Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration commends the US Senate’s unanimous passage of the S. 138, titled “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act”. The US Senate passed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation on 23 May 2024, sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, along with Senator Todd Young (R-IN).
Known as the Resolve Tibet Bill, this act reaffirms the U.S. policy of advocating for direct dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or with democratically elected Tibetan leaders, without preconditions, to address the Tibet-China conflict. It acknowledges that the Tibet-China conflict remains unresolved and that Tibet’s legal status is yet to be determined in accordance with international law. Additionally, the legislation aims to combat Chinese government’s disinformation about Tibet, including fabricated narratives concerning Tibet’s history, culture, people, and institutions, including that of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Senator Merkley said, “All peoples around the world have inalienable rights to freedom and self-determination, including the Tibetans. Our bipartisan, bicameral Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act is a direct response to the tactics of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which continues to trample on the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people. The bill supports a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute between the PRC and Tibet and counters disinformation from the PRC about Tibet and its history. It now heads back to the House, and we will work to get it to President Biden’s desk to help put the people of Tibet in charge of their own future.”
Senator Young said, “The Chinese Communist Party’s aggression towards Tibet is self-serving, with negotiations and even the very definition of Tibet on the CCP’s terms. We must refresh U.S. policy towards Tibet, and push for negotiations that advance freedoms for the Tibetan people and peaceful resolution to the CCP’s conflict with the Dalai Lama. The Senate’s vote to pass this legislation demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable.”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering on the Senate’s passage of the bill said, “On the very auspicious day of the Saka Dawa, the US Senate unanimously passed the Resolve Tibet Bill. This is an essential step, advancing us significantly toward the bill’s enactment and moving us toward right direction. The bill’s progress thus far is a result of collective efforts that cannot be accomplished by one person or group alone. Despite our limited human and financial resources, we have demonstrated that by working together, we can achieve our goal. We are particularly grateful to the sponsors of the bill, Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Todd Young and all the cosponsors for championing this bill and the senate for the decisive support to the bill.”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressing the media during a press conference held on the US Senate’s passage of Resolve Tibet Bill following the conclusion of Tibetan Cooperative’s Conference. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTA
