US Congressman Jim Mcgovern
United States Congressman Jim McGovern led a group of 72 lawmakers calling on President Obama to redouble his efforts in support of the Tibetan people during his remaining months in office.
In a letter to President Obama dated August 17, the Congressman and lawmakers highlighted the importance of creating new strategies to “encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity.”
The letter made six suggestions to the President in regard to Tibet, including the establishment of a consular office in Lhasa, the release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and publicly supporting the right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet.
Other suggestions include urging US government officials to invite the Dalai Lama to every event where his knowledge would be helpful for addressing the world’s problems and to facilitate the involvement of His Holiness or his representatives in the global debate on climate change, including the protection of the Himalayan glaciers and environment on the Tibetan plateau.
The letter also raised the suggestion that senior Chinese officials be denied eligibility to receive visas to enter the United States on the premise that these Chinese officials currently restrict the access of US officials, journalists, Tibetan-Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of China.
Congressman McGovern has been a leading figure in Congress calling on the United States to help strengthen human rights reforms in Tibet. In November 2015 Congressman McGovern joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers on a trip to China and Tibet to urge Chinese Leaders to enact reforms to increase the freedom and autonomy of the Tibetan people.
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