DETENTION AND CONVICTION OF RONGYAL ADAK

Early day motion 216, tabled 13 November 2007 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 53 members.

That this House notes with concern the detention and subsequent conviction of Rongyal Adak, a respected Tibetan nomad, simply for calling publicly for the return of the Dalai Lama to his native country after 48 years in exile; condemns the brutal action of the Lithang police in response to the protests against his arrest, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets; further notes with alarm the intensifications of effort by the occupying power, China, to suppress the free expression by Tibetans of their religious beliefs; observes that the free access provided to journalists to Tibet by China as part of that country's Olympic bid is not being honoured; and calls on the British Government to raise with the Chinese authorities the case of Rongyal Adak, and to demand that access to Tibet by journalists be allowed unimpeded.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 21, Labour 19, Conservative 7, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.