24 November 2006
Nangpa La shootings raised at Westminster
(Office of Tibet) An Early Day Motion under the title: "Unlawful shooting of Tibetans" was tabled in the House of Commons (Lower Chamber of the British parliament). The EDM or Early Day Motions number 227 that condemned "the brutal and unlawful shooting by the Chinese People's Armed Police of a group of unarmed innocent civilian Tibetans fleeing Chinese occupied Tibet when crossing the border at the Nangpa La on 30 September 2006" was introduced by member of parliament, Mr. Harry Cohen, and supported by 18 MPs. Mr. Cohen, who belongs to the ruling Labour Party is also the chairman of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. The EDM is a formal motion given by an MP to put on record their opinion on a particular issue and draw the attention and support of other MPs. Although there is little prospect of EDMs being debated, many attract a great deal of public interest and frequently receive media coverage.