Tibet Genocide Bill Gains Bipartisan Support in U.S. Congress
Washington — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is backing legislation that would require the State Department to determine whether China’s treatment of Tibetans amounts to genocide or crimes against humanity.
Rep. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said Monday that he has joined as a co-sponsor of the Tibet Atrocities Determination Act. The bill was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.
The legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of State to determine whether actions by Chinese officials against Tibetans in Tibet constitute “an ongoing genocide” or “crimes against humanity.”
“The American people will never turn a blind eye to the CCP’s oppression of innocent Tibetans who wish to live freely and follow their faith,” Moolenaar said.
“This legislation is the first step to holding China accountable for its atrocities in Tibet,” he added.
Under the bill, the Secretary of State would have one year after enactment to submit a determination to Congress. The State Department would be directed to review allegations of systematic killings, serious bodily or psychological harm, forced displacement, mass detention, deprivation of food and medical care, measures intended to prevent births, and the removal of Tibetan children from their families and communities.
The bill would also require a report on Chinese government policies affecting Tibetan Buddhism, language and culture. It would include recommendations for potential U.S. responses, including sanctions, visa restrictions and diplomatic measures.
Supporters of the measure say Beijing has carried out a long-running campaign to suppress Tibetan identity. Lawmakers backing the bill accused the Chinese Communist Party of regulating monasteries, reshaping the Tibetan education system and promoting policies aimed at assimilating Tibetans into mainstream Chinese culture.
A congressional statement also accused the CCP’s United Front Work Department of engaging in what it described as a campaign of cultural erasure. The statement challenged Beijing’s claim that Tibet has historically been part of China.
A companion bill was introduced in the Senate in April by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., reflecting bipartisan concern in Congress over Tibet-related issues.
The legislation comes as Washington continues to scrutinize China’s policies toward ethnic and religious minorities. Human rights concerns involving Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong have become areas of bipartisan agreement in Congress despite broader political divisions. (Source: IANS)
