Dharamsala, Dec.29 (DP.net).─ Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington, DC, for an official state visit with President Obama. The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) responded with vigor, holding high-profile demostrations with a coalition of human rights groups, including a rally near the White House and a "Stateless breakfast" in conjunction with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on the day of the official state Dinner.
By the end of September, ICT EU Policy Director Vincent Metten spoke at a side event held in conjunction with the 30th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that was titled "Torture and the Chinese Government", revealing China's systemic use of torture as a tool to supress human rights defenders and peaceful dissent. The ensuing debate also called attention to the opportunities that exist for states to challenge China's actions and encourage positive change.
On the following month, last October, the Chinese leader traveled to London for a state visit and banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, where ICT played an important role in countering Chinese propaganda. Matteo Mecacci, presently presiding ICT, took part in a roundtable discussion at the Univ. of Westminster, which called attention to the British government focus on courting Chinese busines interests at the expense of human rights, particularly in Tibet. ICT also collaborated on a "Stateless Lunch" in Parliament, hosted by Member of Parliament Fabian Hamilton. This event honored Tibetan, Uyghur and Chinese human rights defenders, and participants urged PM Cameron to speak out on behalf of those persecuted by the Chinese government.
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