OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada is observing the 54th Tibetan Uprising Day this Sunday. On March 10th 1959, the people of Tibet rose against China's illegal rule. Thousands of Tibetans were massacred and His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee into exile.
“The desperation of Tibetans has led to over 107 self-immolation suicides in recent years. The situation in Tibet is an international crisis. Harper’s Conservatives recently created the Office of Religious Freedom: will it remain silent on the Tibetan question? If protecting religious minorities is really a ‘foreign policy priority’ for Canada, now is the time to send the Office’s ambassador to Tibet,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
Last week, Lobsang Sangay, exiled Tibetans’ political leader, called on Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom to investigate in Tibet.
“This is an opportune time for China’s new leader to act on his recent expression supporting democracy. There can be no democracy without respect for Human Rights. Recognizing the leadership presently in exile as the legitimate leaders of the Tibetan people and upholding the earlier negotiated autonomy within China would prove China’s new direction to the world,” said Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party of Canada.
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Note: Media advisory for Ms. May’s participation in a Tibetan Uprising Day event on March 9th.
Media Contact:
Stéphane Vigneault
Communications Coordinator, Green Party of Canada
cell: 613.614.4916