Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization - History

History

UNPO was conceived of in the 1980s by supporter of "Tibetan independence": Tsering Jampa, Uyghur Erkin Alptekin and Michael van Walt van Praag, long a lawyer for the 14th Dalai Lama. UNPO chose for its founding headquarters in 1991 The Hague in the Netherlands because the city aimed at becoming the International City of Peace and Justice and hosts international courts like the ICJ and ICC. UNPO has an advocacy office in Brussels, representation in Geneva and a network of associates and consultants based around the world. UNPO is funded by member contributions and donations from individuals and foundations. A key UNPO goal was to replicate the success of the 14th Dalai Lama's propagating of the Tibetan independence message, and they often mentioned his name in the early years of the organization, as well as including in publications pictures of him visiting UNPO and supporting statements he made of the organization.

To this end, UNPO trains its members in international law, international organizations, diplomacy, and public relations. UNPO has build its credibility by being the first organization to release on-ground information from remote areas, typically press releases from groups like MOSOP. Like Amnesty International, its techniques include issuing action alerts and being an objective source of information. UNPO is funded by member contributions and donations from individuals and foundations.