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		MEP Speaks Up for Tibet Thursday, 27th March 2008 In a speech in the European parliament on Wednesday, East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer attacked the Chinese treatment of Tibet, and called for serious reconsideration of participation in the Beijing games. During his speech, he displayed the Tibetan flag, which the Chinese government has banned in Tibet. China regards Tibet as a province. It has brutally suppressed Tibetan demands for independence, while deliberately undermining the culture and cohesion of the country. It is now facing international calls to change its policy, and to talk to Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India. Commenting on his speech, Helmer (who is Honorary Chairman of The Freedom Association) said "I have received a huge postbag from East Midlands constituents who are shocked at developments in Tibet, and demanding action. I was glad to be able to raise the issue in a plenary session of the European parliament". But he also pointed out an irony in the way the parliament treats demonstrations. Having been fined £600 by the parliament for a demonstration in December demanding a referendum on the Renamed EU Constitution, Helmer notes that it is OK demonstrate for freedom and democracy in Tibet, but not OK to demand a referendum in the UK.