[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TIBET: 46TH ANNIVERSARY OF TIBETAN UPRISING DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, today is the 46th anniversary of the Tibetans 
who died opposing the Chinese occupation, and all Tibetans who suffered 
due to their religious, political or cultural beliefs or activities.
  In 1949 communist China invaded Tibet. The Tibetan people rose up to 
revolt against Communist rule. In 1959 thousands of Tibetan refugees 
surrounded the compound of His Holiness the Dalai Lama out of fear he 
would be killed. In order to try to save his people the Dalai Lama fled 
to India. His people stayed and were attacked by the Chinese. Thousands 
of unarmed civilians were killed. During the 1959 uprising an estimated 
87,000 Tibetans were killed, arrested, or deported to labor camps.
  The harsh brutality still exists in Tibet today. The People's 
Republic of China does not tolerate Tibetan freedom in any form. Each 
year thousands of innocent people are imprisoned or put to death under 
a system plagued with corruption and secrecy. Many Buddhist monks and 
nuns are in detention for peacefully exercising their right to free 
expression, association and religion.
  I have visited Tibet and I was shocked and saddened by the repression 
of the Tibetan people. They live in fear that they will be killed, will 
disappear or will be tortured for expressing their political and 
religious beliefs. The Chinese government routinely refuses to allow 
independent international human rights monitors, including the United 
Nations, to conduct an investigation into the human rights situation in 
Tibet.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I had the honor 
of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2003. He is a man of great 
wisdom and vision who has the sole purpose for his people and his 
country to live free from oppression. He has worked for more than 40 
years to promote self-determination for the Tibetan people. The United 
States stands with him and supports a negotiated settlement through 
dialogue.
  Mr. Speaker, this day is to remind the world that the Tibetan people 
have been denied freedom for more than half a century. The clock is 
ticking for Tibet. I know one day we will be able to celebrate the 
anniversary of Tibetan Freedom Day.

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