Respect Religious Freedom in Tibet, U.S tells China
Dharamsala 19 December 2003: The U.S State Department yesterday released its ‘International Religious Freedom Report, 2003′ which will be submitted to the Congress by the Department in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. The law provides that the Secretary of State shall transmit to Congress each year “an Annual Report on International Religious Freedom supplementing the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom.”
The report gives information on the deteriorating condition of religious freedom in Tibet (click here for the Tibet chapter of the report) and also touches upon the case of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, and Lobsang Dhondup, an aide of Tulku, who was executed immediately after his death sentence. The duo was sentenced to death in a closed-door trial in December 2002 for alleged involvement in bombing cases and denied legal representation. It also features the 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima and Chadrel Rinpoche.
The report, in its opening pages, says that as President Bush has repeatedly affirmed religious freedom is a key component of U.S. efforts to ensure security, protect stability, and promote liberty.
“Religious freedom reinforces the development and strength of civil societies, and it dampens the appeal of religious extremism and religion-based terrorism. Moreover, religious freedom is a universal value, not confined to any one region or faith, but recognized in international law and by many religious traditions worldwide”, the report further said.
Speaking at a press conference to release the report, the U.S Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said that religious freedom is an important subject and that the U.S government believes it is an important report.
“I am honored to be here today to release it to the public. Even though religious freedom is a universal right, recognized by international law and religious traditions the world over, millions of people in scores of countries do not enjoy this right, and this report tells their story”, Mr. Armitage told reporters.
The first round of the ongoing U.S.-China bilateral human rights dialogue was held in December 2002, and religious freedom in Tibet featured in the agenda.