Bipartisan U.S. Lawmakers Applaud Passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act

A bipartisan group of members of the U.S. Congress praised the passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act, saying it clearly demonstrates the U.S. determination to protect the rights and interests of the Tibetan people.

The U.S. Congress passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act on Monday, asking Beijing to protect the rights and interests of the Tibetan people and saying that Beijing will be held accountable if it interferes with Tibetan religious affairs.

Congressman James P. McGovern, chairman of the Congressional and Executive Committee on China (CECC), and Senator Marco Rubio, co-chairman of the CECC, issued a statement on Monday, praising the bill as a clear demonstration of the U.S. government’s determination to promote the rights of the Tibetan people.

In the statement, Rep. McGovern said, “This bill reaffirms a philosophy that the United States is determined to uphold: a philosophy that human rights matter, that we care about those who are oppressed, and that we stand with those who are fighting for freedom. The passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act ensures that the American people will continue to be a steadfast partner of the Tibetan people in the future.”

In a statement, Senator Rubio said, “The passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act sends an important message that the United States supports the Tibetan people and opposes any efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere with the religious process of confirming Tibetan Buddhist leaders such as the Dalai Lama.”

Rubio also noted, “We must continue to expose the serious attacks launched by the Chinese Communist Party on the religion, culture and language of the Tibetan people, both within Tibet and outside of China. I applaud the passage of this bipartisan bill and urge the State Department to use the tools it provides to address the rising human rights abuses in Tibet.”

Rep. McGovern also called on the State Department to strongly implement the programs and directives in the bill to address the systematic and alarming violations of human rights in Tibet.