President Joe Biden Signs Resolve Tibet Act to Support Tibetan Rights
On July 12, 2024, US President Joe Biden signed the Resolve Tibet Act, which calls for China to peacefully resolve its occupation of Tibet according to international law. The act encourages China to engage in direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions.
The Resolve Tibet Act, officially known as the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, asserts that Tibetans have their own religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identity. It recognizes China’s suppression of the Tibetan way of life and supports Tibetans’ right to self-determination.
Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, stated, “The Resolve Tibet Act cuts to the heart of China’s brutal treatment of the Tibetan people.” The act rejects China’s claims that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times and promotes accurate information about Tibet.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul expressed hope that the new law will help Tibetans take charge of their future. The Central Tibetan Administration and Students for a Free Tibet, an NGO, both welcomed the law, highlighting its importance in supporting Tibetan rights and countering Chinese misinformation.
Additionally, a memorial event for Tibetan freedom fighter Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was held in Dharamshala, India, where speakers urged China to release all political prisoners.
