Introduction: This Plan for Action was generated by Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) and Tibetan NGOs, based on Workshop discussions during the Fourth International conference of TSGs which was held between 18 and 21 October 2003 in Prague, Czech Republic. The 260 participants in the Conference, from 47 countries, focused on four main campaign themes, which were selected by a Preparatory Committee after consultation with TSGs and Tibetan NGOs:

 

  • Political Initiatives
  • Human Rights
  • China’s Western development Programme
  • The 2008 Beijing Olympics

On the basis of detailed and background analyses, participants discussed overall strategic priorities related to these four themes. They then looked into practical ideas for actions that would lead to the realisation of these objectives.

Tibet Support Groups and Tibetan NGOs are widely diverse group of organisations. Some are quite small, whilst others have significant resources. Each operates within the opportunities and constraints of its national and local context. An essential purpose of the Conference therefore was to identify a range of actions that are both politically relevant to the present situation of the Tibetan people, and practically achievable at all levels of the movement.

Due to constraints of time, this Plan for Action could not be discussed in detail during the Conference. Therefore this should be considered as a record of proposed priorities and action ideas generated during the discussions which took place in Prague. It is a detailed resource of campaigning ideas which each Support Group could use for the development of its campaigns.

The substantial number of ideas generated are a reflection of the creativity and energy of the Prague Conference. TSGs and Tibetan NGOs are encouraged to examine the Plan for good ideas, specific suggestions, and experiences of campaigns that have proven effective in the past and may do so again in future. The sequencing of the priorities is not a ranking but reflects the interests of the participants of the Conference in the extremely wide range of issues discussed.

The role of the Tibetan Government in exile was to convene this Conference and to explain its policies; during the course of the Conference, TGiE appealed to participants for support for its Middle Way Approach. Just as this Plan for Action does not necessarily represent the views of all TSGs and Tibetan NGOs, neither does it necessarily represent the views of the Conference Organisers.

Executive Summary: The Conference reviewed China’s continuing occupation of and repression in Tibet and developments there since the last TSG Conference in Berlin in May 2000. The Conference condemned the ongoing violations of human rights and expressed its solidarity with the people of Tibet in their struggle to determine their own future in freedom. The Conference supports the re-opening of direct contact between representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and of the Tibetan Government in Exile (TGiE) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The Conference urgently calls on the new leadership in China to enter into earnest substantive negotiations, without preconditions, so that the parties can reach an early agreement which will be acceptable to the Tibetan people.

Tibet Support Groups and Tibetan NGOs renewed their strong commitment to the Tibetan cause and their support for the Tibetan people’s struggle for their rights and aspirations in the face of China’s continued occupation. Participants were greatly encouraged by the warm welcome they received in the Czech Republic and the strong support for the Tibetan cause expressed by President Vaclav Havel and the President and the Vice-President of the country’s Senate. The increasing number of Chinese supporters in the Tibetan movement and the presence of Chinese and Taiwanese campaigners at the Conference was especially motivating. They were also encouraged by the steady growth of the Tibetan movement. The effort and strategies that emerged from this Conference will enhance the movement and will substantially increase political pressure on China, through innovative and wide-ranging means, to resolve the issue of Tibet to the satisfaction of the Tibetan people.

In workshops on political initiatives, participants developed strategies and actions to build support for the Tibetan cause across and within governments and international organisations such as the UN. These include campaigning for the appointment of special representatives for Tibet at the European Union and elsewhere, possibly at national level; explaining the Middle Way Approach to governments and obtaining support for it; and campaigning for the recognition of the Tibetan Government in Exile. Strategies to build support among opinion makers and the private sector were also discussed.

Various ideas for raising pressure on the Chinese government leadership directly and indirectly over Tibet were generated, including the use of economic campaigns. The need to reach out to Chinese people inside the PRC and to overseas Chinese was also identified as a high priority and numerous suggestions of ways to do this were made. The Conference recognised the need to convey clear and consistent massages in political work.

The importance of campaigning for human rights of Tibetan remains a high priority. It was emphasized that human rights violations are a symptom of the occupation of Tibet and will not end until the question of Tibet is resolved. The most important campaigns discussed included those to pressure the PRC to free all political prisoners, in particular the Panchen Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche; respect international standards as well as China’s own laws; respect the right to freedom of expression and religion and the freedom from torture; respect women’s rights, including reproductive rights; restore former political prisoners’ full rights; and promote the social and economic rights, in particular those to education and health. Participants also discussed the importance of preserving Tibet’s unique cultural heritage and considered ways to address human rights abuses in China. They also addressed the illegal detention in and forced repatriation of Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

With respect to China’s “Western Development Programme”, a number of areas for campaigns were selected due to the particular harm, for example, through population transfer, they would inflict upon Tibetans and their environment. Campaign issues proposed include tourism, transport networks, the proposed road around Mount Kailash, water resources and dam projects, mining projects and foreign investments in Tibet. Particular attention was given to the Gormo-Lhasa railway project. Whereas aspects of projects that can benefit Tibetans should be encouraged, it was emphasised that the ownership of development projects must be with Tibetans.

Most TSGs opposed China’s bid for the 2008 Olympics and were successful in making human rights the key issue associated with the bid. Despite this, Beijing was granted the Games, so TSGs propose to take advantage of this platform in order to focus world attention on China’s occupation of Tibet. The Athens games in 2004 will provide the first major opportunity for campaigning on this issue. Targets will include corporate sponsors, the International Olympic Committee and National Olympic Committees. TSGs recognise that China’s promise of media freedom could be of great benefit in China and Tibet, and will campaign to ensure this is realised.

Note: Tibet in this document refers to the whole of Tibet, comprising of the provinces of Amdo, Kham and U-Tsang.

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