(TibetanReview.net, Mar30’24) — The massive $1.2 trillion government funding bill passed by the US Congress earlier this month and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Mar 23 to fund the rest of the federal government included provisions totalling $23 million for Tibetan programmes, said Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT, savetibet.org) Mar 29. The Tibetan-programme allocations cover projects in areas that include language preservation, environmental protection, and Tibetan democracy in exile.
Also, included in the bill’s more than 1,000 pages is a narration which bans federal spending on maps or other materials that recognize Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China until the Chinese government agrees to a negotiated resolution of Tibet’s status.
Of the allocations for Tibetan programmes, $10 million is meant for NGOs that have experience working with Tibetan communities to support activities that preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education and environmental conservation in Tibet.
Besides, $8 million is earmarked for promoting and preserving Tibetan culture and language in Tibetan refugee and diaspora communities, as well as development and the resilience of Tibetan communities and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in India and Nepal. This funding will also assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan leaders from those communities, said the savetibet.org report.
In addition, $5 million is allocated for strengthening the capacity of the CTA, which provides democratic governance for Tibetans in exile. Up to $1.5 million of this support can be made available to address economic growth and capacity-building activities, including for displaced Tibetan refugee families in India and Nepal, the report said.
The bill’s documents also address China’s attempts to spread disinformation about Tibet and avoid negotiating with Tibetan leaders. It forbids spending on documents, reports, maps or other materials that recognize Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China “until the Secretary of State reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of the PRC has reached a final negotiated agreement on Tibet with the Dalai Lama or his representatives or with democratically-elected leaders of the Tibetan people.”
Franz Matzner, director of government relations at the ICT, has said: “The United States has once again demonstrated its commitment to the Tibetan people in concrete terms that provide crucial resources for their pursuit of freedom and cultural preservation in the face of the Xi Jinping regime’s escalating oppression.
“For those fighting for survival in Tibet, every dollar counts—and we are grateful for each one. For those outside Tibet, Congress’ investment in maintaining the Tibetan people’s distinct language, religion and way of life provides essential aid and a firm message of hope and solidarity.”