International Tibet Network, 7-XII-12
7 December 2012
Dear Friends,
Yesterday the United States expressed strong concern over the crisis situation inside Tibet and called on China to allow Tibetans to "express their grievances freely", further urging leaders in Beijing to engage in talks with His Holiness the Dalai Lama "without preconditions". (Read the statement in full below.)
Tibet groups around the world welcome this strong, public reiteration of what we expect of China's leaders. However, despite a number of other single country statements over the past months, Beijing is still not listening to the fact that the Tibetan people are calling for change. 
Last week we asked you to send personal video messages to the leader of your country, urging them to take multi-lateral action for Tibet. A great number of you have sent us heartfelt appeals; thank you so much. The appeals are being loaded to an on-line playlist, which will be delivered to governments on 10 December.
Please view the videos, and consider adding your own voice to this growing list of appeals. It is simple to do; Use your computer or phone to make a short video, load it to YouTube and share the link with us at campaigns@tibetnetwork.org
Hundreds of 'Solidarity for Tibet: Human Rights Day 2012' actions are taking place around the world in the next few days. From New Zealand to Denmark, Tokyo to San Francisco we hope you can find an action to join near you to show your support for Tibet.
In solidarity,
Alison Reynolds
Exectutive Director, International Tibet Network
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Statement by Maria Otero, the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Maria Otero
Washington, D.C. 5 December 2012
The United States is deeply concerned and saddened by the continuing violence in Tibetan areas of China and the increasing frequency of self-immolations by Tibetans. Chinese authorities have responded to these tragic incidents with measures that tighten already strict controls on freedoms of religion, expression, assembly and association of Tibetans. Official rhetoric that denigrates the Tibetan language, the Dalai Lama, and those who have self-immolated has further exacerbated tensions. Senior U.S. officials have directly raised the issue of Tibetan self-immolations with their Chinese government counterparts. The U.S. Government has consistently urged the Chinese government to address policies in Tibetan areas that have created tensions.
These policies include increasingly severe government controls on Tibetan Buddhist religious practice and monastic institutions; education practices that undermine the preservation of Tibetan language; intensive surveillance, arbitrary detentions and disappearances of Tibetans, including youth and Tibetan intellectual and cultural leaders; escalating restrictions on news, media and communications; and the use of force against Tibetans seeking peacefully to exercise their universal human rights.
We call on the Chinese government to permit Tibetans to express their grievances freely, publicly, peacefully, and without fear of retribution. We hope that the tragic acts of self-immolation end. We call on China’s leaders to allow journalists, diplomats and other observers unrestricted access to China’s Tibetan areas. We call on the Chinese government to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions.