Contact is taking a holiday!

Photo: ICT

The 12th annual Tibet Lobby Day in the United States was held on March 23 and 24.

The event is organised by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a non-profit advocacy group working to promote democratic freedoms for Tibetans, ensure their human rights and protect Tibetan culture and the environment. Under normal circumstances, Tibet Lobby Day brings members of Tibetan American associations, Tibet support groups and other supporters of Tibet to Washington DC to champion Tibetan issues.

Amidst the ongoing coronavirus crisis, President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, which eventually led to restrictions on public gatherings. At this time, Capitol Hill is closed and the general public cannot access Congressional offices.

The ICT responded by facilitating the event entirely by phone, and shared photographs and messages of support across internet platforms – the first time this method has been used. Although public life has been disrupted in an unprecedented way, Tibet Lobby Day is still considered a success. Over 150 people took part in the Day and reached over 80 Congressional offices by telephone.

Participants spoke with members of Congress and their staff; the discussions focused on three central requests.

Photo: ICT

Firstly, to request support for the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) – a bipartisan bill that would ensure a dramatic increase in US support for the Tibetan people. TSPA was passed by the House of Representatives with overwhelming support in January and is now awaiting approval from the Senate.

The next request was that the issue of Tibetans’ human rights and religious freedom should be raised whenever US policy on China is discussed in Congress.

Finally, to maintain funding for Tibet-related programmes in the State Department and the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill in 2021. The programmes funded by this Bill provide crucial humanitarian and economic development assistance for Tibetans in Tibet and in exile.

Matteo Mecacci, President of ICT, thanked the participants and said, “The International Campaign for Tibet is so grateful to the Tibetan associations, Tibetan Americans and Tibet supporters who made this virtual Lobby Day possible, as well as to the Congressional staff who engaged with their constituents during this difficult and challenging time. While the circumstances were not ideal of course, we are very pleased that progress could be made on sustaining and increasing US support for Tibetans and their rightful aspirations.”