| [15 June 2016] The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet has called on the UK government to ensure China’s human rights record in Tibet is raised at the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council. The concerned MPs have sent letters to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and the UK’s Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Julian Braithwaite, asking the UK to “stand with Tibetans in Tibet” by expressing concern over China’s treatment of Tibetans and raising specific political prisoner cases.
The UK government is urged to use specific Council Agenda items to raise issues relating to Tibet, including the current crackdown which is suppressing peaceful dissent in Tibet and is resulting in numerous Tibetans being detained and imprisoned. As well as calling for all Tibetan political prisoners to be released, four cases in particular are requested to be raised, namely, monk and community leader Khenpo Kartse, human rights defender Tashi Wangchuk, primary school teacher Lhamo Kyab and retired doctor Yeshe Choedron.
The letters conclude by saying it is the Council’s and the UK’s duty “to ensure that China is held to account for the human rights situation in Tibet” and “to stand in solidarity with defenders and activists on the ground.” The text of the letters can be read in full below. The letters are an initiative of the International Tibet Network, which is calling on all member states of the UN Human Rights Council to take action on China’s human rights record in Tibet during the current Session, which is being held in Geneva and continues until 1st July. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet consists of UK MPs and Peers with an interest in Tibet and concern over China’s occupation. The Group was founded in 1986 and has cross-party support. Tibet Society is a member organisation of the International Tibet Network and is also the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. Text of letters Sent to Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) and Mr Julian Braithwaite (UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Geneva) 14 June 2016
[Dear Sirs] I am writing, on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, to thank you for refusing to remain silent on the issue of human rights violations by the People’s Republic of China, and for taking a joint action to express your concerns during the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Your unprecedented joint statement sent a vital message to China that such violations will not go ignored, and lent critical support to embattled human rights defenders. Looking ahead to the Council’s 32nd Session, we urge that the United Kingdom keeps human rights violations by China firmly on the Council’s agenda. Furthermore we urge that the United Kingdom takes this opportunity to raise concerns about Tibet. The 2nd cycle of China’s Universal Periodic Review is now reaching its midterm period. China accepted detailed recommendations on issues about and affecting the rights of Tibetans in Tibet, as well as human rights defenders and freedom of expression, association and assembly. We urge that the United Kingdom takes an active role at the Human Rights Council to press China to address these issues. Specifically we ask that you stand with Tibetans in Tibet at the UN Human Rights Council in one, or all, of the following ways: Council Agenda Items: ● Item 4: Use Item 4 Statements to specifically mention Tibet in the context of China’s severe crackdown and increased repression, highlighting the serious barriers to the existence of human rights in Tibet and across China, and call for the unconditional release of all political prisoners including: o Tibetan monk and community leader Khenpo Kartse (Karma Tsewang); [3] Urge China to agree to requests for country visits by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and by Special Procedures, including Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights Defenders; on Freedom of Assembly and Association; on Freedom of Expression; on Freedom of Religion; and on Prevention of Torture. ● Use other agenda items, including Item 5 and 6, to press China to provide detailed and transparent responses to questions about key human rights issues including: o Outstanding country visit requests by Special Procedures, as above. It is the obligation of the UN Human Rights Council and States to ensure that China is held to account for the human rights situation in Tibet and it is a matter of principle and integrity that the international community continue to stand in solidarity with defenders and activists on the ground. Yours sincerely, Tim Loughton MP Notes:
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The letters, signed on behalf of the 
The APPG for Tibet also urges the UK to call on China to allow visits to Tibet by UN Special Representatives, to address the issue of torture and to provide an update on the death in prison of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.