Two days before the world celebrated International Huma Rights Day, a Tibetan youth named Drukkho has set himself on fire in Ngaba, Amdo on December 8, 2018. Drukkho’s death is the 155th self-immolation by a Tibetan in Tibet and China since 2009, in protest against the constant Chinese persecution and human rights violations.

Earlier this year, in May, Tibetan language activist Tashi Wangchuk was sentenced to five years in prison, for having campaigned to save his language from the encroaching dominance of Chinese. He was charged with “inciting separatism”;the request by Canada’s Embassy in Beijing to attend his trial was denied. 

But there is also good news: Together we can bring Tibet’s story to Ottawa!

The Canada Tibet Committee staff and volunteers work every day to keep Tibet front and center on the Government of Canada’s agenda. Here are a few of our activities and lobbying accomplishments during this year:

• March 2018: the CTC made a written submission to the UN for China’s third Universal Periodic Review, followed by a request to the Canadian government to raise the Tibet issue during China’s UPR in Geneva.
• On May 23, 2018, a day after Tashi Wangchuk’s sentencing, the Canadian government called on China to release him immediately and unconditionally. 
• June 2018: the CTC organized a visit to Ottawa by Tibet’s political leader, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay. He spoke before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and also addressed the Senate’s Special Standing Committees on Human Rights and Foreign Affairs.
• June 2018: the CTC and the Parliamentary Friends of Tibetorganized the annual “Canada Tibet Lobby Days” and a “Thank You Canada”event, on Parliament Hill, with Canada’s Minister of Heritage, Ms. Mélanie Joly,as the chief guest.
• September 2018: Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland reiterated Canada’s support for human rights in Tibet and dialogue between the Government of China and H.H. the Dalai Lama’s envoys. 
• November 2018: at China’s third UN Universal Periodic Review, Canada recommended that China end the religious persecution of Tibetan Buddhists.
• Throughout the year, the CTC organized a series of workshops on the potential Canada-China Free Trade Agreement and its impact on human rights in Tibet.

DONATE TODAY AND SUPPORT TIBET!

The CTC is funded entirely by private donations and special events - it does not accept any government funding for its operations. When you make a generous donation to the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC) you ensure that we will continue to defend and promote human rights for the Tibetan people.  The CTC publishes its annual financial reports on our website at www.tibet.ca .

1.      Send a cheque or money order by mail. Be sure to include your name and address so that we can thank you. Mail your cheque to the Canada Tibet Committee, 1425 Rene Levesque Blvd. West, 3rd floor, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T7.

2.      Donate online by visiting our website at http://www.tibet.ca/en/join_donate/

Thank you – we appreciate your support.