MENLO PARK, CA — Nonprofit International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) will deliver a Care2 petition to Facebook on Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at its Menlo Park, CA headquarters. The petition takes Facebook to task for deleting a post of a Buddhist monk’s self-immolation in Tibet, and asks Facebook not to censor this type of content in the future. The petition has more than 20,200 signatures.
VIEW THE CARE2 PETITION HERE: http://www.care2.com/go/z/TibetFB
In late December 2014, prominent Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser posted a video of a Buddhist monk’s self-immolation in Tibet to Facebook. It was deleted shortly after because it allegedly violated the social media giant’s community standards. When Woeser reposted the information from another user’s account, Facebook did not delete it. ICT hopes Facebook will make a commitment not to censor this type of content in the future.
“I welcome that Facebook responded to our petition that has received support from all over the world, and appreciate the fact that since then, videos of self immolations have not been removed,” says Matteo Mecacci, president of ICT. “At the same time, we want to take this opportunity to make sure that “graphic concerns” will not be used again to silence Tibetans or any other voices critical of China’s policies.”
Mecacci will be joined by representatives from Care2 to deliver a paper copy of the petition.
“The people of Tibet are struggling mightily – and peacefully – to free themselves of the Chinese government’s oppression,” the petition states. “Silencing the voices of Tibetan activists like Tsering Woeser diminishes Tibetans’ hope of ever living in peace.”
Care2 (www.Care2.com) is a community of 27 million standing together for good. People are making world-changing impact with Care2, starting petitions and supporting each other’s campaigns to help individuals, animals and the environment. A pioneer of online advocacy since 1998, Care2 is a B Corporation, or social enterprise, using the power of business as a force for good.