[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA TO END ITS CRACKDOWN IN TIBET

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                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1077, 
and I thank Speaker Pelosi for bringing this important piece of 
legislation to the floor.
  I am deeply troubled by the violence that has erupted in Lhasa and 
the rest of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The enduring human rights 
consequences have the potential to devastate Tibet and completely 
abolish any chance of peaceful reconciliation. According to news 
reports, Beijing has sent thousands of soldiers to the region to quell 
the violence, and Beijing's long-term plans for the region include 
ramped up ideological education for youth, restrictions on worship, and 
even harsh retribution for Tibetans who do not demonstrate fidelity to 
the official party line. This is not a matter of politics; this is not 
even a matter of international relations; this is a matter of basic 
human dignity. Tibetans, as we do here in America, ought to have the 
right to worship freely and live in peace, without fear of punishment.
  I add my voice to the rising chorus of international leaders 
encouraging the Chinese Government to engage His Holiness the Dalai 
Lama in substantive dialogue. His Holiness has committed his life to 
social justice and nonviolent conflict resolution. If a lasting peace 
is to be achieved in Tibet, the Chinese Government must also commit 
themselves to these ideals.

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