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[ back ] SENATE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF THE PANCHEN LAMA : ON THE EVE OF HU JINTAO'S U.S. VISIT Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding human rights violations in Tibet, the Panchen Lama, and the need for dialogue between the Chinese leadership and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Whereas, Hu Jintao, Vice President of the People's Republic of China and former Party Secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region, will visit the United States in April and May of 2002; Whereas, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, was taken from his home by Chinese authorities on May 17, 1995, at the age of 6, shortly after being recognized as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama; Whereas, the forced disappearance of the Panchen Lama violates fundamental freedoms enshrined in international human rights covenants to which the People's Republic of China is a party, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child; Whereas, the use of religious belief as the primary criteria for repression against Tibetans reflects a continuing pattern of grave human rights violations that have occurred since the invasion of Tibet in 1949-50; Whereas, the State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2001 states that repressive social and political controls continue to limit the fundamental freedoms of Tibetans and risk undermining Tibet's unique cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage, and that repeated requests for access to the Panchen Lama to confirm his well-being and whereabouts have been denied, and; Whereas, the government of the People's Republic of China has failed to respond positively to efforts by the Dalai Lama to enter into dialogue based on his proposal for genuine autonomy within the People's Republic of China with a view to safeguarding the distinct identity of Tibet and protecting the human right of the Tibetan people: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that-- (1) Vice President Hu Jintao be made aware of congressional concern for the Panchen Lama and the need to resolve the situation in Tibet through dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives; and (2) The Government of the People's Republic of China should- (A) release the Panchen Lama and allow him to pursue his traditional role at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Tibet, and; (B)
Enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives in order to find
a negotiated solution for genuine autonomy that respects the rights of all Tibetans.
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