A World Voice on Tibet (petition)

Thanks again to everyone who signed the e-petition to persuade Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama. When I emailed friends to draw their attention to the petition one also sent me back a link to a large international petition calling for an end to the violence in Tibet. There are a large number of petitions out there and the danger is that our voices are dissipated and diluted. Targeted appeals to our own national politicians are obviously relevant but a Global voice needs a Global petition; the link I was given is to Avaaz.org and the petition there has, at the time of writing, received 507,661 signatures in the last 48 hours and their aim is for 1,000,000!

The petition reads: "Petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao:

As citizens around the world, we call on you to show restraint and respect for human rights in your response to the protests in Tibet, and to address the concerns of all Tibetans by opening meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Only dialogue and reform will bring lasting stability. China's brightest future, and its most positive relationship with the world, lies in harmonious development, dialogue and respect."

It is Not the purpose of this blog to campaign on political issues, however as a Buddhist site we will continue to promote peace and the welfare of all beings by any appropriate non-violent means.

The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, called on the world community today, Friday, to denounce China in the wake of its crackdown in Tibet, calling the crisis "a challenge to the conscience of the world."