Tibetans spin prayer wheels at Labrang Monastery in Tibet's Amdo province, China. File photo/Stutterstock/Marcin Szymczak
PTI
WASHINGTON, DC, 19 November 2020
A bipartisan resolution recognising the cultural and religious significance of an autonomous Tibet and seeking peaceful solutions to the conflict was passed by the US House of Representatives.
The resolution recognised the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people, and the work done by 14th Dalai Lama to promote global peace, harmony and understanding.
Passed by a voice vote, the resolution determined that it would be beneficial to convene a bipartisan, bicameral forum, either through a Joint Meeting of Congress, a teleconference broadcast at the Capitol Visitor Center, or roundtable, between Members of Congress and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
It also noted that there is overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support for the Tibetan people’s aspirations for internationally recognised human rights and freedoms and the protection of their distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity.
The resolution said there are over 6,000,000 Tibetans in the world, spanning over 40 countries.
Honoured to see the House unanimously passed my resolution recognising the genuine autonomy of Tibet and celebrating the work the Dalai Lama has accomplished. The US must continue to work with allies to secure freedom from oppression for the Tibetan people, Congressman Ted Yoho said.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Congressman Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accused China of violation of international religious freedom in Tibet.
The State Department, he said, has found that the Chinese government has systematically impeded travel to Tibetan autonomous region areas for US diplomats, officials, journalists and tourists.
Congressman Ted Yoho said the resolution recognises the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the vital work of the Dalai Lama to promote peace around the world.
Over 60 years ago, his holiness, 14th Dalai Lama was forced into exile by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) full scale military takeover of Tibet. To this very day, the Chinese Communist Party uses propaganda, violence, and oppression to assert totalitarian control over Tibet and the Tibetan people. The CCP sees Tibet culture and their religious heritage as a threat to its control, Yoho said.
Hong Kong was promised autonomy in the Sino-British Agreement signed by Margret Thatcher and Deng in 1984. It was an international treaty but that was not enough for communist China to live up to the spirit of the treaty.
Since, the hand over in June 1997, the freedoms of Hong Kong were eroded until mass demonstrations started taking place to protect the freedoms pledged in the treaty. The fight for democracy continued unabated for six long months with running battles in the streets of Hong Kong in 2019.
Instead of relenting to the demands of the HK people, the CCP parachuted laws of mainland China arbitrarily to snuff out any descent in the name of national security. Disqualified elected representatives of the people and imposed its dictatorship.
The judicial system is only a state tool to oppress the people now. Even if China makes any promises of autonomy for Tibet, who will guarantee that the Chinese will abide by them? Chinese promises are made only to be broken as we have seen with the “17 point Agreement” and Sino-British Joint Declaration.
We have to push for independence knowing that Tibet is under Chinese military occupation. How can Tibet expect to be treated differently when their own people (ethnic Chinese) are not given autonomy?
No matter whatever it takes, independence is the only option to enjoy the freedom that all Tibetans wish for. The European Union is a conglomeration of independent nations who joined the union voluntarily for economic benefit. They all enjoy the freedom to stay or leave as they wish.
Tibet is not treated as an equal partner by China but only as a backward colonial outpost. There is no comparison between European Union nations and Union with communist China. The power imbalance tips in favour of China.