From: The Honorable James P. McGovern
Sent By:
Kimberly.Stanton@mail.house.gov
Date: 8/12/2016
Current Signers:
James P. McGovern, Betty McCollum, Alan S. Lowenthal, Ted Lieu, Timothy J. Walz, Joyce Beatty, Michael E. Capuano, Eliot L. Engel, Jim McDermott, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Zoe Lofgren, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Richard E. Neal, Joe Courtney, David N. Cicilline, Peter Welch, Mike Thompson, Loretta Sanchez, Barbara Lee, Lloyd Doggett, Steve Cohen, Daniel T. Kildee, Marcy Kaptur, John Garamendi, Doris O. Matsui, Jared Polis, William R. Keating, José E. Serrano, Nydia M. Velázquez, Rosa L. DeLauro, Louise McIntosh Slaughter, Chris Van Hollen, Tim Ryan, Luis V. Gutiérrez, Gerald E. Connolly, Matt Cartwright, Gene Green, Janice D. Schakowsky, Pedro R. Pierluisi, Mark Takano, Mark Pocan, Michael M. Honda, Steve Israel, André Carson, Peter A. Defazio, Sam Farr, Donna F. Edwards, Niki Tsongas, John Yarmuth, John Lewis, Anna G. Eshoo, Mark DeSaulnier, Jerry McNerney, Charles B. Rangel, Joseph P. Kennedy III, Danny K. Davis, Donald S. Beyer, Bobby L. Rush, Carolyn B. Maloney, Keith Ellison, John B. Larson, Stephen F. Lynch, Sander M. Levin, Raúl M. Grijalva, Albio Sires, Ann M. Kuster, James R. Langevin, Maxine Waters
Supporting Organizations: International Campaign for Tibet, Human Rights Watch, Office of Tibet, Freedom
House, Students for a Free Tibet, Human Rights in China, Initiatives for China, Bay Area Friends of Tibet, Committee of 100 for Tibet, Amherst Regional Tibetan Association, Capital Aria Tibetan Association, Indiana Tibetan Association, Northwest Tibetan Cultural
Association of Portland, Tibetan American Association of Connecticut, Tibetan Association of Austin Texas, Tibetan Association of Boston, Tibetan Association of Charlottesville, Virginia, Tibetan Association of Colorado, Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota,
Tibetan Association of Idaho, Tibetan Association of Ithaca, Tibetan Association of Michigan, Tibetan Association of Montana, Tibetan Association of Northern California, Tibetan Association of North Carolina, Tibetan Association of Philadelphia, Tibetan Association
of Southern California, Tibetan Association of Santa Fe, Inc., Tibetan Association of Utah, Tibetan Association of Vermont, Tibetan Association of Washington Seattle, Tibetan Center New Mexico Inc. Albuquerque, Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey,
Tibetan Association of Wisconsin, Madison
August 12, 2016
Dear Colleague,
I invite you to join me in sending a letter to President Obama, urging him to redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during his remaining months in office.
Last month, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Washington. Before meeting with the President, he came to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress. He spoke
of our genuine friendship, and thanked the U.S. government for its staunch support of Tibet over many decades. We welcomed his visit, but were also reminded of how little progress has been made in addressing the legitimate grievances of the six million ethnic
Tibetans who live in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
of our genuine friendship, and thanked the U.S. government for its staunch support of Tibet over many decades. We welcomed his visit, but were also reminded of how little progress has been made in addressing the legitimate grievances of the six million ethnic
Tibetans who live in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
For decades, Tibetans in China have struggled to protect their distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity, which the PRC has long sought not only to
suppress, but extinguish. Chinese authorities conflate Tibetan Buddhism with subversion, limit Tibetans’ right to travel, and detain and prosecute religious figures, community leaders, environmental activists, villagers involved in social and cultural activities,
and writers and singers who peacefully seek to exercise their rights. In its
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015, the State Department found that “the government [of China] engaged in the severe repression of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic heritage …” and reported “a perception among many Tibetans
that authorities systemically targeted them for political repression, economic marginalization, and cultural assimilation …” As of June, the Congressional-Executive China Commission had identified 645 Tibetan political prisoners believed to be detained or
imprisoned. Since 2009, at least 145 Tibetans in China have self-immolated, to which the Chinese response has been to criminalize the friends and loved ones of the victims. Tibetan leaders such as Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a well-known and highly respected monk,
have died of maltreatment in Chinese custody.
suppress, but extinguish. Chinese authorities conflate Tibetan Buddhism with subversion, limit Tibetans’ right to travel, and detain and prosecute religious figures, community leaders, environmental activists, villagers involved in social and cultural activities,
and writers and singers who peacefully seek to exercise their rights. In its
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015, the State Department found that “the government [of China] engaged in the severe repression of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic heritage …” and reported “a perception among many Tibetans
that authorities systemically targeted them for political repression, economic marginalization, and cultural assimilation …” As of June, the Congressional-Executive China Commission had identified 645 Tibetan political prisoners believed to be detained or
imprisoned. Since 2009, at least 145 Tibetans in China have self-immolated, to which the Chinese response has been to criminalize the friends and loved ones of the victims. Tibetan leaders such as Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a well-known and highly respected monk,
have died of maltreatment in Chinese custody.
