Resolution Heading to Senate; Authorizes Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Question China About Tibet's Current Restrictions
March 19-20 was Tibet Lobby Day in Washington, DC, during which time 140 participants (including former Tibetan women held in prisons) visited 120 US Congressional offices, to appeal to Congress for substantial leadership on their part to bring about policy change in Tibet. They requested an immediate concerted action by Congress to send a strong signal to Tibetans inside Tibet (and to the Chinese authorities) that the world is watching and aware of the "dire situation Tibetans are facing."
The Tibetan activists requested additional support for Senate Resolution 356, which nine members of the US Senate were already sponsoring, entitled, "A Resolution Expressing Support for the People of Tibet." It calls on China to immediately end the crackdown in Tibet and to "address the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people." They also highlighted concern that Voice of America's Tibetan language radio was proposed for elimination in the Presidential FY2013 budget, a threat that could further cut off communication for Tibetans.
Bringing attention of the immediate situation in Tibet, online lobbyists also appealed to Congressional offices by producing thousands of messages to the 470 Congressional offices.
Efforts were realized on March 27 when the US Senate for Foreign Relations Committee approved the Resolution, and sent the Bill to the Senate to be approved. It calls on China to ease the restrictions occurring in Tibet, and to free Tibetan prisoners. The Senate Resolution will also "mourn" the Tibetans who have died, renounce the repressive policies which target Tibetans, and seek for China to release "all arbitrarily detained" Tibetan peoples. It is to be hoped that it will also address the specific release of three monks from Tsang Monastery sent to prison for ten years on March 17, 2008.
However, the bill will not threaten any repercussions for China, but would authorize Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to question China for a "full accounting," especially regarding monks and nuns forcibly removed from Kirti Buddhist Monastery, and also to recommend that Beijing allow journalists and diplomats access to Tibet.
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