By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, July 10: The United States House of Representatives held debate over the resolution 337 which calls for dialogue without preconditions between China and the Dalai Lama and its representatives leading to a negotiated settlement for the people of Tibet and denounces human rights violations in Tibet.
The bipartisan resolution was introduced and supported by Congressman McGovern with Representative Joseph Pitts (PA), his fellow co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA); Representative Eliot L. Engel (NY), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Representative Chris Smith; Dana Rohrabacher and Representative Matt Salmon (AZ), Chairman of the Asia Pacific Subcommittee.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, while expressing support to the resolution, said that the situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. “If freedom-loving people do not speak out against oppression in Tibet, then we have lost all moral authority to speak out on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world. Pelosi called on the Congress to continue to stand with the Tibetan people and stand with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to “ensure that Tibetan children are free to learn their language, practice their faith and honor their culture as they live in peace.”
Representative Chris Smith (R) said the bipartisan resolution reaffirms the longstanding positions of Congress, including those enacted into law in the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002. “I rise in strong support of House Resolution 337 calling for substantive dialogue, without preconditions, to help secure a negotiated agreement for the Tibetan people,” said. “This week when so many voices around the world are joined in wishing His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, a happy 80th birthday, it is a fitting time to recommit ourselves to Congress’s longstanding support for the fundamental rights of the people of Tibet, because the situation in Tibet has never been more bleak.”
Substantiating his support for the resolution, Representative Eliot Engel asked his colleagues to do the same. He said the resolution also calls on the US government to press the issues of human, political and religious rights at the highest levels of the Chinese government , and call for the immediate release of Tibetan political prisoners.
In his remarks, Jim Congressman McGovern, known for his bipartisan bill promoting access to Tibetan areas for U.S. officials, journalists, and average citizens, also expressed his support to the resolution. “We are all here because we care about the fundamental human rights of Tibetans, including the right to worship as they choose and to enjoy and protect their culture,” said McGovern.
McGovern called the members of the House to take action. “We need to have the guts to take some action,” McGovern told the House. “But things have only gotten worse. We must all come together now to change the status quo, to change the game the Chinese government has been playing for so many decades. The situation is urgent. It can wait no longer.”
