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(April 9, 2008) Lipinski Votes to Condemn China's Crackdown on Protestors in Tibet |
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Lipinski Votes to Condemn China’s Crackdown on Protestors in Tibet
Urges China to uphold Human Rights
[Washington, D.C.] Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski helped pass H.Res.1077, a resolution in the House of Representatives calling on the government of China to end its crackdown on Tibetan protestors and fulfill its obligation to improve human rights for all its citizens. This resolution comes after several weeks of protests, riots, and unrest in Tibet, where many continue to push for independence from China.
“I applaud the courage of the Tibetans who have chosen to stand up against the government of China and demand freedom and greater rights,” said Rep. Lipinski. “Now it is time for the rest of the world to stand up with Tibet and make clear that we oppose China’s violent response to the Tibetan protests and are determined to support a peaceful resolution. This legislation is a good first step in stating the will of the American Congress. I am hopeful that China is listening.”
Tibet is a mountainous region in Central Asia and the historical home of the Dalai Lama. Shortly after the Communists came to power in China in 1949, Tibet was conquered by Chinese forces and the Dalai Lama was forced into exile. The ensuing decades have witnessed several uprisings in the region and over the last three weeks, Tibetan monks have once again led a series of protests against the Chinese government’s rule and the lack of cultural and political freedom. These protests have been met with a violent response from Chinese authorities resulting in several deaths.
“When China was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics the Chinese government made a commitment to improve human rights,” said Rep. Lipinski. “Unfortunately, that has clearly not happened. I am hopeful that the unrest in Tibet and the protests against the Chinese government’s strong-arm tactics we are seeing around the world will prove to be the pressure that finally forces China’s government to change. The lives of Tibetans, religious minorities, and political dissenters in China may depend on it.”
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