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US Resolution Condemns China's Human Rights Abuse in Tibet

Friday, 1 August 2008, 9:01 a.m.
Dharamshala: Expressing concerns over the fate of Tibetans still languishing in prisons, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday urging the Chinese government to enter into direct negotiations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama over the future of Tibet, The Irrawady reported Thursday.

The speaker of the US House of Representative, Nancy Pelosi said: "The dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has gone nowhere. Thousands of peaceful Tibetans still languish in prisons in the aftermath of the protests that began in March."

In exchange for the privilege of hosting the Olympic games, the Chinese government made commitments on freedom of the press, human rights and the environment, Pelosi said, but the commitments have been violated repeatedly and blatantly.

Following the Chinese government's clampdown on peaceful Tibetan protestors across many areas in Tibet from 10 March, US Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R) meets His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala to express sympathy and support for Tibetan people, during her visit to India, on 21 March 2008/File Photo: Sangjey Kep

Speaker Pelosi strongly condemned the Chinese government for its suppression of peaceful protestors in Tibet and human rights violation of its own people in China.

"Chinese authorities have stepped up so-called 'patriotic education' campaigns that require Tibetan Buddhists, regardless of their true thoughts, to publicly denounce the Dalai Lama," she said.

The local communist government in Karze (Ch: Ganzi) County, Karze "TAP", Kham (incorporated into Chinese Province of Sichuan), has ordered sweeping purge of Tibetan monasteries.

Under this draconian regulation, senior monks and reincarnate lamas will be subjected to "patriotic education" and failing to carry out the orders will be "stripped of their post and imprisoned".

Monks, who refuse to change their thinking in line with official demands, will be expelled and jailed.

"Religious activities will be halted" in those monasteries where a substantial percentage of monks involved in this year's peaceful protests- a figure ranging from ten to 30 per cent.

The house resolution urged China to end human rights abuses, honour its commitments for freedom of the press and freedom of movement ahead of the Olympics.


--[Editing by Lobsang CHOEDAK]

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