[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 252 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]






107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 252

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding human rights violations in 
Tibet, the Panchen Lama, and the need for dialogue between the Chinese 
         leadership and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 25, 2002

 Mr. Wellstone (for himself and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

                              June 3, 2002

   Reported by Mr. Biden, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                preamble

                              June 4, 2002

                   Considered, amended, and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding human rights violations in 
Tibet, the Panchen Lama, and the need for dialogue between the Chinese 
         leadership and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.

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 a criterion 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 releases of political prisoners Ngawang Choephel, a 36-year-old 
        ethnomusicologist on January 20, 2002, after 6 years in prison, and 
        Tanak Jigme Sangpo, a 76-year-old schoolteacher on March 31, 2002, after 
        32 years in prison, were facilitated in part by diplomatic efforts of 
        the United States Government and are welcome, modest developments in the 
        campaign to encourage the Chinese Government to respect human rights, 
        including religious freedom, and to release remaining prisoners of 
        conscience;
Whereas the appointment of the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, 
        Paula J. Dobriansky, as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues is a 
        sign of the high priority the United States Government places on the 
        political and religious liberties of the people of Tibet; and
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has failed to respond 
        positively to efforts by the Dalai Lama to enter into dialogue based on 
        his proposal for genuine autonomy within the People's Republic of China 
        with a view to safeguarding the distinct identity of Tibet and 
        protecting the human rights of the Tibetan people: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the Government of 
the People's Republic of China should--
            (1) release the Panchen Lama and allow him to pursue his 
        traditional role at the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Tibet; and
            (2) 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.
                                 <all>