A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation to deepen Washington’s engagement with Tibet’s government-in-exile….reports Asian Lite News Desk
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation seeking to strengthen US engagement with Tibet’s government-in-exile and ensure continued American support for Tibetan institutions beyond the lifetime of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The Assuring the Future of Tibet Act was introduced by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senators Jacky Rosen, Todd Young, Tim Kaine and Rick Scott are original co-sponsors of the legislation.
The bill would recognise the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people and affirm that resolving the Tibet-China dispute is in the strategic interests of the United States.
“Human rights and basic dignity for the people of Tibet cannot be ignored. Our bipartisan bill sends a clear message that the United States will stand with Tibet in its fight for these fundamental freedoms and the promise of tomorrow,” Merkley said.
“As long as the People’s Republic of China continues to ignore the rights of Tibet under international law, America will not abandon the Tibetan people,” he added.
Under the proposed legislation, the US secretary of state would be required to engage at the highest levels with the Sikyong, the elected head of the Central Tibetan Administration, as well as other designated representatives.
The bill would also require Washington to advocate for observer status for the Central Tibetan Administration at the United Nations and seek equal access for it across the UN system. It calls for the administration’s inclusion in relevant international organisations and urges the US to work with allies to support those efforts.
Risch said the legislation was intended to counter what he described as Beijing’s efforts to suppress Tibetan culture and identity.
“The Chinese Communist Party has sought to erase Tibetan culture, religion, and language, among other grievous actions. What Beijing has done to Tibet, they want to do elsewhere to anyone who defies the CCP,” Risch said.
“This bill supports the Tibetan people, key partners in pushing back against China’s authoritarianism, and counters China’s malign influence at the United Nations,” he added.
The legislation would also extend appropriate diplomatic courtesies to the Sikyong, potentially including security arrangements consistent with those provided to a head of government. It further calls for consideration of privileges and immunities for officials of the Tibetan administration.
A key provision concerns the succession of the Dalai Lama. The bill names the Gaden Phodrang Trust as the sole authority to recognise Dalai Lamas, a measure intended to reinforce US support for Tibetan religious leadership beyond the current Dalai Lama.
International Campaign for Tibet President Tencho Gyatso welcomed the legislation and called for its swift passage.
“At a time when China is accelerating its campaign to erase Tibetan identity, this bill sends a powerful message – that America’s support for the Tibetan people, their democratic institutions, and the Tibetan people’s right to determine their own future is unwavering,” she said.
The Senate bill is the companion legislation to a House measure introduced on May 22 by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Representative Michael McCaul.
For either proposal to become law, the House and Senate would need to approve identical versions before the legislation could be sent to the President.
The US Congress has passed several bipartisan measures concerning Tibet over the past decade, including the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, the Tibetan Policy and Support Act and the Resolve Tibet Act.
The Resolve Tibet Act backed Tibetan self-determination and called for dialogue between Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement.
