(TibetanReview.net, May24’24) — The United States Senate has on May 23 unanimously passed the bipartisan Tibet bill titled “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act” (or “Resolve Tibet Act” in short). Though already passed by the House of Representatives in Feb 2024 by overwhelming majority, the bill now heads back to it for its concurrence on a few Senate amendments before it could be sent to President Joe Biden for being signed into law.
The bill questions the legitimacy of the Chinese occupation rule in Tibet and seeks to make it a US policy to promote a resolution of the Tibet-China dispute in accordance with international law. It specifically rejects as “inaccurate” China’s claims that Tibet has been part of China since “ancient times.”
In keeping with this fact, the bill, once it becomes law, will empower the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues to actively and directly counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government and Communist Party, while US government statements and documents will also be required to do the same.
Also, it will require the US government to promote substantive dialogue without preconditions between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan community, leading to a negotiated agreement on Tibet.
The proposed new law will task the US State Department with the responsibility to coordinate with other governments in multilateral efforts toward the goal of a negotiated agreement on Tibet.
The US government will also be required to encourage China to address the aspirations of the Tibetan people regarding their distinct historical, cultural, religious and linguistic identity.
President Tencho Gyatso of Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet has thanked Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) and Todd Young (R-Ind), who had introduced the bill in the Senate, for their dedication to the cause of freedom and justice for Tibetans.
Senator Merkley has called the bill a direct response to the tactics of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), “which continues to trample on the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people.” He has said “he bill supports a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute between the PRC and Tibet and counters disinformation from the PRC about Tibet and its history.”
Condemning China’s ongoing aggression towards Tibet as self-serving, Senator Young has said, “We must refresh US policy towards Tibet, and push for negotiations that advance freedoms for the Tibetan people and peaceful resolution to the CCP’s conflict with the Dalai Lama. The Senate’s vote to pass this legislation demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable.”
Namgyal Choedup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to North America has said: “Senate passage of the Resolve Tibet Act is a clear message that China’s systematic oppression and erasure of Tibetan identity is never the answer to resolving the Tibet-China dispute.”
Siklyong (executive head) Penpa Tsering of the CTA sees the Senate’s unanimous passage of the bill as auspicious, saying, “On the very auspicious day of the Saka Dawa, the US Senate unanimously passed the Resolve Tibet Bill.” The full-moon day of the Sakadawa (4th month of the Tibetan calendar) marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddhas Shakyamuni and it fell on May 23 this year.
Senator Merkley has vowed to work with others to get the bill to President Biden’s desk to help put the people of Tibet in charge of their own future.