None of this is necessary. A proposal has long existed for addressing Tibetan grievances through substantive dialogue between the PRC and the Dalai Lama or
his representatives. That same proposal lies at the heart of the Tibetan Policy Act (PL 107-228), which guides U.S. policy toward Tibet. But dialogue has been stalled since 2010, and while the Dalai Lama just celebrated his 81st birthday, it is clear that
time is running out.
his representatives. That same proposal lies at the heart of the Tibetan Policy Act (PL 107-228), which guides U.S. policy toward Tibet. But dialogue has been stalled since 2010, and while the Dalai Lama just celebrated his 81st birthday, it is clear that
time is running out.
The letter calls on the Administration to redouble its efforts to restart meaningful direct dialogue, while recommending complementary actions that would
contribute to preserving the identity and protecting the rights of the Tibetan people. Please join me in asking President Obama to exercise his leadership on behalf of the Tibetan people.
contribute to preserving the identity and protecting the rights of the Tibetan people. Please join me in asking President Obama to exercise his leadership on behalf of the Tibetan people.
For more information or to sign onto the letter, please contact Kimberly Stanton at
kimberly.stanton@mail.house.gov by
COB today!
kimberly.stanton@mail.house.gov by
COB today!
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
______________________________________________________________________________
August xx, 2016
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
In June, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Washington. Prior to his meeting with you, he came to Capitol Hill, where he spoke of his genuine friendship with
Members of Congress, thanked the United States for its staunch support for Tibet over many decades, and described America as the leading nation in the free world. It was an honor and a pleasure to be in his company, but his visit was also a reminder of how
little progress has been made in addressing the grievances of the Tibetan people. It is for this reason that we write to ask that
you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office.
Members of Congress, thanked the United States for its staunch support for Tibet over many decades, and described America as the leading nation in the free world. It was an honor and a pleasure to be in his company, but his visit was also a reminder of how
little progress has been made in addressing the grievances of the Tibetan people. It is for this reason that we write to ask that
you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office.
Since the 1980s, the Congress has often spoken out for the Tibetan people. The purpose of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (TPA), the principal legislation guiding
U.S. policy toward Tibet, is “to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity” through substantive dialogue between the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. The
position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues established by the TPA is called upon to “vigorously promote the policy of seeking to protect the distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet,” and to press for “improved respect
for human rights.” Last summer, the Congress passed House Resolution 337, which recognized the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and reaffirmed the TPA policy framework, calling on the U.S. government to redouble its efforts to encourage substantive dialogue, stalled
since 2010, and to oppose PRC interference in the reincarnation process.
U.S. policy toward Tibet, is “to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity” through substantive dialogue between the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. The
position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues established by the TPA is called upon to “vigorously promote the policy of seeking to protect the distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet,” and to press for “improved respect
for human rights.” Last summer, the Congress passed House Resolution 337, which recognized the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and reaffirmed the TPA policy framework, calling on the U.S. government to redouble its efforts to encourage substantive dialogue, stalled
since 2010, and to oppose PRC interference in the reincarnation process.
The State Department’s next annual report to the Congress on the implementation of the TPA is due shortly. But unfortunately, we can already anticipate the content:
meetings and conversations will have been held, including your June meeting with the Dalai Lama, high-level public and private statements will have been made, and note may be taken of State Department reports that document the human rights situation in Tibetan
areas of China. But in the end, the dialogue will not have resumed and no concrete achievements will be identified.
meetings and conversations will have been held, including your June meeting with the Dalai Lama, high-level public and private statements will have been made, and note may be taken of State Department reports that document the human rights situation in Tibetan
areas of China. But in the end, the dialogue will not have resumed and no concrete achievements will be identified.
We understand that it is the government of the PRC, not that of the United States, that is the principle obstacle to progress on redressing the grievances of the
Tibetan people. But as the Dalai Lama celebrates his 81st birthday, our concern about the future is growing.
Tibetan people. But as the Dalai Lama celebrates his 81st birthday, our concern about the future is growing.
During his meetings on the Hill, His Holiness recalled the Tibetan commitment to non-violence and reiterated that his people are seeking autonomy within, not
independence from, China. He emphasized that the philosophy underpinning Tibetan Buddhism has much to offer China and the world, and spoke at length about the global environmental importance of the Tibetan plateau. He contrasted the democratic practices of
the Tibetan people with the wartime mentality and the immense corruption that have infected China’s approach to governance. We believe his words suggest new opportunities that could be pursued within the framework of the TPA.
independence from, China. He emphasized that the philosophy underpinning Tibetan Buddhism has much to offer China and the world, and spoke at length about the global environmental importance of the Tibetan plateau. He contrasted the democratic practices of
the Tibetan people with the wartime mentality and the immense corruption that have infected China’s approach to governance. We believe his words suggest new opportunities that could be pursued within the framework of the TPA.
