asia – Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)

[An Urgent Appeal] Defend Free Speech and Democracy – Join Us at the Royal Mint Court – 1000s to join the huge London Protest on February 8th to STOP CCP’s “Super-Embassy”

An Urgent Appeal by Chairs of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (Tsering Passang) and Tibetan Community in Britain (Phuntsok Norbu) – Join Us on the 8th of February to Defend Free Speech and Democracy at Royal Court Mint site in Tower Hamlets to protest against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) proposed “Super-Embassy” in the UK, which is set to be the largest foreign mission in Europe if it goes ahead.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are writing to you as the Chairs of the Tibetan Community in Britain and the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) to invite you to an urgent and vital public protest on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, in East London. This protest, jointly organised with over 27 community and human rights groups, is a call to action for everyone who values free speech, human rights, and democracy.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) plans to establish a massive “super-embassy” at Royal Mint Court, Tower Hamlets, London EC3N 4QN – against the will of the local council, residents, and even the Metropolitan Police. This project is not just an invasion of physical space but a direct threat to the sanctity of our democratic values. By overriding the decisions of local elected councillors, the Labour government is appeasing Beijing’s autocratic regime while trampling on British principles of governance and democracy.

Why This Protest Matters

This embassy is far more than a diplomatic mission. It represents an alarming expansion of China’s authoritarian influence. If allowed to proceed, it will serve as a hub for surveillance, intimidation, and coercion against critics of the PRC – including Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, and others in the UK.

The government’s decision to approve this embassy despite serious safety concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police is deeply troubling. Initially, the police objected to the project, citing inadequate space for large-scale protests. A sudden reversal in their stance, based on questionable reasoning, has paved the way for this dangerous development. We must respond decisively, proving through our overwhelming presence that this site is unsuitable and that our right to free speech is non-negotiable.

A Growing Threat to Democracy

The establishment of this “super-embassy” sends a chilling message: that Britain is willing to compromise its democratic ideals to placate a foreign dictatorship. This protest is an opportunity to stand together against the PRC’s growing authoritarianism and assert that Britain’s democratic spaces will not be sacrificed.

Stand with Us on February 8th

By attending this protest, you will:

Defend Free Speech: Safeguard the UK’s right to peaceful protest against oppressive regimes.
Amplify the Voices of the Oppressed: Show solidarity with Hongkongers, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Taiwanese, and pro-democracy advocates persecuted by the PRC.
Demand Accountability: Urge our government to uphold human rights and British democratic values.

What to Expect

Powerful Speeches: Hear from prominent politicians, activists, and community leaders.
United Communities: Join over 27 groups, including Free Tibet, Stop Uyghur Genocide, and Hongkongers in Britain, standing in solidarity.
A Historic Moment: Together, we will send an unignorable message to our government and the world.

Practical Details

Date: Saturday, 8th February 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Royal Mint Court, Tower Hamlets, London EC3N 4QN

Bring your family, friends, and everyone who believes in democracy and human rights. Our strength lies in our numbers. Let us take to the streets and show the government that Britain will not stand for the encroachment of authoritarianism.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

This is a critical moment to defend the UK’s democratic spaces and stand against the PRC’s oppressive regime. By uniting, we will show that the voices of free people cannot be silenced. The government’s decision to approve this embassy despite widespread opposition must not go unanswered.

Let’s make history together. See you on February 8th. Stand strong for free speech, human rights, and democracy.

Yours in Solidarity,

Phuntsok Norbu
Chairman, Tibetan Community in Britain

www.tibetancommunityuk.net

Tsering Passang
Founder and Chair, Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)
www.facebook.com/GATPM2020 / www.Tsamtruk.com

List of communities and human rights groups involved in the “Space for Free Speech” protest:

Trade Unionists Rally for Justice for the Hong Kong 47 – Join London Protest on Saturday, 30 November

Protest: Trade Unionists Say ‘Free the Hong Kong 45!’

3pm Saturday 30 November 2024

Embassy of China, 49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL

On 19 November, 45 defendants in the trial of the Hong Kong 47 democratic activists were sentenced to years in prison. Among them: 6 years 9 months for socialist former opposition lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, and nurse and former trade union leader Winnie Yu; and 4 years 5 months for aviation worker and trade union leader Carol Ng. They were convicted under Beijing’s tyrannical “National Security Law” simply for organising to demand democracy.

