In a show of bipartisan solidarity, United States Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Young Kim (R-CA) introduced a significant resolution in the House of Representatives on the 65th Tibetan Uprising Day on March 10, reaffirming support for the Tibetan people amidst ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese government in Tibet.
The resolution H.Res.1072 acknowledges the enduring struggle of the Tibetan people and recognises the 65th anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s flight from Tibet due to China’s military aggression. It reaffirms support for Tibetan self-determination and condemns the systematic erasure of distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identity of the Tibetan people by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through colonial policies of mandatory state-run boarding schools, mass relocations of Tibetan nomads, and state interference in religious practices of the Tibetan people.
The resolution strongly condemns the construction of a hydropower dam in Derge, Eastern Tibet and mass arrests and detention of over 1,000 Tibetans who protested against the dam construction project which has triggered widespread outrage for its destructive impact on the local communities and historical sites. It expresses concern over the displacement of Tibetans and destruction of historical monasteries caused by the dam project, as well as the arbitrary detention of protesters. The resolution demands the immediate release of all the prisoners of conscience in China, including those Tibetans detained in Derge dam protest and calls on the Biden Administration to pressure China to halt the dam project in Derge, Tibet.
Representative McGovern stressed the significance of the resolution, stating, “It’s been 65 years since His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was forced to flee as the People’s Republic of China forcibly took control of Tibet. Every day since, the Tibetan people have been defending their human rights and fighting for their self-determination. The PRC must comply with its own laws and its international human rights obligations, and stop oppressing Tibetans.” He emphasised the need for the PRC to adhere to international human rights standards and cease its oppression of Tibetans.
Representative Kim emphasised the bipartisan nature of the resolution and affirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the Tibetan people in their quest for freedom and dignity. “The Tibetan people have endured decades of oppression by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Kim. “It is imperative that we stand with them and hold the CCP accountable for its egregious human rights violations.”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering states, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Representative Jim McGovern and Representative Kim Young for spearheading this resolution marking the 65th Tibetan Uprising Day in support of Tibetan people’s resistance against China’s oppression. We look forward to working together toward successfully enacting the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act.”
