Organizaciones / Campaigns

Issued on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2023.

Individuals and Institutions may endorse
this declaration by filling out the form
at the foot of the text you may find
by clicking HERE

Global reports on the state of democracy and human rights indicate that democracy is threatened and authoritarianism is on the rise. Civic space and freedoms are fiercely and increasingly restricted in many countries. In addition, democratic backsliding or a decline in the quality of democracy is occurring in newer as well as long-established democracies across all regions.

In this situation, the United Nations needs to do more to strengthen human rights and democracy. The undersigned organizations and individuals thus call for the creation of a new mandate by the UN’s Human Rights Council: a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy (UNRoD).

Protecting human rights is a fundamental pillar of the UN and democracy is one of its core values. The opening words of the UN Charter, “We the Peoples,” imply support for democracy. They underscore the central democratic principle that public authority must derive from the will of the people.

A democratic society offers the best conditions for guaranteeing human rights for all, in particular minorities and excluded groups. At the same time, full implementation of human rights is a foundation of a democratic society. The UN needs to recognize the nexus between democracy and human rights and help further strengthen democratic governance. A UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy will serve this purpose.

From the Desk of the President of the International Campaign for Tibet
10/21/2023

Recent reports out of Tibet have detailed the activities of Gyaltsen Norbu, the man China’s government appointed as a false “Panchen Lama.” If you’re not familiar with the structure of Tibetan Buddhism, it’s complex, but suffice to say the Panchen Lama is one of the most significant figures in our religion. Traditionally, he has played a role in the process of identifying the next Dalai Lama, and vice versa.

The very fact that China abducted the Panchen Lama selected by the Dalai Lama, and replaced him with their own selected “Panchen Lama” is a gross insult of Tibetan Buddhism. But now the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has taken this another step further, using their selected official to broadcast the CCP’s message calling for “Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.” He’s been turned into a puppet trying to encourage Tibetan Buddhists to endorse Xi Jinping and reject His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

With China’s recent issuing of Order 19, the government is taking the next step in its effort to Sinify Tibetan Buddhism—and their attempts to use the false Panchen Lama to spread adherence to Xi Jinping are all part of their plan. 

This bill introduced by Mia Bonta (D) and presently assigned to the California Senate Education Committee would provide the option for the governing board of a school district to censure or remove a duly elected member from office by a ⅔ vote if the member prevents the board from “conducting its business” or contradicts “inclusive policies, practices, and curriculums.” The bill is clearly targeted at removing school board trustees who oppose politicization and children indoctrination in their schools.

I you are a California resident, you may express your opposition to the bill → HERE

Under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Beijing government is wiping out all elements of Tibetan culture. From deeply held religious beliefs to Tibetan native language, history, and artistic traditions dating back thousands of years.

In particular, in January 2018, Human Rights Watch reported that Chinese government officials were coordinating a “takeover” of the important Tibetan Buddhist monastery at Larung Gar. In a move to assert greater control and bolster its surveillance of religious activities, the government has been demolishing a number of monastery buildings, and placing atheist Communist party officials in important administrative positions. The move appears to more closely align with a long history of religious restrictions targeting the practice and institutions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Nevertheless, the fact is that Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama and the President-in-exile Tencho Gyatso, have expressed their willingness to negotiate a union deal with China if their traditions, religion, and way of life are respected. This has been stated despite the unfortunate example of what is happening in Hong Kong, where the promises of the Chinese government before the annexation have turned out to be totally empty.