From London to Lhasa: Students for a Free Tibet UK

SFT's is excited to launch our first-ever official calendar. The 2009 calendar features full-color photographs from SFT's historic Olympics campaign.

Get your copy of SFT's quintessential 2008 Beijing Olympics memorabilia
at SFT's online store today.

Colchester: On the 60th anniversary of Human rights day, students of the Students for a Free Tibet chapter in University of Essex in Colchester commemorated the day with actions for Tibet. 

Fifteen minutes of 'Freeze for Tibet' was observed in the morning at the Lecture Theatre Building followed by the same an hour later. Tibet's presence was felt in the campus with banners and Flags hung throughout the building.

Later in the afternoon, signatures were collected for a pettion for tibet from various students passing by. Leaflets and flyers were distributed to keep people aware and informed on the tibetan cause.

The whole event was concluded with the screening of the much acclaimed documentary "Leaving Fear Behind" highlighting the plight of Tibet. This was followed by a brief talk and question and answer sessions by two of the SFT board members: Alex and Jigdal.

LONDON - Upon the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the Chinese government's appalling human rights record was the focus of a joint protest between Tibet support groups and Falun Gong practitioners at the Chinese embassy in London.

Banners reading 'End human rights abuses in Tibet' and 'Stop the genocide in China' were accompanied by a vocal call for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima the XI Panchen Lama who has been detained since the age of six years old, and an end to the use of torture against Tibetans and Falun Gong practitioners detained by the Chinese authorities. Supporters and members of the public were urged by organisers to take action on behalf of political prisoners such as Dhondup Wangchen, director of the film 'Leaving Fear Behind' who was detained on 26 March this year and remains in detention.

Rights groups have condemned the Chinese government's human rights record in Tibet and China. "Despite voting in favour of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sixty years ago the Chinese government are continuing to fail to adhere to that historic document at the cost of Tibetan lives," said Terry Bettger, Campaigns Coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet UK, "The UN Committee Against Torture has stated that the use of torture by the Chinese authorities against Tibetan political prisoners is 'routine and widespread'. It is vital that world leaders and decision makers apply firm pressure upon the Chinese government to respect the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and to cease the sickening use of torture."

 As a grassroots organization, our strength comes from
 an international network of chapters that take action for 
 Tibet!

  No chapter at your school? CLICK HERE to Start a 
  Chapter today!

 Already a chapter leader? CLICK HERE to update your
contact information for 2008-2009!

CLICK HERE to email Sam, Interim Grassroots Coordinator, if you have questions about starting a chapter or organizing at your school or in your community!