Indy Standard

On June 12, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing American support for Tibet. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), along with U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA-02) and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), had previously cleared the Senate and now awaits President Biden's signature.

The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act encourages dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama to seek a peaceful resolution to the long-standing dispute between Tibet and China.

“Our bipartisan bill will refresh U.S. policy towards Tibet and push for negotiations that advance freedom for the Tibetan people and a peaceful resolution to the Chinese Communist Party’s conflict with the Dalai Lama," said Senator Young. "Congressional passage of this legislation further demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable."

Senator Merkley emphasized Congress's stance on Tibetan self-determination: “The people of Tibet deserve to be in charge of their own future, and, today, Congress has voted to stand with Tibetans in their struggle for freedom and self-determination.”

Representative McGovern stated, “Let the overwhelming passage of our strong, bipartisan bill be a clear message to the Tibetan people: America stands with you on the side of human dignity, and we support you in your quest to secure the basic rights to which you are entitled under international law.”

“Tibetans, like all people, have the right to religious freedom – which includes freedom from CCP surveillance, censorship, and detention," said Representative McCaul. "Passing this bipartisan bill demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo in Tibet is not acceptable."

The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act empowers State Department officials to actively counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government, rejects false claims that Tibet has been part of China since “ancient times,” pushes for negotiations without preconditions between Chinese authorities and Tibetan representatives or leaders, and affirms multilateral efforts toward a negotiated agreement on Tibet.

No formal dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese authorities has occurred since 2010 due to unreasonable demands made by Chinese officials on the Dalai Lama.

“This latest indication of American support of Tibet is a source of hope and encouragement to the Tibetan people who have been struggling nonviolently against the Chinese communist government for more than six decades for their rights," said International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) President Tencho Gyatso.

In addition to Senators Merkley and Young, other cosponsors include Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).