The United States House of Representatives, the country’s primary legislative body in the US, introduced a draft resolution regarding an independent Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s work toward global peace on November 13.
The resolution is entitled Recognising the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding. It emphasises US support for Tibetans’ struggle for human rights and freedoms, and the protection of Tibet’s national identity. The resolution also references recent trips by US Ambassadors to Tibet and to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala – a visit condemned by China – to discuss ways to advance religious freedoms. Moving forward, it proposes a bipartisan forum, across both chambers in the US Congress, to include His Holiness and to “discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts”.
This move by the US Congress was well received by the Tibetan Government-in-exile. Spokesperson Tsewang Gyalpo Arya said, “I am very thankful to the government of the United States and the House of Representatives…Right now, China has imposed dictatorship in the country and because of their trade and economic power, they try to influence many countries and stop others by saying things against China. So […] it is a very strong message to China that they should behave properly”
The introduction of the resolution is only the first stage in the legislative process. It could now be considered by the relevant House committee before potentially being sent to the full House chamber, with a version also taken up in the Senate concurrently.
The text of the Resolution is headed as Recognising the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding, with the following resolutions:
“…the House of Representatives—
(1) recognises the cultural and religious significance of a genuinely autonomous Tibet and the deep bond between the American and Tibetan people;
(2) commends the 14th Dalai Lama for his commitment to global peace and nonviolence; and
(3) determines that it would be beneficial to convene a bipartisan, bicameral forum, either through a Joint Meeting of Congress, a teleconference broadcast in the Auditorium at the Capitol Visitor Center, or roundtable, between Members of Congress and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts.”
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