Expressing the concern of the Senate for the ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet

Expressing the concern of the Senate for the ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet.

Whereas for the past four decades, repressive actions by the Chinese have resulted in the deaths of as many as one million Tibetans, the destruction of a large part of Tibet's unique cultural heritage, the flight of the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of Tibetans from their homeland;

Whereas despite a short period (1978-1982) when a Chinese policy attempt was initiated to address the grievances of the Tibetan people, recent reports issued by credible human rights organizations, including Asia Watch and Amnesty International, and the international press confirm mounting human rights violations in Tibet, including arbitrary arrest and detention, the use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators, restrictions on religious freedoms, torture, and a systematic pattern of discrimination;

Whereas Congress passed, and President Reagan signed into law on December 22, 1987, legislation stating that "the Government of the People's Republic of China should respect internationally recognized human rights and end human rights violations against Tibetans . . . and should actively reciprocate the Dalai Lama's efforts to establish a constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet";

Whereas on September 16, 1988, the United States Senate unanimously passed S. Con. Res. 129 commending the Dalai Lama for his efforts to resolve the problems of Tibet through negotiations, supporting his proposal to promote peace, protect the environment, and gain democracy for the people of Tibet, and calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into discussions to resolve the question of Tibet along the lines proposed by the Dalai Lama;

Whereas on September 21, 1988, the Chinese Government welcomed negotiations with the Dalai Lama and stated: "the venue of the talks can be Beijing, Hong Kong, or any of the Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. Should the Dalai Lama find these places inconvenient, he can choose any place at his discretion provided that no foreigners participate in the talks";

Whereas the Chinese Government has yet to accept negotiations with representatives of the Dalai Lama, and no such negotiations have taken place;

Whereas Tibetans continue to demonstrate in support of human rights and democratic freedoms in Tibet. On March 5, 6 and 7, 1989, at least 30 and, according to some reports, as many as 60 people died and hundreds were injured when Chinese authorities fired on unarmed Tibetan demonstrators in Lhasa;

Whereas Chinese officials in Beijing have declared martial law in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and its environs. Western tourists in Lhasa during these demonstrations have reported random mass arrests and mistreatment of Tibetans by Chinese authorities; Now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate

(1) Condemns the recent use of violence against unarmed Tibetan demonstrators on March 5, 6, and 7, 1989;

(2) Expresses sympathy for those Tibetans who have suffered and died as a result of Chinese policies in Tibet over the past four decades;

(3) Urges the People's Republic of China to respect internationally recognized human rights and end human rights violations in Tibet;

(4) Urges the People's Republic of China to lift the government-imposed restrictions on foreign press and human rights monitoring groups in Tibet;

(5) Urges the Administration to propose that a United Nations observer team monitor the situation in Tibet;

(6) Urges the United States to make the treatment of the Tibetan people an important factor in its conduct of relations with the People's Republic of China;

(7) Urges the United States, through the Secretary of State, to address and call attention to, in the United Nations and in other international fora, the rights of the Tibetan people;

(8) Supports the efforts of the Dalai Lama and others to resolve peacefully the situation in Tibet; and

(9) Calls upon the Government of the People's Republic of China to meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama to begin initiating constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet.

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Last updated: 14-Aug-97