Democracy and freedom to organise are as vital as oxygen for our movement. On 30 November, join our trade unionists’ demonstration to support our sentenced comrades and all those fighting for democratic and workers’ movements in Hong Kong:

Free Carol Ng, Winnie Yu, Leung Kwok-hung and all the HK47 – quash their convictions!
Free Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and all Hongkongers repressed for pro-worker and pro-democracy activity!
Free political prisoners in mainland China including feminist Sophia Huang Xueqin, workers’ rights activist Wang Jianbing, civil rights activist Xu Zhiyong, and Uyghur intellectuals Rahile Dawut, Ilham Tohti and Perhat Tursun!
Freedom to organise independent trade unions and political opposition in Hong Kong & China!

Supported by:

香港勞權監察 Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor
Workers Against the CCP
John McDonnell MP
Nadia Whittome MP
John Moloney, PCS Assistant General Secretary
Emma Runswick, BMA Deputy Chair (pc)
Ben Selby, FBU Assistant General Secretary
Rhian Keyse, UCU National Executive
Vicky Blake, UCU National Executive
Elaine Jones, UNISON National Executive
Ed Whitby, UNISON National Executive
Matthew Hull, Green Party NEC Trade Union Liaison Office
Borderless Movement 無國界社運
Democracy for Hong Kong – D4HK
HKers United
Workers’ Liberty
China Deviants

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抗议活动：工会人士呼吁「释放香港45人！」

2024年11月30日（星期六）下午3点

中国大使馆 (49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL)

在11月19日，香港47名民主派人士的审讯中，有45名被告被判多年监禁。其中包括：前反对派立法会议员、社会主义者梁国雄及护士兼前工会领袖余慧明，被判6年9个月；航空业从业员兼工会领袖吴敏儿被判4年5个月。他们仅因为组织要求民主，便被北京的暴政“国家安全法”定罪。
民主和自由组织对我们的运动至关重要，犹如氧气。11月30日，请加入我们的工会人士示威，支持我们的受刑同志以及所有在香港为民主和工人运动奋斗的人：
释放吴敏儿、余慧明、梁国雄及所有香港47人——撤销他们的定罪！释放李卓人、邹幸彤及所有因支持工人和民主活动而遭压制的香港人！释放中国大陆的政治犯，包括女权主义者黄雪琴、工人权益活动家王建兵、民间权利活动家许志永及维吾尔族知识分子Rahile Dawut、Ilham Tohti 和 Perhat Tursun！争取在香港和中国组织独立工会和政治反对派的自由！

Useful Link:

Workers Against the CCP – workersagainsttheccp.org

Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor – https://hklabourrights.org

Defending Freedom: Condemning Beijing’s Repression in Hong Kong and Calling for Global Action – A Statement by Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities

London|20th November 2024|GATPM

Defending Freedom: Condemning Beijing’s Repression in Hong Kong and Calling for Global Action – A Statement by Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities

The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) unequivocally condemns the sentencing of pro-democracy leaders, activists, legislators, social workers, journalists, and academics in Hong Kong under the draconian National Security Law imposed by Beijing’s authoritarian regime. These individuals have been punished not for any crime, but for standing up for their fundamental rights and freedoms – values enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and international law.

Since the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020, the Chinese Communist Party has weaponised it to dismantle Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, silence dissent, and intimidate civil society. This law is not a tool for security but a weapon of repression, targeting anyone who dares to challenge Beijing’s tightening grip over the once-autonomous territory.

*Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/inmediahk/51213347722/*

The sentencing of these courageous individuals is emblematic of a broader pattern of human rights abuses orchestrated by the Chinese government, both within and beyond its borders. From the genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (East Turkistan) to the repression of Tibetans in occupied-Tibet, Mongolians, and Falun Gong practitioners, and the bullying of Taiwan, China has consistently demonstrated a blatant disregard for human dignity, rule of law, and international norms.

Hong Kong is a stark warning to the world. The erosion of freedoms under the pretext of “national security” could become a template exported to other nations, undermining global human rights and democratic values. This cannot be tolerated.

We call on the UK Government to honour its historical and legal obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration by:

Imposing targeted sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses.
Expanding safe haven policies to ensure that Hongkongers fleeing persecution have access to asylum and refuge in the UK and other democracies.
Demanding international accountability through the United Nations and other platforms for the deterioration of freedoms in Hong Kong.
Strengthening alliances with like-minded nations to counter Beijing’s authoritarian expansionism.

We urge the international community to adopt a united and robust approach to hold Beijing accountable for its violations and to protect the rights of Hong Kong’s people. The values of freedom, democracy, and justice demand nothing less.

The struggle of Hongkongers is not just their own – it is a fight for the universal principles of liberty and human dignity. The world must stand with them.

Tsering Passang,

Founder & Chair, Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM)
20 November 2024