http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/obama_hu?rk=912T5%2d1qtWQYE

Tell Obama to Raise the Crisis in Tibet with Hu Jintao

Please send a letter to President Obama urging him to raise the crisis in Tibet directly with President Hu Jintao. This is a critical opportunity for President Obama to make clear to the Chinese government that, even in this time of economic turmoil, Tibet remains a priority issue for the U.S. in its relations with China.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
President Barack Obama

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Raise the Crisis in Tibet with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to ask you to raise the issue of Tibet with Chinese President Hu Jintao during your inaugural meeting on April 1 in London.

As you are aware, Tibet is currently under de facto martial law as China attempts to crush even the most peaceful acts of dissent. Just last week, a 27 year-old monk named Phuntsok was beaten to death by Chinese police for posting pro-Tibet posters in his village in eastern Tibet.

That Tibetans continue to risk their lives by engaging in such acts of peaceful resistance in the face of extreme violence speaks volumes about the depth of their frustration with China's consistent failure to work with the Dalai Lama to secure a resolution to its 50-year occupation of Tibet.

On March 14, 2008, you appealed to China's leadership to "respect the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet." Since then, Tibetans have suffered under the most repressive political conditions in decades, and Chinese forces have o nly intensified their military clampdown as Tibetans mark the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising and the escape of their beloved leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile.

The situation in Tibet is dire and demands an urgent and coordinated response from the international community, particularly from the U.S. with its strong track record of support for the Tibetan people.

During your recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Washington, you expressed hope for progress in the dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama. Your upcoming meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao is a critical opportunity to take diplomatic pressure for Tibet one step further by:

* Obtaining a personal guarantee from Hu Jintao to stop using disproportionate and lethal force against unarmed civilians in Tibet.

* Pressing Hu Jintao to accede to the United Nations' recent request for a "thorough and independent inquiry" into China's excessive use of force including against peaceful protesters.

* Engaging in efforts to bring the Chinese government together with the Dalai Lama in serious negotiations to bring about a lasting resolution for Tibet.

By raising the Tibet issue directly with Hu Jintao, you will send a clear message to China's leadership that even in this time of global economic turmoil, the United States will not trade on its core values of liberty and justice and will continue to be a stalwart for human rights and democracy in the world.

Sincerely,

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/obama_hu?rk=912T5%2d1qtWQYE