Congressman Jim McGovern's Statement Calling on the Government of China to End Its Crackdown in Tibet

M. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1077 and I want to thank the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, for her leadership and commitment to the people of Tibet. For many years, in both words and deeds, she has stood by the people of Tibet, and called for the respect and support of their dignity, culture, heritage, and religion. And I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation.

M. Speaker, I believe Tibet is one of the most serious human rights and political freedom issues of our time.

The violent response by Chinese military forces to peaceful protests that began in the Tibetan capital on March 11th is horrifying. I believe the United States and the international community must convey a strong condemnation of these acts, an accounting by China on the welfare and whereabouts of the many detained Buddhist monks and other Tibetan citizens who have been arrested, and facilitate access by international human rights monitors and journalists to Tibetan areas, as requested by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

The State Department's 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights describes a human rights situation in China and Tibet that continues to worsen while the repression of religious freedom has increased. There is very disturbing evidence of a pre-Olympic crackdown on religious leaders, journalists and lawyers in recent months. It is long past time for the government in Beijing to respect the human rights and religion of every Tibetan. As the protests in Tibet began calling for greater economic opportunity and equality, they also clearly called into question China's claims that its development of Tibet advances the prosperity of Tibetans as well as the ethnic Chinese Han who have been encouraged to migrate to Tibet and establish themselves there.

Since I was first elected to Congress, I have worked with many of my House colleagues to press for greater freedom for Tibet and for the release of Tibetan prisoners of conscience who have been jailed by Chinese authorities, most of whom are imprisoned for their political and cultural beliefs. Personally, I believe Tibet should be restored as an independent nation, which it was prior to China's military invasion over fifty years ago. I deeply fear that China is successfully destroying a culture, religion and national heritage that have survived for thousands of years.

The legislation before us this evening calls upon the Government of the People's Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and enter into a substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans. It is not a call for independence. But it is a call for the Chinese government to respond as a mature member of the international community. I hope that Beijing will understand much is required of a nation that desires to be a leader in regional and international affairs, including the capacity to genuinely negotiate differences and find solutions that are meaningful and acceptable to all.

M. Speaker, I have joined with my congressional colleagues, in a bipartisan fashion, on many letters to Chinese authorities about the recent protests in Tibet. Over the past years I have also petitioned the Chinese government on several individual cases, the most high profile of which would be the safety and well-being of the Pachan Lama. I have also asked my own government, at the highest levels, to advocate for the release of particular prisoners and for greater freedoms for the Tibetan people. I must admit, however, that I am very frustrated by the fact that the United States, like the rest of the international community, appears to voice reverence for the Tibetan culture and religion, while standing idly by and watching it be slowly eroded and dismantled year by year by the Chinese authorities. In the meantime, China continues to pursue its policies in Tibet, knowing there is no price to pay for its actions.

This time, M. Speaker, we must all act differently. There must be consequences for the brutal repression of Tibet. I hope the Chinese government will heed the message of this resolution. I hope it will open a genuine dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and negotiate in good faith a just solution with and for the people of Tibet.

I promise the sponsors of this bill that I will continue to join them and speak out on these matters and press President Bush, the international community, and the Chinese government to respect the basic human rights of the Tibetan people. Passage of H. Res. 1077 is a good step in moving this process forward.

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