First, the U.S. government should invite the Dalai Lama to every event, on every occasion, where his knowledge and decades of reflections would be helpful for
addressing the world’s problems. The Dalai Lama is a world spiritual and philosophical leader who is well-positioned to contribute to global debates on religious tolerance and countering violent extremism, on the conceptual foundations and uses of non-violence,
and on building peace in war-torn countries, among other topics. Tibetan Buddhists should be included in U.S.-supported initiatives to foster cross-cultural understanding and tolerance.
addressing the world’s problems. The Dalai Lama is a world spiritual and philosophical leader who is well-positioned to contribute to global debates on religious tolerance and countering violent extremism, on the conceptual foundations and uses of non-violence,
and on building peace in war-torn countries, among other topics. Tibetan Buddhists should be included in U.S.-supported initiatives to foster cross-cultural understanding and tolerance.
Second, the U.S. government should facilitate the involvement of the Dalai Lama or his representatives in the global debate on climate change and its potential
consequences. Climate change, one of the few topics on which the U.S. and China have found common ground, is of great concern for Tibet, given its fragile environment, rapid warming, and critically important reserves of freshwater. For its part, the Chinese
leadership has acknowledged at the highest levels the scale of the environmental crisis it faces. Conserving the Tibetan plateau is surely a shared interest, one that can only be achieved with the full participation of the Tibetan people within and outside
China.
consequences. Climate change, one of the few topics on which the U.S. and China have found common ground, is of great concern for Tibet, given its fragile environment, rapid warming, and critically important reserves of freshwater. For its part, the Chinese
leadership has acknowledged at the highest levels the scale of the environmental crisis it faces. Conserving the Tibetan plateau is surely a shared interest, one that can only be achieved with the full participation of the Tibetan people within and outside
China.
Third, the transnational democratic experience of the Central Tibet Administration (CTA) should be highlighted in U.S. government initiatives that promote democratic
governance. The CTA’s recent elections, in which Dr. Lobsang Sangay was reelected as Sikyong and the 45-member Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies was selected, were carried out over several months in more than 30 countries with the participation of
tens of thousands of people. This electoral process stands in sharp contrast to China’s authoritarian practices and offers an interesting, innovative model in an increasingly globalized world.
governance. The CTA’s recent elections, in which Dr. Lobsang Sangay was reelected as Sikyong and the 45-member Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies was selected, were carried out over several months in more than 30 countries with the participation of
tens of thousands of people. This electoral process stands in sharp contrast to China’s authoritarian practices and offers an interesting, innovative model in an increasingly globalized world.
Mr. President, we welcome your expressions of support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions, and the equal protection
of human rights of Tibetans in China, and your recognition of Dalai Lama’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of limiting global warming, including protecting the Himalayan glaciers and environment on the Tibetan plateau. But we believe it is critically
important to move beyond words to actions.
of human rights of Tibetans in China, and your recognition of Dalai Lama’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of limiting global warming, including protecting the Himalayan glaciers and environment on the Tibetan plateau. But we believe it is critically
important to move beyond words to actions.
Initiatives like those we have described that underscore the relevance of the Tibetan experience for world affairs should complement renewed and more robust efforts
to fully implement the TPA. In this regard, we strongly encourage your Administration, during the remaining months of your term in office, to focus on establishing a consular office in Lhasa. Such a presence is critical for observing and addressing the obstacles
to freedom of movement that affect both Tibetans within China, and U.S. citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China.
to fully implement the TPA. In this regard, we strongly encourage your Administration, during the remaining months of your term in office, to focus on establishing a consular office in Lhasa. Such a presence is critical for observing and addressing the obstacles
to freedom of movement that affect both Tibetans within China, and U.S. citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China.
As you are surely aware, although the U.S. government allows journalists and other citizens of the PRC to travel freely within the United States, the Chinese
government restricts the access of U.S. officials, journalists, Tibetan-Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of the country. Legislation pending in Congress would address this problem by making those senior Chinese officials responsible for the policy
ineligible to receive visas to enter the United States, on the premise that reciprocity forms the basis of diplomatic engagement between countries. Pending passage of such legislation, nothing precludes your Administration from implementing a policy of reciprocity
now, or tying Chinese access to United States territory to the opening of a consular presence in Lhasa.
government restricts the access of U.S. officials, journalists, Tibetan-Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of the country. Legislation pending in Congress would address this problem by making those senior Chinese officials responsible for the policy
ineligible to receive visas to enter the United States, on the premise that reciprocity forms the basis of diplomatic engagement between countries. Pending passage of such legislation, nothing precludes your Administration from implementing a policy of reciprocity
now, or tying Chinese access to United States territory to the opening of a consular presence in Lhasa.
In addition, the U.S. government should publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet. In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which China voted for in 1948, everyone has the right to leave and return to his own country.
Rights, which China voted for in 1948, everyone has the right to leave and return to his own country.
Finally, we strongly urge you to publically and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the PRC
whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
Mr. President, the Tibetan people view the United States as their friend. It is time to honor that friendship with new, creative strategies to encourage meaningful
dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity. We respectfully request that you exercise your leadership on this matter.
dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity. We respectfully request that you exercise your leadership on this matter.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress