Urge Mogherini: Stand With Larung Gar

Later this month, EU representatives will meet with their Chinese counterparts for their biannual human rights dialogue — as China continues its devastating plans to evict monks and nuns from Tibet's Larung Gar Buddhist Institute.

This is an opportunity for the EU to directly raise Larung Gar, and urge Beijing to halt the demolitions, removals and attacks on Tibetans’ freedom of religion.

Please write to High Representative Mogherini, urging her to directly raise Larung Gar with China.

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To World Leaders:

Please help stop the demolitions, and stand with Larung Gar

Your Excellency [Decision Maker],

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I am writing to urge the European Union delegation to Beijing to prioritise the ongoing forced removals and demolitions at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Tibet at the forthcoming EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights.  I am also writing to request that you make an urgent public statement on the demolitions and removals based on the European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2016 (2016/3026(RSP).

The European Parliament's December resolution made strong and clear calls on China to stop the demolitions at Larung Gar and the eviction of its residents, and to respect Tibetans' freedom of religion in accordance with China's commitments under international law. The forthcoming Dialogue on Human Rights provides an essential and timely opportunity for the European Union to follow up on these calls by directly requesting its Chinese counterparts to bring the forced removals, demolitions, and other violations of freedom of religion in Tibet to an immediate and unconditional halt.

The damage caused to Larung Gar has been a source of deep grief for Tibetans both inside Larung Gar and throughout Tibet, and further removals and demolitions are likely to take place in 2017. By raising Larung Gar at the EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights, and calling for the demolitions and removals to be halted, the European Union could make a decisive contribution towards preventing further harm to the site and its residents.

Specifically, I urge the EU Delegation in the forthcoming dialogue to ask the Chinese delegation to:
- Immediately halt all further demolitions and forced removals at Larung Gar, and permit those who were forcibly removed to return.
- Reverse its decision to put Larung Gar under majority control by members of the Chinese Communist Party, and instead permit residents and clerical authorities to run the site's affairs.
- Put an end to its wider violations of the right to freedom of religion in Tibet, including lifting the internal surveillance at monasteries, lifting restrictions on freedom of movement on monks and nuns, and allowing Tibetans to conduct religious celebrations without interference.
- Provide adequate compensation and the re-housing of Tibetans who have been evicted during the demolitions in Larung Gar and, for whatever reason, cannot return to the site. This re-housing should be at a place of their choice and should allow them to continue their religious activities.
- Address concerns regarding overcrowded religious institutes by allowing Tibetans to establish more institutes and build more facilities.
- Agree to specific dates for a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, ensuring that they are granted unrestricted access to Tibet.

I also urge you and the EU delegation to make public the full discussions during the human rights dialogue and any action steps arising as a means of better holding China accountable.

In addition to raising Larung Gar at the EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights, I also request that you, in your capacity as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, make a public statement condemning the demolitions and forced removals at Larung Gar. Such a statement would be a powerful way to follow up the EU's December resolution, and would send a clear message to China that the EU is firmly opposed to the damage being done to Larung Gar and the wider restrictions on freedom of religion in Tibet.

Yours Sincerely,
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