President of the People’s Republic of China
Hu Jintao Guojia Zhuxi
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China



Your Excellency:

I am deeply concerned about the condition of monks and others being detained for their peaceful protest activities in Lhasa and other parts of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. It is particularly distressing that information regarding their current whereabouts and any charges being brought against them appears to be intentionally withheld, including assurances regarding their physical safety and legal rights while in detention.

Chinese soldiers and riot police have reportedly been conducting house to house sweeps in Lhasa, dragging alleged protest participants from their homes and using excessive force in dealing with Tibetan demonstrators in Lhasa and elsewhere.

While I understand that the Chinese government has the right and duty to defend all individuals and property from violence, international law requires that all situations be handled in a manner that respects fundamental human rights. This includes responding within the principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force. Accordingly, I believe that the harsh government response to protests in Tibet has been excessive and fails to meet China’s own human rights promises as well as international standards and expectations.

I urge you to fully account for all those detained during the demonstrations, ensure fair treatment in detention and guarantee access to adequate legal and medical care. I ask that you release monks and all others that were detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, association, and assembly. For those who are prosecuted, please ensure that they are charged with internationally recognizable offenses and tried in proceedings which meet international fair trial standards. Finally, I urge you to allow journalists, the UN representatives, and other independent observers full and unimpeded access to Tibet and other Tibetan areas so that the international community may have an impartial perspective into the ongoing situation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,




Copy to:
Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Fax: 1 202 745 7473