibet, aren’t there enough already? There are existing groups and Act for Tibet will work with them. Act for Tibet is web-based not an organization; it is
intended as a fresh way of harnessing passive support and exciting new
activists to create their own actions and try out new ideas. |
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Is it true that The Chinese
Government pays little attention to Western Campaigns?
No. The Chinese government understand the
campaigning methods of organizations like Act for Tibet, The
Free Tibet Campaign and Amnesty International.
For example, former Tibetan prisoners Ngawang Choephel,
Chadrel Rimpoche and, most recently the nun Ngawang Sangrol were all
released in 2002 after high-profile campaigning on their cases.
The campaigning brought their cases to the attention of the
U.S. government and other human rights interlocutors who prioritised
them in their requests for prisoners to be released, which was
eventually successful.
Does letter-writing really work?
Yes it does! Thousands of letters are sent to the
Chinese government every year by campaigning organizations.
From talking to government officials we know that those letters
are read by relevant officials; government departments employ
staff to translate letters, to log how many they receive and
which issues and cases they raise.
Aren’t individual releases of prisoners
just “pacifiers”?
Of course. Individual releases are not sufficient and are not a sign of
real change in Tibet; but the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima would be
very significant and could indicate a shift in the Chinese government’s
position on Tibet. That’s why we’ve chosen to highlight him.
Is it OK to travel to Tibet?
Yes, but go solely as a tourist, enjoy the beauty of the country and
the humour of the people. Be aware of the political and human rights
situation before you go, but you must not to say anything
political to any Tibetan that you meet, especially not to your
guide. You will be under surveillance most of the time but
unless you’re from a country with its own repressive regime
you’ll be unlikely to be aware of this. Remember, speaking or
acting politically will endanger any Tibetan that you meet: you can
leave the country, they can’t.
It is inadvisable to have in your possession pictures of the Dalai Lama or The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. A Tibetan found in possession of either picture can be detained, beaten or imprisoned. Take in pictures of Mahatma Gandhi instead and make sure that they are labelled 'Mahatma Gandhi' so that no over zealous officials arrest you...