[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 410 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 10, 2002.
Whereas Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, is scheduled 
        to visit the United States in October of 2002;
Whereas Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was taken from his home by Chinese authorities on 
        May 17, 1995, at the age of 6, shortly after being recognized as the 
        11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama;
Whereas the forced disappearance of the Panchen Lama violates fundamental 
        freedoms enshrined in international human rights covenants to which the 
        People's Republic of China is a party, including the Convention on the 
        Rights of the Child;
Whereas the use of religious belief as the primary criteria for repression 
        against Tibetans reflects a continuing pattern of grave human rights 
        violations that have occurred since the invasion of Tibet in 1949-50;
Whereas the State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001 
        states that repressive social and political controls continue to limit 
        the fundamental freedoms of Tibetans and risk undermining Tibet's unique 
        cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage, and that repeated requests 
        for access to the Panchen Lama to confirm his well-being and whereabouts 
        have been denied;
Whereas the appointment of the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, 
        Paula J. Dobrianksy, as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues is a 
        positive sign that the United States Government places a priority on the 
        political and religious liberties of the people of Tibet; and
Whereas the direct contact reestablished in September 2002 between the 
        Government of the People's Republic of China and the representatives of 
        the Dalai Lama is a welcome gesture and should provide a basis for 
        regular dialogue leading to a mutually acceptable solution for Tibet: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) President Jiang Zemin should be made aware of congressional 
        concern for the Panchen Lama and the need to resolve the situation in 
        Tibet through dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives; and
            (2) the Government of the People's Republic of China should--
                    (A) release the Panchen Lama and allow him to pursue his 
                traditional role at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Tibet; and
                    (B) enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his 
                representatives in order to find a negotiated solution for 
                genuine autonomy that respects the rights of all Tibetans.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.